Report by Tommy Doleman

Two-goal Inglewood striker Manase Abandelwa sinks Cockburn. Photo by FotoEnzo

Laat Mathiang’s stoppage-time penalty completed a stunning comeback from Floreat Athena, who scored two late goals to win at Perth RedStar in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.

A thrilling afternoon in the northern suburbs saw Vas Vujacic’s side extend their lead to four points at the top of the NPLWA - Men’s competition, while RedStar dropped to third following their second 3-2 reverse of the season to Athena.

It was a cagey opening with this game potentially so important in shaping up the title race. Floreat found the front on 11 minutes when Robert Petkov was fouled, and Nick Ambrogio dispatched the penalty for his fourth of the season.

There were penalty shouts at both ends as the game came to life and Jason Saldaris was called upon to save from Bryce Bafford and Declan Hughes as Floreat preserved their lead at half-time.

RedStar’s response carried into the second half as Saldaris pulled out an outstanding save from Daryl Nicol’s header, but he was powerless to prevent two goals in 12 minutes from hosts.

Blair Govan looped in a header from Andy Higgins’ corner on 56 minutes and it was 2-1 RedStar midway through the half when Chok Dau raced clear to finish one on one.

At the point Callum Salmon’s side were going a point ahead of the rest, only for Floreat to hit back in dramatic fashion. Ben Steele’s cross-shot dropped into the back of the net for 2-2, before Riley Stephenson fouled Bayley Brown-Montgomery on 94 minutes and Mathiang kept his nerve to score from the spot and give Athena the initiative in the title race.

Bayswater are now second after also emerging 3-2 winners at Gwelup Croatia thanks to Steve Hesketh’s 83rd minute winner.

Gwelup started the day second from bottom but took the lead on nine minutes through Kade Fearnall’s corner, which was headed into his own net by Sam Mitchinson.

Gareth Naven’s side equalised in spectacular fashion as Jason Mirco cut inside from the left and unleashed a magnificent strike from range.

City were ahead at half-time when Fraser Dunlop put across the six-yard box for Jon Stynes to tap home against his former side.

Bayswater were reduced to 10 men though with 21 minutes left as ex-Gwelup defender Tom Southgate was shown red for a lunging challenge on Jordan Pokler. It gave the home side momentum and they made it 2-2 when Samuel Dweh charged down Nic Speca’s clearance and rolled the ball into a vacant net.

But the visitors found a winner as Hesketh’s header was adjudged to have crossed the line after the ball came back off the bar. Riley Warland was then shown a second yellow card on his Gwelup debut as Bayswater held firm and went second.

Stirling Macedonia are fourth after a 1-0 win over Perth Glory on Friday night which ended a five-game winless run.

Hristijan Jankuloski’s first goal of the season won it after a corner from the right was partially cleared as Ian Ferguson’s side ultimately ended the weekend three points clear of fifth-placed Sorrento, while Glory stays ninth.

Sorrento lost ground on Saturday after they conceded late to draw 1-1 with Perth SC at Percy Doyle Reserve, a result which helped neither side’s aspirations of closing down fourth.

Chris Jackson headed in Scott Witschge’s cross for his seventh of the season with 20 minutes to play and they held onto that lead until three minutes from the end.

Sorrento only cleared Luke Collins’ cross as far as Ethan Banks, who drove in a low effort to net against his former side and rescue a late point for Marc Wingell’s team.

Breathing down Sorrento’s necks are Inglewood United and Armadale, who enhanced their own chances of a top-four push with good wins on the road.

Inglewood are a point behind the Gulls after a 2-1 win at Cockburn, where all the goals came in the first half.

Cockburn, full of confidence after three games unbeaten in all competitions, scored after only two minutes at Dalmatinac Park when Aiden Edwards pulled across for Ivan Skorich to finish at the back post.

But Manase Abandelwa tied it up almost immediately when he gambled on a long ball forward to slam home for the fifth time this season.

And his sixth of 2022 would ultimately decide matters 19 minutes in, as Chad Nilson squared for the forward to slot into the bottom corner.

Armadale are a point further back after Pieter Jacobsz’s brace helped them win 3-1 against Balcatta Etna.

Jacobsz got the first as he intercepted a pass from the goalkeeper before rifling in. Angel Andres then doubled the lead at Grindleford Reserve with an excellent solo goal after dribbling down the left byline.

Adam Tong reduced the arrears with a stunning free-kick which gave Yousri Gharsallah no chance, but it was Jacobsz’s pinpoint sealer in the second half which helped Armadale hit back from last week’s heavy home loss to Perth.

Round 15 results: Balcatta Etna 1-3 Armadale, Cockburn City 1 Inglewood United 2, Gwelup Croatia 2 Bayswater City 3, Perth Glory 0-1 Stirling Macedonia, Perth RedStar 2-3 Floreat Athena, Sorrento 1-1 Perth SC.