North Beach was unable to close the gap to Peel United, losing 4-2 to South Perth United on Sunday.
There were five more goals scored this time out, with the reverse fixture season opener being a close 1-0 win for North Beach.
It looked like it was going to be a good day for the Beach, with the opening goal coming within the first minute after Kitson Catalfamo unleashed a lethal strike from outside the box.
Soon after, Benny Reynolds could have made it 2-0 but was unable to get the ball over the keeper who had gone walkies.
After this flurry of chances, the game settled into a back and forth rhythm with both teams not capitalising on good opportunities.
Beach was forced to make a substitute early on when David Kelliher pulled up lame with a hamstring issue. He was replaced by Logan Cross.
The stalemate broke in the 30th minute as South Perth pulled one back, and then went 2-1 ahead within another 10 minutes.
Being down at half-time was nothing new for Beach, and there was definitely an opportunity to pull off another comeback.
However, the afternoon proved to be frustrating, with Beach having one of those days where nothing seemed to go right.
About 25 minutes into the second half South Perth scored another, and then again about 10 minutes later.
Reynolds scored a consolation goal (his 11th league goal) with about five minutes left, but it just was not to be for Beach.
Team news:
Line-up: Hughes, Lundie, Wearing, Dean, Kelliher, Judge, K. Parker, de Lima, Catalfamo, Reynolds, Paynter
Subs: Cross, Arnez, Richings, Etheridge, Di Carlo
A few changes to the squad were made, with Ross Westwood and Luke Aitken sidelined with injuries and Jacob Felstead absent. In came Ross Lundie and Jacob de Lima who started for his debut. Kaimon Parker returned to the starting lineup and completed the rotation.
Captain Di Carlo returned to the team, fit enough for the bench. Clayton Arnez and Alec Etheridge also back on the team sheet.
Around the grounds:
Men’s
SPU 1-3 NB Reserves
NB 3’s 4-1 CAFCP Lions (Metro Nth Div 3)
NB 4’s 11-1 Ellenbrook United (Metro Nth Div 5)
NB Masters – Noranda City (Nth Div 2)
NB O45’s 5-2 Subiaco (North A)
NB O45’s 3-6 Olympic Kingsway (North C)
Women’s
Sorrento – NB 1’s (Metro Nth Div 1)
NB 2’s 5-1 UWA (Metro Nth Div 3)