Report by Tommy Doleman

Photo by Jonny Warrington

Three goals in seven minutes either side of half time saw Balcatta start the NPL WA season with a bang as they defeated newcomers Rockingham City 4-0 at Grindleford Reserve.

Rockingham provided plenty of resistance in a first half where, on the whole, both goalkeepers had little to do and they went close when James Harmer skidded one wide of the post.

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But  three minutes before the break the hosts broke through as Gavin Knight hooked John Kearney’s corner in for his first league goal since joining from Swan United.

Knight then assisted Balcatta’s second on the stroke of half time. He collected a crossfield pass before rolling into Jonathan Corness’ path, who sidefooted home from inside the area.

Adam Zimarino’s goal four minutes after the restart sealed the win for the home side, when he cut inside from the right and found the far corner brilliantly.

Rockingham, who were promoted from the State League in 2018, continued to fight but were wasteful in the final third despite getting into several good positions.

There was still time for Balcatta to make it 4-0 as Shubham Mokala performed a step over and curled an effort into the bottom corner with 15 minutes to play.

Yousri Gharsallah was called into action for the first time late on when he turned James Millard’s shot around the post, but Balcatta preserved their clean sheet and made an early statement in 2019.

Star man: Gavin Knight (Balcatta)

Balcatta SC 4 (Knight 42min, Corness 45, Zimarino 49, Mokala 74)
Rockingham City 0
Saturday 16 March, 2019
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm

Balcatta SC: GK: Yousri GHARSALLAH, 2. Joseph MARINO, 3. John KEARNEY, 4. Calum O'CONNELL (20. Anthony TOPINI 80), 5. Shubham MOKALA, 7. Alex WILD, 9. Gavin KNIGHT (11. Callum STOCKS 63), 10. Jonathan CORNESS, 12. Robert DEL BORRELLO, 16. Alex CASTIELLO, 23. Adam ZIMARINO (22. Ben PELLIZZARI 73)
Substitutes not used: RGK: David KEENAN, 14. Tom PELLIZZARI.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Rockingham City: GK: Cyril SHARROCK, 2. Jason CONSTABLE, 3. Justis BRADLEY, 4. Mitch FIRTH (9. Sam MACKERNAN 56), 6. Blake SOKOLOWSKI, 7. James MILLARD, 8. Jason POTTIER, 10. James HARMER, 12. Lydon HODGKISS, 14. Ryan KENNEDY, 18. Michael FARMER
Substitutes not used: RGK: James GREHAN, 5. Harry COLLINS, 13. Jarrad MORT, 17. Jonathan ARAYA
Yellow cards: Pottier 78, Millard 85
Red cards: Nil