Report by Tommy Doleman

ECU are now just two points behind leaders Floreat after their wion at Bayswater. Photo by Peter Simcox

Daryl Nicol scored on his return to Bayswater as ECU Joondalup won 2-0 to close the gap on leaders Floreat Athena to two points.

The result, coupled with Floreat's 2-2 home draw with Sorrento, means the defending champions moved to within striking distance of Athena with a game in hand on their opponents. It also sets up an enticing top of the table clash in Round Nine, which will take place on 22 May following next week's pause for the FFA Cup.

At Frank Drago Reserve, it was ECU who started positively as Nicol forced Riccardo Mazzoneli into a save with his legs when through on goal, before the Italian goalkeeper got low to save the Scot's free-kick.

Bayswater's resistance was broken five minutes before the break as Nicol laid off the ball to Jakub Prajza, who surged down the right and crossed for the striker to cleverly glance into the far corner.

Then on the stroke of half time it was 2-0, as Jack Allen's challenge on Danny Hodgson resulted in last season's Golden Boot winner netting his fifth of the campaign from the penalty spot.

Michael Zimarino's volley was beaten away by ECU keeper Johnny Perkins with virtually the last kick of the half, but overall City lacked a cutting edge against a Jacks side who enjoyed a fifth win and fifth clean sheet on the spin.

Floreat maintained their unbeaten start to 2021 but dropped points for the second week in a row when held by Sorrento.

Nick Ambrogio ghosted in to head home Dean Evans' free-kick after two minutes, but the Gulls have had a good start to the season themselves and turned the game with a double strike before the break.

Scott Witschge's brilliant lob over Jason Saldaris made it 1-1 on 41 minutes and three minutes later Dean Cummings scored spectacularly from at least 30 yards after a one-two with Billy Quinncroft.

Ambrogio's equaliser four minutes preserved Athena's unbeaten run but they have now left the door open for ECU to climb above them.

The game of the day came at the Croatian Sporting Complex as Inglewood came from behind twice to beat Gwelup Croatia 4-3.

It was Trevor Morgan's first official game in the dugout for the hosts and he would have been delighted with Gwelup's start as Hasani Sinclair tapped in and Jon Stynes scored from the spot inside the opening five minutes.

But back came Inglewood with a rapid-fire double of their own - Roberto Del Borrello blasted in a beauty and Ajak Riak headed a third goal in two games for 2-2 on 17 minutes.

It stayed level until the 57th minute when Sinclair bundled in to complete his brace, but the Night Series winners scored four for the second week running and made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Steve Sokol scored his fourth of the season from the penalty spot before Anthony Bafobusha's first NPL goal since 2019 won it for Inglewood who move up to fifth.

Elsewhere, Perth Soccer Club kept pace with the front-runners as Michael Domfeh's 65^th minute goal gave the Azzurri a 1-0 win over Rockingham City.

Lachie Byrd headed wide and Kristian Santich's free-kick cannoned back off the post as the home side pressed in the first half.

Rockingham had their chances though with Feisal Zaw the main architect. He first forced Ryan Montgomery into a good double save before bringing the best out of the goalkeeper with a curling strike.

The deadlock was broken eventually just after the hour mark by Domfeh when Santich's deflected shot landed at the striker's feet and he forced it over the goal line.

Rockingham did have a goal disallowed for offside, but Perth took the points and stayed third to move four points off Athena with a game in hand following a fourth win in a row.

Finally, Cockburn City and Perth Glory had 3-0 wins as both sides edged clear of the foot of the table.

Scott Miller's Cockerels moved off the bottom and into eighth place with victory over Armadale.

It was goalless at half time at Dalmatinac Park, but Daniel Robinson latched onto Sebastian Da Silva's pass to open his account for the season. Da Silva then rolled his marker and toe-poked home for 2-0, which was his first goal since the opening day defeat against Sorrento.

Josh Cortes was shown a second yellow for Armadale before Adam Anfuso killed the game off when he chased a lost cause and helped the ball over the line. There was still time for both teams to finish with 10 men as Julian Teles saw a straight red card late on.

In the late kick-off, Perth Glory got off to a quick start against Balcatta when Adam Zimarino, playing against his former side, weaved a path into the area from the right and fired into the bottom corner.

The league's leading scorer Josh Anasmo then added his seventh of the campaign when he finished Joshua Rawlins' cross at the back post.

Bryce Brafford made the result safe six minutes from time with a brilliant first-time curler as Glory went seventh and within a point of the top half.

Results

Bayswater City 0-2 ECU Joondalup
Cockburn City 3-0 Armadale
Floreat Athena 2-2 Sorrento
Gwelup Croatia 3-4 Inglewood United
Perth Glory 3-0 Balcatta
Perth SC 1-0 Rockingham City