Report by Navrin Secker

Cockburn City secured an important 4-1 victory over Balcatta at Dalmatinac Park on Saturday afternoon.

The win took Cockburn to third on the NPL WA ladder after Inglewood United could only manage a draw against top of the table Perth Glory.

Harry O’Brien opened the scoring for the Cockerels, before Julian Teles, Ryan Platt, and an own goal from Kyle McDonald added to the home side’s advantage.

Alex Wild had brought the visitors level in the first half.

City coach Scott Miller was pleased with his side's recovery from last week's 5-1 hammering at Sorrento.

“I thought we got what we deserved today," he said

“The resilliance against the wind in the first half was great, and the ability to take our chances.

“We’re just happy to respond after last week’s debacle.”

Balcatta came out firing at the start of the game and put the home defence under a lot of pressure.

Wild had a chance to open the scoring just minutes into the match after Lawrence Shurama played a great through ball to find the striker, but his shot was blocked.

Cockburn took 10 minutes to get going but had a great chance when the ball fell to Luccas Mello but his shot was cleared off the line.

The home side went 1-0 up just minutes later when a great ball from midfield found O’Brien on the edge of the box and his powerful effort went in via the post.

However Wild ensured Cockburn’s advantage was short-lived when he equalised three minutes later. A save by Cockburn goalkeeper Luke Radonich fell to Wild, who hit the rebound low into the back of the net.

The adverse weather conditions had a clear impact on the match, with the wind and rain making it difficult to create chances.

The Cockerels had a chance to go ahead late in the half through O’Brien, but his effort curled wide of the post, meaning the score remained 1-1 at the end of the half.

The visitors began the second half well and had an early chance to go ahead through Nicholas Challot, but Radonich showed why he is the state team goalkeeper with a great save.

While Radonich starred for Cockburn, Balcatta keeper McDonald had nightmare half, starting in the 66th minute with a goal for Teles. McDonald attempted to punch a cross clear but made poor contact and the ball fell to Teles, who was able to score easily from close range to put the home side ahead.

Radonich then proved his worth with another outstanding save for Cockburn before McDonald again failed to punch the ball clear and Platt finished to make it 3-1.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 82nd minute when Cockburn got their fourth. Platt’s shot was partially blocked by a Balcatta defender and looped into the air, but McDonald fumbled his catch and the ball bounced in for an own goal.

Despite starting both halves well, Balcatta were ultimately undone by some goalkeeping errors and the match ended 4-1.

Stirling Lions' 2-1 defeat at Perth SC meant Balcatta remained in 10th spot and coach Goran Stajic said: “I thought we were really good for a long time there, it’s a really disappointing loss.

“We just need to be a little but more accountable individually, I think as a team we are fine.”

Cockburn City will hope to make it back to back wins when they host Floreat Athena next week, while Balcatta face ECU Joondalup.

Cockburn City 4 (O’Brien 18min, Teles 67, Platt 78, McDonald og 82)
Balcatta 1 (Wild 21)
Dalmatinac Park
Saturday, August 4
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Michal Jasinski
Assistant referees: Darren Quinlan, Dylan Luke Watson

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 4. Euen GRANT, 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Luccas MELLO, 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9. Julian TELES (18. Adam ANFUSO 71mins), 10. David ARAYA, 11. Harry O’BRIEN, 12. Ryan PRATT, 15. David SANTICH, 17. Jesse LAZZARRO (20. Harry COLLINS 81mins)
Unused substitutes: 13. Blake ADAMS, 23. Ryan BARKER
Yellow cards: Teles 14mins, Grant 71mins, Anfuso 90+2mins
Red cards: Nil

Balcatta: 1. Kyle MCDONALD, 3. Hayden STEVENS, 4. Calum O’CONNELL, 5. Tom PELLIZZARI, 8. Carmelo GIUFFRE, 9. Alex WILD, 10. Jonathan CORNESS, 11. Nicholas CHALLOT, 14. Lawrence SHURAMA (21. Rene ALBA 67mins), 18. Robert DEL BORRELLO, 20. Shubham MOKALA           
Unused substitutes: 16. Dougal KINDNESS, 17. Jonah VOSSO, 24. Tom LOGAN, 25. Damien STANOEVSKI
Yellow cards: Del Borrello 70mins, Challot 74mins
Red cards: Nil            

 

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