Report by Tommy Doleman

Daryl Nicol scores a typical poacher's goal to put RedStar 2-0 up. Photo by FotoEnzo

Perth RedStar lead the way after three rounds of the NPLWA – Men's competition as a 2-0 win over Inglewood maintained their 100% start this season.

With Stirling Macedonia's fixture against Balcatta postponed due to Covid cases, Kenny Lowe's side had the chance to open up an early three-point lead at the summit. And they duly delivered with goals from Chok Dau and the league's top scorer Daryl Nicol.

A tight first half yielded no goals but RedStar would eventually break the deadlock just after half-time. Sam Pollard's initial effort crashed off the underside of the bar and after a goalmouth scramble Dau slotted in at the second time of asking from a tight angle.

Manase Abendalwa's rasping drive was gathered by Joe Pollard at the second attempt, but the visitors then struck for a second time in eight minutes to ultimately claim the points.

A slick team move saw Ellis Healing clip the ball through for Nicol to score his fourth in the opening three games.

Anthony Bafobusha was unable to beat Pollard from 18 yards as Inglewood tried to apply a bit of late pressure, but Andres Oliveira's side have now lost back-to-back games.

Elsewhere, Ndumba Makeche and Gordon Smith both scored twice as Bayswater City won 4-1 at Cockburn City for their first points of the season.

Smith's strike from 18 yards found the net to get Gareth Naven's side off and running after three minutes. The Scot made it 2-0 a couple of minutes before the break with an even better finish, as he collected Kosta Sparta's pull-back to pick out the top corner on the half-volley.

Jesse Lazzaro's free-kick brought the best out of Bayswater keeper Nic Speca in the second half, but Makeche made it three soon after with a typically cool finish from inside the area.

The hosts did get their goal with 15 minutes to play with Lazzaro's free-kick possibly flicking the head of Daniel Robison on its way through. But Bayswater added a fourth almost immediately when Makeche scored from Smith's pass via a deflection.

Sorrento also won on Saturday as two second-half goals helped them defeat Gwelup Croatia 2-0 at Percy Doyle Reserve.

Mark Barnett came close for the hosts in the first half with a header off the bar, but the visitors had chances of their own with Sebastian Da Silva and Rene Kisesa forcing young goalkeeper Patrick Hughes into action.

Da Silva had a good chance early in the second half which was saved by the feet of Hughes, but as Gwelup were having their best spell of the game Sorrento struck just before the hour mark.

Alex Morgan floated in a cross to the back post and Joe Tweats ghosted in unmarked to score a first NPL goal for Sorrento.

The away side continued to battle but lacked punch and the Gulls made the points safe at the very end. Gustavo Marulanda's strike was parried by George Jackson into the path of Zechariah Dabbs, who was on hand to net for the first time at senior level.

On Friday, Floreat Athena joined Sorrento and Stirling Macedonia with two wins from two games as they defeated Perth Glory 3-1.

It was Alex Epakis' first game in charge of Glory's NPL side, but they could not have got off to a worse start as Jacob Muir was sent off on seven minutes and Chris Saldaris netted from the penalty spot.

Glory levelled before half-time as Aidan Edwards' poked in Lucas Rossi's cross, but Floreat made the extra man count after the interval.

Bayley Brown-Montgomery put them back in front at the second attempt, then Daniel Walsh's late own goal made it safe for Athena, who take on RedStar in a top of the table clash next week.

Balcatta's home match with Stirling and Perth's game against Armadale were both postponed due to Covid case and will be rescheduled to a date later in the season.

Results: Cockburn City 1-4 Bayswater City, Perth Glory 1-3 Floreat Athena, Perth RedStar 2-0 Inglewood United, Sorrento 2-0 Gwelup Croatia. Postponed: Balcatta v Stirling Macedonia, Perth SC v Armadale.