Report by Daryn McCleave

New signings Jon Stynes and Phil Arnold were on the scoresheet as Floreat Athena brushed aside Armadale 3-0 at Alfred Skeet Reserve in PS4 National Premier Leagues WA.

Stynes' header gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break before Arnold struck on the hour and late on with two composed finishes to seal the points.

Armadale had their moments too, but were dealt a huge blow midway through the first half as Danny Hodgson, influential in Army's recent revival, had to depart on a stretcher following a heavy challenge.

Athena coach Glenn Grostate was relieved his side got the points against a side with a new lease of life under new boss Paul Price.

"Armadale's always a very difficult place to come, they've come off the back of two good results, are playing good football under new management and we were comfortable,” he said.

"If we want to chase (Bayswater), we have to chase and not conceding goals is a good place to start."

Grostate was also delighted to see Phil Arnold enjoying his football and finding the net since his recent arrival from a frustrating time at leaders Bayswater.

"We all know Phil has a lot of talent,” he said.

“He's got three goals in four now and still needs to get his match fitness up and Jon Stynes from ECU Joondalup is a great pick up for us too."

Armadale started promisingly as Jesse Fuller and Faustinho Machochi fired over and straight at keeper Fraser Greenwood respectively in the opening minutes.

Athena responded with Dennis Galan and Ludovic Boi both superbly denied by Dylan Wilson when through on goal.

But the loss of Hodgson appeared to rattle the home side and on 31 minutes Stynes jumped highest to meet a free kick and guide a header low into the corner beyond Wilson's reach.

Jack Allen and Steve Burton both struck the woodwork as Floreat looked to increase their lead going into the interval.

Armadale applied early pressure after the restart, but found themselves further behind on the hour mark, as Arnold fired home inside the area from Burton's cutback.

And the win was completed with eight minutes remaining, when Arnold showed great awareness, before capitalising on a poor clearance from Wilson to side foot into an empty net from half way.

Arnold though was just happy to have got the win in a potentially tricky encounter.

"It's good to get the win and keep pushing Bayswater,” he said.

“Playing with the likes of Lewis (McMahon), Ludo (Boi) and Burts (Steve Burton), we're always going to create chances and it's good to put them away.” 

Armadale 0
Floreat Athena 3 (Stynes 31 mins, Arnold 59, 82)
Saturday 11 July, 2015
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Referee: Matt SOUTHERN

ARMADALE: 20. (GK) Dylan WILSON, 2. Nick CRERAND, 5. Sam LOVELESS, 6. Jake SARDELIC, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, 16. Jesse FULLER, 11. Jackson BEALEY, 9. Darren FRANCIS, 10. Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY (15. Sam KHANKALILI 70'), 7. Danny HODGSON (8. Jamal YUSOF 22' (3. Shaun MORRISON 75')), 12. Faustinho MACHOCHI.
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: 1. Luke RADONICH
YELLOW CARDS: Crerand 27' Bealey 61'

FLOREAT ATHENA: 1. Fraser GREENWOOD, 2. Blair GOVAN (17. Callum FRANSZ 75'), 3. Jack ALLEN, 11. Dennis GALAN, 6. Clayton ARNEZ, 8. Jonathan STYNES (10. Andrew SCALDAFERRO 83'), 4. Aryn WILLIAMS, 14. Ludovic BOI, 20. Lewis McMAHON, 19. Steve BURTON, 18. Phillip ARNOLD.
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: 23. (GK) Matt FRANKEN, 12. Kris GATE, 33. David STOKOE
YELLOW CARDS: Govan 55' Arnold 65'