FLOREAT Athena recovered from a goal down to beat Joondalup United 5-1 at E&D Litis Stadium in a ruthless second half National Premier Leagues WA (NPL WA) display on Saturday.
The hosts trailed when Joondalup’s Mike Kenny followed up Richard Howles’ shot, but in-form Jon Stynes leveled the score seven minutes before half time.
An own goal by Joondalup was followed with another goal by Stynes, marking his fifth goal in three games.
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READ NOWFloreat’s Phil Arnold and Zelfy Nazary added some late polish to the scoreline.
A third consecutive win moves Floreat four points clear at the top of the league, and coach Glen Grostate hopes there is more to come from his team.
“The Armadale game (a few weeks ago) was a low and a bad day, but it’s all about how you come out of it,” he said.
“We’ve settled a lot since then and you can see with the way the boys are playing football that they have massive intentions to continue this on.”
Grostate also acknowledges the challenges in managing his squad over a slightly longer season and believes the rewards will come if the quality of performance continues.
“It’s a long way to go still, there’s too many games to go and teams are only a couple of wins from us, but we can’t worry about what’s underneath,” he said.
“I’ve said to the boys that if we carry on this form and keep winning games, there’s definitely something in it for you at the end of the season.”
In other NPL WA action, Armadale beat Subiaco 2-0 at Rosalie Park, Bayswater City claimed a 3-0 victory over Mandurah City at Peelwood Reserve and Perth SC secured a 3-1 win over Cockburn City at Dalmatinac Park.
A goal four minutes from time by substitute Keylun Pollard gave ECU Joondalup a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Perth Glory at Ashfield Arena, while Inglewood United’s first game under the reign of coach Andy Keogh ended in a 1-1 draw with Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve.
Sorrento found itself 3-1 down to Stirling Lions with 10 minutes remaining at Percy Doyle Reserve, but a last-gasp effort allowed them to salvage a point in a tense 3-3 draw.
RESULTS, round 12
Saturday, May 6
Floreat Athena 5 (Stynes 39min, 58, OG 47, Arnold 75, Nazary 90) Joondalup United 1 (Kenny 28min)
Subiaco 0 Armadale 2 (Tumoe 63min, Kenna 78)
Perth Glory 2 (McDougall 29min, Brown-Montgomery 33) ECU Joondalup 2 (Amphlett 24min, K. Pollard 86)
Mandurah City 0 Bayswater City 3 (Marulanda 6min, Stokoe 17, Howarth 89)
Sorrento 3 (Witschge 37 min, OG 85, Canham 90+3) Stirling Lions 3 (Sokol 14min, Rubidge 73, Kalau 81)
Cockburn City 1 (Da Luz 84min) Perth SC 3 (Catarcione 18min, Theodosiades 45, Furfaro 57)
Balcatta 1 (O’Connell 31min) Inglewood United 1 (Keogh 23min)
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