Perth RedStar returned to the top of the NPLWA – Men’s competition with a 3-1 win over defending champions Floreat Athena at E&D Litis Stadium.
Callum Salmon’s side were the only side who started Round 15 in the top half to take all three points, which means they lead the division on goal difference from Stirling Macedonia.
Floreat, meanwhile, remain in the relegation play-off spot with the gap to safety now three points after Bayswater City and Cockburn City picked up vital points.
RedStar had suffered back-to-back defeats heading into their game, but they showed no ill effects and led on 11 minutes when Golden Boot leader Daryl Nicol stayed onside and struck low into the corner for his 19th goal of another stellar campaign.
Nicol then linked up with Chok Dau and the latter finished a rapid-fire RedStar breakaway to double the lead and put the visitors in cruise control.
However, Riley Warland’s second yellow card on 43 minutes threatened to derail them and Floreat got back in the game before the break when Nick Ambrogio’s corner was headed in by Jesse Roberts.
Despite the extra man advantage, Athena were unable to puncture the RedStar rearguard again, and late on they also went down to 10 men when Dennis Galan was sent off for two bookable offences.
And after a final Floreat flourish, Dau raced clear on the counter deep in second-half stoppage time to score and return RedStar to the summit.
Their status as table-toppers was thanks in part to a goalless draw at Grindleford Reserve between third-placed Balcatta and previous leaders Stirling Macedonia.
In a tight first half, Stirling threatened first with Asher Nelson’s drive cleared off the line by Adam Tong. Then at the other end, Kotaro Yamamoto put over the bar when through on goal.
After the interval, Gyles Davies forced Etna keeper Dom Savoldelli into a fingertip save, while Tong had a looping header cleared off the line for the hosts.
Stirling carved out the best chances to win it at the end but Whitney planted wide of the post and substitute Samim Fattahi poked straight at Savoldelli when clear on goal.
The stalemate means Etna stay two points off the pace and two points clear of fifth, following Armadale and Olympic Kingsway’s 2-2 draw in the fourth-versus-fifth clash at Alfred Skeet Reserve.
John O’Reilly’s Armadale are unbeaten in four games but it could have been even better having led 2-0. Tim Berger’s corner was headed in by Nathan Costello for a seventh-minute lead, which was doubled midway through the first half when Amir Ajan squeezed home a near post effort past David Keenan.
Ciaran Byrne responded almost immediately to halve the deficit and David Tough’s team went on to earn a point five minutes from time.
Liam Murray was fouled in the area by Costello having twisted and turned with the ball at his feet. That gave Byrne an opportunity to square it up from the penalty spot which he took to make it 10 goals for the season.
Kingsway stay fifth and one point off fourth with a game in hand, and they were joined on 22 points by Perth SC who came from three goals down to win 4-3 over Perth Glory.
There have been 36 goals scored in the six fixtures at Lark Hill in 2023 and it was the youngsters who got off to a flyer with three goals in the first 32 minutes.
Jaylan Pearman’s curler from 18 yards had Glory off and running, before Jayden Gorman bent a low free-kick into the bottom corner for 2-0.
Fresh off a hat-trick against Bayswater the week prior, Matthew George burst into the area and drilled high into the net to put Glory in a powerful position. But they ultimately ended the weekend 10th and only three points clear of safety thanks to a dramatic comeback from the visitors.
Julian Teles gave Perth a lifeline before half-time after Glory failed to clear their lines from a corner, and hopes of a comeback improved when Sam Cook finished Jordan De Leo’s pass on 58 minutes.
Remarkably, it was 3-3 when Cook scored from the penalty spot against Glory for a second time this season, and the Azzurri weren’t done there as they found a final twist to move into the top six.
The hero was substitute Toby Snook, the young striker punching a low volley past Robbie Cook to spark celebrations and keep his team in the picture for a top-four finish.
The big game at the bottom was won 2-1 by Bayswater City with Gordon Smith’s double decisive against Inglewood United.
It was Gary Williams’ first game as head coach after being appointed as Gareth Naven’s replacement during the week. And Williams saw another new face in striker Joshua Anasmo play a key role in the opener on 41 minutes, the recruit from Perth Glory teeing up Smith to rifle home from just inside the box.
Smith scored what proved to be the winner just past the hour when Kosta Sparta’s corner was helped on by Jon Stynes and the Scot nodded in from close range.
Michael Domfeh’s penalty 10 minutes from time proved only to be a consolation for Inglewood who are now four points adrift of safety at the foot of the table. Bayswater are now seventh and sit five points off first and last places in the league.
Finally, Clay Gibbs scored a late equaliser as Sorrento earned a 1-1 draw with Cockburn at RedStar Arena.
The point means both teams sit four points clear of the drop with seven games remaining. The Cockerels took the lead six minutes from time when Jesse Lazzaro bent into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
But Gibbs secured a draw for the Gulls when he was left unmarked and headed Callum Dobbs’ cross back across the goalkeeper and into the net.
Round 15 results
Armadale 2-2 Olympic Kingsway
Balcatta Etna 0-0 Stirling Macedonia
Bayswater City 2-1 Inglewood United
Floreat Athena 1-3 Perth RedStar
Perth Glory 3-4 Perth SC
Sorrento FC 1-1 Cockburn City