Report by Matthew Corvi

Joondalup United have beaten Balcatta 2-0 in their PS4 NPLWA encounter at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Richard Howles was the hero for Joondalup, scoring two important goals for his side as they ran out the victors over a ten-man Balcatta side.

 Joondalup United coach Nick Jennings praised his sides performance and how professional his side were.

“We were back to our normal selves this week, job well done from the side.” he said.

“Our next game is against one of the best teams in the state, its going to be a real challenge”  

Following a slow start to the game, Joondalup started to take control of the game and were rewarded in the 29th minute.

Arran Maplestone beat his man before cutting the ball back to the edge of the six-yard box for Howles to tuck the ball in the corner of the net.

With minutes remaining in the first half, Howles had another fantastic chance to put his side two goals ahead, but placed his unmarked header over the bar from close range.

Things went from bad to worse for a struggling Balcatta side in the second half when captain Calum O’Connell lashed out at an opponent and was shown a red card.

Howles added his second goal of the game in the two minutes from time with a looping header after a fantastic cross from Anthony Taylor.

Balcatta coach Salv Todaro was pleased with his sides performance despite the result.

“We couldn’t have asked more from the young players, they played most of the second half with ten men” he said.

“We had opportunities in the first half, but we couldn’t put them away, its been our Achilles heel this season.”

Joondalup United 2 (Howles 29min, 88)
Balcatta 0
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Matthew Southern
Assistant Referees: Jeet Patel, Frank Laval

Joondalup United: 1. James BOSDET (GK), 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (17. Luke SERRA 77), 6. Guy MCDONALD (11. Josh BOOYSEN 67), 7. Matthew SPARROW, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Richard HOWLES (Rob TARPEY 89), 13. Chris PUGH, 16. Ross EDWARDS, 18. Anthony TAYLOR, 23. Jay MARSDEN
Substitutes not used: 21. Jack NUNN (RGK), 5. Joe STOCKER
Yellow cards: Edwards 66
Red cards: nil

Balcatta: 1. Domenico SAVOLDELLI (GK), 2. Rudnei NOGUEIRA, 4. Calum O”CONNELL, 6.Nicolas TATASCIORE (22. Dejan ANDRIC 66), 8. Brennan BORZECKI, 9. Luccas MELLO (18. Ben MEREDITH 87), 10. Jonathan CORNESS, 14. Brody KENNEDY, 15. Carmelo GLUFFRE, 16. Marco CHADINHA (19. Endalk ACHAMYELEH 79), 20. Tom PELLIZARI
Substitutes not used: 21. Luke HUTCHINSON (RGK)
Yellow cards: Corness 26
Red cards: O’Connell 48