Report by Tristan Wheeler

 

A composed performance from ECU Joondalup gave the northerners a 2-0 win at Mandurah City in Round 24 of the PS4 NPLWA.

A goal in each half from Daryl Nicol and Gordon Smith gave the visitors the points, but results elsewhere mean keep Mandurah in the battle for survival.

ECU coach Dale McCulloch was pleased with the result given the type of game it was.

“It was a difficult game in difficult conditions,” he said.

“We’ve just got to be ugly sometimes and make sure we get the three points.

“I thought the first half was 50/50, but we had enough control of that game to deserve the win.”

Mandurah’s Doug Hesketh was happy with his side's application in tough conditions.

“We played good football in the first half,” he said.

“In the second half we tried to be direct with the wind and it just backfired.”

The game got off to a fast start and Mandurah went close on three minutes, when Lance Louvie came close to turning the ball home and Fraser Greenwood gathered at the second attempt.

Cyril Sharrock produced a fine save moments later to save a deflected effort as ECU worked their way into the match.

Jeffrey Bright cleared a cross off the line as the visitors pressed and they took the lead on 34 minutes when Nicol flicked into the bottom corner.

Jordan Rhodes’ deflected free kick was diverted away by Greenwood as Mandurah looked for a response, but they were unable to sustain pressure in the second half as conditions toughened.

ECU Joondalup largely played on the break and they sealed the points on 79 minutes when Smith found himself in front of goal and easily finished for 2-0.

The result keeps the visitors comfortably in mid-table, whilst Mandurah remain a point behind Balcatta and Perth Glory.

 

Mandurah City 0

ECU Joondalup 2 (Nicol 34 min, Smith 79)

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Securitas Protect Stadium

Kick-off: 3:00 pm.

Referee: Nico Hoyle

Assistant referees: Simon Hicks, Wayne Nurse.

Mandurah City: 1. Cyril SHARROCK, 2. Mitchell FIRTH, 3. Jeffrey BRIGHT, 4. Matthew STARES, 5. Thomas STRAKER 6. Lance LOUVIE, 7. Jack EADES, 9. Joseph O’BRIEN (14. Kevin CASTLE 84), 10. Jordan RHODES, 11. Ryan FRANCIS, 13. Slade RULE (16.Mark MCLAUGHLIN 67).

Substitutes not used: 12. Jack WILD, 17. Bailey MULLINS, 21. Kieran SHAIL.

Yellow cards: Stares 13, Straker 53, McLaughlin 68.

Red Cards: nil.

ECU Joondalup: 1. Fraser GREENWOOD, 3. Ross MILLARD, 4. Steven MCGARRY 5. Graham DORAN, 6. Shane PICKERING, 7. Kevin MOON, 8. Declan HUGHES, 9. Daryl NICOL, 10. Gordon SMITH, 11. Samuel POLLARD, 17. Jack JONES

Substitutes not used: 12. James OWEN, 14.Ben HINSHEWOOD, 15. Ryan MCDARBY, 16. Tom HOUGH. 20. Jordan YOUNG.

Yellow cards: Doran 37.

Red Cards: nil.