Floreat wobble continues
Report by Tommy Doleman
Perth SC continued to close the gap on Floreat with an impressive win at Bayswater. Photo by Rob Lizzi
Perth SC have moved to within a point of the top of the NPLWA – Men’s competition as Floreat Athena’s mid-season slump continued with a 4-2 loss at Inglewood United.
It was a third straight loss for Athena, who had a 10-point advantage three weeks ago, while Inglewood are now in the top four after ECU Joondalup and Perth Glory failed to win.
Inglewood got off to a flyer inside five minutes when the league's leading scorer Steve Sokol reached a dozen goals for the season after a quick counterattack.
Sean McManus was denied by Josiah Godfrey and Rob Harding hit the post as Athena mounted a response, but two goals in two minutes before the break put Inglewood in a position of authority.
Rob Petkov spotted Jason Saldaris off his line and lifted over the goalkeeper from just inside his own half, before Jason Barrera's first of the season from Sokol's cross made it three.
Manase Abandelwa cracked in a free-kick 60 seconds after his half-time introduction to register a first goal for Athena. But this was Inglewood's chance to record a statement win after a strong showing, and they did when Petkov bundled in a seventh of the season on the hour mark.
Nick Ambrogio's header went in via the unfortunate Mark Barnett with 15 minutes to spare, but Floreat made no further inroads as they lost again ahead of next weekend's State Cup Final at the same venue against ECU.
Floreat's loss coupled with Perth SC's 4-1 win at Bayswater City means Ramon Falzon's team are now within striking distance of the top.
Calvin Whitney scored the opener from the penalty spot after Michael Domfeh was fouled by keeper Nic Speca and Domfeh was involved again when his header across goal was nodded I by Jayden Gorman.
Bayswater had chances and pulled one back when Michael Zimarino tapped in Tyler Garner's assist, but Perth struck twice more to run out comfortable winners and ramp up the pressure on Floreat.
Whitney tucked away his seventh of the season at the near post before Alex Silla's late tap-in sealed Perth's third straight win.
Jordan Pokler scored a 92nd minute winner as Sorrento defeated ECU Joondalup 3-2 and moved within six points of the top.
Danny Hodgson tapped home Daryl Nicol's cross inside 15 minutes, but the lead didn’t last long as Scott Witschge persevered and got a small slice of luck to finish into an open net.
The striker then capitalised on a stray pass out of defence to pick out the bottom corner and put the Gulls in front, but Hodgson would tie it up again as he moved into double figures for the season.
But there would be a late twist as Pokler arrived to meet Jordan Roberts' cross to keep Jamie Harnwell's side third and inflict consecutive defeats on ECU.
Perhaps the day's most eye-catching result came at Alfred Skeet Reserve as Rockingham City won 5-0 against Armadale to cut the margin on second-bottom Balcatta to five points.
It was the visitors first match since Goran Stajic's departure with assistant coach Lee Taylor stepping in to take charge. And it could not have gone better for the new man as City struck first on 32 minutes when Feisal Zaw arrived to finish Dylan Rogers' cross.
The lead was doubled on 58 minutes when Harry Bolan's header was turned into his own net by Friday Zico, and suddenly Rockingham found their shooting boots as they went on to win their second game of the campaign.
Hamish Van Dieken rattled in from the penalty spot after Cherno Bah was shown a red card and three became four when Zaw completed a double follwing a quickly taken free kick.
Bolan got his goal late on as Rockingham kept a clean sheet for the first time since Round Two at Cockburn City.
Perth Glory missed their chance to go into the top four as they were held 1-1 by Cockburn at Dalmatinac Park.
The Cockerels were fresh following a week off and hit the front when Jesse Lazzaro fired home an indirect free kick from six yards.
Daniel Dols almost caught out Cameron Cook from distance, but instead Glory found a leveller when Ciaran Bramwell linked up with Aiden Edwards to finish coolly.
The hosts had a goal disallowed soon after and had Julian Teles sent off for a second yellow card late on as it ended all square.
Finally, Gwelup broke a run of three straight draws to win 3-1 over Balcatta and keep their outside finals hopes alive.
Trevor Morgan's side are four points off fourth-place Inglewood and took the lead when Jon Stynes scored a fifth-minute penalty.
Gwelup were awarded a second penalty on 27 minutes which was dispatched by Gustavo Marulanda, before Stynes glanced in a header for his ninth of the season.
Hamza Hina scored a consolation but Balcatta remain 11th and will now have one eye on Rockingham.
Results
Inglewood United 4-2 Floreat Athena
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