Report by Aidan Shaw

Photo by Sabata Creatives

Bayswater City ended a run of three games without a victory with a hard fought 2-1 win over Cockburn City at Finance 365 Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors had taken the lead on the half-hour through Gian Albano, but a Gustavo Marulanda penalty and a tap-in from captain Trent Kay before half-time was enough to turn it around.

Chris Coyne, whose side had their Westfield FFA Cup dreams shattered by Western Knights on Monday, said his players showed great focus from the outset against a determined opponent.

“I am very pleased with the intent the players have shown and I needed a response from them after the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“They knew their jobs, they knew what we had worked on at training, and it was up to them.

“They’ve got to be prepared to work hard and show that desire every week and with the ability that they have got they will take themselves a long way.”

The hosts dominated the early stages of the match with Bor Bor Sam, Marulanda and Jason Mirco threatening the Cockburn goal several times.

However despite their dominance Bayswater found themselves behind when Cockburn scored just after the half-hour mark.

A well-weighted pass found Aden Da Luz, whose deft first touch saw him pass through the Bayswater defence and feed a neat ball to Albano, who finished low past Devon Spence.

This served as a wake up call for the hosts, who surged forward and won a penalty minutes later when Kenel Mouithys brought down Sam inside the area.

Marulanda stepped up and sent Luke Radonich the wrong way, firing into the bottom corner to level the scores.

Sam looked a constant threat on the left wing and was again involved when his side hit the front late in the first half.

He surged into the box following a corner and played the ball across goal for skipper Trent Kay to tap home and make it 2-1.

Radonich made several spectacular saves to prevent the hosts from extending their lead, while at the other end Spence denied Cameron Edwards from equalising late on.

The final whistle blew and Bayswater picked up a vital three points that to keep them in touch with the top four.

Cockburn coach Scott Miller said his side stood up well against a highly motivated opposition.

“I am really proud of the effort against a side that has lost three in a row. They are probably the best team in WA, so we knew we were going to get a bit of a reaction today,” he said.

“The work rate from the wingers to come back and try and help out just shows how hard these boys work for each other.”

Bayswater City 2 (Marulanda 35min, Kay 41)
Cockburn City 1 (Albano 31min)
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Finance 365 Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle
Assistant Referees: Alex Best, Martin Hicks

Bayswater City: GK Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul MCCARTHY, 9. Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA (19. Luka NINKOVIC 72), 10. Jason MIRCO (12. David STOKOE 84), 11. Devon GIBSON, 13. Trent KAY (c), 17. Bor Bor SAM, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 23. Andrija JUKIC (21. David HEAGNEY 75)
Substitutes not used: RGK Michael COHEN, 16. Hifzhan HAYAZI
Yellow cards: Hargreaves 57, Mirco 77
Red cards: Nil

Cockburn City: GK Luke RADONICH, 4. Euen GRANT (c) (14. Julian TELES 74), 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Calvin WHITNEY, 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9. Gian ALBANO, 12. Kenel MOUITHYS (16. Daniel ROBINSON 46), 13. Blake ADAMS, 17. Jesse LAZZARO, 18. Aden DA LUZ, 20. Daniel SANTICH
Substitutes not used: RGK Ryan BARKER, 5. Ryan PRATT, 10. David ARAYA
Yellow cards: Grant 26, Mouithys 34, Robinson 77
Red cards: Nil