MetroStars were taken to penalties by 10-man Bayswater City before booking their place in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues semi-finals.
Goalkeeper Daniel Godley was MetroStars’ hero as both Sam Mitchinson and Trent Kay failed from the spot for Bayswater as the South Australian side scored a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory following 120 minutes of goalless action.
Western Australian outfit Bayswater were up against it after just 12 minutes when former Melbourne Heart, Perth Glory and Sydney midfielder Jamie Coyne was sent off.
Assistant referee Josh Manella had spotted Coyne’s tangle with Perry Mitris and after discussions with referee Adam Fielding, the younger brother of Bayswater coach Chris Coyne was dismissed.
Mitris almost engineered an extra-time winner for MetroStars but his header crashed against a post, while Adam Bachiller and James Isaia were unable to make the most of their late chances for Bayswater.
Despite the numerical advantage in the rising temperature, MetroStars had found it difficult to break down the home side at Frank Drago Reserve – and when they did find a way in behind, they found goalkeeper Devon Spence in excellent form.
Spence had to be alert to deny Anthony Solagna, Scott Tunbridge and Joseph Polisena as Fabian Barbiero pulled the strings in the middle of the park, while Chris Saldaris started and finished Bayswater’s best move of the first half with a shot that went wide.
Bayswater striker David Heagney screwed wide his chance just six minutes into the second half and then blasted into the side-netting from 25m before Godley denied Declan Hargreaves with a fine save.
Andrew Ciarla’s extra-time attempt was thwarted by Spence to ensure the stalemate was preserved and the match went to a shoot-out.
Adam Van Dommele, Barbiero, Stefan Cali and Mitris all made sure of their penalties to win it for the visitors.
Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues – 2014 Finals Series
Bayswater City 0
MetroStars SC 0 MetroStars win 4-3 on penalties
Frank Drago Reserve, Bayswater WA
Image Courtesy of Football West