Report by Tommy Doleman

Balcatta and Gwelup played out a 1-1 draw at Grindleford Reserve. Photo by Brett Klucznik

Floreat Athena made it four wins from four NPLWA – Men’s fixtures after prevailing 3-2 over Inglewood United at E&D Litis Stadium.

The visitors, winless since Round One, took the lead on 35 minute when Roberto Soares carved a pass for Steve Sokol to poke home.

That was one of few bright moments in the opening 45 minutes, but the second half burst into life as Athena struck twice in three minutes.

Rob Harding made it 1-1 when he got across the near post to finish Sean McManus' cross. Then Harding’s centre from a quickly taken free-kick was headed into his own net by Jamie Murphy.

Inglewood levelled when Giovanni Soares netted a spectacular free-kick for the second time this season, but their joy was short lived as substitute Wesley Casimir arrived on the edge of the area to score and ensure the hosts opened a three-point lead at the summit.

Floreat’s win was even more impressive after the league’s top scorer Joshua Anasmo, who has netted in every game this season, left to join Perth Glory in midweek.

Moving up to second are ECU Joondalup, who won 3-0 at Sorrento to leapfrog their northern rivals.

The defending champions had an early goal disallowed and had Declan Hughes hit the crossbar, but the opener arrived through Daryl Nicol.

Sorrento tried to respond early in the second half but Johnny Perkins saved from Scott Witschge and soon after the Jacks doubled their lead when Andy Higgins curled home. Any hope Sorrento had of a comeback was dashed when Alex Morgan collected a second yellow card, and ECU's win was confirmed as last year's Golden Boot winner Danny Hodgson added a late third.

Perth SC recorded a 2-1 win over Bayswater City to move into fourth.

Kristian Santich's corner ricocheted off the post and Michael Domfeh headed wide for Perth, who finally went in front when Calvin Whitney showed fine technique to drive a low volley past Liam Driscoll.

Cameron Teece doubled Perth's lead when he latched on to a diagonal ball and finished emphatically to continue his run of scoring in every NPL game in 2021.

Fraser Dunlop halved the deficit when he went through and lifted over Ryan Montgomery. But despite chances for Luke Salmon and Gordon Smith, City could not find the leveller.

There was late drama at Grindleford Reserve as supersub Hamza Hina rescued a point for 10-man Balcatta against Gwelup Croatia.

Gwelup opened the scoring right on half-time as Hasani Sinclair's determination was rewarded when he fed Shubham Mokala, who struck brilliantly from outside the box against his former club.

Balcatta had keeper Riley Stephenson dismissed when flew off his line and caught Paul Zimarino. But a 94th-minute free-kick resulted in Hina nodding home and scoring for a third successive game off the bench.

Rockingham's first home fixture of the season against Armadale also finished 1-1 and it also saw a late equaliser.

Armadale striker Angel Andres brought the best out of Cyril Sharrock from an early free-kick before Shane Boyle forced a smart one-on-one save from Yousri Gharsallah.

The home side made the breakthrough on 54 minutes after Matt Worton was penalised for fouling Boyle and Ryan Kennedy dispatched the spot-kick.

But three minutes into stoppage time Pieter Jacobsz whipped over a cross and Brian Patterson stooped at the back post to nod in Armadale's equaliser.

In Saturday's late kick off, Perth Glory notched their first win of the season with Adam Zimarino's hat-trick headlining a 5-3 win over Cockburn City.

Two goals in the first 10 minutes from Charlie Leech and Zimarino put Glory in the healthy position.

Cockburn pulled one back through Jesse Lazzarro's penalty after Sebastian Da Silva had been fouled. But Zimarino blasted in from distance to restore the two-goal cushion, then new boy Anasmo continued his goal-a-game streak to make it 4-1 with a tap-in.

Riley Woodcock netted Cockburn’s second, only for Zimarino to make it 5-2. There was still time for another Cockburn consolation from Anthony Skorich but the result ensured City replace Glory at the foot of the table.

Results

Balcatta 1-1 Gwelup Croatia
Floreat Athena 3-2 Inglewood United
Perth Glory 5-3 Cockburn City
Perth SC 2-1 Bayswater City
Rockingham City 1-1 Armadale
Sorrento 0-3 ECU Joondalup

- Football West would like to acknowledge the issues with our livestream matches this weekend.

Our broadcast partner has endured technical problems during the streaming and we recognise the frustration this will have caused viewers.  

All games have been recorded and will be uploaded at the appropriate links. Football West will work closely with our broadcast partner to ensure this does not occur again.