Skorich leveller denies ECU

Report by Edward Nixon

Anthony Skorich’s second-half header salvaged a 2-2 draw for Cockburn City in their NPL WA Round Four clash at ECU Joondalup on Saturday.

The result was ECU’s third draw of the season while Cockburn bounced back from their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Inglewood last weekend.

“We need to start banking some points, some of these draws feel like defeats,” ECU head coach Dale McCullough said.

In an action-packed first-half, it was ECU captain Daryl Nicol who had the first real chance of the game when he pounced on a mistake from Cockburn centre-back Chris Thackray before shooting wide.

The winger was lively in an opening term where both teams fashioned plenty of goalscoring opportunities.

It was Cockburn who broke the deadlock, however, when winger Lucas Mello chipped the ball into the back of the net after ECU keeper Johnny Perkins failed to deal with Cameron Edwards’ free-kick.

Keen to avoid their first loss of the season, ECU responded and would have found themselves level but for a last-ditch goalline clearance from Thackray which prevented Adam Tong’s header floating in.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of the half, with Nicol and former Perth Glory midfielder Tommy Amphlett going closest for ECU.

Their pressure finally paid off in the 43rd minute when striker Gordon Smith tapped home from close range after Amphlett’s low shot was parried by Cockburn goalkeeper Ryan Baker.

It would prove to be a difficult few minutes for Baker, who then gave away possession to allow Nicol to put ECU ahead with the final kick of the half - his first-time finish finding the top corner.

The Jacks burst out of the blocks in the second half as they went in search of a third goal, but it was the visitors who would create the first opportunity when Mello almost grabbed his second of the game but his free-kick clipped the top of the bar.

With time running out, Cockburn stepped up their intent and got themselves level as Skorich found space in the box to head home and snatch a point for his side.

“I thought we looked like we were the only ones who were going to win it,” Cockburn coach Scott Miller said.

Both teams had late chances, but neither could find a decisive goal and they were forced to share the points.

ECU Joondalup now turn their focus towards Round Five where they will travel to take on Perth Glory, while Cockburn host last year’s champions Bayswater City.

ECU Joondalup 2 (Smith 43 mins, Nicol 45+2)
Cockburn City 2 (Mello 21, Skorich 73)
ECU Joondalup Football Stadium
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Anthony Walsh, Thomas Robinson

ECU Joondalup: 2. Jack JONES, 3. Ross MILLARD, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Lukas DE LIMA (MURRAY 74), 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Daryl NICOL (c), 10. Gordon SMITH, 11. Andy HIGGINS, 13. Tommy AMPHLETT (BROOKS 87), 19. Cian HIRRELL, 20. Johnny PERKINS (GK).
Substitutes not used: 1. Jack NUNN, 12. Ryan McDARBY, 16. Logan McISSAC
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Cockburn City: 2. Chris THACKRAY (MURRAY 71), 5. Kieron STALLARD, 6. Rueben TRISTAO, 7. Luccas MELLO, 8. Cameron EDWARDS (c), 15. Daniel SANTICH, 16. Daniel ROBINSON (ARAYA 54), 17. Jesse LAZZARO, 18. Aden DA LUZ, 19. Anthony SKORICH, 23. Ryan BAKER (GK)
Substitutes not used: 1. Luke RADONICH, 20. James OLDFIELD
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil




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