Spineless Dianella knocked out of cup by Shamrock Rovers.

A full strength Shamrock Rovers fired up by Coach Glynn Shaw registered a comprehensive 3-0 cup win against his former club Dianella White Eagles who were under strength missing their spine. With key defenders Goran Radinovic & Pavle Kuvekalovic both out injured and midfield playmaker Adam Galvin also out with a season ending injury plus striker Stefan Smiljanic suspended it was always going to be an uphill task for the eagles in an FA cup style environment.

But all credit to Shamrock who played with a defensive 4-5-1 formation frustrating Dianella in the first half into changing from its initial 4-4-2 formation.  Dianella started off brightly enough early on and despite the best efforts of Captain Dragan Njegic in the 3^rd min breaking through only to shoot wide from 18 yards out, then Rodrigo Aguirre in the 15^th min whose resulting free kick courtesy of another foul on Njegic failed to find the target were held scoreless in the 1^st half. Wes Ryder also went close in the 18^th min after working hard to win the ball but his powerful shot was deflected just wide by the determined Shamrock defence. Shamrocks #11 also went close to scoring shortly afterwards but shot just wide so despite both sides having had their chances to score neither managed to get on the score sheet in the first half.  

Dianella’s frustrated coach Petar Drča decided to throw caution to the wind and in what turned out to be the turning point of the game substituted central defender Laze Taneski for striker Dragan Malankovic as he changed to a new 3-4-3 formation for the start of the 2^nd half. The former Fremantle Spirit striker signed midweek along with Kevin Carmona to strengthen the squad given the clubs recent spate of injuries both failed to have the desired impact on the game as Shamrock dominated in the 2^nd half running Dianella rugged. Shamrock could have scored 5 on the day if it was not for 2 outstanding saves from young up & coming keeper Mathew Battigelli who may well be on his way to play in the US college system in the coming weeks as a result of his good form and interest being shown.

Shamrock were gifted a contentious penalty in the 51^st minute which Brooks converted despite the best efforts of Battigelli who along with Dianella’s Wes Ryder was the only other player to touch a ball in the net but Ryder’s effort was disallowed for an infringement.  

In the 2^nd half it was all Shamrock as Mulligan gave them a 2-0 lead in the 55^{th min}  but it was the composed and skilful Brooks who played a commanding role in the Shamrock midfield who deservedly got his second in the 65^th as the game ended 3-0 for Shamrock to progress to round 2 of the cup. Shamrocks Peter Crouch style striker who was all class like his name sake but failed to do the robot dance which the crowd will no doubt be looking out for in future games !!

In the only other game as Shamrock do not field an under 18s team so Dianella U18s advanced to R2 with a bye the only bright light on an otherwise dull day for Dianella was the Dianella Reserves who are nicely blended with a mixture of youth & experience recorded a 1-0 win against Shamrock courtesy of a bullet type header from Captain Cvete Ristoski from an equally bullet like corner fired in by club stalwart Dragan Radojevic.

Dianella drowned their sorrows in the gallons of Guinness and the extra half a carcass as a result of Shamrock celebrating their win with their major sponsor ‘The Mighty Quinn’.

Dianella coach Petar Drča will be hoping to regroup his players for the long road trip down to Bunbury for their round 1 league clash but this will be a big ask of the depleted player group away to South West Phoenix despite them only just managing to beat Olympic Kingsway 3-2 in the cup thanks to an own goal in the 85^th min.

Inglewood Progress In Soccer Pools Cup

Report by James Wragg courtesy Football West

Inglewood United advanced to the second round of the Soccer Pools Cup on Saturday afternoon in unimpressive fashion, defeating a spirited UWA amateur side 2-1.

The game was played in front of vocal support for both teams at Clipsal Stadium but was a match littered with mistakes and certainly won’t go down as a classic.

UWA played very well to push the Premier Division team to extra time only to be beaten by substitute Alex Cocking’s 112 minute strike.

Inglewood opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through a Louis Parkinson header but their lead lasted no more than a minute as Diego Garcia levelled for the visitors with a neat finish.

They were the only real highlights of a lacklustre first half which saw both teams struggle to break each other down with Inglewood carelessly giving away possession.

Chances were very few and far between again in the second half and the match limped into extra time.
Cramp set in for many players and UWA went down to 10 men when Arapis was carried off with what appeared to be severe cramp or a thigh injury early in the second period and no substitute left to replace him.

The winning goal then came seven minutes into the second period of extra time when substitute Cocking combined well with Rory Grant and side footed the ball into the bottom right hand corner for an underserved victory.

United coach Lee Bamber was relieved to get the victory but was very unimpressed with his side’s performance.

“We didn’t play well at all today in any aspect of the game,” he said.

“We need to raise our intensity and tempo before our next match and there most certainly will be changes to the team.”

On the other hand, UWA coach Andy Dickinson was very happy with his side’s performance, despite the agonizing loss.

“While it is disappointing to lose, we knew when the draw came out we were in for a tough match. A lot of people had written us off before kickoff as it’s only our third competitive match together as a team but I was very happy with the performance and all my players today,” he said.

Inglewood must now focus ahead of their Premier Division opener against Sorrento at home next weekend and will look to put in a much stronger performance than that shown today.

MATCH DETAILS: Inglewood United 2 (Parkinson 23’, Cocking 112’) UWA 1 (Garcia 24’)
Saturday March 28, 3.00pm Clipsal Stadium Referee: Troy Miller

INGLEWOOD UNITED: GK O TASESKI, 2. S PRYCE, 3. D KOVACEVIC, 8. J MITSOPOULUS, 9. R GRANT, 11. K GRIFFITHS, 12. D RICHMAN (26. J DUNCAN 69’), 13. A STAMATIADIS, 18. J COLLI, 16. A PICKER (5. S LONCAR 83’), 10 L PARKINSON (28. A COCKING 57’)
SUBS NOT USED: RGK L ITALIANO, 4. M MIRANUDO
YELLOW CARDS: A PICKER 81’
RED CARDS: None

UWA: GK. T SCOTT, 3. M ARAPIS, 17. A MAHONEY, 6. R SHEPPARD, 12. G BRIGGS (4. D BESON 67’), 2. G MURPHY, 11. J QUINN, 5. D GARCIA (9. C RINGROSE 83’), 14. M D’ASCANIO (10. C HARVEY 45’), 8. S BEDWARD, 16. HAYMAN.
SUBS NOT USED: 7. P PAGE, 15. M LEE
YELLOW CARDS: M ARAPIS 51’, D GARCIA 61’ G MURPHY 116’
RED CARDS: None

Bright Start for New Look ECU Joondalup

Report by Chris Leitch courtesy Football West

ECU Joondalup started the season proper on a positive note with an efficient 2-0 win over Cockburn City in the Soccer Pools Cup today.

A superb curled corner by John Higgins after 12 minutes set up the win and Tommy Amphlett’s effort in the 62nd minute crowned it.

ECU coach Syd Amphlett said he was most pleased with the way the players kept to his game plan.
“Garin Collins came in and did a job in centre midfield, which is not where I want to play him but I thought he played the role absolutely fantastic,” he said.

Cockburn skipper John Mirco was disappointed but confident they would regroup before next week’s match against Swan United.

“We were very disappointing, especially in the first half (with) our effort and endeavour,” he said.
“There were not any really bad performances but no one really stood up for us today, we need more from everyone.”

Cockburn went on the attack from the kickoff, forcing a corner in the first minute and second not long after.

But ECU’s defence held steady to repel the attacks and gave Cockburn’s attackers little room to move, a theme repeated throughout the afternoon.

ECU then pushed forward and forced two corners themselves in quick succession, with the second resulting in the first goal

Higgins’ kick curled beautifully around to the far post and somehow got past defenders and attackers and squeezed in near the bottom corner.

From there, ECU’s control on the game grew and they always looked the more dangerous team on the attack, particularly at set pieces.

The home side could have easily been up a second goal but skipper Ian McMurray’s header thundered into the upright and bounced clear.

When Cockburn did push into ECU’s half, defensive pressure and tight marking forced strikers to take speculative shots from long range.

Davvyd Jones made some good saves but was rarely tested thanks to the work of his defenders and midfielders dropping back.

Both sides were fired up after half-time, which led to some strong collisions and heated exchanges between players.

Referee Steve Gregory issued three yellow cards within five minutes in an effort to keep control of the game.

But it didn’t quell the Knights influence on the game and Amphlett’s goal, when he broke clear of his defender and slotted the ball past Dejan Aleksic, put the match out of Cockburn’s reach.

Match Details: ECU Joondalup 2 (Higgins 12’, Amphlett 62’) Cockburn City 0 Saturday March 28,

3.00pm ECU Joondalup Crowd: Approx 300 Referee: Steve Gregory

ECU JOONDALUP: GK. Davvyd JONES, 2. Josh RISDON, 3. John WALMSLEY, 7. Garin COLLINS, 8. Scott BLACKMORE, 9. Ian McMURRAY, 10. Ryan McDARBY (6.Ryan WILLIAMS 60’), 11. John HIGGINS, 12. Lewis HALL, 13. Tommy AMPHLETT, 14. Martin ASHWORTH. SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Alex PEARSON, 4. Scott BUSHBY, 15. Max POPE

YELLOW CARDS: Scott BLACKMORE 50’, Ryan WILLIAMS 55’ RED CARDS: None.

COCKBURN CITY: GK. Dejan ALEKSIC, 3. Paul NATALE, 4. Ryan PRETORIUS, 5. Devon GIBSON, 7. Aaron DOS SANTOS, 8. Lleweyn BAKE (20. Dusan MACURA 43’, 9.Josh FINDLATER, 11. John MIRCO, 12. Jamie DE ABREU, 14. Adam SURJAN, 15. Cameron EDWARDS. SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Jason OLBYRNE, 10. Renato JELEN, 17. Michael MIRCO, 19. Paul UNDERWOOD.

YELLOW CARDS: Aaron DOS SANTOS 50’ Adam SURJAN 69’ RED CARDS: None.

Soccer Pools Cup Results

Sunday March 28

Stirling Lions 2 (Feely 23’, Hesketh 69’)
Wanneroo City 1 (Cairney 64’)

Hamersley Rovers 0
Armadale 5 (Goodwin 17’, Thornley 1’, 21’, 70’, Bissett83’)

Saturday March 28

Floreat Athena 4 (Mikulic 57’, OG 84’, Foster 84’, 89’)
Swan United 1 (Paone 46’)

ECU Joondalup 2 (Higgins 12’, Amphlett 62’)
Cockburn City 0

Inglewood United 2 (Parkinson 23’, Cocking 112’)
UWA 1 (Garcia 24’)

Joondalup United 0
Fremantle Spirit 2 (51’, 80)

South West Phoenix 3 (Murphy 3’, 80’, OG 85’)
Olympic Kingsway2 (Cook 61’ 82’)

Western Knights 10 (Campbell 32’, 39’, 41’, 54’, Devlin 60’, 75’, 90’, Micevski 80’, Marcinko 84’, OG 34’)
Rockingham City 0

Sorrento FC 5 (Montgomery 27’, Thomas 45’, 66’, Harnwell 48’, McDonald 70’)
Murdoch Univesity 1 (King40’)

Canning City 3(Oliver 14’, 48’, Partridge 55’)
Mandurah City 1 (Townsend 83’)

Dianella White Eagles 0
Shamrock Rovers 3 (Brooks 51’ PEN, 65’ Mulligan 55’)

Fremantle United 0
Perth SC 1 (Howarth 31’)

Spearwood Dalmatinac (2)
Queens Park (2)  Spearwood won 3-1 on Pens

Forrestfield United 0
Gosnells City 1(Claxton 90’)

Ashfield 0
Morley-Windmills 2 (Brydon 50’, 87’)

Bayswater City 0
Balcatta 3 (Piromalli 8’, Rosendale 44’, Korkovski 73’)

Stirling Lions Topple Tenacious Roos In Cup

The Stirling Lions kicked off their Soccer Pools Cup campaign with a tight 2-1 victory over a tenacious Wanneroo City side at Macedonia Park on Sunday. The win came courtesy of a Rory Feely opportunist goal in the first half and a classical curling free kick from defender Steven Hesketh midway through the second half to send the Lions through to the 2nd round of the Cup.

In perfect playing conditions on a lush green playing surface and with a good breeze at their backs, the Stirling boys launched an assault on the Wanneroo City goal with Alan Muir combing well with Dean Evans resulting in Evans unleashing a 25 metre bomb bringing out a spectacular acrobatic finger tip save from 18 year old keeper Daniel Holgate in the 5th minute. The Lions were in an attacking mood as an Evans corner was headed dangerously at goal but was well taken by Holgate once again.

The next clear cut chance came in the 15th minute when Evans laid off a perfect through ball to Jason Mirco whose volley at goal was brilliantly reflex saved by young Holgate. At this early stage in the game Holgate was proving a thorn in the Lions hopes of victory. Mirco was again in the thick of it when he went on a searching run down the right flank at cut in at goal and smashed a long range effort at goal with his shot going inches wide of the target in the 17th minute.

The Lions took a well deserved lead in the 25th minute when Perth Glory midfielder Marc Anthony scorched a shot at goal from 30 metres that Holgate could only parry into the path of ever alert striker Rory Feely who tapped in the rebound for the Lions opening goal. Stirling went on to control the half with a number of chances being squandered by the dominant midfield of Evans, Anthony, Muir and Ludo Boi.

The second half opened in the same fashion with the Lions pressing for their second goal with Muir’s shot deflecting just over the bar for a corner in the 50th minute. Wanneroo were not to be denied when they launched a counter attack with Guy McDonald sending Brian Cairney through with Cairney’s shot on goal calling on Lions keeper Dino Pacella to punch the ball to safety in the 52nd minute. The Roos equalized when another fast break on goal led to lone striker Cairney out foxing the Lions defence and squeezing his shot in from a tight angle in the 57th minute.

The Stirling side responded in cavalier fashion as they went searching for the winner bringing on fresh legs courtesy of substitutes Keith Clevenger and Jake Geddes. Clevenger was fouled just outside the box in the 63rd minute and defender Steven Hesketh stepped up to take the kick with his sweetly timed shot rocketing into the roof of the net and sending the Lions fans into raptures.

To their credit the Roos would not lie down and had a number of good chances to square the ledger late in the game but it was not to be as the experience of the Premier league Lions shone through and helped them progress to the 2nd round of the Soccer Pools Cup.

Lions’ Coach Michael Lyons was pleased the result. “We ground out a result today; we had the ball for 90% of the first half and only converted one. The new pitch made the ball travel slowly which caused us problems in the final third but we’re delighted to be in the next round,” Lyons said.

Stirling’s Reserves scraped through to the next round with a 5-3 win after penalty shoot out, scores were tied 2-2 with 18 year old Remo Venditti netting a brace for the Lions while last years Under 18’s Cup finalists Stirling went down 2-0 to a determined and clinical Wanneroo City side.

Next Sunday the Stirling Lions kick off their home and away season against Mandurah City at home at Macedonia Park on Sunday at 3pm.

Foster Returns To Haunt The Swans

A brace from former Swan striker David Foster saw Floreat Athena from behind to beat Swan United 4-1 in Saturday’s Soccer Pools Cup tie at the E&D Litis Stadium.

It was an even opening in front of a small crowd and early chances were few and far between but it was the visitors who had the first opportunity on 13 minutes. A mistake from Floreat defender Simon Elton-Bott let Steven Guest in down the left; his dangerous cross was cleared behind. From the resulting corner Damian Scali’s shot beat Vas Vujacic, but Kovacevic cleared the ball off the line.

The big defender had Floreat’s first opportunity on 22 minutes, but his long-range free kick was straight at Chris Ramsey, who saved easily.

With the game opening up both sides went close, first Scali’s speculative snap shot from 25-yards on 32 minutes, had Vas Vujacic scrambling across his goal, but it drifted inches past the post.

Then two minutes later Kovacevic’s ball found Mikulic in the box, he turned Aaron Cole and his fierce shot crashed off the crossbar and was cleared by Dom Ando.

Vas Vujacic then came to Floreat’s rescue on 36 minutes; Costas Socratous found Webb down the right and the youngsters cross found Scali, whose first time shot was well saved by the Floreat custodian.

It was the home side that ended the half the better, first after a goal mouth scramble on 40 minutes; Foster’s shot from eight-yards was saved low by Ramsey. The former Swans striker was the provider just before half time, playing a one-two with Kovacevic, but as the defender stormed into the box Robert Monterosso’s superbly timed tackle cleared the danger.

It was a perfect start to the second half for the Swans and they were ahead one minute in. Monterosso’s long throw was cleared to David Paone 25-yards out. The midfielder brought the ball under control and drilled a superb shot past Vas Vujacic and into the top corner of the net.

Floreat were struggling to break down a stubborn Swans side, which were breaking on the counter-attack. A quick throw from keeper Ramsey found Scali, who sent Webb clear down the right. The youngster’s through ball found Brendan Knox who was clear, but his shot from the edge of the box was well over the top.

The home side hit back, but they needed a little bit of luck to level on 58 minutes. A cross from the left by Jarred Smith, caused problems and Ramsey came for the ball but seemed to lose it in the sun and the ball bounced up and Mikulic made no mistake with a close-range header.

It was just what Floreat needed and they began to dominate, former Swans midfielder Miki Vujacic’s long-range free kick was saved low by Ramsey. The Swans were defending desperately and John Migas’ shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide by Cole on 68 minutes, and moments later the Floreat captain skipped past three Swans but Cole again was across to clear the danger.

Against the run of play the Swans almost regained the lead. A mistake from keeper Vas Vujacic on 74 minutes, his clearance went straight to Scali 25-yards out. With the keeper stranded on the edge of his box, the veteran striker, with the goal at his mercy, lobbed the ball well wide of the target.

Floreat continued to dominate and after good work on the right by Miki Vujacic, his cross was only inches away from Brad Scott in the box. The Swans then blocked shots from Jason Barerra, Foster and Mikulic as the pressure began to mount on the overworked Swans defence.

That pressure finally paid for Floreat and they were ahead on 82 minutes. Miki Vujacic’s curling free kick on the right was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Costas Socratous.

It was 3-1 two minutes later, a long clearance from Migas sent Foster clear, and the striker held of Da Re and finished clinically past Ramsey.

The icing was put on the cake in stoppage-time, Miki Vujacic’s cross found Foster who fired low past Ramsey from eight-yards to make it 4-1.

Canning City Too Clinical for Mandurah

Canning City got their season proper off to a convincing start yesterday with a comfortable win over Mandurah City in the Soccer Pools Cup at Burrendah.

Mandurah started much the stronger of the two sides and it took Canning 5 minutes before they were able to break from their own half.

Mandurah’s early domination was just a smokescreen, however, and they were cruelly exposed on 12 minutes as striker Duanne Hepburn burst through a square defence only to have Phil Straker save at his feet. The ball bounced free and in the scuffle Mandurah conceded a penalty.

Paul Oliver gave Straker no chance as he sent the Mandurah the wrong way for a surprise 1-0 lead.

Mandurah placed a freekick from just outside the Canning penalty over the crossbar on 16 minutes, however, Canning were comfortably controlling last season’s golden boot winner Phil O’Callaghan who struggled to get any quality service at all.

Canning could have extended their lead on 20 minutes as Michael Rogers was gifted a free header in the Mandurah penalty area from a corner. Rogers had only milliseconds to direct his header and it passed just over the crossbar.

On 37 minutes Mandurah City defender, Jay Bonser, went close with a flicked header at the near post from a Michael Currie corner on the right, however, it was Canning who could have made it two on the stroke of half time as they were denied by a superb save from Straker.

Mandurah City no doubt received the ‘hair-dryer’ treatment at half time from coach Stuart Currie though it was to no avail as Canning midfielder, Paul Oliver, put his side further ahead on 48 minutes with a magnificent strike from a free kick that must have been all of 30 metres from the Mandurah goal.

On 55 minutes the game was over as a contest as Canning striker, Charlie Partridge, made it 3-0 when he slammed home a lose ball in the penalty area after Mandurah had failed to clear their lines following a Canning corner kick.

Canning had a number of other chances as Mandurah’s square defence failed to deal with the size and pace of Hepburn up front and, but for poor finishing, Mandurah could have been on the end of a real hiding.

Mandurah striker O’Callaghan had a great chance to pull his side back into the contest on 64 minutes as he got his head onto the end of a cross from Chris Wylie, however, the chance went agonisingly wide of the Canning goal.

Mandurah did get a consolation goal with 6 minutes left to play as captain, Ryan Townsend, powered home at the far post to put a little spice back into the last 5 minutes.

Mandurah pressed to get closer but a lack of creativity and invention meant that they were always unlikely to score a second.

Man of the Match: Paul Oliver. A tremendous free kick that will go down as one of the goals of the season and a well taken penalty that put Canning on their way.

Canning City Verdict: Canning have taken a leaf out of the ‘Swan book of staying in the Premier League’ and marked out a very narrow pitch. Like Swan they will frustrate teams at home and will secure vital points. Canning seem to have the firepower to get goals as well and this will be important as the season progresses. Unless they are dogged by injuries and suspensions or implode at some point they have the quality to survive this season.

Mandurah City Verdict: Mandurah used the pace and movement of striker O’Callaghan last season to perfection by placing accurate early balls down the channels. The two times we have watched them this season they have lumped long balls down the centre. Message to Mandurah – this tactic does not work !!!

The back four lacks pace and was caught square far too often and the midfield lacked creativity. Andy Brown and Jeff Bright were sorely missed and the good news for Mandurah is that Bright’s knee injury is less severe than originally believed and he is already running and kicking a ball.

The return of both players cannot come soon enough for coach Stuart Currie as, on this performance, they face a relegation battle.

Officials Verdict: A good performance from the referee although the referee’s assistant on my side may have been too quick with his flag once or twice in the second half denying Canning another couple of good opportunities.

Canning coach Frank Longstaff received his marching orders when 3-0 up. Rush of blood Frank ?

Moan of the Match: It was reported that Canning striker Hepburn refused to shake the hand of Mandurah’s captain Ryan Townsend after the game. To the club’s credit, Canning officials remonstrated with Hepburn regarding his lack of sportsmanship. Grow up son !!!

Birmingham Spit Dummy Over Reported Glory Phillips Interest

English League Championship club Birmingham City chairman David Gold has denied that the club have officially been approached by Perth Glory over star striker Kevin Phillips.

An official statement released by Birmingham City, currently in second place in the Championship behind local rival Wolves, confirmed that there has been no official approach with regards to leading goalscorer Phillips, who penned a two-year deal only last summer.

The statement read: “Birmingham City FC can confirm that they have received no approach from any club regarding Kevin Phillips, and that they would not welcome any.

“In light of recent comments made by the manager of Perth Glory in today’s press in respect of our player, who he acknowledges is under contract, we will be asking the FA to put a representation to FIFA on the club’s behalf in respect of Australian club Perth Glory and their recent press claims over Kevin Phillips.

“The club will be asking FIFA to look for a potential breach of FIFA Article 17.5 and possibly Article 18.3 in respect of Perth Glory’s recent claims which clearly states that a club should not act in a manner designed to induce a breach of contract between a professional and a club to facilitate a transfer.

“And that a club should also inform the player’s current club in writing before entering into negotiations with a player, and a club is only able to do so providing the player’s contract with his current club is due to expire in six months.”

Perth Glory have today issued a press statement responding to Gold and Birmingham City stating that Perth Glory Football Club have not made any approach to former England striker Kevin Phillips and acknowledges and respects his contractual status with Birmingham City Football Club.

Glory Head Coach Dave Mitchell has expressed the club’s desire, on numerous occasions, to bring high calibre players to Perth and while Phillips fits that mould no approach has been made to the player.

“We regret any misunderstanding in this matter and can categorically say that Perth Glory has not made any contact with Kevin Phillips,” Mitchell said.

“Kevin is obviously a wonderful player and the kind of top class professional we’d like at our club however he is contracted to Birmingham and we completely respect that fact.

“We are working to attract the best players we can to our club and certainly that will only be done in accordance with FIFA guidelines and we are disappointed about claims otherwise,” Mitchell said.

Perth Glory will make official contact with Birmingham City today to ensure that any misunderstanding is clarified and to reiterate that the club will not be making any approaches to their player.

Earlier this week Glory coach David Mitchell had been reported to have commented on Glory’s interest in Phillips. “That’s not a rumour, that’s a fact. He’s under contract but I have made some enquiries about him and he’s a good player.” Mitchell was reported to have confirmed.

“He’s old but he’s very quick still, quick and darty. He has kept himself fit and he’s a fit person and he’s scoring goals in the Championship regularly for Birmingham, so if we get him, he’d be a great asset.” Added Mitchell.

Phillips returned to the blues lineup last week following injury as he came of the bench for City’s draw at home to Norwich.

Birmingham face a must win encounter at home against Wolves on Monday week as the finish line for the title comes into view. A win for City will place them within two points of the black country club whilst a loss will all but hand Wolves the title.

In recent news earlier this week Perth Glory confirmed that Wolves will be coming to Perth for a pre-season camp prior to the commencement of next season which will include a hit out against the Glory.

Football loses a gentleman as David Woodfin passes away

The football community in Western Australia lost a gentleman on Sunday, after long serving Queens Park President David Woodfin passed away suddenly.

Woodfin gave his life to our game and his loss will leave a big hole in the football community in our state. He was also, along with his wife Beryl, the lifeblood of the Queens Park club to such an extent that the club’s pavilion was named in his honour.

He worked tirelessly in many ways for the game in WA including five years (1987-1992) as a board member of the Soccer Federation of WA and Soccer West Coast. He has hosted and organised annual coaching clinics for juniors from all over the metropolitan area and well as schools competitions.

He was awarded the Sportsman of the Year title in 1986 by PASSA (now WAASSA). The Sports Federation of WA honoured him 1988 with the award of Sports Administrator of the Year and the City of Canning named him their Citizen of the Year in 1992. He was inducted in to the Hall of Recognition in 2002, for his services to the game.

From everyone at clubs_footballwa.com.au we pass on our condolences to Beryl and the family.

RIP David – you will be sadly missed!!!!!!

Glory keen on Blues striker

Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell has confirmed the club is aiming to secure former England striker Kevin Phillips for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.

Speaking exclusively to Sportal, Mitchell said he was preparing to meet with either Phillips or his agent during an upcoming trip to the United Kingdom, the coach saying the Birmingham City striker would be an enormous acquisition for the club.

“That’s not a rumour, that’s a fact,” declared Mitchell when asked about UK reports 35-year-old Phillips was being targeted to replace departed Perth Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya, who transferred to Dutch Eredivisie club FC Twente at the end of last season.

“He’s under contract but I have made some inquiries about him and he’s a good player. He’s old but he’s very quick still, quick and darty.

“He was in the army, kept himself fit and he’s a fit person and he’s scoring goals in the Championship regularly for Birmingham, so if we get him, he’d be a great asset.”

Mitchell said he would be seeing Phillips in action when Birmingham played city rival Wolverhampton during April.

Phillips made a name for himself at Sunderland between 1997 and 2003, becoming known as ‘Super Kev’ to Black Cats fans after scoring 209 goals from 115 appearances in both the League First Division and Premiership.

In his first season at the Stadium of Light in 1997-98, Phillips scored 35 goals, becoming the first Sunderland player to achieve the feat since World War II, as the club just missed out on promotion to the Premiership.

In his next season, Phillips missed almost four months due to a toe injury, but still managed 23 goals from 25 League games as the Black Cats won promotion to the top flight.

Although predicted to struggle in the Premiership, Phillips confounded the pundits by firing home 30 Premiership goals during 1999-2000, winning the EPL and Europe’s Golden Boot award for that season.

Phillips, though, couldn’t maintain that lofty standard and since Sunderland’s relegation in 2002-03, he has played for Southampton and Aston Villa in the Premier League before dropping back to the Championship to help West Bromwich Albion get promoted at the end of last season.

He currently has another year to run on his Birmingham City contract and Mitchell is hopeful of bringing him to Perth, despite the striker having scored 13 goals from 30 matches with the Blues so far this season.

If he was to play for the Glory, Phillips would be the second high-profile English striker confirmed to play in the Hyundai A-League after the North Queensland Fury signed former Liverpool and Manchester City hitman Robbie Fowler earlier in the year for the club’s inaugural season.

Mitchell said he made a push for Phillips after his attempts to woo South African striker Glen Salmon from Supersport United were unsuccessful.

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