Report by Tommy Doleman

 

Floreat Athena came from a goal down to beat Joondalup United 5-1 at E&D Litis Stadium after a ruthless second half display on Saturday.

The hosts trailed when Mike Kenny followed up Richard Howles’ shot but in-form Jon Stynes leveled seven minutes before half time.

Stynes then added his fifth in three games after an own goal by Joondalup, before Phil Arnold and Zelfy Nazary added some late polish to the scoreline.

A third consecutive win moves Floreat four points clear at the top of the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA following Sorrento’s draw earlier in the day, and coach Glen Grostate hopes there’s more to come from his team.

"The Armadale game (a few weeks ago) was a low and a bad day, but it’s all about how you come out of it,” he said.

“We’ve settled a lot since then and you can see with the way the boys are playing football that they have massive intentions to continue this on.”

Grostate also acknowledged that there are challenges in managing his squad over a slightly longer season and believes the rewards will come if the quality of performance continues.

“It’s a long way to go still, there’s too many games to go and teams are only a couple of wins from us, but we can’t worry about what’s underneath,” he said.

“I’ve said to the boys that if we carry on this form and keep winning games, there’s definitely something in it for you at the end of the season.”

Kris Gate and Stynes both had early chances for Floreat, which went narrowly wide as both teams started well.

However, it was Joondalup United who took the lead when Howles shrugged off his marker to fire underneath Jordan Barbas and onto the post, only for Kenny to stab home the rebound.

The visitors had a short period of control after the goal but the home side had the better chances as blocks denied Andrew Scaldaferro and Shaun Timmins.

An equaliser arrived on 38 minutes when Stynes showed nice footwork in the area before driving low into the bottom corner.

Floreat then took the lead two minutes into the second half when an own goal by Joondalup nodded home Dean Evans’ free kick.

Back came Joondalup United as Kenny went on a mazy run, only for his shot with the outside of the boot to be saved comfortably by Barbas.

It was Floreat who crucially had a two-goal cushion before the hour, as Stynes was unmarked to head in Evans’ floated corner.

That goal took the wind out of Joondalup United’s sails and Stynes should have had a hat trick after blazing home from Nazary’s through ball.

Substitute Arnold scored the fourth when he curled home from the edge of the area with the aid of a slight deflection.

Nazary made it 5-1 in the shadows of stoppage time as he ran through the heart of the visitors' defence and slotted home to wrap up a fine win.

  

Floreat Athena 5 (Stynes 39’, 58’, OG 47’, Arnold 75’, Nazary 90’)

Joondalup United 1 (Kenny 28’)

Saturday May 6, 2017

E&D Litis Stadium

Local kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: David Bruce

 

 
Floreat Athena: GK: Jordan BARBAS, 2. Shaun TIMMINS, 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO, 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 10. Kris GATE, 12. Jackson MORGAN (18. Phil ARNOLD 67’), 13.Zelfy NAZARY, 15. Christopher SALDARIS, 17. Dean EVANS (11. Denis GALAN 82’), 33. Clayton ARNEZ

Substitutes not used:RGK Aidan HOLLOWAY, 20. Joe TWEATS, 33. Ali NAZARY

Yellow Cards: Nazary 43’

Red Cards: Nil

 

Joondalup United: GK. Conal POWER, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE, 5. Joe STOCKER, 7. Matthew SPARROW, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Richard HOWLES, 13. Chris PUGH, 17. Luke SERRA (2. Joel LEDSHAM  79’), 19. Mike KENNY (22. Robert TARPEY 79’), 23. Jay MARSDEN (6. Guy MCDONALD 71’)

Substitutes not used: RGK: Jack NUNN, 22. Nick KOEFLER.

Yellow Cards: Yates 45’, Kenny 51’

Red Cards: Nil