There were plenty of goals scored across Round 4 of the Preliminary Rounds in Western Australia, catch up on all of the results below.
Hamza Hina scored twice as Men’s State League Division One side Fremantle City eliminated NPLWA – Men’s leaders Perth SC 5-4 in a chaotic encounter in WA Preliminary Round 4 of the Australia Cup.
The Azzurri had conceded only four times in five league outings prior to Saturday’s fixture, and they led early on when Michael Scafetta stood up a cross for Hasani Sinclair to head in.
Two-goal Hamza Hina is closed down by Jordan De Leo during Fremantle's 5-4 Australia Cup win on Saturday. Photo by Cat Bryant Photography
But any thoughts of a straightforward afternoon for the visitors were dispelled once Matty Sparrow’s side hit back when Anthony Topini’s strike from range beat goalkeeper Rocco Liberti. And City's hopes of springing a surprise were further boosted when skipper Hayden Stevens headed in from a corner.
The helter-skelter affair continued as Abdul Osman curled home a beautiful free-kick to level, before Ethan Banks’ fierce long-ranger put 11-time cup winners Perth 3-2 up.
Hamza Hina continued his flying start to the campaign when he was put through on goal and slotted into the corner for 3-3 at half-time, before two goals early in the second period gave Freo the buffer they needed to progress.
First Martim Galvao unleashed a spectacular strike from outside the box which gave Liberti no chance, going in via the post, then scorer turned provider as Liberto’s reverse pass set up Hina who got his second and Fremantle’s fifth.
Federico Achilli’s nodded in a set-piece with 20 minutes to go as the game threatened to take another turn, but that would be the end of the scoring despite Paul Zimarino almost forcing extra-time when putting wide in stoppage time.
There was another big upset at Wishart Street where Gwelup Croatia came from two goals down to beat Armadale 4-2 after extra-time.
Charlie Breen was the hero for the hosts, coming off the bench to score four times, after goals from Pieter Jacobsz and Chris Jackson had John O’Reilly’s side on track for a repeat of their 2018 cup final win over Gwelup.
The magic of the cup was also in full flow at Chichester Park as Perth RedStar survived a scare to prevail 4-3 over Kingsley Westside.
Chok Dau scored a hat-trick with his first coming on eight minutes, having been put through by Daryl Nicol to race away and score.
The home fans were cheering soon after though when former Perth Glory academy player Luke Salmon slid in to finish from close range.
But three goals in five first-half minutes proved to be the decisive spell for the visitors. Dau switched flanks and cut in from the right to lash home, before Gomo Dukuly headed in Andy Higgins’ corner.
It was then 4-1 when Dau curled in brilliantly from distance to cap an excellent performance and at that stage RedStar looked set for a comfortable evening.
However, Division Two Kingsley were not deterred and gave their NPL opponents a fright with a stirring second half. Josh Waldock’s deflected strike threw Steven Dimitrovich’s team a lifeline and when Salmon nudged in from close range it was suddenly 4-3 with plenty of time remaining.
There were chances at both ends in a stretched finale with former A-League goalkeeper Liam Reddy pulling off an excellent save to deny Paul Stewart as RedStar held on to advance to Round Five.
The last remaining regional WA team Busselton City gave a good account of themselves before going down 3-2 to Division One Gosnells City.
Scott Pereira’s close-range finish cancelled out Martin Ryan’s early penalty, but that was not the end of the scoring in an exciting first half with James Sharp’s finish at the back post and an own goal from the hosts making it 2-2 at the break.
Aden Hoddy scored the winner from Tony Chandler’s corner, as the South West Soccer Association outfit fell to a 3-2 defeat for the second straight year against State League opposition.
Busselton City gave a good account of themselves before going down 3-2 to Gosnells City. Photo by Peter Simcox
Defending NPLWA champions Floreat Athena were the first side through as they overcame Belt Up Amateur Premier Jaguar 3-1 on Friday night at E&D Litis Stadium.
Nick Ambrogio’s solo goal put Vas Vujacic’s team ahead, but Jags equalised through Magai Deng just before the interval.
Noah Shamaki restored the home side’s advantage and Bayley Brown-Montgomery’s free-kick would seal it late on, despite Jaguar missing a chance to equalise at 2-1 when Gianluca De Felice saved Juma Wade’s penalty.
Balcatta Etna, who were humbled by Amateur side Emerald at this stage 12 months ago, made sure they avoided another upset with a 4-2 win over Division Two outfit Joondalup City 4-2 at Grindleford Reserve. Leon Hudson grabbed the headlines with a hat-trick as the NPL side led 4-0, before two Liam Peacock goals gave City fans something to cheer.
Daniel Zivkovic scored a hat-trick as heavyweights Stirling Macedonia eased past Amateur Night Series winners North Beach 8-0, while goals from Scott Witschge, Zechariah Dabbs and Dean Cummings gave Sorrento a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Division Two Ashfield who had led through Lal Cung.
Perth SC's Sam Cook, left, challenges Fremantle keeper Jordan Barbas. Photo by FotoEnzo
State Cup holders Cockburn City move forward to the next round thanks to goals from Friday Zico and Charlie Garnham in a 2-0 win at Rockingham City. Olympic Kingsway also went through thanks to Sasa Njegic’s late winner in a 3-2 win over Bayswater City in the only all-NPL clash.
Christos Vaenas netted five times for Murdoch University Melville in a 6-0 win over Amateur side South Perth United, and Mandurah City also made it through to Round Five with Aaron McCready’s header the winner in a 2-1 victory at fellow Division One title hopefuls Western Knights.
Curtin University, Swan United and Maddington-Kalamunda White City all progressed following wins over Balga, Carramar Shamrock Rovers and Quinns respectively in the three all-Division Two ties.
The weekend’s final game on Sunday saw Inglewood United defeat Perth AFC 5-0 with Anthony Bafobusha, Rene Kisesa, Alex Ishida-Livings, Dhors Chol and Harry Evans on the scoresheet.
The draw for WA Round Five will take place later this week.
Results
