Round 15 of the NPLWA – Men’s competition sees relegation-threatened heavyweights Inglewood United and Bayswater City face off in an early six-pointer at the bottom of the league.
Saturday’s meeting between two of the bottom three sides at Frank Drago Reserve sees the hosts under new guidance following a midweek coaching change.
On Tuesday, Bayswater parted company with Gareth Naven and assistant Garry Church after a run of form which has seen them drop to 10th position, having led the league after Round Nine.
Since then, the three-time NPLWA – Men’s champions are winless in five with four defeats and 22 goals conceded. With the club sitting only two points clear of the relegation-playoff spot, Bayswater have turned to familiar faces in Gary Williams and Stewy Moses.
Williams coached Bayswater’s successful U18 side between 2016 and 2018 while Moses returns to the club having assisted Chris Coyne for eight seasons during City’s successful run in the 2010’s.
“Both of them know the club very well and I know what they can bring to the table with a wealth of experience at that level,” Bayswater president Oriano Colli told Sport FM 91.3’s The Football Fix.
“They have good player contacts and good man-management, but I think it’s more about making a change and trying to get a response from the players. We believe we have a squad that can still achieve a lot of things with eight games to go and want to put ourselves in the best position.
“We’re hoping those two guys can rejuvenate the team and give them a new mindset to get the best out of the players we currently have, and bring in some new cattle that we believe are going to propel us forward in the league.”
Addressing the decision to change coach, Colli said: “Unfortunately, these parts of football that are never a nice thing to do. I’ve known Gareth since I was 15 years old. We’ve played together and, unfortunately, the results just weren’t going our way and we felt there was a need for change. It’s unfortunate but necessary.”
Inglewood, meanwhile, found out in midweek they would be heading to Adelaide to face North Eastern Metrostars in their maiden Australia Cup Round of 32 appearance. But attention now turns to the league as Andres Oliveira’s team look to lift themselves off the foot of the league and away from the automatic relegation spot.
A win will lift them above Bayswater on goal difference while second-bottom Floreat, who are only a point better off than Inglewood, are also in their sights.
Elsewhere, there is a big game at the top of the league when third-place Balcatta Etna welcome leaders Stirling Macedonia to Grindleford Reserve.
Ian Ferguson’s side have won four of their past five games and sit two points clear of Etna, who had been unbeaten since Round Seven prior to last week’s 3-0 loss against Olympic Kingsway. Two Adam Tong goals decided the outcome when the sides met in Round Four at Macedonia Park.
If Stirling drop points, Perth RedStar will return to the summit with a win over Floreat Athena at E&D Litis Stadium.
On Wednesday, Athena were drawn against A-League Western Sydney Wanderers in the Australia Cup Round of 32. But the immediate concern for last season’s champions is preserving their NPL status - they currently sit second bottom in the relegation play-off place.
RedStar, meanwhile, had won four of five to head the division before successive losses to Stirling and Sorrento FC.
Armadale currently hold the final top-four spot after a three-game unbeaten run without conceding. This week they welcome Olympic Kingsway to Alfred Skeet Reserve with David Tough’s fifth-place side lurking just a point behind with a game in hand.
There is a meeting between the two losing preliminary semi-finalists of the Australia Cup as Sorrento take on Cockburn City at RedStar Arena.
Despite their home ground of Percy Doyle Reserve being unavailable due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Gulls will be confident going back to the venue where they defeated then leaders RedStar last week.
Cockburn also go into the game off a victory having completed the double over Perth SC last Saturday to end a run of four league games without a win.
The final game sees the Azzurri travel south to face Perth Glory at Rockingham City’s Lark Hill. Both sides need three points to stay in the post-season picture.
All games live and free on Streamer.
Round 15 fixtures (all 3pm)
Armadale v Olympic Kingsway
Balcatta Etna v Stirling Macedonia
Bayswater City v Inglewood United
Floreat Athena v Perth RedStar
Perth Glory v Perth SC
Sorrento FC v Cockburn City