Report by Paul J Laverty

 

An injury-time strike by Richard Howles ensured PS4 NPLWA newcomers Joondalup United remain undefeated in their maiden season in the top-flight, after a round 6 draw with Cockburn City.

Things hadn’t looked so rosy for the home-side in the opening-period as their direct and combative approach wasn’t working as well as it did last week at Balcatta.

It was Cockburn whose quality and experience was at the fore as they went two-up before the break.

Their first goal came after some delightful trickery by Cameron Edwards on the flank culminated in a pinpoint cross which Liam Murray powered past the keeper.

Harry O’Brien then doubled Cockburn’s advantage when he poked the ball in from close-range as United uncharacteristically failed to clear their lines following a corner.

Joondalup needed to start the second-period with a bang and they did just that with Arran Maplestone rampaging down the left-wing and his cross picking out Alex Wild who nodded home.  

With the wind at their backs Joondalup’s final balls were putting increased pressure on the visitors’ backline with Jay Marsden’s long-range strike forcing Luke Radonich in the Cockburn goal into a great reflex stop.

Luke Serra and Wild both had efforts scrambled off the line as Joondalup were running out of time and it looked like fortune would favour City.

But Howles had other ideas and ensured United grabbed the point they deserved at the death when his lung-bursting run down the left saw him keep a cool head and slot home.

Joondalup United boss Nick Jennings never doubted his side would get something out of the game.

“We’ve done this so many times over the years, scored in the last minute, we’ll always go to the final whistle,” he said.

“We’re pleased to stay unbeaten but we battered them in the second-half and should have scored more goals.” 

Cockburn City coach Scott Millar was downbeat with the last-gasp loss of points but had few complaints.

“Really disappointed with that second-half effort, we stole a point today,” he said.

“First-half we bossed them, second-half they bossed us, and to be honest they’re unlucky not to sneak a win.”

 

Joondalup United 2 (Wild 52mins, Howles 90+2)

Cockburn City 2 (Murray 8min, O’Brien 42)

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Percy Doyle Reserve

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: Josh Nixon

Assistant Referees: John Taran, Daniel Cole

Joondalup United: 1. James BOSDET, 2. Joel LEDSHAM (16. Ross EDWARDS 86), 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (C), 7. Matthew SPARROW, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Richard HOWLES, 10. Alex WILD (19. Mike KENNY 85), 17. Luke SERRA, 23. Jay MARSDEN (18.  Anthony TAYLOR 74), 54. Robert BAIN

Subs not used: 21. Jack NUNN, 22. Jai RAWLINSON

Yellow Cards: Bosdet, Sparrow.

Red Cards: nil

 

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 4. Euen GRANT (C), 7. Ali GHOLAMI (18. Daniel DOLS 61), 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9. Gian ALBANO, 10. David ARAYA (14. Julian TELES 69), 11. Harry O’BRIEN, 16. Calvin WHITNEY, 17. Jesse LAZARRO (13. Blake ADAMS 61), 19. Liam MURRAY, 20. Joshua KUSER

Substitutes not used: 12. Kenel MOUITHYS, 23. Ryan BARKER

Yellow Cards: Araya, Murray, Whitney.

Red Cards: nil