Report by Max Hayden-Evans

A dramatic stoppage-time winner from Jackson Dongray saw Subiaco complete a second-half comeback to defeat a gallant Joondalup United in an enthralling encounter at Rosalie Park on Saturday afternoon.

The fiery Belt up. Round 17 contest threatened to boil over at times as the scrap for points at the bottom end of the NPL WA ladder heats up.

Subiaco took the lead inside two minutes after David Perich hammered home from close range after the ball spilled to him inside the box.

Botom club Joondalup steadied after the early strike and their tenacity was rewarded inside the first 60 seconds of the restart when Lee Jones pounced on a misplaced back-pass, rounded keeper Ryan Montgomery and slotted the ball home.

United, chasing only their second win of the season, then grabbed the lead with half-an-hour to play as Jamie Gibson drove the ball home after it had rebounded to him following a sharp initial save from Subi captain Montgomery.

Subiaco pressed for the equaliser but were thwarted by two stunning saves from United keeper James Bosdet.

However Joondalup finally cracked and a handball in the box saw Subiaco awarded a penalty 10 minutes from time. Perich stuck it away and suddenly it was all to play for.

Both teams pressed for the winner and it was Dongray who broke Joondalup hearts when he capitalised on confusion in the penalty box to sneak the ball past Bosdet and ensure his side stole all three points.

Subiaco have now won two on the run to bolster their relegation fight and player-coach Ian McMurray said: “I’m delighted with the three points. It showed character. We dug in and there were errors at times, but at this point of season we’ll take the win. If we can get that consistency week in week out, we’ll move up the table.”

Joondalup coach Nick Jennings said: “I’m disappointed we haven’t been rewarded after we were by far the better team. I thought we deserved all three points. I thought the boys showed character and executed the game plan.

"Basic errors have killed us this year. I’m angry with what we’ve put in for no reward. Whilst the league table doesn’t lie, we’re not as bad as our position shows.”

Joondalup face Floreat next week while Subiaco face a tough test when they take on Perth SC.

Subiaco 3 (Perich 2min, 80, Dongray 90+1)
Joondalup United 2 (Jones 46, Gibson 60)
Saturday, June 16
Rosalie Park
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Brendan Skinner
Assistant referees: Josh Mannella, Daniel Cole

Subiaco: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY (GK) (C), 5. Manase ABANDELWA (17. Mark PRITCHARD 58.), 6. Jackson DONGRAY, 9. Adam CARLINO, 10. Alex CASTIELLO, 11. Joshua BOOYSEN (19. Ian MCMURRAY 66.), 12. Nathan SMITH, 13. Jonas DORLING, 15. Anthony TOPPINI, 16. Dean APELGREN, 18. David PERICH
Substitutes not used: 3. Vasco DA SILVA, 4. Robert HARDING, 21. Josiah GODFREY
Yellow cards: Pritchard 85, Perich 90+1
Red cards: Nil

Joondalup United: 1. James BOSDET (GK), 2. Johnny CHALMERS, 6. Sam WYNNE, 9. Lee JONES (15. Callum STOCKS 76.), 10. Elliot TATTERSALL, 11. Anthony TAYLOR (C), 14. Liam MOONEY, 17. Matthew CHERRIE, 22. Jamie GIBSON, 24. Ayden DRAGUN, 25. Greg PELLOW
Substitutes not used: 4. Danny O’SHEA, 12. William KESSEL
Yellow cards: Dragun 58, Bosdet 79, Gibson 84
Red cards: Nil