Report by Tristan Wheeler

Photo by Fotoenzo

Bayswater City recorded a 1-0 victory over Mandurah City at Finance 365 stadium on Sunday afternoon, setting up a final week of the season where there is all to play for at both ends of the table.

Captain Trent Kay was left unmarked in the box in the 66th minute, and headed home to keep his side in title contention.

Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was content on the important win.

“I thought we were quite good a times, but very patchy,” he said.

“To get that one nil win and clean sheet, we’ve kept ourselves alive, I think it means we’ve clinched second spot minimum, so we give ourselves an opportunity to have a second bite at the top four.”

Despite the result, Mandurah coach Doug Hesketh was proud of his players.

“We’ve come up to this league on short notice, we’ve started the season with an NPL night series final … and we’re going to finish the season with an exciting game to give the fans something to look forward to.”

“On that performance, today against that quality team, with two 17-year olds playing at centre back, this clubs not in bad shape”.

The game sprung into life quickly, with both sides taking the game to their opposition.

Andrija Jukic was given space and time by the Mandurah defence in the fifth minute, crashing his long range shot into the cross-bar.

Mandurah’s first real chance came in the 27th minute. Jeffrey Bright got onto the end of Jack Eades’ free-kick and flicked the ball at goal, only to have it pushed wide by the keeper.

Gustavo Marulanda was played clear through on goal in the 31st minute, only to have his low shot well saved by Cyril Sharrock.

In the second half, both teams had their opportunities but the only goal in the match came in the 66th minute through their captain Kay.

Bayswater move to 53 points, one short of league leaders Inglewood, keeping them in the hunt for the league title next weekend.

Bayswater City 1 (Kay 66min)
Mandurah City 0
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Finance 365 Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00 pm
Referee: Matthew Southern
 
Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 2.Declan HARGREAVES, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 9. Gustavo Giron MARULANDA, 11. Devon GIBSON (8. Paul MCCARTHY 59), 13. Trent KAY, 17. Bor Bor SAM (10. Jason MIRCO 85), 18.Brent GRIFFITHS, 19. Luka NINKOVIC (21. David HEAGNEY 68), 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 23. Andrija JUKIC.
Substitutes Not Used: 12. David STOKOE, 25. Dejan ALEKSIC
Yellow Cards:  Sam 19
Red Cards: nil

Mandurah City: 1. Cyril SHARROCK, 2. Mitchell FIRTH, 3. Jeffrey BRIGHT, 4. Daniel MARSHALL (10. Daniel DAVIES 26), 5.Aidan CLARK 6. Lance LOUVIE, 7. Jack EADES, 9. Sean TROUP, 11. Ryan FRANCIS, 14. Slade RULE, 15. Kevin CASTLE.
Substitutes Not Used: 17. David HARDY, 16. Jason RULE, 21. Kieran SHAIL
Yellow Cards:  Troup 20, Bright 57, Clark 65,  Sharrock 78
Red Cards: nil