Report by Peter Simcox

Armadale players congratulate Michael Lawson after he scored Armadale's crucial second. Photo by Peter Simcox

Ten-man Armadale moved four points clear of the relegation zone after a deserved 2-0 win against ECU Joondalup at the ECU Football Stadium.

This was a real six-pointer at the foot of the table and it was the visitors who made the better start when they went ahead on six minutes after Michael Lawson’s free-kick was turned into his own goal by ECU defender Shane Cassidy.

Armadale continued to dictate terms, with Chad Nielson and new American striker Uriel Macias both impressing for John O’Reilly’s side while ECU keeper Johnny Perkins produced two stunning saves to deny the pair.

But on the stroke of half-time Armadale were reduced to 10 men when defender James Harran was shown a second yellow card by referee David Bruce for kicking the ball away.

The hosts lifted after the break and Armadale keeper Sam Hutchings saved well to deny Andy Higgins, before former Armadale defender Billy Quinncroft saw his long-range shot tipped over by his former teammate.

With a man down Armadale had their backs to the wall. But led superbly by skipper Nathan Costello, they stood firm and with ECU pushing players forward Armadale looked dangerous on the counter attack, with the pacy Joshua Cortes and Nielson the perfect outlets.

Then with 15 minutes remaining the Reds sealed the three points. They won a free-kick 20 meters from goal on the right of the area and Lawson’s set-piece missed everyone and nestled in the corner of the net.

Armadale went close to a third late on, Perkins again denying Nielson with a great save before Macias fired the rebound over the top.    

The defeat leaves ECU anchored in 11th place on the table, only off the bottom because of goal difference, and it doesn’t get any easier for Dale McCulloch’s side with unbeaten league leaders Perth SC visiting the campus next weekend

Armadale return home to take on bottom team Stirling Lions next Saturday, a game they will see as a chance to put further daylight between themselves and the trapdoor.

Star players: Johnny Perkins (ECU) and Nathan Costello (Armadale)
 
ECU Joondalup 0
Armadale 2 (Cassidy og 6min, Lawson 75)

Saturday, June 1
ECU Football Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistant referees: Liam Barclay, Jessica Byrd

ECU Joondalup: GK Johnny PERKINS, 3 Nick KOEFLER, 4 Henry DURR (6 Ollie ANNIS 68), 5 Shane CASSIDY, 7 Ben HINSHELWOOD (16 Charlie KENNA 68), 8 Josh WHITMORE, 10 Andy HIGGINS, 12 Billy QUINNCROFT, 13 Tommy AMPHLETT, 14 Ewen FAWCETT, 15 Tom HOUGH (9 Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY 62)
Substitutes not used: RGK Jack NUNN, 2 Arran MAPLESTONE
Yellow cards: Hough 12, Cassidy 61
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: GK Sam HUTCHINGS, 2 Josh KUSER, 3 James HARRAN, 4 Nathan COSTELLO, 6 Joel SANDERSON, 7 Joshua Cortes, 8 Michael LAWSON, 9 Uriel MACIAS (10 Sam GARCES 86), 11 Chad NIELSON (22 Ryan HASLETT 88), 12 Dannie RICHMAN, 13 Blake ADAMS
Substitutes not used: RGK Blake HANSELL, 5 Ali NAZARY, 23 Abdul OSMAN
Yellow cards: Adams 30, Harran 41, 45, Richman 54, Kuser 90+3
Red cards: Harran 45