Report by Paul Laverty

 

Striker Bobby Wilson came off the bench following a five-month layoff to prove the difference between his Floreat side and Cockburn City at the E&D Litis Stadium in round four of the PS4 NPLWA on Saturday.

After just a minute on the pitch he pounced on a Zelfy Nazary cut-back from the byline in the 77th minute to expertly slot home.

Wilson was delighted to be back but admitted he’s still suffering from a torn meniscus which has hampered his rehabilitation.

“Apart from feeling so unfit it was good to come on and help the lads,” he said.

“But I think we deserved the win, we had the chances, and the boys played awesome.”

In the battle of fourth versus third, last year’s Cool Ridge Cup finalists both played their part in a tense encounter.

A first-half where neither attack troubled the opposition defence finally sprang to life on 38 minutes when Floreat talisman Jonathan Stynes brought down the ball in the centre of the park and volleyed home a beautiful strike into the bottom left corner.

Cockburn lifted their heads and dragged themselves level before the break when Joshua Kuser popped up with a back-post header from a long corner which Jason Saldaris in the home goal was disappointed to see creep in.

Buoyed by the goal, Cockburn started the second-period brighter as Adam de Luz testeed Saldaris with a stinging volley. But, the keeper was up to the task, blocking firmly, before Floreat found their game and finished the stronger of the teams.

Cockburn keeper Luke Radonich had to be on his toes to punch a defensive header from Kuser over the bar, moments before Nazry had a goal disallowed for an infringement.

Clayton Arnez then saw his rasping long-range effort sizzle just over, allowing the scene to be set for Wilson to grab the headlines.

Cockburn coach Scott Millar had few complaints at the final whistle and was keen to look ahead to their upcoming fixtures.

“We’re a developing team, but if you look at the game I think Floreat deserved their win.”

 

Floreat Athena 2 (Stynes 38min, Wilson 77)

Cockburn City 1 (Kuser 43)

Saturday, March 11, 2017

E&D Litis Stadium

Kick-off: 7.00pm

Referee: Tom Dowle

Assistant referees: Julian Serra, Peter Kaiser

Floreat Athena: 1. Jason SALDARIS, 2. Shaun TIMMINS, 3. Clayton ARNEZ, 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO (5. Bobby WILSON 76), 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 10. Kristopher GATE, 12. Jackson MORGAN, 13. Zelfy NAZARY,  15. Christopher SALDARIS, 17. Dean EVANS (C)

Substitutes not used: 11. Dennis GALAN, 16. Ryan MALTON, 20.Joe TWEATS, 23. Jordan BARBAS (RGK)

Yellow cards: Christoper Saldaris

Red cards: nil

 

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 4. Euen GRANT (C), 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Ali GHOLAMI (3. Daniel DOLS 69), 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9. Gian ALBANO, 12. Kenel MOUITHYS (10. David ARAYA 62), 16. Calvin WHITNEY, 17. Jesse LAZARRO, 18. Aden DA LUZ (14. Andrew EMSAVANA 81), 20. Joshua KUSER

Substitutes not used: 13. Blake ADAMS, 23. Ryan BARKER (RGK)

Yellow Cards: nil

Red Cards: nil