Report by Tommy Doleman

ECU Joondalup goalscorer Chris Harold takes on Balcatta defender Hristijan Jankuloski. Photo by FotoEnzo

Steve Sokol netted a hat-trick as Inglewood United extended their unbeaten run to seven games on Saturday with a comprehensive 6-3 win over Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve.

A four-goal blitz before half-time helped Andres Oliveira's side on their way. And although they are still outside the top four in the NPLWA – Men’s competition, United sit just two points off second place.

This was one of five rescheduled Round Six matches played on Saturday. They were originally set for April but were postponed due to a Covid lockdown.

Sokol’s first came inside 10 minutes with a low drive from the edge of the area and the visitors didn’t look back.

Thiak Kuel's deflected first goal of the season made it 2-0 before Sokol's header inside the area moved him into double figures for the campaign.

Sokol then completed his hat-trick and went three goals clear of Angel Andres and Joshua Anasmo in the race for the the Golden Boot with a thumping strike as Inglewood ran riot and led 4-0 after 39 minutes.

Ndumba Makeche marked his return to Bayswater with a goal just before half-time, but the goals continued to flow after the break as Robert Petkov's header bizarrely spun off the post and in for 5-1.

Gordon Smith pulled one back for the hosts, only for Ajak Riak's solo strike to add a sixth for Inglewood on what capped off a great day for the away side despite a further Bayswater consolation provided by Michael Zimarino.

Elsewhere, ECU Joondalup broke a four-game winless run in the league as they defeated Balcatta 2-0 to move up to second place.

Both goals were scored in the second half for Kenny Lowe's team ahead of Wednesday's State Cup semi-final against northern rivals Sorrento, with a place in the FFA Cup's national Round of 32 on the line.

Calum O'Connell miscued from Henry Durr's cut-back with the best of the first-half chances for Balcatta, while Daryl Nicol headed for ECU a minute before the interval.

The deadlock was broken on 63 minutes when Andy Higgins blazed in brilliantly from the edge of the area for his first goal since mid-April.

Higgins then turned provider five minutes later as his cross found former Chris Harold’s head and he made it 2-0 to all but make the game safe.

David Perich lifted a late effort over the bar as Balcatta slipped to 10th place having lost back-to-back home games.

Sorrento moved up to third as three goals inside 34 minutes gave them a 3-1 win away at 10-man Rockingham City.

Jamie Harnwell's side made the perfect start as Daniel Faichney swung over a cross and Jordan Roberts volleyed home his third goal in five games since joining the Gulls for a second spell.

It was 2-0 just before the half-hour mark as Scott Witschge's strike rattled the underside of the bar and was adjudged to have crossed the line. Dean Cummings then hooked around the corner to add a third as Sorrento took control in the southern suburbs.

Another tough afternoon looked on the cards for Rockingham who were missing Cyril Sharrock, Luke Collins and skipper Ryan Kennedy from their usual starting line-up.

They did create chances in the second half as Matt Giudicatti twice saved from Hamish Van Dieken before the stopper turned Harry Bolan's header wide of the post.

Van Dieken was shown a straight red card 10 minutes from time before Bolan registered a late Rockingham consolation, but Goran Stajic's were unable to make ground on second-bottom Cockburn and remain six points adrift at the bottom.

Meanwhile, Perth SC dropped to fourth place on goal difference as they were held 1-1 by Gwelup Croatia at Dorrien Gardens.

Ramon Falzon's side had the best of the first half chances as Michael Domfeh put Alex Silla's cutback straight at the goalkeeper, while Kristian Santich lifted over the bar from six yards.

Domfeh did play a key role with his surge down the left leading to a brilliant assist for Calvin Whitney's fourth goal of the season.

Jon Stynes' header clipped the bar as Gwelup looked to respond but they should have been two-down when Santich rifled off the frame of the goal himself.

And in the second half, Gwelup made Perth pay for their profligacy when Gustavo Marulanda scored from the penalty spot on 76 minutes to salvage a seventh draw in 12 games.

In the day's final match, Armadale and Perth Glory drew 0-0 at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

Cherno Bah fired against the crossbar in the first half with Armadale's best opportunity, as they went ninth and eight points clear of safety.

Aidan Edwards had an effort cleared off the line by Brian Patterson in the second period as Glory's dropped points mean they lose ground on the top four.

Results

Armadale 0-0 Perth Glory
Balcatta 0-2 ECU Joondalup
Bayswater City 3-6 Inglewood United
Perth SC 1-1 Gwelup Croatia
Rockingham City 1-3 Sorrento