Report by Aisling Lawless

Photo by Jonny Warrington

Joondalup United captain Arran Maplestone was the hero of the day as his hat-trick lead his side to a 4-1 win over Armadale at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday.

Armadale captain Nathan Costello brought them level in the 32nd minute, but two second half free-kick conversions from Maplestone and Alex Wild’s 53rd minute goal gave the visitors a resounding win.

Joondalup jump to seventh on the PS4 NPLWA table but coach Nick Jennings isn’t getting carried away with a catch-up match against Glory next week his sole focus.

“Providing we get the three points next week, we’ll be pretty happy with where we are sitting,” Jennings said.

“This year we are looking consolidate, we aren’t getting carried away, but it’s enjoyable and also a great challenge.”

Joshua Tumoe’s quick pace gave Armadale a lively start but they were denied in the 13th minute by a goal line clearance from Tony Taylor.

The home side broke the deadlock a minute later as Richard Howles set up Maplestone for a tap in from the right wing.

Joondalup almost doubled their score on the half hour mark when Maplestone’s attempt ricocheted off the underside of the woodwork, but it was ruled to have not crossed the goal line.

Moments later Costello equalised, heading the ball into the back of the net from a corner kick.

It only took three minutes into the second half to put Joondalup back in front with a textbook free kick from Maplestone that curled around the wall into the goal.

Six minutes later Wild made it three, picking up the ball in the penalty area and thumping it into the back of the net.

To Armadale’s dismay Maplestone completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute with a deflected free kick, catching the keeper off guard.

It went from bad to worse for the away side ten minutes from time when Tumoe was shown a red card, leaving the away side to finish the match with ten men.

Armadale Assistant Coach Jonathan Lupolo-Chan said his side looked really strong in the first half, but they weren’t able to convert their chances.

“Joondalup came out of the gates in the second half and we just couldn’t match it.

“Credit to Joondalup United, they are a good hard working side, but we were pretty poor today and have to work hard for the next match.”

Joondalup United 4 (Maplestone 16min, 48, 68, Wild 54)
Armadale 1 (Costello 32min)
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant Referees: John Taran, Jake Friend

Joondalup United: GK. James BODSET, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (C) (6. Guy MCDONALD 77), 10. Alex WILD (19. Mike KENNY 77), 13. Chris PUGH, 7. Matthew SPARROW, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Richard HOWLES, 16. Ross EDWARDS, 18. Anthony TAYLOR (17. Luke SERRA 88), 23. Jay MARSDEN
Substitutes not used: RGK: Jack NUNN, 2. Joel LEDSHAM
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil

Armadale: GK. Michael CRAGGS, 4. Nathan COSTELLO (C), 8. Joran PAVETT (21. George FESTA 91), 9. Kyle KING (20. Shaydon PASSALACQUA 91), 10. Papa KPATAR, 11. Dannie RICHMAN (18. Milan OGNJENOVIC 8), 12. Joshua TUMOE, 14. David ANNALL, 15. Jackson BEALEY, 17. James ATKINS, 19. Beau RAHIM
Substitutes not used: RGK. Alex RADONICH, 22. Alex BOND
Yellow Cards: Passalacqua 66, Ognjenovic 69
Red Cards: Tumoe 81