UWA Nedlands lose opener to Mandurah City: Soccer

A SPIRITED second half comeback from UWA Nedlands Football Club was not enough to overcome a 3-0 half time deficit, as Mandurah City opened their title defence with a strong 4-2 victory at UWA Sports Park in the State League Division 1.

Mandurah piled the pressure on from the first whistle and despite playing the ball out well from the backline, UWA were unable to create clear-cut chances in the opening passages.

The first chance for either side resulted in a goal.

Mandurah had a player brought down outside the area and Jonathan Brooks picked out the top corner precisely from the free kick to give Mandurah the lead.

Things got worse for UWA as a dubious penalty resulted in Mandurah doubling their lead.

Michael Vlasich blocked Jordan Rhodes’ effort; however, referee Alex Novatsis ruled Vlasich’s arm to have been in an unnatural position as it stopped the shot.

Rhodes made no mistake from the spot and made it 2-0.

The next 20 minutes saw UWA take the ascendency and they almost reduced the deficit on several occasions, all through the feet of Alex Kretowicz.

Unfortunately, the crafty forward was unable to beat Mandurah City shot-stopper Struan Herd.

Things worsened for UWA as Mandurah increased their lead against the run of play from a corner.

UWA keeper Brendon Offer almost kept out Ollie McGhee’s header but he could not get a strong enough hand to the effort and Mandurah went into the break 3-0 up.

Mandurah were restricted to minimal possession and the passing game of the young UWA side was rewarded shortly after the break, courtesy of star striker Kretowicz.

Lloyd Prout broke free down the right flank and his dangerous cross was not dealt with properly by the Mandurah keeper, allowing Kretowicz to poke the ball home from six yards.

The comeback looked more likely when Kretowicz buried his second for the game.

Kretowicz picked the ball up outside the box and his quick feet were too much for the Mandurah defence who were forced to bring the crafty forward down.

A penalty was rightfully awarded and Kretowicz picked his spot perfectly to reduce Mandurah’s lead to one goal.

With 15 minutes left UWA were looking likely to complete their comeback and had almost complete control of the game.

However, completely against the run of play Mandurah were able to increase their lead.

Miscommunication between the UWA defence and Offer resulted in an optimistic cross finding Rhodes and the playmaker headed home with no pressure.

Despite terrific work in the midfield from Conor Devlin in the final 10 minutes, Mandurah were able to hold on for a 4-2 victory.

UWA coach Michael Janssen will be pleased with his young sides’ ability to match last year’s champions for large periods of the game.

In other results, Chris Beech and Clive Stopper’s reserves side shared the spoils 2-2 thanks to a brace from Kamando Sikazwe.

Meanwhile, Viny Kapur’s Under-18s went down 2-1 despite playing some excellent football throughout the game.

UWA make the trip south to Lark Hill this weekend where they will face a Rockingham City side looking to keep up their winning ways after an impressive 1-0 victory away to South West Phoenix in the opening match.