Report by Peter Simcox

ECU matchwinner Jamal Reiners. Photo by Peter Simcox

ECU Joondalup made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season after a hard fought 2-1 defeat of Cockburn City in their Round14 NPL WA clash at the ECU Football Stadium.

Bayley Brown-Montgomery gave the hosts the lead before the break, only for Hasani Sinclair to level from the spot early in the second half. It looked like the points would be shared but former Perth Glory striker Jamal Reiners converted a late penalty to seal the win for the Jacks.

It was a lively opening with both sides having early chances. Brown-Montgomery’s snap shot flashed wide before City's Ryan Pratt was denied by Johnny Perkins. The ECU keeper was then out bravely to save at the feet of Sinclair.

On 26 minutes it was the hosts who took the lead. Josh Whitmore made space down the right and pulled the ball back to Brown-Montgomery who made no mistake from six metres.

The home side went close to a second before half time with Ollie Annis’ curling effort beating Luke Radonich but the crossbar came to the rescue of the Cockburn keeper.

Cockburn got on the front foot after half-time and Jesse Lazzaro's shot was well saved by Perkins. And their early dominance was rewarded on 55 minutes with the equaliser.

The lively Sinclair was brought down by Perkins and referee Steven Gregory pointed straight to the spot. Sinclair picked himself up and sent Perkins the wrong way to level.

But the goal seemed lift the home side and Billy Quinncroft fired wide, before Annis’ volley flew the wrong side of the upright. Cockburn keeper Luke Radonich then produced a great reaction save to deny a deflected Ronald Rixer shot.

Cockburn were also dangerous going forward with Sinclair and Daniel Robinson a constant threat, but it looked like the points would be shared. Then three minutes from time ECU found the winner.

Shane Cassidy’s header forward found Brown-Montgomery inside the box and the striker fell under a challenge from Julian Teles. It looked a little harsh but Reiners stepped up and buried the penalty into the top corner to seal a win which boosted ECU's survival hopes.

Star player: Ollie Annis (ECU Joondalup)  

ECU Joondalup 2 (Brown-Montgomery 26min, Reiners 87pen)
Cockburn City 1 (Sinclair 55 pen)

Saturday, June 29
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Simon Hicks, Niall Gillmor

ECU Joondalup: GK Johnny PERKINS (c), 2 Nicholas KOEFLER, 4 Henry DURR (3 Ronald RIXER 78), 5 Shane CASSIDY, 6 Ollie ANNIS, 7 Jamal REINERS, 8 Josh WHITMORE, 9 Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY (16 Charlie KENNA 89), 10 Andy HIGGINS, 12 Billy QUINNCROFT, 14 Ewan FAWCETT
Substitutes not used: RGK George JACKSON, 11 Lukas DE LIMA, 15 Tom HOUGH
Yellow cards: Cassidy 59, Kenna 93
Red cards: Nil

Cockburn City: GK Luke RADONICH, 3 Daniel DOLS, 5 Julian TELES, 6 Reuben TRISTAO (c), 12 Ryan PRATT, 14 Hayden STEVENS, 15 Daniel SANTICH, 16 Daniel ROBINSON, 18 Adam ANFUSO, 19 Hasani SINCLAIR, 21 Jesse LAZZARO (20 Ashley ROSINDALE 86)
Substitutes not used: RGK Ben RADONICH, 2 Christopher THACKRAY, 25 Michael LOWRY
Yellow cards: Robinson 72
Red cards: Nil