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NPL WA Round 1: Perth SC get title defence off to winning start, first Joondalup derby spoils shared

Staff WriterEastern Reporter

AN injury-time penalty from Joondalup United’s new signing Matthew Sparrow salvaged a 2-2 draw for the newly promoted National Premier Leagues WA (NPL WA) side in the first ever Joondalup derby against ECU Joondalup at Percy Doyle Reserve yesterday.

ECU defender Ross Millard gave the visitors the lead early but Richard Howles levelled before the break.

It looked like Tommy Amphlett had won it for ECU but Sparrow had the final word.

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United coach Nick Jennings said his side were fantastic and never threw in the towel.

“We had to work hard at the back and in my opinion their front three are the best in the competition, so I was really pleased defensively,” he said.

“We do play some good football but it’s not rocket science. We give it our all, we kiss the badge and go out there and put in 100 per cent.”

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Title favourites Bayswater City blew a two-goal lead at Inglewood Stadium to share the spoils with Inglewood United yesterday.

On Saturday, a Gustavo Catarcione double helped champions Perth SC ease past newly promoted Mandurah City in a spirited season opener at Dorrien Gardens.

Cockburn City started off the season with a dominant 3-0 win against Subiaco at Dalmatinac Park.

Perth Glory trailed to Armadale before rallying to score a 2-1 win at Alfred Skeet Reserve, and Sorrento were too good for Balcatta with a 5-1 victory on Friday night.

An injury-time strike gave Floreat Athena the points in a feisty season-opener against Stirling Lions at E&D Litis Stadium.

NPL WA round 1 Results

Floreat Athena 3-2 Stirling Lions Sorrento 5-1 Balcatta Armadale 1-2 Perth Glory Cockburn City 3-0 Subiaco Perth SC 3-1 Mandurah City Joondalup United 2-2 ECU Joondalup Inglewood United 2-2 Bayswater City