2024 State League Night Series: Joondalup United latest into last eight
Joondalup United are the latest side to qualify for the last eight of the State League Night Series as group winners.
United beat Kingsley Westside 4-2 at Crazy Domains Stadium on Sunday to guarantee top spot in Group B.
They join Sorrento FC, Cockburn City, Dianella White Eagles and Mandurah City as confirmed group winners.
Two goals from Joel Sollitt and one by Jamie Gardiner had Joondalup United 3-0 up inside 20 minutes. Kingsley came back into it thanks to a Josh Waldock double before Tyler Holden completed the win near the end.
Ashfield are likely to finish second and will be in the hunt for one of the two best runners-up spots should they beat Forrestfield United in their rearranged game at Crazy Domains Stadium on Tuesday (7pm).
Sorrento came through Group A with a 100% return. On Friday they beat East Perth 2-0 with goals from Keegan Chambers and Jake Nicholson.
The other game was between two sides already out of contention but that did not stop Murdoch University Melville and Swan United from putting on a show.
Swan led 3-1 at the break, Patrick Shortall, Jake Fritchley and Brennan Borzecki their scorers with MUM FC netting benefitting from an own goal. It was a different story in the second half and goals from Adrian Ciampini, Edward Wynne-Willson and Iljas Ahmedov put MUM FC in front 4-3. Jamie Duncan then drew Swan level, before Jack Steele grabbed a ninth of the night as MUM FC won 5-4.
Cockburn took out Group C after a 1-1 draw with Balga. Jake Robinson got the Cockerels’ goal, with Mark Bauersachs equalising for Balga.
Two goals for Wade Farmer and one from Adam Barker helped Gosnells City to a 3-0 win over Carramar Shamrock Rovers and a second-place finish. Gosnells ended on six points and are in the frame to be one of the best runners-up.
Group D honours went to Dianella, whose 2-0 win over Subiaco meant they finished top. Andy Keogh got both goals.
Joondalup City let slip a 2-0 lead against Wanneroo City and that ultimately cost them top spot. They were two ahead early on thanks to Luke Wilson and an own goal, only for Asa Sippits and Greg Greenwood to snatch a draw for the Roos.
Mandurah have gone through as Group E victors following their 3-2 defeat of Canning City. Shaun Mukwevho (2) and Leigh Griffiths got Mandurah’s goals, with Canning replying via Thomas Kinnane and Mason Langham.
Rockingham City finished second – Ryan Kennedy, Cory McNelis and Shane Boyle the scorers in a 3-0 win over Kalamunda City.
All eight quarter-finalists will be known once Group F has been completed. The UWA Nedlands-Gwelup Croatia game ended goalless after a second-half light failure meant an early finish. Meanwhile, the Quinns-Curtin University has had to be rescheduled after it was postponed before kick-off due to the extremely high temperature.