Rockingham City upsets title favourite

Rockingham City continued their winning streak with an exciting 3-2 victory over one of the premiership favourites, Wanneroo, at Lark Hill Sportsplex last Saturday.

In front of a big crowd and in perfect conditions, it was Rockingham who set the tempo with Roy Hissey and Ryan Kennedy.

It was the in-form Kennedy who opened the scoring with another outstanding strike from 20 metres, leaving the Wanneroo goalkeeper stranded.

New signing Christian Hogge went close from distance, as did Alex Grayson as the home side went in search of a second goal.

The second goal soon arrived with Gersh Rowland's shot from distance coming off the post, but teenager Shane Boyle was quickest to react and smashed the ball home from close range.

It was all one-way traffic and Grayson had the crowd on their feet again but his shot hit the side netting and, soon after, Boyle found himself through with only the keeper to beat but his effort was well saved

Wanneroo then started to come into the game and sloppy play from Rowland allowed Scott Campbell time to slip the ball through to the Wanneroo forward, who made no mistake from close range. This rattled Rockingham who started to defend deeper and look far less assured.

A long ball forward caught Rockingham napping and with Wanneroo forward John Monterossa through on goal he was fouled and a penalty given, Monterossa stepped up and made no mistake to complete a remarkable comeback.

With the game locked at 2-2 and both sides wanting the win, the second half was a tight affair with both defences on top.

Rockingham went close when Kennedy's shot from distance just flew wide and Grayson was agonisingly close to taking the ball round the Wanneroo keeper but he saved bravely at Grayson's feet.

The introduction of Papa Kpatar and Rothwell gave Rockingham a spark - Rothwell came close but his header went just over.

With the game drawing to a close and the points looking like they would be shared, Rockingham launched another attack.

A run by Kpatar took him past two defenders - his pass into Grayson was in turn slipped to Darren Lawler, who calmly slotted high past the Wanneroo keeper to give Rockingham the win.

Rockingham play Forrestfield United at Hartfield Park this weekend, with both sides locked on the same points at the top of the table.