Subi celebrate historic first win
Subiaco today got their first win in the National Premiers League WA courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Armadale at the WA Athletics Stadium.
The only goal came on the stroke of half-time, with Scottish striker Ian McMurray scoring.
Despite a late surge from Armadale the home side hung on for an historic first win in the top flight of WA football.
Perth moved to within four points of NPL leaders Bayswater City after they thrashed Floreat Athena 4-1 at Dorrein Gardens in Week 13 of the season.
Perth were on top early and were rewarded with the opener on 20 minutes. Ashley Rosindale was sent clear by Matt Milenkovic, and the striker held off the last defender before firing low past Michael Woolcott.
Five minutes before the break they doubled their advantage; Mark Doninger’s stunning long-range shot gave Woolcott no chance.
Aden da Luz then had an early birthday present by adding a third, after good work from Doninger.
It was 4-0 on 75 minutes, and Doninger grabbed his second of the day, the English midfielder heading home Mark Pritchard’s corner.
Floreat grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time when Lewis McMahon scored but it was too little too late.
“We came out of the blocks really well today with high intensity,” Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis said.
“We’re getting the points and the wins and I’m really pleased that some of our younger players are getting a look in.”
Balcatta helped Perth close the gap at the top of the table after beating Bayswater City 2-0 at Grindleford Reserve.
It was a former Bayswater player who did the damage, Gustavo Catarcione scoring twice to make it 11 for the season.
The home side were in front on the half-hour when Lawrence Shurama played the Brazilian striker clear and he finished low past Devon Spence.
Catarcione, who flies out to Brazil to get married soon, celebrated a second goal five minutes before half-time, again he used his pace to race clear and score past Spence.
The league leaders looked flat and their best chance came in the second half, Adrian Caceres' bicycle kick crashed off the crossbar and away to safety.
After thrashing Sorrento 5-0 last week, Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon felt his side was even better against Bayswater.
“We knew that we couldn’t afford to have passengers,” he said.
“Bayswater is a very good side and put us under a lot of pressure in the second half but we held strong.”
Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was left to lament sloppy defending from his charges.
“I can’t condone that sort of defending ... the boys are better than that,” he said.
“I’m disappointed. I never like losing but the endeavour the boys showed ... if they got one they could’ve got two or three but we can’t buy a goal at the moment.”
In other games on Saturday Sorrento maintained fourth spot on the table after a come-from-behind 4-2 win against Inglewood United at Percy Doyle Reserve.
Ryan Clarke put United in front early, before Brodie Martin levelled on 36 minutes. But the visitors took a 2-1 lead into the break when Shane Pickering scored three minutes later.
English striker Sean Canham levelled minutes into the second half and Reece Vittiglia and another from Canham gave the home side the points.
Stirling Lions left it late to earn a 1-0 win against Cockburn City at Dalmatinac Park. It looked like the points would be shared but Hayden Doyle won all three points in stoppage time.
ECU Joondalup maintained their recent good league form with a 2-0 win against Perth Glory at Intiga Stadium.
Former Swindon Town defender Charlie Comyn-Platt scored the opener seven minutes into the second half, heading home Jon Higgins’ corner.
The points were made save on 75 minutes, Stuart Montgomery’s ball was flicked home by Jon Stynes.
