Report by Saxon Durrant

Photo by Jonny Warrington

Cockburn City have continued their rich vein of form in the PS4 NPLWA by overcoming Armadale 3-2 at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.

With all five goals coming in the opening half, spectators weren’t left stunned as a see-saw affair saw Armadale take the lead twice before Cockburn hit the front and stayed there.

An exceptional fingertip save by Armadale goalkeeper Michael Craggs in the 13th minute started the flow of goals, with Armadale going one in front two minutes later through marauding left back Dylan White.

Cockburn took just five minutes to equalise when Armadale failed to clear a corner and captain Euen Grant poked home from inside the box.

Armadale were not to be silenced and four minutes later an amazing solo goal by Joshua Tumoe, who terrorised Cockburn’s defence all day put the army back in front.

Tumoe picked the ball up from near the half way line, and beat three defenders before slotting home in the bottom left corner out of Cockburn goalkeeper Radonich’s reach.

A ten minute respite of goals followed, with Cockburn pressing for an equaliser before David Araya was brought down in the box.

Gian Albano converted the penalty to level the scores at 2-2 and then it was Jesse Lazzaro, who from a 25 yard free kick curled his effort past Craggs into the bottom left corner to give Cockburn the lead.

It proved to be the last goal of an eventful 45 minutes.

The second half saw Cockburn sure up defensively, playing a tighter style and looking to control the game with Armadale searching for an equaliser.

It proved to be a half of little chances, with Cockburn’s Liam Murray coming closest with a header going agonizingly wide.

Armadale tried to create chances but were denied by a strong and steady Cockburn defence, with Cockburn holding on to win 3-2.

The result sees Cockburn grab another three points, continuing their impressive start of the season with 10 points from five games.

Cockburn head coach Scott Miller said his team deserved the three points, but heaped praise on an Armadale side who made it tricky at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

“I think they had two shots and scored two goals, to me that’s not good luck that’s well played,” Miller said.

It was mixed emotions for Armadale’s Joshua Tumoe, who said luck wasn’t on their side despite his team coming out with everything they had.

“The season is still young we have a lot that we can do and I believe we will come out with good results,” Tumoe said.

Armadale remain with only three points after five games in the league.
    
Armadale 2 (White 15min, Tumoe 24)
Cockburn City 3 (Grant 20min, Albano 38 Pen, Lazzaro 43)
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant Referees: Walter Cioth, Shane Skinner

Armadale: 1. Michael Craggs, 2. Dylan White, 4. Nathan Costello, 7. Charlie Kenna (19. Faustin Machochi 70), 9. Kyle King, 11. Dannie Richman, 12. Joshua Tumoe, 14. David Annall, 16. Tristan Taylor, 17. James Atkins (10. Papa Kpatar 70), 20. Beau Rahim (18. Milan Ognjenovic 77)
Substitutes not used: 23. Alec Radonich, 21. Charlie White
Yellow Cards: Tumoe
Red Cards: nil

Cockburn City: 1. Luke Radonich, 2. Joshua Kuser, 3. Daniel Dols, 4. Euen Grant, 6. Reuben Tristao, 8. Cameron Edwards 9. Gian Albano, 10. David Araya (11. Harry O’Brien 56), 16. Calvin Whitney, 17. Jesse Lazzaro (13. Blake Adams 45) 18. Aden Da Luz (5. Liam Murray 77)
Substitutes not used: 12. Kenel Mouithys, 23. Ryan Barker
Yellow Cards: Whitney, Albano
Red Cards: nil