Report by Tommy Doleman

 

Bor Bor Sam struck early in the second half as Bayswater City breathed life into their 2017 PS4 NPLWA campaign with a gutsy 1-0 win over Floreat Athena.

Sam showed great skill to beat his man before firing into the far corner on an afternoon where clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Jackson Morgan headed Floreat’s best chance over as Bayswater moved to within four points of league leaders Inglewood with a game in hand.

Visiting coach Chris Coyne praised his team’s defence and said it had laid the foundation for their win.

“In big matches, defence wins you the game, no matter what level you’re playing at,” he said.

“As a unit, we were solid and kept them (Floreat) to limited chances on the day.

“The boys played like men today. They really rolled up their sleeves, showing guts and determination as a collective and I’m immensely proud of the 90 minutes.”

Coyne also believes there’s more to come from Bayswater following a fifth win in their last six league outings.

“We’ve got a very good team, there’s no hiding from that and we have underperformed this year,” he said.

“I said to the team at half time that I’m not going to accept mediocrity and our second half performance was magnificent.

“We’re getting to the pointy end now and we have sort of gone under the radar, but it’s working well for us and hopefully that continues as we’re really relishing this challenge going forward.”

Floreat started well in tough conditions in a first half of few opportunities.

Phil Arnold snatched at a couple of efforts following a penalty area scramble, before Jon Stynes forced Devon Spence into a good save after shrugging off his marker out wide.

But the game’s decisive moment came four minutes into the second half as Sam received Gustavo Marulanda’s pass, cut inside and lashed home to give the visitors something to defend.

Stynes continued to be the host’s best outlet and was through on goal, but denied by Spence again, after he was nudged just before his shot.

Marulanda could have wrapped up the points with 15 minutes to go, only for his drive from distance to thud off the crossbar and away to safety.

An unmarked Morgan then headed Dean Evans’ free kick over the bar with time ticking down and they wouldn’t be presented with another chance as Bayswater claimed a big three points.

 

Floreat Athena 0

Bayswater City 1 (Sam 49min)

Saturday July 15, 2017

E+D Litis Stadium

Local kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: David Bruce

Floreat Athena: GK: Jason SALDARIS, 3. Clayton ARNEZ (20. Joe TWEATS 87’), 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 12. Jackson MORGAN, 13. Zelfy NAZARY (16. Juma AWAKA 81’), 14. Ludovic BOI, 15. Chris SALDARIS, 17. Dean EVANS, 18. Phil ARNOLD (11. Liam HUDSON 75’), 33. Mark PRITCHARD.

Substitutes not used: RGK: Aidan HOLLOWAY, 2. Zoran VRTESKI.

Yellow Cards: Boi 32min, Arnez 86, Evans 90+2

Red Cards: Nil

Bayswater City: GK. Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES, 8. Paul MCCARTHY, 9. Gustavo MARULANDA, 10. Jason MIRCO, 12. David STOKOE, 13. Trent KAY, (14.Jamie MURPHY 20’, 4. Tristan COLLI 68’), 17. Bor Bor SAM, 18. Brent GRIFFITHS, 19. Luka NINKOVIC, 20. Sam MITCHINSON.

Substitutes not used: RGK: Shayden PASLAQUA, 16. Giordano COLLI.

Yellow Cards: Griffiths 60min, Marulanda 90+2

Red Cards: Nil