Inter-divisional play-offs: Subi survive, Freo on the up

Fremantle City and Subiaco were the victors on a great day of play-off football at the State Football Centre on Saturday.

Subi beat Curtin University 2-0 in the Division Two/Division One final to retain their spot in Men’s State League Division One.

A tremendous solo effort from Kaleb Morrison gave Subiaco the lead after only seven minutes.

And they went further ahead before the half-hour. A deep free-kick into the box looked to pose no threat as Daniel Marques came to collect. But the Curtin keeper could only look in horror as his teammate Simone Sichel glanced the ball past him and into the empty net.

If Subi’s mood at the end was one of a job done after they avoided relegation, it was all celebration for Fremantle in the NPL/Division One play-off final.

City came from behind to beat Joondalup United 3-1 in an all-Division One encounter to secure their place in the NPLWA - Men’s competition for the first time.

Joondalup, who were last in the top flight in 2018, went in front less than a minute after half-time. A deep corner from the right was nodded down by Gary Hill and Joel Sollitt reacted fastest to turn the ball home.

Fremantle were seeking a saviour and put on Enzo Marangoni with under 25 minutes to play. It worked a treat as Marangoni, who scored in both legs of the semi-final defeat of Mandurah City, did it again with a 30 yard screamer which flew past Joondalup keeper Todd Hoyle.

Then with two minutes of normal time to play, Marangoni was involved again as he drove at the United defence before feeding Alex Mclean who lifted a shot over Hoyle and into the far corner.

And five minutes into stoppage time, Joondalup’s tired defence cracked. Roberto Soares broke down the left and sat up a cross, United failed to clear and Bill Orr slammed home Fremantle’s third.