Daryn McCleave Match Report NPL WA Round 5

Gustavo Giron Maralunda announced his return to the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA goal-scoring chart with a brilliant hat-trick as Bayswater routed Cockburn 4-0 at Dalmatinac Park.

Marulanda scored two quick-fire goals in the first half, before adding a second half penalty to put the game out of Cockburn’s reach.

Substitute Phil Arnold rounded off a resounding away performance from Chris Coyne’s side with little over five minutes to play

And despite naming Declan Hargreaves as his man-of-the-match, Coyne must have been delighted with Maralunda’s return to form after a torrid time with injuries.

Maralunda believes he has put his fitness woes behind him as he looks to play another big part in a successful season at Frank Drago Reserve.

“I’m more than happy to score a hat-trick, but also to help the team to three points,” he said.

“I reckon we played a very good game today and it turned out to be comfortable in the end.

“I’ve been working very hard to get back into form and today everything went well.”

After a cagey opening to the contest, Bayswater took control and made their possession count on 24 minutes, when a pinpoint cross-field ball found Maralunda lurking in the box.

The Colombian showed neat footwork to cut inside his marker and roll the ball into the far corner.

Six minutes later he grabbed his and Baysie’s second in trademark fashion, latching onto a delightful through-ball before smashing past Curtis Aspden.

Cockburn showed neat approach play on a few occasions, but struggled to create any decent opportunities. Harry O’Brien blazed over a shot from outside the box in their first real sight of goal.

The Cockerel’s were without leading scorer Rory Patterson following his send off at Armadale, as O’Brien wasted a glorious chance to half the deficit soon after the break.

Bayswater didn’t give the home side another sniff. The impressive Bor Bor Sam showed a good turn of pace darting into the box before he was bundled over.

The feeling amongst the crowd was that a penalty was a harsh decision, but Maralunda wasn’t concerned as he stepped up to complete his treble, sending Aspden the wrong way.

Phil Arnold then came off the bench to help himself to the fourth goal with a tidy turn and shot from inside the area to add to Cockburn’s misery.

COCKBURN CITY 0
BAYSWATER CITY 4 (Maralunda 24mins, 30, 62 pen, Arnold 84)
Saturday May 2, 2015
Local kick-off time: 5pm
Dalmatinac Park
Referee: Josh MANELLA

COCKBURN CITY: 1. Curtis ASPDEN, 3. Jonathan CORNESS, 4. Euen GRANT, 5. Alan CARROLL, 7. Friday ZICO, 8. David ARAYA, 9. Liam MURRAY (6. Craig TONE 73′), 11. Devon GIBSON, 12. Feisal ZAW (16. Julian TELES 65′), 14. Conor KAVANAGH (13. Blake ADAMS 73′), 17. Harry O’BRIEN.

SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: 23 (GK). Jack ADAMS

YELLOW CARD: Grant 75′

BAYSWATER CITY: 1. Devon SPENCE, 2. Declan HARGREAVES (8. Pau McCARTHY 80′), 6. Todd HOWARTH, 16. Jamie COYNE (5. Andrew REALE 46′), 13. Trent KAY, 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 23. Chris SALDARIS, 14. Danny DIXON (19. Phil ARNOLD 73′) 15. Brian FARRELL, 9. Gustavo Giron MARALUNDA, 17 Bor Bor SAM.

SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: 25 (GK). Jason SALDARIS, 21. David HEAGNEY

YELLOW CARDS: None