Report by Kelechi Osunwa

Bayswater City put together a determined 3-1 win against a persistent Cockburn City side in Saturday’s PS4 National Premier Leagues WA round three fixture at Dalmatinac Park.

Bayswater coach Chris Coyne sent his players back from the halftime interval early, as a sign of frustration with Harry O’brien pulling the Cockerels level at the stroke of halftime to cancel Jason Mirco’s opener.

Bayswater City, who had dominated the early proceedings found Euen Grant’s defence tough to penetrate and found Cockburn keeper Luke Radonich on fine form to start the second half as Cockburn kept Bayswater at bay while looking dangerous on the counter.

Cockburn had a second half penalty claim waved away by referee Tom Dowle after a marauding Grant collided with substitute Jack Jones much to the ire of the home side coach Scott Miller.

“I thought it was penalty,” Miller said.

David Heagney’s well-timed run and clinical finish gave Bayswater the lead before Gustavo Giron Marulanda tucked away a penalty for Bayswater that was given after Mirco and substitute Jesse Lazzaro collided in the box.

Bayswater City president Gerry Maio described his sides’ performance as the worst under Chris Coyne and Coyne echoed those thoughts.

“We’re not playing well at the moment,” Coyne said.

“But what we are doing is grinding results out and at the top of the table you need to nick it 1-0.

“You need to go away and nick a result and today on retrospect I think a draw would have been a fair result.

“But in terms of possession we certainly had the stats to back up the fact that we won 3-1 but by no means was is polished it was determined.”

Miller felt his young players grew into the game after an early adjustment period had started to threaten with Kenal Moiuthus’ pace a constant outlet.

It was Moiuthus who combined well with Angel Andres to set up O’brien on the stroke of halftime to punish Bayswater who had fallen away from their possession-play soon after Mirco tapped in from close-range.

For large periods at the start of the second half Cockburn had their chances but came undone when Heagney latched on to a defence-splitting pass from Todd Howarth and finished calmly.

Marulanda’s penalty put the result beyond doubt but Miller only looked to positives despite the result.

“I was wrapped with the performance my boys put on today” Miller said.

“What we have to do is convert because we had enough chances to win against the best team in the league today we just need the little bit of belief.”

Cockburn City 1 (O’brien 45+1mins)
Bayswater City 3 (Mirco 38 Heagney 69’ Marulanda (pen) 79’)
Dalmatanic Park, Spearwood
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Tom Dowle
Assistant Referee:  Walter Siotti, Anthony Walsh

Cockburn City: 1. Luke RADONICH, 2. Nathan DE ABREU (16. Daniel DOLS 46’), 4. Euen GRANT, 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Ali GHOLAMI (18. Aiden DA LUZ 85’), 8. Cameron EDWARDS, 9. Angel ANDRES, 10. David ARAYA, 11. Harry O’BRIEN, 15. Kenal MOIUTHUS, 13. Blake ADAMS (17. Jesse LAZZARO 65’)
Substitutes not used: 14. Julian TELES,  23. Ryan BARKER
Yellow cards: Euen Grant 65’
Red cards: nil

Bayswater City: GK. Fraser GREENWOOD, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 7. Hayden DOYLE (2. Jack JONES 56’) , 9. Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA, 10. Jason MIRCO, 11. Devon GIBSON, 13. Trent KAY, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 21. David HEAGNEY, 23. Andrija JUKIC (5. Andrew REALE 64’), 16. Jamie COYNE (19. Alex WILD 81’)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Devon Spence, 17. Taban MAKOII,
Yellow cards: Jack Jones 84’
Red cards: nil