Report by Peter Simcox
Pictured: Floreat Athena's Lewis McMahon and Perth Glory's Tom King. Photo: Peter Simcox

Floreat Athena bounced back from last week’s defeat against Sorrento with a comprehensive 4-1 win against Perth Glory at Inglewood Stadium on Sunday.

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Lewis McMahon bagged a brace, while new signings Phil Arnold and Jon Stynes added the others.

17-year-old Michael McDougall scored the Glory consolation goal, his first senior goal in the NPL.

McMahon said it was vital they got back to winning ways and said it was a hard fought encounter.

“We had a blip last week against Sorrento, but it was important we stuck to our game plan and got back to winning ways,” he said.

“They (Glory) are a good young side and last time we draw with them, so we knew we had to be strong and I thought we let the gaffer down last week against Sorrento.

“So it’s nice to get the win today, a pity my last minute volley didn’t nestle in the back of the net and finish with the match ball.”

Floreat coach Glenn Grostate said his squad is now deeper, and he was delighted with the performances of his new signings.

“The squad is looking stronger and we had quality coming off the bench which is great,” he said.

“The two new signings have fitted in really well with the way we want to play.

“Both Phil and Jon struggled at their previous clubs but they have given us a lift, and we hope to kick on from this win and like I said things are looking healthy for us at the moment.”

There is a six-point gap to league leaders Bayswater City, but Grostate believes there are a few more twists and turns to go until the end of the season.

“We don’t want to let Bayswater get away from us, so it was vital to win today,” he said.

“There is still 30 points up for grabs, and all we can is keep winning, and hope something will go our way, and I’m confident it will.”

The home side was quick out of the blocks, and on two minutes Gian Albano’s shot flashed over the top.

Then on 10 minutes, Glory skipper Jacob Collard saw his freekick crash off the crossbar and away to safety.

But two minutes later, in their first attack Floreat hit the front. Ludovic Boi’s corner found Arnold at the back post, and on his debut for the club, the striker bundled the ball home.

Floreat were now on top and Glory keeper Jordan Franken produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Arnold again moments later.

The Glory had plenty of possession, but was struggling in the final third, Slobodan Vulin had their best chance but his freekick was straight at Floreat keeper Fraser Greenwood.

Franken was keeping his side in the game and on the stroke of half time he produced another great save, this time tipping Jon Stynes’ shot on the turn onto the crossbar.

Floreat doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half.

Collard and Steve Burton had a push and shove in the penalty area and the South Australian referee Daniel Elder pointed to the spot.

McMahon stepped up and finished low in the right hand corner of the net, despite Franken guessing right and getting a hand to it.   

Floreat were now dictating terms and they made it 3-0 on the hour. Glory failed to clear their lines and McMahon volleyed home from 9m.

The Glory youngsters continued to press and they were back in the game on 82 minutes. Second half substitute McDougall was not closed down, and his long-range shot flew into the bottom corner of the net.

But Floreat restored their three goal advantage three minutes from time, in controversial circumstances.

Dennis Galan made space down the right, his cross picked out Stynes, whose superb volley crashed off the crossbar, bounced on the line and back into the hands of Franken; the assistant referee confirming the ball had crossed the line.

McMahon almost finished the game with a hat-trick, his audacious long-range shot whistled inches past a post.  

Perth Glory 1 (McDougall 82 mins)
Floreat Athena 4 (Arnold 12 mins, McMahon 52’, 60’, Stynes 88’)
Sunday 28 June 2015
Venue: Inglewood Stadium, Inglewood
Referee: Daniel Elder (South Australia)
Assistants: Josh Nixon and Alex Best

Perth Glory: GK Jordan FRANKEN, 2 Gian ALBANO, 3 Jacob COLLARD (c), 4 Tom KING (12 Waliedin ISMAIL 59’), 5 Ali GHOLAMI, 6 Calvin WHITNEY, 7 Sam MACKEARNAN (13 Michael MCDOUGALL 65’), 8 Dejan SPASESKI, 9 Nikola TALIMDZIOSKI, 10 Slobodan VULIN, 11 Daniel STYNES (15 Hayden STEVENS 73’)
Subs not used: 14 Henry DURR
Yellow Cards: Albano 27’, Vulin 29’, Collard 51’, Whitney 84’

Floreat Athena: GK Fraser GREENWOOD, 2 Blair GOVAN, 4 Aryn WILLIAMS, 5 Bobby WILSON, 8 Jonathan STYNES, 11 Dennis GALAN, 12 Kris GATE (6 Clayton ARNEZ 75’), 14 Ludovic BOI (c), 18 Phillip ARNOLD (10 Andrew SCALDEFERRO 69’), 19 Steve BURTON (16 Andrew XYDAS 84’), 20 Lewis MCMAHON
Subs not used: RGK Jordan BARBAS, 15 Greg HART
Yellow Cards: McMahon 40’, Galan 48’