ECU see off luckless Armadale
Report by Daryn McCleave
ECU Joondalup bounced back from last week's home mauling to secure a welcome 3-1 win at Armadale, who continue to seek an elusive first home win of 2015 in the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA.
Substitute Harry Bissett, albeit against the run of play, set the visitors on their way on 28 minutes before quick-fire strikes from Bayley Montgomery and Tommy Amphlett near the hour mark put the game beyond the hosts.
Amphlett's goal made up for a horror miss from the penalty spot minutes earlier, blazing wildly over the crossbar after Bissett had been upended.
Darren Francis managed to get Armadale a consolation with the last action of a game played in blustery conditions.
ECU coach Dale McCulloch was delighted with his side's response following the 7-2 thrashing at home to Floreat last week.
"There's a lot of emotions right now. They (the players) turned up Tuesday in such good spirits. They were up for it from Tuesday and it's all credit to them, they've been brilliant," he said.
"First 20 minutes Armadale were the better side. It was a scrappy game but we settled into it, got the goal and the momentum started to shift.”
Armadale will rue an inability to capitalise on a bright opening which saw plenty of possession and a few corners but little in the way of clear-cut chances.
Raveshlan Kuppusammy had the best opportunity, pouncing on a punched clearance by ECU's Andy Banks, only to see the 'keeper recover to produce a fine save from a fierce shot.
ECU went ahead with their first real attempt. Bissett controlled a cross from the left on his chest before slotting underneath a sprawling Dylan Wilson.
And two defensive blunders within the space of 60 seconds in the 55th minute gifted the visitors a commanding lead.
Montgomery just about scrambled home via the post following a mix-up between defender and goalkeeper, and then Amphlett dispatched clinically after Wilson was again at fault.
ECU were content to see the game out, but Army had the final say in the third minute of stoppage time, as Francis looped a header into the net from a corner.
Armadale coach Paul Price bemoaned the fact he's lost "half a team", naming only three substitutes due to a decimated squad.
"That was as poor as we've played since I've been at the club. We deserved what we got, but we can't keep losing players the way we are". Price said.
Armadale 1 (Francis 90+3 mins)
ECU Joondalup 3 (Bissett 28 mins, B. Montgomery 55' Amphlett 56')
Saturday 8 August, 2015
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Referee: Matthew SOUTHERN
Armadale: 20 (GK) Dylan WILSON, 11. Jackson BEALEY, 17. Sam KHANKHALILI (2. Sam COLE 67'), 5. Sam LOVELESS, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI (4 .Shaydon PASSALACQUA 47') , 6. Jake SARDELIC, 8. Jesse FULLER, 9. Darren FRANCIS, 10. Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY, 16. Anthony SKORICH (3. Kade McNAMARA 78'), 12. Faustinho MACHOCHI
Yellow cards: McNamara 88'
ECU Joondalup: 1. Andy BANKS, 2. Ryan LOWRY, 3. Cian HIRRELL, 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5. Coire McGUIGAN, 6. Josh TUCKER, 7. Ollie ANNIS, 8. Joe SMITH, 10. Stuart MONTGOMERY (12. Harry BISSETT 14'), 11. Bayley MONTGOMERY (15. Damien SIMIC 90+1'), 13. Tommy AMPHLETT (9. Paddy DOYLE 77')
Subs not used: 20 (GK) Jamie SERRA, 14. Ronald RIXER
Yellow cards: Hirrell 28' Lowry 52'
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