NPLWA Round 19 Review

Bayswater City turned on the style and recorded the biggest win in the NPLWA – Men’s competition since 2018 as they defeated Gwelup Croatia 7-0 at the Croatian Sporting Complex.

The win came a day after Bayswater announced the news of club President Gerry Maio's passing. A minute's silence was observed at all Men's NPL fixtures on Saturday.

It was the largest margin of defeat in the competition since Stirling's 8-1 win over Forrestfield in the final round of 2018 and the first time Bayswater have scored seven since round two of the same season.

On the pitch Bayswater got off to a rapid start with three goals in the first nine minutes. An early Ciaran Salinger own goal put them ahead, followed by Gordon Smith's header and Michael Zimarino's right-footed finish past Ben Ratajczak.

Ndumba Makeche then made it four when he capitalised on a goalkeeper error to net against his former club.

Tyler Garner followed in Smith's strike as the goal glut continued after the restart and Makeche completed his brace with a fine curling strike from the edge of the area.

Luke Salmon raced away to make it seven late on as Bayswater paid tribute to Maio in fine fashion, while Gwelup remain in the relegation fight.

With three matches to play Gwelup are four points clear of bottom of the table Rockingham, who are now three points adrift of safety after losing 3-0 at home to second-bottom Balcatta.

Michael Scafetta's opened the scoring with his first senior goal, weaving past two challenges and sneaking his shot under Bradley Stout.

Rockingham's task was made harder when captain Ryan Kennedy was sent off, but they did have a chance to level when Carmelo Giuffree fouled Feisal Zaw in the area.

Hamish Van Dieken put the spot kick over the bar and Balcatta capitalised before half-time when Calum O'Connell helped in Jon Corness' flick-on.

Balcatta were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Jack Leech collected a second yellow card, but the damage was already done as the visitors added a third. Amir Ajan drove down the right wing before driving into the bottom corner for his fourth of the season to confirm Balcatta's first win in eight games.


Elsewhere, Perth SC opened a three-point lead at the top of the league with a 4-0 win at ECU Joondalup.

Danny Hodgson hit the post after 30 seconds for the hosts, then Michael Domfeh brought the best out of Johnny Perkins as Perth responded.

Two goals in four minutes from Jayden Gorman then swung the game in Perth's favour. He netted for a third straight game with a fizzing strike into the top corner before making it five for the season with another crisp finish.

Kristian Santich made it 3-0 with a screamer from long range before Domfeh struck with 10 minutes remaining.

That win edged Perth further clear of Floreat, who at least showed their fighting spirit by coming back from three goals down with 10 men to draw 3-3 in a pulsating clash at Armadale.

John O'Reilly's side went ahead when Cherno Bah's curler beat Jason Saldaris and they doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Pieter Jacobsz headed in.

Dennis Galan went sent off for using his arm to clear off the goal line and Adriano Jelenovic scored the subsequent penalty to seemingly kill off the game.

But Athena would launch a stunning comeback. Jesse Fuller pulled one back from the penalty spot before Nick Ambrogio's goal made it 3-2.

And they found a leveller with 13 minutes remaining as Phil Arnold reacted first to head home and complete the turnaround.

Both teams had chances to win it in an end-to-end final 10 minutes, but the teams had to settle for a draw which helped neither in pursuing rivals above them.

Finally, Sorrento FC and Inglewood United picked up important 1-0 wins in the scrap for the Top Four Cup places.

Jordan Brown's early goal settled their clash with Perth Glory as the Gulls went seven points clear of fifth. They also remain five points off the leaders Perth ahead of the pair’s meeting at Dorrien Gardens next week.

Glory remain fourth but Inglewood moved to within a point of the youngsters with a game in hand after a 1-0 win over Cockburn.

Steve Sokol's 89th minute penalty made it 15 goals this season for the league's top scorer after Julian Teles' handball which led to a red card for the Cockburn defender.

NPLWA Goals Wrap | Round 19

Results
Armadale 3-3 Floreat Athena
ECU Joondalup 0-4 Perth SC
Gwelup Croatia 0-7 Bayswater City
Inglewood United 1-0 Cockburn City
Rockingham City 0-3 Balcatta
Sorrento 1-0 Perth Glory