Report by Blayne Treadgold

Goals in each half gave Bayswater City a 2-0 win over Balcatta in Round 20 of the PS4 NPLWA.

Luka Ninkovic scored just before half-time and Gustavo Marulanda added a second with four minutes remaining, as the hosts gained a valuable three points to keep the pressure on the top four.

Despite the win, Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was frustrated and left wanting more from his side.

“If we take our chances the game is dead and buried,” he said.

“I would’ve taken 2-0 before the day starts, but in hindsight that performance is not good enough.

“We’ve got too many good players to display what we did there today and I just expect more.”

Meanwhile, the loss for Balcatta leaves them one point clear of Mandurah City who currently sit in the relegation place, but coach Sal Todaro was proud of his young side’s efforts.

“I was very proud of the boys today, we’re doing it tough at the moment but they’ve given 100%,” he said.

“We needed more composure in the final third as we struggled to put the ball away, but in the midfield and at the back we competed well.

“We’ve only got two players that have played over 50 first team matches. It’s good experience for the young boys and we can’t fault their efforts.”

Bayswater started the stronger of the two sides with winger Bor Bor Sam causing problems down the right flank as he managed to get in behind Balcatta’s defence on numerous occasions.

A battle of the goalkeepers ensued with Devon Spence and Domenico Savoldelli both producing fine saves for their respective teams.

Jonathan Corness produced some fancy footwork for the visitors on 25 minutes, before unleashing a shot on goal that brought the best out of Spence.

Minutes later, Marulanda blasted a shot that stung the palms of Savoldelli, who managed to divert the ball over the bar.

It took a goal in injury time of the first half to separate the sides as Ninkovic neatly finished from close-range when Marulanda slid the ball into the six-yard box.

Luccas Mello beat two Bayswater defenders before Spence came to the hosts rescue with yet another brilliant save as Balcatta started the second half with a flurry.

Bayswater nearly doubled their lead on 79 minutes as Sam’s ball across the face of goal rolled just beyond the outstretched foot of Marulanda.

They didn’t have to wait long though, as Marulanda sealed the points when he found himself unmarked on the penalty spot and fired past Savoldelli.

Bayswater City 2 (Ninkovic 45+min, Marulanda 86)
Balcatta 0
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Finance 365 Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistant Referees: Arvin Shanmuganathan, Julian Ku
 
Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE (GK), 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul McCARTHY (15. Shayden PASALAQUA 89’) 9. Gustavo Giron MARULANDA, 10. Jason MIRCO, 11. Devon GIBSON (16. Giordano COLLI 83’)
13. Trent KAY (c), 17. Bor Bor SAM, 19. Luka NINKOVIC (14. Jamie MURPHY 69’) 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 23. Andrija JUKIC
Substitutes not used: 22. Jordan POKLA 25. Dejan ALEKSIC
Yellow cards: 23. Andrija Jukic 38’, 8. Paul McCarthy 77’
Red cards: Nil

Balcatta: 1. Domenico SAVOLDELLI (GK), 2. Rudnei NOGUEIRA (16 Marco CHADINHA 71’) 3. Justin ONEK, 4. Calum O’CONNELL (c), 9. Luccas MELLO, 10. Jonathan CORNESS, 12. Anton DE FRANCESCH,
14. Brodie KENNEDY, 15 .Carmelo GIUFFRE (C), 18 Ben MEREDITH, 20 Tom PELLIZARI,
Substitutes not used: 8 Brennan BORZECKI, 21. Jake SEYMOUR (RGK), 22 Dejan ANDRIC
Yellow Cards: 12. Anton DE FRANCESCH 63’
Red Cards: Nil