Sherwin Tucker and James Bourne both scored in the final 17 minutes as Western Knights finally shook off Murdoch University Melville in a 5-3 thriller to move into second place of the Men’s State League first division.
Knights’ Ben Campbell capitalised on a goalkeeper error on six minutes to tap into an empty net and give the hosts the lead. But Daniel Tait whipped home an equaliser from inside the area and then headed home Josh Gardner's cross to make it 2-1 to the visitors on 16 minutes.
Back came Knights and after levelling before half-time through Adam Harris, they went in front barely a minute into the second period when Tucker lobbed Tom Allan for his first of the season.
Taki Nicolaidis' side have taken to life in Division One well though, and they made it 3-3 midway through the second half as Feisal Zaw struck at the near post.
They were on terms for only eight minutes however as Tucker nipped in to score his second of the day before Bourne raced clear to give Knights the points.
Knights went above Fremantle City, but Olympic Kingsway are still the pacesetters after a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Joondalup United.
Jay Lang's corner went directly into the back of the net in the first half, but Kingsway levelled soon after when James Fanelli swiped a leg at a loose ball to finish from close range.
Shane Cassidy scored from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time to put the league leaders in front and then Ewan Fawcett made it safe late on for his first goal since joining from Joondalup City.
Elsewhere, Forrestfield United capitalised on MUM FC's dropped points as they moved fourth with a 3-0 win over struggling Dianella White Eagles in a Saturday night fixture.
All the goals came in the final 23 minutes. Jack Lavis started the scoring with a low drive from long range.
Barely a minute later it was 2-0 as Oliver La Galia collected a long pass and kept his composure to pick out the bottom corner. The former Gwelup Croatia youngster then made it three with the pick of the goals as he hammered home with conviction to ice the win.
Subiaco went fifth in the league following a 2-0 victory over winless Rockingham City.
Gaspar Becerra's deflected volley gave Goran Stajic's team the lead eight minutes before the interval.
Rockingham created a couple of good chances to level midway through the second period, but Subi got the crucial second goal when Higor Marcal Vitali came off the bench to blaze home from the edge of the area.
Finally, Mandurah City beat UWA Nedlands 4-1 to win for the first time this season and extend their unbeaten run to three.
Dhamon Kalamaras gave the visitors the lead in the first half, but the game seemingly turned early in the second period when UWA goalkeeper Jakeb Seppings was sent off for a foul when the last man.
John Baird scored superbly from the resulting free-kick to draw City level and they careered away with the three points in the final 20 minutes. Craig Barker headed home a cross from the left before Joe O'Brien collected a quickly taken free-kick and rolled into the net for 3-1. Silas Becsi then added late gloss with a header from Baird's corner.
Quinns FC and Fremantle City was postponed due to Covid with the fixture to be rescheduled for a later date.
In Division Two, there was a helter-skelter affair at Flinders Park as Kingsley Westside came from 4-2 down to win 5-4 against Balga.
Darren O'Riordan cancelled out Jack Valentine's opener before Ben Wantee's first half hat-trick elevated Balga into a position where they were on the cusp of a first league win of 2022.
But three goals in five minutes early in the second half turned the game on its head as Cameron Bishop, O'Riordan and Kieron Salmon all struck by the 53-minute mark. That was the end of the scoring and Kingsley stay second and two points off top spot.
Carramar Shamrock Rovers remain at the summit after a Thursday night win over Curtin University, who remain third. Callum Trayner scored the only goal in the second period to preserve his side’s 100% record.
Morley went fourth as they recorded a convincing 4-0 win over South West Phoenix, Asa Sippits scoring two. Windmills replace Ashfield who dropped to fifth after drawing 3-3 away to Wanneroo City.
Swan United and Gosnells City also got their first wins of the season over Easter as they lifted themselves into mid-table. Swan won 3-0 at home to Joondalup City, while Juan Cabrera's goal was the difference in Gosnells' 1-0 win at Canning City.
Filed Under: Men's State League