Report by Peter Simcox

Photo by Peter Simcox

Subiaco keeper Ryan Montgomery earned his side a point in an incident-packed goalless draw away to ECU Joondalup, who finished the game with nine men.

Subiaco had the better of the first half at the ECU Football Stadium. But after the break the home side got on top, only to find Montgomery in inspired form.

To make matters worse for ECU, they had Declan Hughes and Shane Cassidy sent off in the final 10 minutes.

“It’s two weeks in a row that we should have taken maximum points but we didn’t take our chances when they came,” Montgomery said, with Subiaco still to win after three rounds of the NPL WA season.

“They came back well after the break and had a number of chances, but we stood firm so we’ll take the point and move on.”

Despite the draw Subiaco coach Ian McMurray was unimpressed with the way his side’s performance fell off in the second half.

“Really disappointed the way we played after half-time after we matched them in the first half,” he said.

“I felt we were off the pace and ECU got on top and we relied on Monty to make a couple of good saves.

“When they lost a man I thought we would take control, and we got in to some good areas. But the final ball let us down today. But away from home we’ll take a point.”

It was a blustery day in the north and the home team almost made the perfect start in the opening minute. Adam Tong played in Daryl Nicol down the right, he eased past his marker but his cross-shot was blocked for a corner.

Subiaco then settled and looked dangerous going forward, with former Jacks winger Josh Booysen and David Perich a constant threat.

They went close when Steve Purton’s long-range shot flew over the top, before the busy Alex Randell’s snap shot from the edge of the area flashed wide.

It was a tight battle and Montgomery had to get down well to keep out Ross Millard’s low drive, before Randell’s free-kick was saved low by ECU keeper Johnny Perkins.

The home were on the front foot early in the second half and Hughes’ volley went inches wide, before Montgomery came into his own.

Tommy Amphlett picked out the unmarked Nicol in the box and his first-time shot from the angle was superbly saved by the keeper. And moments later Andy Higgins’ corner was met sweetly by Gordon Smith, but Montgomery saved well to deny him.

ECU were well on top at this time but they couldn’t find a way past the Subiaco keeper. Amphlett tried his luck but his shot was pushed away and Montgomery was up quickly to save Smith’s follow-up.

But on 82 minutes the home side’s momentum stalled when they were reduced to 10 men after Hughes given a second yellow card by referee Alex Best, much to the disbelief of the ECU bench.

And things got worse for the home side when Cassidy was also sent off for a second yellow card.

The nine men held on for a point but ECU coach Dale McCulloch wasn’t happy with some of the decisions against his side.

“Frustrating and I need answers,” he said. “The first sending-off was very tough for young Declan but we still looked like we would go on and win it.”

ECU Joondalup 0
Subiaco 0
Saturday March 10, 2018
ECU Football Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Alex Best
Assistants: Julian Serra and Amit Hosany

ECU Joondalup: GK Johnny PERKINS, 3 Ross MILLARD (13 Tommy AMPHLETT 46 min), 4 Shane CASSIDY, 5 Adam TONG, 6 Lukas DE LIMA (7 Cameron MURRAY 69), 8 Josh WHITMORE, 9 Daryl NICOL, 10 Gordon SMITH, 11 Andy HIGGINS, 15 Declan HUGHES, 18 Cian HIRRELL
Substitutes not used: RGK Jack NUNN, 2 Jack JONES, 12 Ethan BROOKS
Yellow cards: Millard 27, Smith 33, Hughes 44, 82, Amphlett 65, Cassidy 85, 94
Red cards: Hughes 82, Cassidy 94

Subiaco: GK Ryan MONTGOMERY, 4 Alex RANDELL, 5 Daniel PEARCE (9 Rory FEELY 64), 6 Jackson DONGRAY, 10 Asher NELSON, 11 Joshua BOOYSEN (15 Albert LUWI 71), 12 Nathan SMITH, 14 Ross JARMAN (13 Fanuel DAWIT 90), 16 Steve PURTON, 17 Alex CASTIELLO, 18 David PERICH
Substitutes not used: RGK Teophile BROWN, 19 Ian McMURRAY,
Yellow cards: Castiello 57, Randell 69, Nelson 71
Red cards: Nil