ECU rocked by City's recovery
Report by Sarah Smit
James Harmer bustles through before firing in the equaliser. Photo by Jonny Warrington
Rockingham City fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against ECU Joondalup in a game both teams were desperate to win to ease the pressure near the foot of the table.
ECU Joondalup took the lead early on through Shane Cassidy's penalty, given for a trip on Joe Knowles by Harry Collins. Cassidy casually strolled up but put enough on the ball to beat Rockingham keeper Michael Farmer.
Lydon Hodgkiss and James Millard were denied by ECU keeper Johnny Perkins, before Knowles doubled ECU’s lead with a fantastic finsh from outside the area.
The home crowd’s disappointment was evident when Hodgkiss struck a left-foot free-kick from the edge of the box which struck the crossbar. But Rockingham did pull one back before the break when Hodgkiss helped set up Millard.
Rockingham were reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute after Mitchell Firth was dismissed following a deliberate handball which prevented Knowles a free run on goal.
But Rockingham weren't done yet and two minutes from time James Harmer got on the end of a long ball to shoot under ECU keeper Johnny Perkins and salavage a point.
A week previously ECU had snatched a late draw despite having had a player sent off. This time they were on the receiving end.
Star player: Lydon Hodgkiss (Rockingham City)
Rockingham City 2 (Hodgkiss 45+2min, Harmer 88)
ECU Joondalup 2 (Cassidy 8, Knowles 38)
Saturday, June 13
SafeRad Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant referees: Jessica Byrd, Aaron Softley
Rockingham City: 1. Michael FARMER (GK) 5. Harry COLLINS, 20. Mitch FIRTH, 6. Rob GALVIN, 7. James MILLARD, 8. Jason POTTIER (14. Ryan KENNEDY 45), 9. Sam McKEARN (2. Dylan ROGERS, 81), 10. James HARMER (c), 12. Lydon HODGKISS, 13. Jarred MORT, 15. Shaz RAMLEE
Substitutes not used: 31. James GREHAN, 4. Luke HOBSON, 3. Justis BRADLEY
Yellow cards: Lydon HODGKISS 61
Red cards: Mitch FIRTH 71
ECU Joondalup: 1. Johnny PERKINS, 10. Andy HIGGINS, 5. Shane CASSIDY, 6. Oliver Annis, 4. Henry DURR, 8. Joshua WHITMORE, 7. Joseph KNOWLES, 12. Ryan McDARBY, 14. Ewan FAWCETT, 13. Charlie KENNA (11. Lucas DELIMA 82), 3. Nicholas KOEFLER
Substitutes not used: 9. Bayley BROWN-MONTGOMERY, 20. George JACKSON, 2. Harry EDWARDS, 15. Ben HINTERWOOD
Yellow cards: Joe KNOWLES 84
Red cards: Nil
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