Pacesetters taking title race to the wire
South West Phoenix and Maddington White City are set to take their Belt Up Amateur Premier Division title fight to the last round of the season.
Phoenix lead their long-time rivals by a single point with two matches remaining. And as long as City avoid defeat this Sunday then it will be all to play for a week later.
On the weekend, the two pacesetters both won on the road. Phoenix faced the tougher task away at Quinns and had to wait until the final minute of the first half before going in front, Corey Barclay breaking the deadlock. Five minutes into the second half and Kieran Quinn made it 2-0. Ryan McCready pulled a goal back with over 20 minutes to play but despite having Franco Van Zyl red-carded in stoppage time, Phoenix did enough to claim a valuable three points and the destiny of the title remains in their own hands.
A strong second-half performance proved decisive for Maddington as they won 4-1 at Jaguar. Gaston Bazet put City in front late in the first half, only for the hosts to get back on terms right on half-time through Gojam Nyuon. Unfortunately for Jaguar they had already been reduced to 10 men, Deng Akol seeing red moments before their equaliser. Maddington took full advantage of the extra body in the final 20 minutes as captain Cesar Orozco and Jose Zuniga (2) secured the points.
On Saturday, Phoenix are at home to UWA Nedlands. A win will put the pressure on Maddington when they host Wembley Downs a day later.
Wembley went down 3-1 at home to North Perth United on the weekend, Kyran Broadhurst, Andy O’Neill and Javier Pineres Mestre the scorers for the visitors.
Another team to win away from home were third-place Kwinana United. A double from Lee Bates gave them a 2-1 win at UWA.
Elsewhere, David Palin scored twice for Leeming Strikers in their 5-1 win over relegated Hamersley Rovers, while second-bottom Joondalup United were unable to make up ground on Queens Park, the team immediately above them, with the pair playing out a scoreless draw.
Filed Under: Amateur Master Metro Cup