Report by Ryan Borrett

Floreat Athena kept their 2017 season alive with a 3-1 win over Joondalup United in Round 25 of the PS4 NPLWA on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead early, and despite Joondalup United equalising shortly after, they added another goal before half time.

Floreat added a third in the second half and their captain Dean Evans said that his side gave it all they had in a bid to end a tough run of results.

“We had a hard week on the track and today we rolled up our sleeves and it was a battle,” he said.

“They made it difficult for us, but we capitalised on our chances.

“It’s good to get the three points after a couple of disappointing recent losses.”

Floreat went ahead on 17 minutes after a through ball was played to winger Zelfy Nazary, who took a touch and cut in onto his left to power a shot into the bottom corner.

Joondalup hit back three minutes later when Josh Whitmore’s cross found Sam Wynne who finished easily from close range.

James Bodset made a fantastic diving save to keep the score at 1-1 when an Evans free-kick looked destined to find the top corner.

Floreat closed out the first half well and regained the lead when Chris Saldaris headed home Dean Evans’ free-kick to lead 2-1 at the break.

Joondalup United were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute after a bad challenge and had the chance to equalise once again.

Matthew Sparrow stepped up and took responsibility from the spot, but his powerful effort was saved well by Jason Saldaris.

Floreat were in control for the remainder of the game as the hosts struggled to find a way back in.

They added a third and sealing goal on 75 minutes when Evans delivered brilliantly from the dead ball again and Jon Stynes found the top corner with his head.

Joondalup United coach Nick Jennings said he was disappointed with the performance of his players.

“Today we lacked heart and any real commitment,” he said.

“The boys didn’t listen to the instructions and we lost our structure.

“I think we got what we deserved and we’ll need to make changes for next week.”

Joondalup United 1 (Wynne 20min)
Floreat Athena 3 (Nazary 17min, Saldaris 33, Stynes 75)
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Amaar Timour, Thomas Robinson

Joondalup United: 1. James BOSDET 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (5. Joe Stocker 66) 6. Guy MCDONALD 7. Matthew SPARROW 8. Josh WHITMORE 9. Richard HOWLES 11. Josh BOOYSEN 13. Chris PUGH (24. David JAY 73) 16. Ross EDWARDS 18. Anthony TAYLOR 25. Sam WYNE
Substitutes not used: 17. Luke SERRA 21. Jack NUNN
Yellow cards: WHITMORE 80
Red cards: nil

Floreat Athena: 1. Jason SALDARIS 3. Clayton ARNEZ 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO 6. Jesse FULLER 8. Jonathan STYNES 12. Jackson MORGAN (9. Declan HUDSON 82) 13. Zelfy NAZARY 14. Ludovic BOI 15. Christopher SALDARIS 17. Dean EVANS 18. Phillip ARNOLD (33. Mark PRITCHARD 80)
Substitutes not used: 11. Juma AWAKA 20. Joesh TWGATS 99. Aiden HOLLOWAY
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil