Balcatta coach Saul Contera hopes his side’s All Flags State Premier League draw with Armadale at Grindleford Reserve on Saturday will mark a turning point in the club’s season.

The home side trailed to Lance Louvie’s early opener for Armadale, then hit the lead through goals from Ashley Rosindale and Simon Versaico before Rhys Loxley scored a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw.

“I’m not happy with a point; I wanted a win. I always go out for a win,” said Contera, whose side had responded positively after last week’s heavy defeat to Cockburn.

“I was pleased with the performance from the guys. There was great character in terms of the reaction from last week.

“Today’s a turning point in terms of character shown from the team, the positive vibe that was on the field - everything in terms of our football was good.

“That is probably one of the best games we have played all season in terms of attacking football.

“We moved the ball, we had combinations and we had a lot of chances.”

Balcatta were on the back foot early, when Louvie scored inside five minutes.

The match started to heat up after 20 minutes when referee Hugh Best initially ignored appeals for a handball in the penalty area before he blew his whistle and consulted with his assistant referee. Eventually, he turned down the appeals.

Balcatta defender Chris Thackray was appalled with the decision and made his feelings known to Best, for which he was awarded a yellow card.

The home side started to work their way into the game, before Adam Bachiller and Versaico both had chances to level the scores.

Finally their prayers were answered when the in-form Rosindale blasted home from long range.

After the break, Balcatta looked a different team and Armadale were left trailing when Versaico tapped in from close range.

Armadale started to press late in the game and Loxley, who had been lively throughout the match, latched on to a perfect cross and blasted the ball into the net.

In an exciting 10 minutes, both sides had their chances to take the three points, the best of them coming from Bachiller when he beat two defenders before rocketing his shot onto the crossbar.

BALCATTA 2 (Rosindale ’45, Versaico ’51)
ARMADALE 2 (Louvie ‘5, Loxley ’85)
Venue: Grindleford Reserve, Balcatta
Kick off: 3.00pm
Crowd: Approx 200
Referee: H. Best
Assistants: G. Merlacco, J. Nixon

Balcatta: GK. A. DUNN, 2. A. BACHILLER, (3. J. SMITH ’60), 4. J. MADASCHI, 5. A. TONG, 6. B. SAY, (7. P. SARA ’82), 8. R. LUJAN, 9. S. VERSIACO, 10. M. ATAK, 11. A. ROSINDALE, 13. J. MIGAS, (14. O. PERLIN ’76), 20. C. THACKRAY.
Subs not used: 12. S. ELTON-BOTT, 21. D. PASSARELLI
Yellow cards: 20. C. THACKRAY ‘20
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: GK. Cyril SHARROCK, 2. Daniel RICHMAN, 3. Sean NICHOLLS, 4. Andy TODD, (7. Ian MAGUIRE ’70), 8. Louie BLAKE, 9. Billy QUINCROFT, 10. Rhys LOXELY, 12. Alex CLARKE, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, 17. Lance LOUVIE, (18. Trevor LAURE ’64), (19. Jack SALTER ’80), 54. Nathan COSTELLO.
Subs not used: 6. Jack BAMBER, RGK. Ellis HAWKSWORTH
Yellow cards: 8. Louie BLAKE ’15, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI ‘26
Red cards: Nil