Balcatta recorded a comprehensive 6-0 win over Stirling Lions in a hot-tempered affair at Grindleford Reserve in Round 12 of PlayStation 4 NPL WA.
Goals from Gustavo Catarcione and Patrick Quinn in the 14th and 17th minutes set Ramon Falzon’s side on their way and they were well ahead for the rest of the day.
Stirling’s day got worse on the half hour mark when keeper Lance Alavakis was shown a straight red for collecting Catarcione in the stomach with an errant boot as he rushed out to clear.
Balcatta captain James Sammut then beat Lions reserve goalkeeper Adrian Vacca with a magnificent curling strike into the top right corner from the resultant free kick.
Stirling entered half time lamenting what might have been after starting the game better and forcing Balcatta’s Aleksandar Suleski to twice clear off his line in the opening minutes.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors started brightly in the second half but goals to Balcatta’s Quinn, Zelfy Nazary and substitute Cameron Teece put the result well beyond doubt.
The ill-feeling persisted, and the visitors went down to nine men when captain Brodie Martin was shown red five minutes from the end.
Tensions then boiled over a minute before the end as Balcatta won a penalty following an ugly challenge in the box and Balcatta’s Jordan Colasante and Stirling’s Michael Pugliese were both sent off in the aftermath.
In other results, Reece Vittiglia’s 90th minute goal helped Perth SC regain their winning form with a 2-1 win over ECU Joondalup.
A brace from Bayswater’s Gustavo Giron Marulanda gave the league leaders Bayswater City a hard-fought 2-1 win over Subiaco.
Inglewood United grabbed two goals in 11 second half minutes at Cockburn City to come back from a goal down and record a 2-1 win in a fiercely contested battle.
Sorrento skipper Steven McDonald headed home two second half goals to give the Gulls a come from behind 2-1 win against Armadale.
And, Floreat Athena defeated Perth Glory Youth 4-1 at Inglewood Stadium.