Subiaco roar in five-goal thriller
Report by Blayne Treadgold
Subiaco lived up to their logo on Saturday afternoon with a courageous performance that earned them a 3-2 win over much-fancied Bayswater City at Rosalie Park.
Goals to player-manager Ian McMurray, Jordan Candlish and a penalty to Alex Randell, as well as heroic goalkeeping by Ryan Montgomery at the other end, helped Subiaco hold on for the morale-boosting victory.
McMurray was ecstatic with his side’s performance.
“It was the best performance I’ve been involved with since playing and coaching,” he said of a team whose club emblem features a roaring lion. “You can’t fault the boys today.
“We stayed switched on for the 90 minutes, which we knew we had to do against a quality side like Bayswater. I can’t fault any of the team. The back four were tremendous, the midfield three worked their socks off (and the) two wingers tracked back and tucked in when they needed to.
“We just worked as a unit today and not forgetting our goalkeeper had some tremendous saves and saved that (David Heagney) penalty at the end.”
It was the perfect start for McMurray after Bayswater keeper and former Subiaco player Michael Cohen produced a howler to allow McMurray the easiest of goals and tap in to break the deadlock in the 13th minute.
Heagney went close for City in the 20th minute as he cut inside and unleashed a left foot shot which rattled the crossbar.
Trent Kay brought Bayswater level in the 36th minute with a great header from a Todd Howarth free-kick, however the celebrations were short lived as Candlish put Subiaco ahead again just a minute later.
Bayswater were level just before half-time when Jason Mirco was brought down and Heagney fired home from the penalty spot.
Second-half magic from Bor Bor Sam saw Bayswater breach the Subiaco defence several times but despite creating chances the visitors were unable to capitalise.
McMurray was again in the thick of the action when he was brought down in the box and Alex Randell fired home from the spot to edge Subiaco ahead again in the 52nd minute.
Bayswater kept pushing late with Sam causing more drama before a controversial injury-time penalty decision for a handball gave Bayswater a chance to level.
But Montgomery produced a brilliant diving save to thwart Heagney’s penalty and earn Subiaco a memorable victory.
Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was disappointed with his side’s performance but also commended Subiaco on their win.
“We didn’t start,” he said. “(It was) three of the sloppiest goals I’ve seen. When you play like that you get what you deserve.”
“All credit to Subiaco, I thought they were magnificent, they fought hard for each other (and were) well organised.
“I hope they have a good night and enjoy it because they worked really hard for the win.”
In another round 15 upset, Mandurah City enjoyed an underdog victory against Joondalup United, beating their north-side rivals 2-0 at Securitas Protect Stadium.
Coming into round 15, Mandurah sat on the bottom of the ladder with a single win, but coach Doug Hesketh said Saturday’s victory over the fellow NPL newcomers had given his team a boost.
“We’ve had a bit of a mixed start to the league season,” he said.
“I thought the lads were fantastic, I thought their spirit has never been broken.”
Floreat Athena recovered from back-to-back losses in the last two rounds with a 1-0 victory over Perth Glory at E&D Litis Stadium, ECU Joondalup secured a comfortable 4-1 win against Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve and Inglewood United continued their fine run of form under coach Andy Keogh with a 2-0 win over Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve.
Cockburn City defeated Balcatta 1-0 through a late goal at Grindleford Reserve, while Perth SC claimed the Dylan Tombides Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Stirling Lions in the Dylan Tombides Tribute match at Dorrien Gardens.
RESULTS
Floreat Athena 1-0 Perth Glory
Mandurah City 2-0 Joondalup United
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