Carlino throws Subiaco dramatic lifeline

Report by Ryan Borrett

Subiaco leapfrogged Forrestfield United near the foot of the NPL WA table on Saturday after substitute Adam Carlino scored a dramatic injury-time winner at Rosalie Park.

The game looked to be heading for a draw - a result neither side wanted - when Carlino struck to give his side a crucial 2-1 victory.

The win wasn't enough to lift Subiaco out of the drop zone but they are now third from bottom and have a fighting chance of staying up.

Forrestfield, a place below, probably need to take maximum points from their final two matches if they are to avoid the drop.

Subiaco assistant coach Basil Lenzo was delighted with the result, especially after they went down to a late goal at Bayswater last week.

“The boys worked absolutely tirelessly,” he said.

“It was great to get that result and great to see two young boys get on the scoresheet.

“We were disappointed last week and now we start planning for next week. We have to maintain what we put out there today.”

Forrestfield started the match the stronger and were given a great chance to take the lead in the ninth minute after Liam Mergian’s shot hit a Subiaco hand in the box and referee Michal Jasinski pointed to the spot.

Rhys Loxley scored the penalty and the away side had a 1-0 lead.

Subiaco were determined not to let their heads drop and came into the game as the half progressed. And following a solid period of play their efforts were rewarded in the 38th minute when Anthony Topini equalised with a low shot to the bottom left-hand corner.

The pace and intensity ramped up in the second half as both sides chased the win.

Carlino's fine run and cut-back set up a great chancefor Nathan Smith but his effort was blocked on the line.

It looked as though a draw was on the cards until Subiaco found the winner in stoppage time. Substitute Robert Harding got on the end of a long ball and fired in a shot which was saved by Luke Martino. However the ball fell to Carlino and he placed his shot past two Forrestfield defenders to seal the win for his side.

Forrestfield coach Rod Banjac admitted his side didn’t do enough to merit a point.

“It’s a tough game and obviously there was a lot riding on it,” he said.

“We started off well and dominated in parts but at the end of the day I think Subiaco deserved to win.

“We didn’t create enough in the final third and never looked like scoring.”

Subiaco now sit third bottom, three points from safety, with difficult games against Floreat Athena and champions-elect Perth Glory to come.

Forrestfield face Bayswater and Stirling knowing two wins are required.

Subiaco 2 (Topini 38, Carlino 90+2)
Forrestfield United 1 (Loxley 9)
Saturday, August 4
Rosalie Park
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Michal Jasinski
Assistant referees: Julian Serra, Stewart Beattie

Subiaco: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, 6. Jackson DONGRAY, 8. Mitchell BATH (5. Manase ABANDELWA 46), 10. Alex CASTIELLO, 12. Nathan Smith, 14. Ross JARMAN, 15. Anthony TOPINI (4. Robert HARDING 74), 16. Dean APELGREN, 17. Mark PRITCHARD, 18. David PERICH, 19. Ian MCMURRAY (9. Adam CARLINO 58)
Unused substitutes: 3. Vasco DA SILVA, 21. Josiah GODFREY
Yellow cards: Dongray 34
Red cards: Nil

Forrestfield United: 1. Luke MARTINO, 2. Tom SOUTHGATE, 3. Wilbert TSHABANGU, 4. Jamie DUNCAN (16. Thomas JEBB 13), 7. Josh KATIO, 8. Mitchell CROKCER (12. Callum DOBBS 65), 10. Jordan HART, 11. Liam MERIGAN, 14. Benjamin ROGERS (9. Hasani SINCLAIR 58), 17. Leslie MARI, 23. Rhys LOXLEY
Unused substitutes: 6. Kristian DESPOTOVSKI, 16. Thomas JEBB, 18. Benjamin PARRY
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil




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