Armadale took the three points at Alfred Skeet Oval after defeating ECU Joondalup 4-2 in a game of high drama after ECU goalkeeper Bobson Koroma was sent off in the third minute.

Referee Michael Nugus did not hesitate in showing the red card after Koroma brought down Armadale’s Nao Oishi as he headed towards the goal line to score the opener.

ECU’s coach Chris Nicholson was forced to make two unwanted substitutions as reserve keeper Chris McCrone was put into action in the fourth minute along with Anthony Jones moments later.

McCrone saved the resulting penalty from the red card after James Robinson’s spot kick travelled low towards the bottom left of the net before McCrone intervened to cease ECU’s early embarrassment.

Armadale continued to press forward with the advantage of an extra player, but against the run of play, a Daryl Platten tackle inside the box saw the match’s second penalty kick in the 18th minute.

Ian McMurray also chose to shoot low to the left as had Robinson, but McMurray found the back of the net and gave ECU the early lead.

The home side were finding space very well in the first half with Ryan Pearson on the left of midfield giving ECU several headaches as he linked well with his teammates up front.

Just before the first half came to a close, Pearson’s deflected shot had no chance of being stopped by McCrone, as Armadale snatched a vital equaliser that would have given coach Brad Hassell confidence leading into the second half.

A fantastic deep cross from Armadale’s Gary Faria found the head of Robinson who put the ball in the back of the net to give the home team a 2-1 lead.

Armadale’s goalkeeper Cyril Sharrock had to make several fantastic saves throughout the match and none better than when a powerful McMurray shot was tipped over the crossbar.

As Armadale continued to dominate on the left of midfield, Pearson linked well with the attacking Platten passing to Kody Madeley who finished the great teamwork with a drive into the top right-hand corner on his return from suspension.

Tommy Amphlett gave the visitors hope, after an inspiring run just outside the box saw the midfielder rounded four Armadale defenders and slipped the ball to Garin Collins who cut inside one defender and scored, leaving Sharrock stationary in disbelief.

A late substitution from Hassell put Joey Brunetto on the park and he proved to a worthy replacement for the hard-working Oishi as he troubled McCrone several times in the final ten minutes.

His deserved goal came in the 86th minute with a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, sealing victory for the struggling Armadale.

Next week will see Armadale travel to Hyundai Stadium to tackle Mandurah City and ECU will be at home to Stirling.

Armadale 4 (Pearson 40’, Robinson 47’, Madeley 57’, Brunetto 86’)
ECU Joondalup 2 (McMurray 18’P, Collins 63’)

Half-time: 1-1

Referee: M. Nugus

Armadale: C. Sharrock, M. Bennion (A. Pomfret 58’), D. Platten, J. Robinson, G. Faria, M. Darby, S. Dally, A. Bowyer (A. Galvin 82’), N. Oishi (J. Brunetto 80’), R. Pearson, K. Madeley. Subs not used: A. Preece.

Bookings: M. Bennion 42’, A. Pomfret 75’

ECU Joondalup: B. Koroma, D. Broxton, C. Simpson, J. Mirco (A. Jones 7’), I. McMurray, J. Thornely, G. Collins, T. Amphlett, C. Cheeseman (J. Higgins 66’), J. Walmsley (C. McCrone 4’), S. Bushby. Subs not used: T. Jones, S. Blackmore.
B
ookings: B. Koroma 3’ (straight red card)