Report by Blayne Treadgold

In a game of two penalties, Forrestfield United and Armadale SC played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Referee Joshua Nixon was in the thick of the action at Wildlife Safari Stadium, first awarding the home side a spot-kick on 63 minutes when David Annall clattered into Callum Roberts.

Forrestfield striker Hasani Sinclair stuck it away to put the newly promoted side in front.

But it wasn’t long before Nixon would even things up after a handball by Forrestfield’s Tom Southgate. Michael Lawson kept his cool to level for the visitors despite having to retake the penalty after the referee spotted encroachment.

With the points up for grabs both teams had the chance to take the win. First Armadale’s Ali Gholami was unable to take advantage of a dead-ball situation; then Forrestfield’s Jordan Hart found himself with just keeper Joshua Kuser to beat but put the ball wide.

Forrestfield coach Rod Banjac was pleased with his side’s second successive draw as an NPL WA outfit and paid credit to the healthy crowd of over 600.

“We feel a little bit unfortunate not to take the three points but that’s what happens when you don’t take your chances,” Banjac said.

“It was a typical derby and we had a great crowd tonight. There’s a bit of a buzz around the town and the NPL has gone to another level; this crowd proves it is a good-quality product that we deliver and that’s a credit to everyone involved.”

Following their Round One thumping of Joondalup United, Armadale’s John O’Reilly was pleased to continue their unbeaten start to the 2018 season with a point against their local rivals.

“We would have loved the three points but we can walk away with a draw and feel proud of ourselves,” he said.

“Last year was a turning point for us. We are here to win games and take it to oppositions. That’s what we expect, the bar has been raised … we are happy but we want to do more.”

Forrestfield United 1 (Sinclair 63min Pen)
Armadale SC 1 (Lawson 78’ Pen)
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Wildlife Safari Stadium, Hartfield Park
Referee: Joshua Nixon
Assistant Referees: Walter Ciotti, Mitchell Barrington

Forrestfield United: 2. Tom SOUTHGATE, 4. Mark BARNETT’, 5. Scott BARKER, 7. Callum ROBERTS (14. Izzy ATTAK 71’), 9. Hasani SINCLAIR, 11. Liam MERIGAN, 12. Callum DOBBS, 16. Thomas JEBB, 17. Jamie DUNCAN (15. Josh APPLEBY 88’), 18. Benjamin PARRY 23. Rhys LOXLEY (10. Jordan HART 46’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Callum MILLER, 8. Gerler MOO
Yellow cards: 16. Thomas JEBB, 2. Tom SOUTHGATE
Red Cards: Nil

Armadale SC: 2. Joshua KUSER, 3. Dylan DA SILVA, 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 5. David ANNALL, 6. Kevin CASTLE (18. Alex BOND 46’), 7. Charlie KENNA, 8. Michael LAWSON, 11. Michael RIZIDIS, 17. James ATKINS (14. Jonathan BOGONI 58’), 99. Sam HUTCHINGS
Substitutes not used: 34. Struan HERD, 16. Charlie SIMPSON
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil