Stynes gives Floreat win over Balcatta
Report by Kelechi Osunwa
Floreat Athena gained ground on league leaders Perth SC following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Balcatta at E&D Litis stadium in Saturday's National Premier Leagues WA encounter.
Both sides failed to take their chances in an end-to-end first half that saw Floreat's Robert Petkov have his tame penalty smothered by Lewis Italiano.
Shubham Mokala had a great opportunity to score for Balcatta when he raced through but with the goal at his mercy the winger opted for power and blazed his effort over.
Balcatta elder statesman Gavin Knight was unlucky on two occasions when he forced a fine save from Jason Saldaris and had a shot cleared off the line after rounding the Floreat keeper.
Balcatta were made to rue those chances early in the second half when Jonathan Stynes claimed his second in two weeks with a drilled effort to beat Italiano.
Balcatta pushed forward in search of an equaliser but the home side kept them at bay and were unlucky not to add to their lead when Ludovic Boi saw his effort cleared off the line.
The win sees Floreat close the gap on league leaders Perth SC to eight points and go into next week's Belt Up Cup Final against Bayswater City in fantastic form.
Star player: Robert Petkov (Floreat Athena)
Floreat Athena 1 (Stynes 53min)
Balcatta 0
Saturday, July13
E & D Litis Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Jullian Serra,
Assistant referees: Sailota Phiri, Liam Barclay
Floreat Athena: 1. Jason SALDARIS, 5. Thomas JEBB 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES (29 Jack PAINTER-ANDREWS 77), 9. Robert PETKOV, 11. Dennis GALAN, 14. Ludovic BOI, 17. Dean EVANS (c), 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO (18. Phillip ARNOLD 66), 16. Ryan MALTON, 15. Christopher SALDARIS (Adrian MADASCHI 74)
Substitutes not used: (RGK) 23 Jordan BARBAS, 13. George FESTA
Yellow cards: Ambrogio 54
Red cards: Nil
Balcatta: 1. Lewis ITALIANO, 2. Joseph MARINO, 4. Callum O’CONNELL (c), 5. Shubham MOKALA (19. Nicholas CHALLOT 71), 10. Jonathan CORNESS, 12. Roberto DEL BORRELLO, 13. Carmelo GIUFFRE, 16. Alex CASTIELLO, 21. Michael ZIMARINO (7. Ben PELLIZZARI 78), 20. Anthony TOPINI (3. John Kearney 85), 9. Gavin KNIGHT
Substitutes not used: 25. David Keenan (RGK), 15. Callum Stocks
Yellow cards: Challot 82
Red cards: Nil
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.