Cockburn and Joondalup United share the spoils
Report by Tristan Wheeler
A 93rd minute penalty by Cockburn’s Harry O’Brien was enough to keep his side in the game when they took on Joondalup United at Dalmatinac Park on Saturday in round 21 of the PS4 NPLWA.
The hosts trailed for the best part of an hour after Arran Maplestone’s penalty handed Joondalup the lead, but were rescued by a spot kick of their own in the dying stages to draw 1-1.
Joondalup United coach Nick Jennings said the decision to award a late penalty to Cockburn was a tough one to take.
“It was a great tackle,” he said.
“I’m sure when you watch the highlights, you’ll see it’s a brilliantly timed tackle with great execution.”
Cockburn coach Scott Miller said his side deserved their goal during what was balanced game.
“I thought we controlled the second half quite easily, they were quite strong in the first half,” he said.
“They will say it wasn’t a penalty, we’ll say that the first one wasn’t a penalty though.”
Both sides had opportunities early in the first half with Gian Albano causing the Joondalup defence a few headaches.
The visitors were also able to quickly move the ball from the back and trouble Cockburn with their pace.
They got their reward on 33 minutes when a Cockburn arm blocked an effort on goal and the referee pointed to the spot.
Maplestone stepped up and struck the ball home with confidence to give Joondalup the lead.
Albano continued to threaten and his low strike forced Joondalup goalkeeper James Bosdet into a save with his feet in the 41st minute.
O’Brien found himself in front of goal early in the second half, but couldn’t quite get himself into a position to volley home.
Despite several second half chances for Cockburn they trailed going into injury time, until Jesse Lazzaro was on the receiving end of a slide tackle and the referee pointed to the spot again.
O’Brien stepped up to equalise and the game finished all square.
Cockburn City 1 (O’Brien 90+3min )
Joondalup United 1 (Maplestone 34min)
Sunday, July 15, 2017
Dalmatinac Park
Kick-off: 3:00 pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle
Assistant Referees: Adrien Liechti, Jake Norris
Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 4. Euen GRANT, 5. Kieron STALLARD, 7. Rueben TRISTAO (2. Joshua KUSER 82), 7. Calvin WHITNEY, 9. Gian ALBANO (17. Jesse LAZARRO 55), 10. David ARAYA (16. Daniel ROBINSON 66), 11. Harry O’BRIEN, 13. Blake ADAMS, 14. Julian TELES, 15. Daniel SANTICH.
Unused Substitutes: 23. Ryan BARKER, 3. Daniel DOLS.
Yellow Cards: Stallard 83, Grant 94.
Red Cards: nil.
Joondalup United:1. James BOSDET, 2. Joel LEDSHAM, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE, 5. Joe STOCKER, 7. Matthew SPARROW, 9. Richard HOWLES (25. Luke DOYLE 90) , 11. Josh BOOYSEN (6. Guy MCDONALD 72), 17. Luke SERRA (10. Alex WILD 64) , 18. Anthony TAYLOR, 23. Jay MARSDEN
Unused Substitutes: 99. Conal Power, 22. Sam WYNNE
Yellow Cards: Stocker 51, Booysen 63, Wild 82, Yates 89.
Red Cards: nil.
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