Perth RedStar are the first team into the semi-finals of the NPLWA – Men’s Night Series.
Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Armadale means the 2023 league champions have won all four of their group matches and secured their passage with a game to spare.
It was a lively start at Alfred Skeet Reserve, as Andrew Palmer’s sixth-minute opener for RedStar was quickly cancelled out by Pieter Jacobsz.
Callum Salmon’s team regained the lead through an own goal just before half-time, and Joel Chianese made the game safe near the end.
RedStar will be joined in the last four from Group A by Olympic Kingsway if they defeat Balcatta Etna at Kingsway Reserve on Wednesday at 7pm.
The original fixture between the sides on Friday was abandoned after Balcatta’s Declan Hudson suffered a serious leg injury. Kingsway have announced that all gate money from Wednesday’s match will go to Declan to support him in his recovery.
The other Round Four game still to be played in Group A is on Tuesday at Alfred Skeet Reserve between Inglewood United and Western Knights (7pm). Both sides are seeking their first points.
There are five teams still in with a shot of making the semis from Group B heading into the last round.
Bayswater City are top on eight points, one clear of Fremantle City who they meet at Frank Drago Reserve on Friday. Two points further back in third and fourth respectively are Stirling Macedonia and Perth SC, who play each other at Macedonia Park on Sunday. Perth Glory, in fifth, must win their final game against Floreat Athena and hope the results from the two other matches fall their way.
Bayswater would already be through but for a late equaliser by Stirling’s Calvin Whitney last Friday. After trailing to a Gyles Davies goal, City turned it around in the second half through Chris Jackson and Samuel Dweh before Whitney’s intervention ensured a 2-2 finish.
Fremantle stayed on Baysie’s tale as they overcame Floreat 2-1. Robert Petkov and Ollie La Galia scored for Freo, before Ben Steele’s consolation.
Finally, Perth Glory kept alive their chances with an exciting 4-3 win over Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens. It was 2-2 at half-time, Gert Prinsloo and Jaylan Pearman on target for Glory while Gordon Perkins and Joshua Cala got the Azzurri goals. Perkins then put Danny Hay’s side in front with his second, only for Glory to win the game through an own goal and an effort from substitute Royie Rahamim.
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