Report by Aisling Lawless

ECU Joondalup and Floreat Athena ended their battle in a 2-2 stalemate after the game was abandoned in the 63rd minute due to heavy rain at ECU Joondalup Football Stadium on Saturday.

Gordon Smith’s penalty conversion put ECU ahead in the 4th minute while Tommy Amphlett doubled their score in the 28th.

Floreat, who face Cockburn City in the Cool Ridge Cup final on July 23, hit back with Ludovic Boi scoring in first-half injury time before Lewis McMahon converted the game’s second penalty just two minutes after the break.

The result will stand after more than half the game was played.

ECU coach Dale McCulloch said despite the unexpected early end to the match he was pleased with the way his side started.

“Credit to the boys, they are in a really good groove and are playing well – it was just a disappointing end to a game,” he said.

ECU have now gone seven matches undefeated, their run of good form a turnaround from the slow start to the season.

“We have signed a few new players who have come in and gelled really well,” McCulloch said.

“They are making the other players work a little harder, so it just picks up the quality all round.

“We have good work rate, good work ethic, good characters and good players.”

The home side had a dream start after winning a penalty just four minutes into the match and Smith confidently struck the ball into the bottom left corner.

Floreat looked like they might equalise in the 28th minute but keeper Lewis Italiano pulled off a great save, diving low to the right despite only seeing the shot late.

Then, on the counter, Amphlett struck gold, slicing the ball past the keeper into the bottom left corner of the net.

Floreat hit back in injury time when Boi knocked the ball into the net during a goal-mouth scramble.

The second half started similarly to the first but this time it was Floreat’s turn winning and converting a penalty just two minutes after the restart.

Heavy rain continued to flood the pitch and sixteen minutes later referee Adam Fielding called off the match due to pitch conditions.

ECU Joondalup 2 (Smith 4mins, Amphlett 28)
Floreat Athena 2 (Boi 45 + 2mins, McMahon 47)
Saturday July 16, 2016
ECU Football Stadium
Referee: Adam Fielding
Assistants: Josh Mannella, Amit Hosany

ECU Joondalup: GK Lewis ITALIANO, 2 Ryan LOWRY (C), 3 Rikki SMITH, 4 Steven MCGARRY, 5 Andy HIGGINS, 6 Shane PICKERING, 9 Daryl NICOL, 10 Gordon SMITH, 13 Tommy AMPHLETT, 18 Henry DURR, 17. Kevin MOON.
Subs not used: 15. Cioire MCGUIGAN, 8 Ollie ANNIS, RGK Todd HOYLE, 16 Keylun POLLARD, 19 Paddy DOYLE
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil

Floreat Athena: GK Jason SALDARIS, 5 Bobby WILSON, 6. Clayton ARNEZ, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 10 Kris GATE, 14 Ludovic BOI (C), 11 Dennis GALAN, 17 Dean EVANS, 18. Philip ARNOLD 19. Lewis MCMAHON, 33. Cameron YORKE
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan BARBAS, 12 Nathan SCULLY, 13. Steve KANTOR, 16.Daniel HEPWORTH, 20 Jordan PARFITT.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil