Report by Matthew Corvi

Photo by Jonny Warrington

Armadale claimed a valuable point at home with a 0-0 draw against Bayswater City in the PS4 NPLWA on Saturday at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

This was the second time the two sides had met this week, with Bayswater winning their ANZAC Day FFA Cup clash 5-0.

The torrent of goals on Tuesday was followed by a drought in this league encounter, which pleased Armadale coach John O’Reilly.

“I felt we gave them too much space in key areas on Tuesday," O'Reilly said. "Today was about making sure we worked the whole game... no-one was allowed to walk,” he said.

“The boys did a fantastic job. I couldn’t ask for anymore."

Despite having the better of the game, Bayswater could not find a way past a well-drilled Armadale defence.

Bayswater had the majority of possession in the early stages of the game and could have taken the lead in the 13th minute when Gustavo Giron Marulanda blazed his shot wide of the goal.

Bayswater continued to dominate the game with the best chance of the first half coming in the 22nd minute.

After a fantastic through ball, Jason Micro rounded the goalkeeper but took too long to shoot, giving Michael Craggs the chance to make a last ditch save.

The second half started in a similar fashion, with Bayswater having the majority of possession without finding the target.

With only three minutes left, Heagney went close, heading just over the bar from outside the goal area.

Despite being on the back foot, Armadale had the best chance of the game with seconds remaining.

Following a neat exchange of passes, Armadale found themselves two-on-one against the goalkeeper but an over-hit through ball was gratefully claimed by Bayswater keeper Devon Spence.

Chris Coyne was disappointed his side couldn’t score a winner but was impressed by Armadale’s defensive performance.

“We’ve got to take our chances," he said. "Putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest to do.

“Credit to Armadale, they were very solid and deserve a lot of credit. If they defend like that against everyone they will be a very difficult team to play”

Armadale 0
Bayswater City 0
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: David Bruce    
Assistant Referees: Arvin Shanmuganathan, Joshua Nixon

Armadale: 1. Michael CRAGGS, 3. Jake SARDELIC, 4. Nathan COSTELLO (C), 8. Jordan PAVETT, 9.Kyle KING (21. Steve INGRAM 70), 11. Dannie RICHMAN, 14. David ANNALL, 15. Jackson BEALEY, 17. Jake ATKINS (10. Shaydon PASSALACQUA 90+3), 18. Milan OGNJENOVIC, 20. Beau RAHIM
Substitutes not used: 16. Tristan TAYLOR, 22. Charlie WHITE, 31 Duncan LENNON BLACK (RGK)
Yellow Cards: Ognjenovic 47
Red Cards: nil

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES (16. Giordano COLLI 85), 6. Todd HOWARTH, 9. Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA, 10. Jason MICRO (4. Callum DOBBS 85), 11. Devon GIBSON, 13. Trent KAY (C), 19. Luka NINKOVIC, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 21. David HEAGNEY, 23. Andrija JUKIC (15. Ayden DRAGUN 80)
Substitutes not used: 3. Jack ALLEN, 25. Michael COHEN (RGK)
Yellow Cards: nil
Red Cards: nil