A hat-trick on debut and one point separating three teams

Jawad Rezai produced a dream debut for Olympic Kingsway, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-1 rout of Armadale as the NPL WA title race tightened further.

Rezai opened the scoring after just nine minutes and completed his treble late from the penalty spot, while Rob Harker, Joe Hobson and Jonathon Leithead were also on target in Round 17 over the weekend.

Afghanistan international Rezai was only unveiled by Kingsway during the week, having previously played for Marconi Stallions in NPL NSW and Hume City, Preston Lions and Altona Magic in NPL VIC.

Kingsway - who also signed former Australia international goalkeeper Mark Birighitti last week - moved within one point of the summit ahead of their catch-up clash with Perth RedStar.

League leaders Bayswater City were held to a 1-1 draw by Fremantle City in a preview of this season's State Cup final. Cameron Teece equalised after Nick Ambrogio's first-half penalty to leave the reigning champions above RedStar only on goal difference.

RedStar moved level on points with Bayswater after edging Stirling Macedonia 1-0 through a Kade Fearnall own goal, while fourth-placed Perth Azzurri lost ground after a 2-2 draw with Dianella White Eagles despite another double from in-form Pieter Jacobsz.

At the other end of the table, Balcatta Etna breathed life into their survival fight with a crucial 3-1 win over Perth Glory. New signing Teppai Iida scored twice before Darius Ghinea sealed the victory in stoppage time, moving Balcatta within four points of safety.

Elsewhere, Western Knights snapped a six-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over Sorrento FC thanks to goals from Santi Flores and Daniel Walsh.