Report by Chris Beech

David Heagney takes aim. Picture: Chris Beech

Bayswater City progressed to the PS4 NPL National Finals Series Semi-Finals with an historic first win for a WA side in the national knockout competition.

The visitors to Adelaide Shores Football Centre scored two second-half goals to defeat West Adelaide 2-1 in today’s Elimination Final.

Bayswater had trailed 1-0 at half time but two goals in three minutes – from David Heagney and Danny Dixon – secured a victory that has set-up a Semi-Final against Tasmania’s Olympic FC at Frank Drago Reserve next weekend.

West Adelaide controlled much of the possession in the first half and Robin Lippett was first to threaten but he headed over in the seventh minute. Just five minutes later, West Adelaide were in front when a Jamie Coyne back pass ended up in the net.

Bayswater settled into the tempo after conceding and had half chances through Heagney, Chris Saldaris and a disallowed goal for offside from Gustavo Giron Marulanda in the 29th minute.

At the other end, Ricardo Da Silva created a great chance after 36 minutes that was deflected off Trent Kay for a corner. Just before the half-time break, some great build up play between Alexander Rideout and John Karatzas almost had the home side 2-0 up at the break.

Chris Coyne’s half-time message and an inspired substitution to bring on Danny Dixon for Declan Hargreaves, who had been struggling with illness, proved to be the difference.

Bayswater kicked into gear as Giron Marulanda and Heagney started creating chances for the visitors. Giron Marulanda almost got Bayswater on level terms in the 76th minute with a fantastic free-kick that rocketed off the crossbar.

It was only a matter of time before Bayswater would equalise and it came just a minute later. A left-footed cross from Todd Howarth caused havoc in the box and when West Adelaide defenders were unable to clear, Heagney was first to react to score.

Soon after, Bayswater got their second goal when some great build up down the left from Sam Mitchinson and Heagney created an opportunity for substitute Dixon to slot home.

Coach Chris Coyne made some defensive changes in the dying moments of the match to ensure City got the win with Adam Tong replacing Heagney to shore up the Bayswater defence.

Coyne conceded his side had taken time to adjust to the artificial surface.

“It was tough,” he said. “The astro turf was a bit hard to get used to in the first half. We told the boys to settle down at half time and have a little bit more composure and get on the ball. I felt we were immense in the second half and the brand of football we played was really good. I am really proud of the boys.”

Coyne said Bayswater had plenty of homework to do before taking on Olympia.

“We’ll do our due diligence, and make some phone calls, watch some tape and prepare like we did for this game,” he said. “We definitely won’t be taking this lightly.”

The match against Olympia will be played at Frank Drago Reserve on the weekend of Saturday, September 26. The date is to be confirmed.

West Adelaide 1 (own goal 12mins)
Bayswater City 2 (Heagney 77, Dixon 80)
Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Referee: Daniel Elder
Assistant referees: Matthew Cream, Stephen Toth

West Adelaide: 1. Daniel ATKINS (GK), 5. Robin LIPPETT, 6. Elias VLASSIS, 8. Kosta MANTIS (4.Thomas VEART 83min), 9. Alexander RIDEOUT, 10. Ricardo DA SILVA, 11. Thomas BRISCOE, 12. John KARATZAS (13. Matthew BOUZALAS 74min), 14. Nathan ANDIJANTO, 20. Tony HATZIS (3. Lewis VALLELONGA 86min), 23. Mitchell NICHOLSON
Substitutes not used: 2. Milos TOSIC, 15. Alexandros KOUTOULOGENIS (GK).
Yellow cards: Da Silva 39min, Nicholson 88.
Head coach: Paul Pezos

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE (gk), 2. Declan HARGREAVES (14. Danny DIXON 46min), 6. Todd HOWARTH, 9. Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA, 13. Trent KAY, 15. Brian FARRELL, 16. Jamie COYNE, 17. Bor Bor SAM (10. Damien CATALANO), 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 21.David HEAGNEY (12. Adam TONG 85min), 23.Chris SALDARIS.
Substitutes not used: 19. Alex WILD, 25. Jason SALDARIS (GK).
Yellow cards: Chris Saldaris 46min.
Head coach: Chris Coyne