Ballajura 2– 1 Fremantle United

Ballajura AFC secured their first three points of the season with a smash and grab away win against fancied Fremantle United on Sunday. The squad welcomed back three players in Michael Hoy, Steven Mammoliti and Michael Etheridge after the resignation of Eddie Sinclair midweek. New caretaker coach Niall Martin took up the reigns in his first stint on the sidelines.

Ballajura looked lively in the first half and looked the most likely to break their winless streak but failed to capitalise on George Davidsons presence. It seemed as things were going the same way as they usually do as Ballajura conceded towards the end of the second half when a United ball was whipped in and deceived everyone except Alex Best, who managed to get a hand to it but the United winger was left unmarked at the back post. Tempers flared just before the break with an altercation between a Ballajura striker and United midfielder.

The second half saw United pressing and looking to seal the three points and it nearly almost happened when a towering header hit the corner of the upright, bounced along the line, only for the ball to come back out and be cleared. Ballajura's tall centreback Brendan Divilly stole the ball from the top of the Reds' box and went on a surging run through the middle. Divilly hit the ball out wide to Damien Fouracre who hit a long range cross which found Davidson at the back post and he managed to sneak the ball just inside the post. Cody Bolton was then given his marching orders soon after which forced Ballajura to sit back and defend. With less than five mintues to go before full time, a Ballajura counter attack found the ball at the feet of the dangerous Fouracre on the left, who shimmied the ball onto his right and hit a perfectly timed cross to Davidson on the back post. Davidson controlled the ball and hit it past the keeper who managed to get a touch on it, but the ball trickled over the line which sent the travelling away Red's fans into ecstasy. Ballajura held on for their first three points of the season.

Ballajura Line-up: A. Best, M. Hoy, B. Divily, M. Etheridge , A. Bagini (Tommy 75'), A. Tharby (G. Brady 70'), C. Rogers, D. Fouracre , G. Davidson, C. Bolton, S. Mammoliti

Goals:

G. Davidson 65', 85'

Ballajura Reserves 2-4 Fremantle United Reserves

Ballajura Reserves continue to improve but are still struggling for their first points of the season after a 4-2 loss at Fremantle United on Sunday. Kyle Hutchinson was inspirational despite the defeat with a series of great saves that kept Ballajura in the game during the first half.

Ballajura went down early on in the first half but equalised in the 25th minute when a long range pass sent Paul Le running in on goal only for the striker to dink a clever pass in front for Gavin Brady who calmly chipped the ball over the oncoming keeper.

Ballajura went 2-1 up when another long range ball found the chest of Bradywho neatly flicked the ball on for his strike partner Paul Le and he placed the ball with aplomb. Fremantle equalised just before half time after confusion in the box and the ball fell to the United striker who snuck the ball on the inside post.

The second half went downhill for Ballajura as they went down to 10 men and Fremantle continued to apply pressure yet were unable to find the net until the 65th minute with a good low drive into the bottom corner. Minutes later, a strike from an acute angle on the right sealed the three points for Fremantle.

Ballajura Line-up: K. Hutchinson, J. Earley, B.Vincent, M. Gordon, A. Dennis, B. Hasler (C. Peverley 70'), A. Trutwein, T., A. Vincent, P. Le, G. Brady(B. Stuart 60')

Goals:

25 ' Gavin
35 ' P. Le