Report by Peter Simcox

 

A goal two minutes from time from Mandurah City defender Jeff Bright has earned his team a 1-1 draw against Joondalup United at Percy Doyle Reserve on Sunday evening, as they secure their first ever point in the PS4 NPLWA.

The home side had taken the lead on the hour through Richard Howles and it looked like they would take all three points, but Mandurah’s determination was rewarded when Bright fired home Mark McLaughlin’s cross.

Mandurah coach Dough Hesketh beleives his walking wounded deserved the point, and they could have even taken three.

“We had to make a few changes in personal and formation tonight, and then lost Oscar early with injury,” he said.

“But I thought we fought hard for the whole game and we were worth a point.

“We struggled a little early when we went away from our passing game, but once we rectified that I thought we dominated and hit the post and their keeper made a couple of good saves, so we could have won it late.

“At the end of the day I’m more than happy with a point. Yes I would have liked to have won, but I’m happy with the way we are playing, the only downside is our injury toll which is growing by the week.”

Joondalup coach Nick Jennings said they lost their way a little after taking the lead and it’s something his team have to work on.

“Very disappointing to let two points slip so late; we should have closed the game out, but we never did and we were punished,” he said.

“We took the lead with a well-worked goal and Richard (Howles) made amends for the one he missed in the first half but we have to start putting away our chances.

“To be fair we lost our shape late in the game, and they put us under pressure and we couldn’t deal with it, but if we had taken our chances it wouldn’t be a problem.  

“We’ve had some good battles against Mandurah in the last few seasons, and tonight was another. We are yet to lose this season, but we haven’t won, so tonight we have an empty feeling and believe it’s two points lost.” 

The home side should have hit the front after only eight minutes. A Matthew Sparrow shot was well saved by Brad Eiffe, the rebound fell to Howles, but with the goal at his mercy he blazed over the top.

Mandurah, who lost defender Oscar Thompson to injury on 20 minutes, weren’t without their chances in a tight first half. Sean Troup’s shot flashed just wide of the post, before a Ryan Francis shot on the run was saved low by James Bosdet.

The home side wasted another good chance on the stroke of half time. The lively Sparrow found Matthews Stares, who cut inside his marker but fired wide of the target.

It was a tight opening to the second half, but on the hour the home side made the break though.

Alex Wild made space down the right and whipped a great cross into the penalty area before Howles rose highest to head home powerfully.

This didn’t deter a Mandurah side superbly lead by skipper Andy Brown, who came close to the equaliser on 75 minutes. Eades’ corner found Brown at the back post, his shot crashed off the post and away to safety.

Joondalup were sitting back and Mandurah started to find holes in their defence. Brown saw a shot cleared off the line by Joel Ledsham, before Francis’ follow up shot was superbly saved by Bosdet.

But Mandurah’s pressure was rewarded on 88 minutes when Brown sent McLaughlin down the right and his cross picked out Bright, who made no mistake from eight meters.

Mandurah almost took all three point in stoppage time; Francis’ snap shot was saved low by Bosdet to ensure the points were shared.  

 

Joondalup United 1 (Howles 60 min)

Mandurah City 1 (Bright 88 min)

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Percy Doyle Reserve, Duncraig

Kick-off: 7:00pm

Referee: Michal Jasinski

 

Joondalup United – GK James BOSDET, 2 Joel LEDSHAM, 3 Rowdy YATES, 4 Arran MAPLESTONE, 5 Joe STOCKER, 7 Matthew SPARROW, 8 Josh WHITMORE, 9 Richard HOWLES, 10 Alex WILD (19 Mike KENNY 73’), 16 Ross EDWARDS, 23 Jay MARSDEN

Subs not used: RGK Jack NUNN, 14 Jess COMPTON, 17 Luke SERRA, 54 Robert BAIN

Yellow Cards: Wild 70’

 

Mandurah City: GK Brad EIFFE, 2 Mitchell FIRTH, 3 Jeff BRIGHT, 4 Matthew STARES (14 Jordan RHODES 54’), 5 Daniel DYSON, 6 Oscar THOMPSON (15 Mark MCLAUGHLIN 21’), 7 Jack EADES, 8 Andrew BROWN (c), 9 Craig TONE (12 Joseph O’BRIEN 79’), 10 Sean TROUP, 11 Ryan FRANCIS

Subs not used: RGK Cyril SHARROCK, 16 Slade RULE

Yellow Cards: Bright 15’, Eades 33’, Brown 73’, Firth 92’