Tommy Doleman Match Report NPL WA Round 21

Darren Kingston scored within four minutes of coming off the bench to earn Armadale a 1-1 draw at champions-elect Bayswater City.

Kingston’s header came six minutes from time after Adam Tong looked to have nodded the hosts towards a 19th win of the campaign.

Bayswater could not find the winner but managed to maintain an unbeaten season that will be rubber-stamped next week if they avoid defeat to Stirling.

It was a credible performance from Armadale, though, and coach Paul Price believed his side was rewarded for their endeavor.

“Today was an even game, both sides created chances and I think it was a fair result,” he said.

“I’d have been disappointed if we lost. We played well, showed a lot of character, got players forward and defended well.

“The team talk was about believing and the question we asked was ‘are we good enough to compete with Bayswater’ and I think we showed that.”

Price has offered Armadale stability this season despite their league position and with a group of good young players he hopes to be involved at the club again next season.

“I’d like to do it (coach) again,” he said.

“Armadale have spoken to us and they have a committee meeting again on Monday, but hopefully things can be resolved and I can be coaching there next year.”

Bayswater started the game well with Sam Mitchinson’s marauding runs down the left a feature, but David Heagney was unable to capitalise from the full back’s cross.

Armadale had their moments with Jesse Fuller weaving through two defenders before firing at Devon Spence.

But the hosts gained control as the half wore on with Heagney again curling wide, before feeding Brian Farrell, who saw his effort blocked by Luke Radonich.

Mitchinson then tested Radonich early in the second period, before Spence denied Raveshlan Kuppusamy on two occasions to preserve the hosts hopes of an unbeaten season.

Bayswater then threw Tong up front in pursuit of a winner and he nearly made an immediate impact as Radonich tipped a deflected effort wide.

The hosts took the lead from the resulting corner as Tong met Todd Howarth’s swinging ball into the back post with 12 minutes to play.

Price then made a tactical move of his own, bringing on Kingston for Kuppusamy, and it only took him four minutes to make an impact.

Darren Francis floated in a cross and an unmarked Kingston beat Spence to the ball to nod into an unguarded net.

Tong had a chance to win it late when he planted a header wide but Armadale earned a deserved point and Bayswater edged closer to a near-flawless campaign.

Bayswater 1 (Tong 78’)
Armadale 1 (Kingston 84’)
Saturday August 29, 2015
Frank Drago Reserve
Local kick-off: 3:00pm

Bayswater: GK Devon SPENCE, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 12. Adam TONG, 13. Trent KAY, 14. Danny DIXON (19. Jamie MURPHY 80’), 15. Brian FARRELL, 16. Jamie COYNE, 17. Bor Bor SAM (11. Ayden DRAGAN 88’), 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 21. David HEAGNEY (2. Declan HARGREAVES 59’), 23. Chris SALDARIS.
Substitutes not used: RGK: Pascal GIUFFRE, 4. Jordan BROWN.
Yellow Cards: Tong 8’
Red Cards: Nil

Armadale: GK: Luke RADONICH, 2. Shaydon PASSALACQUA, 3. Kade MCNAMARA (14. Sam COLE 45’), 4. Alexander PEMBERTON, 5. Sam LOVELESS, 6. Jake SARDELIC, 7. Faustino MACHOCHI, 8. Jesse FULLER (12. Josh GARDNER), 9. Darren FRANCIS, 10. Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY (19. Darren KINGSTON 80’), 11. Jackson BEALEY.
Substitutes not used: 20. Dylan WILSON
Yellow Cards: Francis 15’
Red Cards: Nil