Joondalup Dump Mandurah In Night Series Opener

JAMIE Watt’s stoppage-time winner ensured ECU Joondalup got off to a winning start in Group B of the BAM Creative Night Series with a 3-2 victory over Mandurah City at Litis Stadium.

Watt’s last-gasp effort completed a remarkable comeback from ECU who went into the half-time break 2-0 down after City debutant Luke Bower had netted twice.

Joondalup keeper Andy Banks was called into action after just six minutes when he showed great reflexes to tip Adam Farry’s close-range effort behind for a corner. But apart from that, clear-cut chances were scarce early on and it was a mistake from Aryn Williams after 17 minutes that led to the opening goal.

The Joondalup defender misjudged a ball near the centre circle allowing Raffa Insuralde to break down the left before sliding over a low cross that Bower comfortably side-footed home from eight yards.

ECU’s star off-season signing Phil O’Callaghan turned his man well but could only direct a weak shot straight at Mandurah keeper Phil Straker.

After 27 minutes it was 2-0 and again questions needed to be asked of the Joondalup defence.

This time it was Scott Bushby who gave possession away. Darren Broxton picked out Bower on the left and the youngster strode forward before unleashing a stunning rocket-like drive that flew into the top corner, giving Banks no chance.

An error by James Hesketh let in Watt at the other end but his low drive fizzed just beyond the far post, then only a desperate goalline block by Chris Wylie prevented Joondalup going further behind.

The side from the northern suburbs finished the first period strongly with Straker forced to block a stinging angled drive from John Higgins, before making a more routine save from O’Callaghan, who then steered a wonderful chance inches wide from the edge of the area.

Joondalup started the second period in the same way they ended the first and Straker was forced to scramble the ball off the line in the opening moments after Higgins’ inswinging corner had caused all sorts of problems.

But there was nothing the Mandurah keeper could do after 51 minutes when Higgins found Collins with a short corner and he hit a scorching drive from 30 yards that nestled in the top corner.

Six minutes later it was 2-2, this time Higgins lashing in from close-range after the Dolphins had failed to clear a cross.

O’Callaghan’s frustrating evening continued when he was again off target, while at the other end, Bower’s clever ball across the face off goal was agonisingly out of reach of substitute Michael Gobridge.

Watt looked certain to put his side in front but his strike from point-blank range was somehow blocked, with Collins blazing the loose ball over from the edge of the area.

Insuralde’s superb strike from 25 yards didn’t clear Banks’ bar by much, then Bushby burst into the box but blazed over when he might have done better.

But team-mate Watt’s miss with two minutes remaining was even more glaring, the striker volleying wide of a gaping net from six yards after Higgins’ shot had deflected fortuitously into his path.

However, Watt made no mistake moments later when he was on hand at the far post to head home a deep free-kick and give Joondalup a perfect start to their campaign.

ECU assistant coach Gary Church was naturally delighted with the three points, particularly after being two goals down before half-time.

“The first half we weren’t winning anything, no second balls, nothing,” he said.

“We needed to lift our game a bit and we did that. We came out and did the job we were supposed to do in the first half.

“For the first game, the first half we were a bit slow off the mark, but I thought the second half we played very well.”

ECU JOONDALUP: 1. Andy BANKS, 2. Garin COLLINS, 3. Chris WYLIE, 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 6. John HIGGINS (12. Michael CURRIE, 88′), 7. Dale McCULLOCH, 8. Scott BUSHBY, 9. Jake BENSON-COOPER (22. Jason MARSDEN, 46′), 10. Jamie WATT, 11. Phil O’CALLAGHAN, 14. Aryn WILLIAMS

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Tom DIXON, 5. Jamie KUZMANOVICH, 13. John THORNLEY

MANDURAH CITY: 1. Phil STRAKER, 2. Ryan TOWNSEND, 3. Darren BROXTON, 4. James HESKETH (6. Darren LAWLER, 46′), 5. Daniel DYSON, 7. Alex DARBY, 8. Raffa INSURALDE, 11. Luke BOWER, 14. Tom COLLINS (Michael GOBRIDGE, 56′), 15. Adam FARRY (12. Jamie WENT, 56′), 16. Sean DASH

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Mitch HENDERSON-MILLER, 9. Marco DOS SANTOS

Report by Roger Lefort