Report by Peter Simcox

Photo by Peter Simcox

ECU Joondalup have rekindled their top four hopes after a 3-0 win against Cockburn City in round 20 of the PS4 NPLWA.
 
Defender Shane Pickering gave the hosts the lead on 27 minutes before Daryl Nicol made it 2-0 before half-time.
 
Nicol added his second and his 11th of the season after the break to secure the three points with ECU goalkeeper Fraser Greenwood saving a late penalty from Julian Teles.
 
ECU coach Dale McCulloch said it was a great all-round team performance from his players.
 
“We are really happy with the performance today,” he said.

“It was a total team shift and as a unit we played well, and we had a bit of quality in the final third with Daryl.
 
“We made a few changes today in personnel and positions and we were delighted with the way it panned out.”
 
Teenager Declan Hughes made his starting debut for ECU and put in a solid performance and said it was good to get the opportunity.
 
“Happy to get a start, but the win was more important as we’ve had an indifferent run recently,” the 17-year-old said.
 
“It’s great for me to work with experienced players like Kevin (Moon) and the other boys in there, who helped me on the pitch and told me what to do.”
 
Only two points separated the sides at kick-off and was a tight affair with clear-cut chances few and far between early on.
 
ECU took the lead on 27 minutes, when Steven McGarry’s cross found Pickering, who lost his marker to head past Luke Radonich.
 
Radonich then had to be alert to push Jon Higgins’ in-swinging corner around the post on the half hour, but six minutes later the home side doubled their advantage.
 
Jack Jones’ cross from the right found Nicol who beat Radonich to the ball and headed home.
 
Both sides had early chances after the break. Higgin’s dangerous corner was tipped over by Radonich, before substitute Teles’ shot on the turn was saved low by Greenwood.
 
The points were made safe on 58 minutes when McGarry’s through-ball sent Nicol racing clear. He rounded the goalkeeper to roll the ball home, despite Euen Grant’s attempted goal line clearance.  
 
Cockburn were given a lifeline ten minutes from time when referee Josh Mannella pointed to the spot after Teles was brought down in the penalty area.
 
Teles stepped up but Greenwood picked the right way to make a stunning one-handed save down to his right to secure a clean sheet for his side.

ECU Joondalup 3 (Pickering 26min, Nicol 36, 58)
Cockburn City 0
Saturday, July 8, 2017
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referees: Alexander Best and Julius Mkandawire

ECU Joondalup: GK Fraser GREENWOOD, 3 Ross MILLARD, 4 Steven MCGARRY, 5 Graham DORAN, 6 Shane PICKERING, 7 Kevin MOON, 8 Declan HUGHES, 9 Daryl NICOL 10 Jon HIGGINS (C), 11 Sam POLLARD (15 James OWEN 83’), 17 Jack JONES (19 Cian HIRRELL 86’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan YOUNG, 14 Roland RIXER, 16 Rikki SMITH
Yellow Cards: Nicol 36
Red Cards: Nil

Cockburn City: GK Luke RADONICH, 4 Euen GRANT (C), 5 Keiron STALLARD, 6 Reuben TRISTAO, 7 Calvin WHITNEY, 10 David ARAYA, 11 Harry O’BRIEN (18 Riley VAN DICKEN 83’), 13 Blake ADAMS, 15 Daniel SANTICH, 16 Daniel ROBINSON (14 Julian TELES 46’), 17 Jesse LAZZARO (2 Joshua KUSER 69’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Ryan BARKER, 3 Daniel DOLS
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil