Report by Kane Sutton

 

Joondalup United were forced to work until the end on Friday night at Percy Doyle Reserve where they beat Subiaco 4-3 to claim their first victory of the season.

Joondalup went into the half time break three goals clear of their opponents, but Subiaco were able to claw two goals back and were on the front foot as the final whistle sounded.

Subiaco striker Ian McMurray was pleased with his team’s performance, but disappointed they weren’t able to claim the point.

“I felt in the second half we were the better team,” he said. “The boys worked very, very hard and played some good football. It was disappointing not to get the equaliser, but we have to live and learn.”

Subiaco found the lead early in the match through Rory Feely after a clumsy tackle in Joondalup’s defensive box led the away team to convert a penalty.

Joondalup were quick to hit back and take the lead, with Matthew Sparrow playing a role in both goals – first setting up a headed effort with a free kick, then scoring an unimpeded shot from well outside the box.

The game evened up in the second half, with Subiaco spending more time in their forward half and forcing pressure acts.

They pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute after receiving another penalty, and less than 15 minutes later, McMurray was able to convert after a series of well-timed passes broke Joondalup’s defensive line.

Subiaco continued to put the forward pressure on as the minutes ticked by, with one shot in the dying seconds almost skimming the crossbar on its way over.

Both teams played a very physical brand of football, with the referee pulling out the yellow card on five occasions over the 90 minutes.

Joondalup coach Nick Jennings conceded his team were lucky to get away with the three points after a poor second half.

“We didn’t see out the game, we completely switched off,” he said.

“It was always going to be a physical game. It was very competitive, even at this stage of the year, it was like a six-point game for us.”

Joondalup will be searching for their second win in two games against Balcatta next week, while Subiaco aim to notch their first against Stirling.

 

Joondalup United 4 (Maplestone 28min, 33; Sparrow 40; O.G)

Subiaco 3 (Feely 19(pen); Candish 53(pen); McMurray 67)

Friday, March 10, 2017

Percy Doyle Reserve

Kick-off: 7:30pm

Referee: Adam Fielding

Assistant Referees: Tom Glavovic, Simon Hicks

Joondalup United – 1. James BOSDET, 2. Joel LEDSHAM, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE, 5. Joe STOCKER, 7. Matthew SPARROW, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Richard HOWLES, 10. Alex WILD, 16. Ross EDWARDS, (17 Luke SERRA 74’), (18. Anthony TAYLOR 57’), 19. Mike KENNY, 23. Jay MARSDEN, (25. Greg PELLOW 86’)

Subs not used: 6. Guy MCDONALD, 21. Jack NUNN
Yellow Cards: Marsden 15’, Whitmore 81’
Red Cards: nil

Subiaco: 1. Ryan MONTGOMERY, (3. Robert HARDING 78’), 7. John LOCKHART, 8. Mike LAWSON, 9. Rory FEELY, 11. Carlin FEELY, 12. Nathan SMITH, 13. Jordan CANDISH (15. Henock BUTSHIRE 86’), 16. Ian MCMURRAY, 17. Alex CASTIELLO, 18. David PERICH, 19. Stefan HILL
Substitutes not used: 6. Kevin CASTLE, 14. Ross JARMAN, 21. Hamish ST GEORGE
Yellow Cards: Perich 39’, Candish 42’, C. Feely 55’
Red Cards: nil