Athena suffer first loss but rivals fail to cash in
Report by Tommy Doleman
Adam Zimarino celebrates his first of two goals for Perth Glory against Floreat Athena. Photo by Tom McCarthy
Perth Glory sensationally ended Floreat Athena's unbeaten start to the season after they won 2-0 at E&D Litis Stadium to boost their top four hopes.
Ruben Zadkovich's side will end the weekend three points off a finals spot, no matter the result in Sunday's fixture between Inglewood United and Perth, as the in-form leaders were shut out for the first time in 2021.
Glory had to weather a storm in the first 15 minutes, including a terrific save from Cameron Cook who clawed George Festa's header off the line.
But the youngsters showed maturity and gradually wrestled their way back into the game.
Glory opened the scoring eight minutes after the restart as Ciaran Bramwell laid the ball back for Adam Zimarino to finish the bottom corner.
Floreat were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Jawad Rezai was shown a straight red card, before worrying scenes saw Dean Evans stretchered off after a collision in the penalty area.
Chris Saldaris had two headed chances in the final 10 minutes which may have preserved Floreat's unbeaten run, but Glory went on to seal the win despite Mason Tatafu's late red card.
A last-ditch attack for Athena was cleared and Zimarino initiated a counterattack. With Athena keeper Jason Saldaris up for the set-piece, Zimarino slid into an open net for his seventh of the season which confirmed one of the season's biggest upsets.
Elsewhere, ECU Joondalup failed to capitalise on Floreat's first defeat as they lost 3-2 away at Armadale.
Chad Nilson's early shot was saved onto the post by Johnny Perkins, and it looked an important intervention as ECU went ahead through Danny Hodgson's eighth-minute spot kick.
But Armadale had only lost one of their previous seven league meetings with the defending champions and turned it around promptly.
Cherno Bah levelled before Pieter Jacobsz saw a penalty kick saved moments later. The forward didn’t waste another opportunity though, heading home the subsequent corner for a 2-1 Armadale lead.
ECU were buoyed by their midweek entry in to the FFA Cup Round of 32 though and squared up on 33 minutes when Daryl Nicol raced clear to finish past Yousri Gharsallah.
The game's key moment came on 57 minutes when Shane Cassidy was shown a red card and Armadale were awarded a penalty. Substitute Angel Andres stepped up and dispatched the kick for his ninth goal of the season, which moved John O'Reilly's side up to eighth place.
Sorrento meanwhile replaced ECU in second place despite a 1-1 draw away at Gwelup.
The Gulls took the lead on five minutes when Chris Jackson's strike was palmed out to Billy Quinncroft, who scored for the first time since Round Five.
Gustavo Marulanda twice struck wide of the post later in the half and the Colombian would ultimately secure an eighth draw in 13 games for Gwelup with a second half penalty.
At the bottom, Cockburn City took a giant step towards safety with a 2-0 away at Rockingham, who are now eight points adrift of 11th place.
Daniel Robinson's fifth in six games gave Cockburn a 22nd minute lead with the striker sliding in from a tight angle.
Luke Collins' rasping drive cannoned back off the post before the break, but Rockingham copped a hammer blow early in the second period when Cameron Edwards' corner was diverted into his own net by Ian Ng.
Finally, Bayswater City scored four second half goals to record an emphatic 5-1 win over Balcatta at Frank Drago Reserve.
City had to come from behind as Amir Ajan picked out the top corner with a free-kick, but Gordon Smith slotted in Michael Zimarino's cross to make it 1-1 and score for the fourth time in five matches.
It was all square at the break but the hosts went ahead 42 seconds after the restart as Ndumba Makeche netted for the second straight game since returning to Bayswater.
Makeche was instrumental again moments later with a cross for Zimarino to make it 3-1 and then two goals in the space of two minutes completed a giant win for Gareth Naven's side.
Makeche improvised in the penalty area to score a super solo effort for the fifth of his season before Jack Allen's first NPL goal since 2019 put an exclamation mark on the win.
Results
Armadale 3-2 ECU Joondalup
Bayswater City 5-1 Balcatta
Floreat Athena 0-2 Perth Glory
Gwelup Croatia 1-1 Sorrento
Rockingham City 0-2 Cockburn City
Fixture
Inglewood United v Perth SC (3pm)
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