Report by Tommy Doleman

Perth RedStar enjoyed a big win at Perth SC. Photo by Rob Lizzi

Floreat Athena fought back three times to earn a thrilling 3-3 draw against Bayswater City on a day where their lead in the NPLWA - Men’s competition was cut to one point.

Perth RedStar and Stirling Macedonia were the big beneficiaries of the stalemate as they cemented their title push with wins over Perth SC and Stirling Macedonia, respectively.

With four games remaining, Floreat have 37 points, RedStar and Stirling 36 and Bayswater 33.

At E&D Litis Stadium, Floreat’s Nick Ambrogio forced Nic Speca into an early save, before Bayswater went in front on 14 minutes when Ndumba Makeche slotted into the corner after Jason Mirco’s long ball forward.

The lead lasted only four minutes, with Ambrogio scoring from the penalty spot for the hosts. However, Gareth Naven’s side restored their lead soon after as Kosta Sparta volleyed in low from an acute angle.

Makeche then hit the post after pressuring Jason Saldaris into an error and Chris Saldaris’ cross bounced back off the bar in an end-to-end contest. Floreat would respond right on half time though as Phil Arnold flicked on a long throw and Robert Petkov hooked in from close range.

Bayswater went ahead again on 64 minutes as Jon Stynes’ perfectly weighted pass was volleyed in by Sparta for his second of the match and sixth of the campaign. Floreat, again, had the answer, as City keeper Speca was shown a red card for a raised arm and Petkov dispatched the spot-kick for his ninth of the season.

Makeche narrowly missed Steve Hesketh’s header across goal and Bayley Brown-Montgomery curled wide with the best of the late chances as it ended 3-3.

At Dorrien Gardens, Ellis Healing scored twice as Perth RedStar closed in on Athena with a thumping 4-0 win against Perth SC.

Callum Salmon’s side knocked off the Azzurri in the last week’s catch-up game in Joondalup and two goals in six minutes had them 2-0 up at the break here.

Chok Dau wriggled his way down the byline before squaring for Healing to knock home the opener, then Daryl Nicol hooked across for Andy Higgins to prod in.

Kye Murray curled in a third via a deflection early in the second period to all but wrap it up, before Healing completed a brace from close range after good work from Sam Pollard.

Stirling Macedonia are also in the title picture after coming from behind to win 3-1 at home to Gwelup Croatia, who are now bottom of the league.

Kade Fearnall’s sixth minute overhead kick threatened to pose Ian Ferguson’s side some problems, but a low drive from Calvin Whitney before the break tied it up at the interval.

Gyles Davies’ header was disallowed by the assistant’s flag just past the hour mark, but Stirling completed the turnaround thanks to Whitney’s second of the game midway through the second period.

Substitute Nik Talimdzioski swivelled in the area and fired in with seven minutes to play, as Stirling bounced back from defeat last time out to win for the fourth time in five outings.

The defeat means Gwelup now drop into the relegation zone, following Balcatta Etna’s 3-0 win over Perth Glory at Grindleford Reserve which moves them one point clear of the bottom.

It was a first league win for Etna this season with the foundations laid by two first-half goals. Joshua Marshall swept home the opener from Declan Hudson’s cross on seven minutes, and before half-time it was 2-0 as Hudson turned scorer, having collected Ben Hinshelwood’s pass.

Hinshelwood then scored the pick of the goals on 49 minutes with a scorching volley into the top corner, as Glen Grostate picked up his first win in charge, and it could have been more with Balcatta having a host of opportunities to add to the tally.

Elsewhere, Sorrento ended Inglewood’s six-game unbeaten run with a 2-0 win to keep their finals hopes alive.

It was goalless at the break but Joe Tweats’ swerving strike gave the Gulls lift off six minutes after the restart at the Inglewood Stadium.

And Trevor Morgan’s side would end their three-game winless run when Chris Jackson headed in from the edge of the area, with goalkeeper Alex Dunn off his line. The win sees Sorrento leapfrog Inglewood to go fifth and sit five points off fourth spot with a game in hand.

Finally, Armadale returned to winning ways after four straight losses in all competitions as they beat Cockburn 3-0 in a repeat of last week’s State Cup final.

John O’Reilly’s side led after 10 minutes thanks to Abdul Osman’s strike which beat Isaac Driessen at the near post.

They doubled their advantage just before the break when Angel Andres Rivera stepped up and blasted in a free-kick from long range.

Adriano Jelenovic capped off a good win with an excellent finish from wide on the right, despite the goalkeeper being off his line, as Armadale move up to seventh with the win.

Round 18 results: Armadale 3-0 Cockburn City, Balcatta Etna 3-0 Perth Glory, Floreat Athena 3-3 Bayswater City, Inglewood United 0-2 Sorrento, Perth SC 0-4 Perth RedStar, Stirling Macedonia 3-1 Gwelup Croatia.