State League Division One leaders Murdoch University Melville’s fantastic start to 2024 continued as two goals from Iljas Ahmedov helped them to a 3-1 win away to Cockburn City.
It was a fourth win in four games for Marc Anthony’s side who open up a two-point lead on the chasing pack, with three other sides also still unbeaten.
Ahmedov’s two goals in a minute sparked the game into life, with the forward heading in Brodie Langan’s cross before cleverly deflecting home Godfrey Asimwe’s low effort to take his tally to four goals in four matches.
Cockburn pulled one back 10 minutes after the interval when Ivan Skorich lofted Oliver Palmer’s cross into the net. But a comeback wouldn’t eventuate and Murdoch’s third came late in the piece when Michael Craggs’ clearance went straight to Edward Wynne-Willson who lifted home stylishly from all over 35 yards.
The result means the Cockerels remain bottom of Division One and the only side without a point in their first four outings.
The game of the day saw third host second at Dianella Reserve in the late kick off and it was the home side Dianella White Eagles who prevailed 3-2 to inflict a first defeat on UWA Nedlands.
Dianella could not have started any better as Andy Keogh found himself through on goal inside two minutes, and while he was denied by the goalkeeper the ball broke nicely for Roberto Soares to roll into the back of the net.
But UWA have had a confident start to 2024 and were soon level when a mistake at the back saw Luke Salas ghost in behind the Dianella defence to score the equaliser.
Salas then had a second midway through the first half as his low drive went through a sea of bodies into the back of the net, but former Glory striker Keogh’s free kick before the interval went under the wall to tie it up at the break.
Ut was a quieter second half but Keogh’s spot kick on 51 minutes saw him join Ahmedov at the top of the goalscoring charts in Division One, as Dianella leapfrogged their opponents into second while UWA drop to fifth.
Subiaco are now third as their impressive start to the campaign continued with a 1-0 win at Mandurah City.
The decisive goal came 18 minutes from time when Martin Coughlan found substitute Jonty Pearson, whose low shot from 18 yards beat Alfie Brincat in the Mandurah goal.
SEE SQUADI FOR STATE LEAGUE RESULTS, FIXTURES & TABLE
Sorrento FC are two points behind Dianella and Subiaco after easing to a 4-1 win over Gwelup Croatia at Percy Doyle Reserve.
Dean Cummings’ penalty and an unfortunate own goal from Paul Grant had the Gulls 2-0 up inside 18 minutes.
Clay Gibbs lobbed over Josiah Godfrey just past the hour to all but secure the points, and even though Gwelup got one back through a James Harmer penalty, it was left for Hamza Hina to put the icing on the cake when he collected Keegan Chambers’ pass to finish with minimal fuss.
Elsewhere, Joondalup United picked up their first win of the season as three second-half goals helped them win 3-0 win against Kingsley Westside at Pentanet Stadium.
Joel Prout’s corner led to an Adam O’Neill own goal five minutes after the restart before Joel Sollitt teed up Charles Breen who applied a simple finish inside the box.
The game was put to bed 10 minutes from time when Tyler Holden burst through the visitors’ defence and slipped a one-on-one strike past Peter Stewart. United are now level on points with Kingsley as the sides sit second and third bottom respectively on three points.
There was a 1-1 draw between Gosnells City and Rockingham City, leaving both teams in mid-table.
Cory McNelis opened the scoring for Rockingham on 29 minutes when he burst into the penalty area and flashed in powerfully at the goalkeeper’s near post.
Gosnells got themselves a point early in the second half after some head tennis in the penalty area eventually broke for Tony Chandler to lash home from the edge of the box.
In Division Two, Joondalup City’s perfect start to the season continued as they cruised to a 4-0 win at Ashfield.
Callum Stocks’ first-half double gave the leaders lift off, with Noel Disha’s goal making it three at the break. Harry Edwards came off the bench to finish the job as Guy McDonald’s side continue to fly high.
Forrestfield United also have a 100% record after three matches following a 1-0 victory at home to Swan United, who are second bottom and one of two teams yet to take a point. Sherwin Tucker got the only goal from the penalty spot midway through the second period.
East Perth moved from eighth to third as they defeated Quinns FC 3-0 thanks to two goals from Ryan Murray and the other netted by Ryan Doherty.
Balga picked up their second win to move to fourth after coming from two goals down to win 3-2 away to Canning City.
Ishmael Greywood and Tom Kinnane scored to have Canning on course for a second win of the campaign, only for the visitors to stun the hosts in the final 10 minutes.
Valentin Dosiere and Alessio Meschi scored in quick time to make it 2-2 before Nicholas Bahr Pike became the late hero when coming off the bench to complete the comeback.
Kalamunda City made it two wins on the bounce as they edged Carramar Shamrock Rovers 1-0 at Grandis Park thanks to Samir Ramos’ goal on 69 minutes.
Finally, Curtin University picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 win at Wanneroo City. Kieran Witt got both goals either side of a brief response from Greg Greenwood, which saw Roos drop to the bottom of the State League.