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Soccer: Gavin Knight scores a hat-trick as Gwelup Croatia beat North Perth United

Aidan ShawStirling Times

An early goal from Knight highlighted a mostly even first half before Gwelup ran away with the result in the second period.

Knight said it felt great to help his side earn the three points, and praised a strong team performance.

“It’s not an individual performance for anyone, it’s just a team game from the first minute until the last minute,” he said.

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“As long as we get three points at the end that’s all that matters.”

While the result earns Gwelup a six-point buffer at the top of the table, coach Mike Ford said there was still a long way to go.

“Every game, same thing, we have to put all the effort in,” Ford said.

“We have to make sure that we don’t go out there thinking we’ve already won this.”

Knight opened his and his side’s account in bizarre circumstances in the 12th minute, when he applied pressure to a risky defensive back pass.

North Perth keeper Paul Rainford attempted to clear the ball but kicked it at Knight with the deflection finding the back of the net.

The rest of the half saw an end-to-end contest with Gwelup holding the greater share of possession.

David Perich came close to equalising for the home side early in the second half with a long-range curling free kick but Thomas Dixon made a great diving save to deny him.

Gwelup were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute when a shot from Purton was deemed to have struck the hand of Darryl Gregory.

Knight stepped up and fired beyond the reach of Rainford, who dived the right way.

The result was effectively sealed two minutes later when Knight completed his hat-trick in style.

Benny Kouakou played in a fast-paced cross from the right and Knight timed his run well to head the ball in to the roof of the net.

Dejan Andric added to the damage in the 87th minute when he was first to the ball to head home after Rainford had parried an initial shot from Kouakou.

Substitute Steve Henry headed home a consolation for North Perth in the last moments of injury time but there was no cause to celebrate.

North Perth coach Alex Carter said an inability to hold possession in the middle cost his side on the day.