Report by Aidan Shaw

Bayswater City became outright league leaders of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues WA after grinding out a 1-0 win over Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve on Saturday.

A solid performance in the first half was followed by some spirited defending in the second, against a Balcatta attack that had scored sixteen goals in their previous four league outings.

Bayswater’s Chris Coyne said his side’s first half performance was excellent and credited Balcatta for pressing hard throughout.

“I’m proud of the boys, first half for the football and second half for the heart they showed,” he said.

The victory was somewhat soured by an apparent knee injury to Hayden Doyle, who was stretchered off the field in the 78th minute.

Doyle has a decorated professional career including a youth stint at Stoke City and four A-League caps for Perth Glory, and has been a staple of Bayswater’s squad this season after returning from a previous knee injury.

“He was out last year with a cruciate [ligament injury], he had surgery and he’s come back, he’s been super strong and done all his rehab,” Coyne said.

“Touch wood, it’s not looking good at the moment but hopefully we get him back because he’s so important to the squad.”

The intensity of the match was established early when Balcatta’s Kieron Stallard was booked for a rash challenge on Brian Farrell.

Both sides had plenty of chances in the box during the first half hour, with Todd Howarth’s pin point crosses featuring heavily in the visiting attack.

Bayswater broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute following some great interplay between Howarth, David Heagney, and Jason Mirco.

The trio broke down the Balcatta defence by playing a number of unselfish passes, before the ball found Heagney at the back post who made no mistake firing home from close range.

The visitors rounded out the half with several chances to extend their lead.

Balcatta came out of the blocks in the second half, and began to press hard for an equaliser.

In the 73rd minute, a clever touch by Cameron Teece on the left wing saw him tap the ball over Andy Reale and run in to the box, but his strike partners couldn’t finish when he played in the ball.

The home side continued to press and had several more opportunities to get back in the game, but ultimately they were unable to find the back of the net.

Balcatta’s Marc Anthony said he was proud of how his young side pushed Bayswater for the full 90 minutes.

“They’re a quality side and the benchmark of the league, so for us to push them all the way is quite pleasing,” he said.

Next week Balcatta take on Cockburn, who are currently on a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Anthony says this will be another challenge for his squad, many of whom moved from Cockburn earlier this year.

“Cockburn have got a good result today at Floreat, next week is going to be a really tough game against them so we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“The last three games we’ve taken six points out of nine, so if we go like that for the rest of the year then we’re certainly going to be up there.”

The result sees Bayswater leapfrog Inglewood United to move three points clear at the top of the table, while Balcatta remain in sixth place.

Balcatta 0
Bayswater City 1 (Heagney 32)
Saturday, June 4, 2016    
Grindleford Reserve
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Anthony Walsh, Adrian Lietech

Balcatta: GK Clint DAVIES, 2. Hanafi GHAZALI, 3. Kieron STALLARD (c), 6. John CORNESS, 9. Carlo COELHO (5. Connor KAVANAGH 67), 10. Zelfy NAZARY, 12. Eamon McNELIS (11. Feisal ZAW 67), 13. Cameron TEECE, 17. Kieran COLWELL, 19. Alan CARROLL, 23. Gomo DUKULLY (20. Steve SOKOL 56)
Substitutes not used: 4. Alexander SULESKI, 44. Josiah GODFREY
Yellow cards: Stallard 3’, Carroll 60’, McNelis 65’
Red cards: nil

Bayswater City: GK Devon SPENCE, 5. Andrew REALE, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 7. Hayden DOYLE (11. Devon GIBSON 78), 10. Jason MIRCO, 13. Trent KAY (c), 15. Brian FARRELL, 16. Jamie COYNE, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 21. David HEAGNEY (14. Lawrence SHURUMA 84), 22. Nathan COSTELLO (23. Andrija JUKIC 67)
Substitutes not used: RGK Fraser GREENWOOD, 2. Jack JONES
Yellow cards: Kay 17’, Heagney 63’, Costello 64’
Red cards: nil