Kotaro Yamamoto fired a hat-trick as Balcatta Etna joined NPLWA – Men’s Perth RedStar on 23 points at the top of the NPLWA - Men’s competition.
Saturday’s 4-2 defeat of Inglewood United was a first home win of the campaign for Glen Grostate’s team and stretched their unbeaten run to six games. In contrast, Inglewood are now two points adrift at the bottom after 13 rounds.
It was a lively opening at Grindleford Reserve with both teams trading goals in the opening 10 minutes.
Liam Hudson’s cross found Yamamoto at the back post and the Japanese finished emphatically high into the net to put Balcatta ahead. Then some miscommunication in the home defence allowed Michael Domfeh to capitalise and he slotted into an empty net from a tight angle.
But two goals in a minute saw the hosts take control by half-time. Kian Thompson was in the right place at the right time following Jon Corness’ corner to net his maiden NPL goal. Yamamoto was then on hand to volley in a third as Inglewood were unable to clear a long Adam Tong throw.
After the break, Dom Savoldelli’s flying attempt at a clearance outside the box saw the goalkeeper foul Domfeh and receive a red card. But Balcatta were undeterred and made it four when Yamamoto punished a rare Alex Dunn fumble to seal the game and ensure Etna trail leaders RedStar on goal difference only.
Chris Tilson whacked in an Inglewood consolation with 13 minutes remaining. But United, who have a home Australia Cup preliminary semi-final with Sorrento FC coming up on Tuesday night, also finished with 10 men when Ciaran Salinger picked up a second yellow card.
On a day where the top of the league tightened up, Stirling Macedonia now sit a point behind the top two after a 2-0 win over RedStar following the third-versus-first clash at Macedonia Park.
The result made it three wins in four for Ian Ferguson’s team who led just before the half-hour mark when Daniel Faichney’s cross was helped on by Asher Nelson and Calvin Whitney drove low past Liam Reddy.
RedStar had a great chance to level soon after when James Bosdet denied Daryl Nicol’s downward header with a one-handed save. It would be first time since Round Seven that the Scot failed to find the net.
Instead, it was Stirling who got a crucial second six minutes before the break, when Sam Wynne’s driving run and pull back picked out Kade Fearnall to take a touch and slot in.
Armadale SC also joined the party at the top with Chris Jackson’s treble helping them to a 4-0 win over Perth Glory, which means only two points separate the top four sides.
Two minutes were on the clock when George Ballah advanced from full-back and fired a low strike into the bottom corner. Then Jackson nodded in Amir Ajan’s pinpoint cross for 2-0 with just 14 minutes played.
Jackson sneaked in behind the Glory defence to volley his side’s third, and then met Emerson Alexis’ cross to finish again on another box office day for the Army fans.
John O’Reilly’s side still lead the league in scoring with 38 goals in 13 games, while Glory have lost four of their past five to sit 10th and only two points clear of the automatic relegation spot.
Elsewhere, Perth SC climbed to within two points of fourth as Ethan Banks’ late goal gave the Azzurri a 3-2 win over Sorrento FC and Danny Hay a first win in the dugout as head coach.
Banks got them off to a fine start in their second trip to RedStar Arena in as many weeks. He linked up with Michael Scafetta and received the return pass to rifle confidently across the goalkeeper.
Sorrento were in good spirits after putting five past Bayswater last week and six in midweek in the Australia Cup against second division Swn United. And they soon levelled when David Stokoe’s header was deemed to have crossed the line from Dean Cummings’ corner.
All the drama then came in the final 11 minutes as Perth were awarded a penalty and Sam Cook converted his second spot-kick in the same goal in successive weeks, despite keeper Paddy Hughes’ best efforts.
Hugo Snowden’s left-footed curler then seemingly gave the Gulls a share of the points, but from the kick-off the visitors responded again to snatch all three. Jeremie Mba’s shot was saved brilliantly onto the bar by Hughes, but Banks followed in with Hughes and Mark Barnett unable to keep out the rebound.
Sorrento drop to eighth with defeat and are one of four sides currently on 16 points and above the relegation play-off spot on goal difference. Another of those teams are defending champions Floreat Athena, who fell 3-0 to Olympic Kingsway at E&D Litis Stadium.
Kingsway themselves were the big movers of the day as they entered the top half to sit just outside the Top Four Cup places with a game in hand.
David Tough’s team led when Liam Murray met Ciaran Byrne’s cross to score against his former side.
Byrne then got in between two defenders to net at the second attempt, after initially being denied by keeper Jason Saldaris. James Fanelli then raced away to score another in the final 10 minutes.
Floreat’s attention now turns to Wednesday night’s Australia Cup visit to Cockburn City, who drew 1-1 away to Bayswater City on Saturday.
The Cockerels hit the front on 26 minutes when Jesse Lazzaro’s free-kick was headed across goal and in by Anthony Skorich. Bayswater levelled with a Gordon Smith header, but they are now winless in five while Cockburn are four without a league win.
Round 13 results
Armadale 4-0 Perth Glory
Balcatta Etna 4-2 Inglewood United
Bayswater City 1-1 Cockburn City
Floreat Athena 0-3 Olympic Kingsway
Sorrento FC 2-3 Perth SC
Stirling Macedonia 2-0 Perth RedStar