ECU Joondalup moved to the top of the table after a beating Armadale 5-0 at the ECU University Arena on Saturday..

Joondalup have scored 18 goals this season and find themselves on 13 points, while Armadale are still looking for a point, having lost their first six matches.

After a scrappy start to the game by both teams, Armadale created the first chance after 27 minutes. A good team move was finished by Stefan Smiljanic, but his header hit the outside of the post.
 

Matters were made worse for the away team in the 31st minute, when Andy Bowyer tackled Tommy Jones inside the penalty area. Referee Troy Miller showed Bowyer the red card and pointed to the spot. Captain Ian McMurray stepped up and confidently put the ball in the left corner to give Joondalup the lead.

Joondalup struggled to take advantage and create clear chances after the dismissal, and they had to wait until the 50th minute to get their second goal.

John Higgins fired a free kick into the penalty area, finding Craig Simpson near the far post. Simpson only needed to push the ball over the line, and Joondalup were 2-0 up.

Armadale were close to pulling one back in the 61st minute, when Kodi Madeley aimed a low cross into the penalty area. Only Joseph Brunetto knows how he managed to put the ball over the bar from two metres out.

The match was killed when Joondalup embarked on a three-minute blitz towards the end of the match. On 78 minutes, Jon Higgins beautifully lobbed in the third after a nice through pass by McMurray.

Two minutes later, an unmarked Adam Taggart punished slack defending by heading in the fourth from Darren Broxton’s corner.

In the 81st minute, Taggart’s low and hard cross found the net after the shot deflected off Daryl Platten. The own goal was the last of the game, completing the 5-0 victory.

Joondalup coach Willie McNally said his side showed character by winning on a bad day.

"We’re obviously happy with the win, but I don’t think we played very well.

"We struggled until they got a man sent off, even after that we struggled. But we got the three points today, so I’m quite happy

“We still got the so-called hard teams left to play, such as Sorrento, Floreat and Cockburn. But the boys’ confidence is sky high, so bring them on," said McNally.

ECU Joondalup –  GK Tomich, A. Jones (Nicholson 78), Higgins, Ashworth, Young, Amphlett (Taggart 61), McMurray, Donlevy, Broxton (Doyle 91), T. Jones, Simpson. Subs not used: Koroma.

Armadale - GK Sharrock, Bennion, Ramirez (Darby 45), Platten, Devine, Pearson (Atturo 72), Madeley, Bowyer, Smiljanic, Brunetto (Anderson 69), Hilton. Subs not used: Preece

Referee – Troy Miller

Football West reporter - Peder Qvale