Cockburn Take the Points at Canning

Canning City’s run of wins came to an end last Sunday at Willetton Sports Club against Cockburn City.

Before the match Cockburn were occupying 9th place in the Premier Division ladder and Canning 5th, however, on the day there didn’t seem to be a great deal separating the two teams.

Canning were without regular first team midfielder Paul Oliver and keepers Devon Spence and James Partridge, however, Cockburn was also without influential midfielder Jason Dos Santos.

The match started in blustery conditions with both teams struggling to put passes together and create scoring opportunities. It wasn’t until the 15th minute that Cockburn’s Renato Jelen broke through on the right and Canning keeper Liam McCloskey had to be quick off his line to block Jelen’s shot.

The only other scoring chance in the first half fell to Canning’s Simon Versaico who got onto the end of a Rory Mouttet free kick from a deep position but headed his attempt wide of the goal. The two teams remained deadlocked at nill all at half time.

Five minutes into the second half Cockburn took the lead after they were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position 25 metres from Canning’s goal. Renato Jelen stepped up and bent a left footed shot around Canning’s four man wall and inside Canning’s left hand goal post.

Canning levelled the scores six minutes later when a Roberto Lujan corner kick swung in and Paul Van Dongen leapt to head the ball past Cockburn keeper Nick Feely from close range.

Cockburn restored their lead in the 78th minute when Paul Natale headed the ball into the roof of Canning’s goal from short range after it was crossed in from the right.

Canning pushed for the equaliser and their last chance fell in the 87th minute when Canning’s Greg Newcombe received a short cross from Roberto Jujan but had his header blocked at the far post by Nick Feely.

The result still leaves Canning City in fifth position in the league table but lifts Cockburn City to sixth position in a congested mid table.

Earlier both Canning’s under 18’s and Reserves lost 3:1 and 2:0 respectively to their Cockburn counterparts.

Next weekend is a State Pools Cup round in which only Canning City’s under 18’s are involved and playing at Alfred Skeet Oval next Saturday.

Canning’s City first team’s next fixture is on Sunday 12th July against league leaders Perth Soccer Club at Dorean Gardens, West Perth whilst Cockburn are away at Swan United.

Match report and photography by Phil Unsworth

Lions Leave it Late to Defeat Armadale

Youngster Jaime De Abreu was the hero for Stirling Lions as his last-minute strike sealed a crucial 3-2 victory against Armadale in a Round 11 relegation battle at Macedonia Park yesterday.

De Abreu capitalised on a miss hit clearance from Armadale defender Andy Bowyer to round goal keeper Alex Pearson and fire into an empty net, much to the delight of the partisan home crowd.

The game was turned on its head in the opening five minutes when referee David Scragg issued Armadale midfielder Alan Muir his marching orders after the former Stirling man was booked twice in quick succession, first for a late tackle and then for dissent.

However, the decision didn’t seem to bother Armadale who pushed forward and almost went ahead in the eighth minute when former Perth Glory midfielder James Robinson flashed a powerful shot across goal that very nearly snuck in at the far post.

The lively Robinson was again involved in the 24th minute when his snap shot brought out the best in Stirling goal keeper Kevin Miller who did well to punch the ball away from any immediate danger.

Armadale’s dominance was rewarded in the 32nd minute when striker Kieran Tracey threaded a neat ball through to Marlon Ramirez who dinked the ball over the advancing Miller to put his team ahead against all odds.

Tracey almost made it 2-0 just four minutes later, but his vicious long-range strike smashed off the woodwork before going out of play.

Stirling was clearly on the back foot but eventually capitalised on its extra man advantage to equalise in the 38th minute when Steven Hesketh’s corner was headed back across goal by defender Daniel Stoitis and into the path of the opportunistic Jason Mirco who swept home to make it 1-1.

Armadale looked to regain its lead after the break and almost did when Tracey spotted Miller off his line but could only send his curling lob just over the bar.

The visiting side may have been a man down but was still very much in the game in the 52nd minute when a bizarre defensive blunder gifted Stirling a soft goal.

Under no real pressure, James Hesketh managed to head a bouncing ball over goal keeper Pearson and into his own net after failing to hear his teammate’s call to leave the ball.

But 12 minutes later Armadale was level after Mo Atak’s deflected strike fell into the path of Tracey who composed himself before slotting under Miller for 2-2.

Both sides enjoyed spells of possession in the dying stages but in the game’s final minute it was a team with the league’s worst defensive record that was eventually beaten by yet another defensive error.

The win sees Stirling swap places with Armadale at the bottom of the table, however neither side is anywhere near safe from the drop at the season’s halfway mark.

The other big game was at the top end of the table where Perth SC dented Western Knights’ flawless home record with a comfortable 3-1 win at Nash Field in a result that sees Perth go three points clear at the summit ahead of the Knights.

Elsewhere, Inglewood United and Mandurah City shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Clipsal Stadium while Sorrento thrashed ECU Joondalup 5-2 at the university campus.

Floreat Athena defeated Swan United 1-0 whilst Canning City went down to Cockburn City 2-3 at Burrendah Reserve on the Sunday fixture.

Match report BY Ilija Mihalj

Results State League Round 11

Football West State league Premier Division Results

Sunday 28 June 2009
Canning City 1 v 2 Cockburn City

Saturday, 27 June 2009

First Team
Stirling Lions 3(Mirco 37, OG 52, Deabreu 91,) Armadale 2(Ramirez 32, Tracey 64,); Inglewood United 2(Stamatatis 43, Osei-Tutu 79,) Mandurah City 2(Insauralde 38, O’Callaghan 76,); ECU Joondalup 2(Amphlett 1, Collins 26,) Sorrento FC 5(Harnwell 14, Montgomery 41p, Thomas 54, Cunningham 65, McDonald 76,); Western Knights 1(Marcinko 82,) Perth SC 3(Human 36, Onoforo 48, Arnold 50,);

Floreat Athena 1 v 0 Swan United

Reserves
Stirling Lions 3 Armadale 1; Inglewood United 3 Mandurah City 2; ECU Joondalup 2 Sorrento FC 1; Western Knights 3 Perth SC 3; Floreat Athena Swan United .

Under 18’s
Stirling Lions 6 Armadale 2; Inglewood United 2 Mandurah City 2; ECU Joondalup 7 Sorrento FC 0; Western Knights 4 Perth SC 3; Floreat Athena Swan United .

Division One Results – Saturday, 27 June 2009

First Team
Fremantle Spirit 0 South West Phoenix 0; Wanneroo City 1(B.McDonald 75,) Dianella White Eagles 0; Bayswater City 1(Gonzales 28,) Balcatta 2(Gacia 65, O’Neill 75,); Morley-Windmills 1(Sherwin 90p) Gosnells City 0; Queens Park 1(Tumoe 49,) Ashfield 3(Gee 12, 40, Healey 56);

Late Kickoff
Rockingham City 3 v 3 Forrestfield United

Reserves
Fremantle Spirit 0 South West Phoenix 1; Wanneroo City 3 Dianella White Eagles 2; Bayswater City 0 Balcatta 4; Morley-Windmills 1 Gosnells City 1; Queens Park 1 Ashfield 1;

Under 18’s
Fremantle Spirit 0 South West Phoenix 1; Wanneroo City 1 Dianella White Eagles 1; Bayswater City 1 Balcatta 2; Morley-Windmills 1 Gosnells City 2; Queens Park 0 Ashfield 1;

Sub De Abreu Wins It for Stirling Lions

This bottom of the table clash between Stirling Lions and Armadale had been promoted as a real 6 pointer prior to kickoff and that is exactly what was on show as both teams gave 100% plus in an exciting encounter that was only decided right at the death at Macedonia Park today.

Armadale were down to 10 men within 6 minutes as ex-Stirling midfielder, Alan Muir, received his marching orders for amassing two yellow cards. The first was for a crude challenge within minutes of the kickoff. The second for dissent.

Armadale did not let the disadvantage affect them, however, and they were looking the better of the two sides as the mobility and intelligence of striker James Robinson caused Stirling’s defence consistent problems.

In fact it was Armadale who took the lead on 32 minutes as Robinson found Tracey who slotted the ball through for Marlon Ramirez. Ramirez held off his marker to dink the ball over the oncoming body of Lions’ new keeper Kevin Miller.

Stirling were level just before the half time break and it was the first of three schoolboy errors from the Army defence which gifted Stirling an unlikely goal. A corner kick from the right taken by Lions’ captain Steve Hesketh was completely misjudged by Armadale keeper Alex Pearson. The ball was headed back across the goal to Jason Mirco who steered it home for a 1-1 scoreline.

Seven minutes into the second half the Armadale backline were to commit the second of their ‘chaplinesque’ defensive pratfalls. This time a long punt up the field by Stirling was chased down by Army defender James Hesketh under pressure from a Stirling striker. An unsighted Hesketh got to the ball first inside his own penalty area and headed it back in the direction of his keeper Pearson. Pearson, however, had decided to come for the ball much to the dismay of Hesketh who saw his header bounce into an empty net.

It would have been a brave Lions supporter who bet against an equaliser as Armadale had the wind at their backs and most of the momentum despite being down to 10 men for over an hour. It was no surprise then when Army did finally get back on level terms as a crossfield ball by Mo Atak found Tracey at the back post. Tracey was in far too much space and he had little trouble in placing the ball past the despairing dive of the oncoming Miller.

Armadale should have got the winner they deserved with 10 or so minutes to go as Tracey placed a crossfield ball onto the head of the excellent Robinson. Robinson directed his header down and wide of Miller, however, he was beaten by the upright and Stirling survived.

Lions coach Mick Lyons played his final card as the clock wound down and what a change it proved to be. Young striker, Jamie De Abreu, was introduced into the game and settled it in injury time. Once again a long punt upfield was the root of the trouble for Army. This time the ball was supplied by Ludo Boi and Armadale completely failed to deal with it. The lose ball was picked up by De Abreu who rounded Pearson and stroked the ball home with his left.

The win moved the Lions above Armadale, however, I imagine both coaches will be left wondering after the game. Brad Hassell from Armadale will be wondering how in the hell they managed to lose the game and Mick Lyons from Stirling will be wondering how to deal with the forthcoming loss of Hesketh, Evans and Boi back to the Glory youth on top of the other all too evident problems with the side at present.

Under 11 Red Manduarah City 2 – Port Kennedy 1

On a very windy rainy morning, our 11’s took on a well organised Port Kennedy, the game start brightly enough with Manduah playing against the wind, this still didn’t stop them playing good entertaining football, and enjoying the majority of position, George playing on the right of midfield created some good chances, hitting the post one occasion, the tide turned towards the end of the first half with Port Kennedy scoring a goal against the run of play, Mandurah worked hard to get themselves back in the game, Jarrod played some good balls out from the back, playing balls wide to setup attacks. The first half finished with Manduarah still a goal down.
The second half had Mandurah playing with the wind against their backs, this allowed for some long shots, with Paul playing on the right of defence took every oppurtunity to get forward and shoot, Mandurah still continued to play good football, playing out from teh back on all occasions, Lewis playing on the left of defence being aided by his new boots played some really good football combining with Andrew creating some good opportunities. Port Kennedy were unable to get back into the game and never had time on the ball, one such chance they were hassled out of position leading to an attack down Mandurah’s right hand side and Paul finished off a fine move for an equalizer for Mandurah. It was only a matter of time before Mandurah took a deserved lead, this was scored by Andrew who ran through from the half way line to score a great goal.

Another great performance from the lads, under very difficult conditions, they worked hard after going down by a goal and deserved the win.
Team: Nathan, Lewis, Taj, Jarrod, Paul, Troy, Nial, Lachlan, Charlie, George, Andrew, Regan

Joondalup Suffer 2nd Half Collapse Against Gulls

SORRENTO kept alive their hopes of competing in the FSS Finals Series with a crushing 5-2 victory over fierce northern rivals ECU Joondalup at Edith Cowan University.
The visitors twice came from behind to record just their third league win of the season.

Todd Harnwell and Stuart Montgomery cancelled out early strikes from the home side’s Tommy Amphlett and Garin Collins, before Glen Thomas, Paul Cunningham and Steve McDonald all found the target as Steve Neville’s side ran away with the game after the break.

Things could not have started better for Joondalup with Amphlett pouncing on a through-ball and coolly steering the ball beyond keeper Cyril Sharrock after just 38 seconds.
Thomas shot wide from the edge of the box in response, before Sharrock did well to parry John Higgins’ powerful angled drive behind for a corner.

But after 14 minutes it was 1-1. McDonald put Harnwell through with a clever pass and the striker kept his composure to slide the ball past Davvyd Jones from just inside the area.
Montgomery wasted a chance to put the Gulls in front when he mis-hit a shot, giving Jones a comfortable save.

At the other end, Cunningham headed Collins’ free-kick off the line, then Sharrock was forced to tip over an intended cross from Jamie Sammut that the blustery wind almost took under the bar.

However, the home side restored their lead after 26 minutes.

Again Amphlett was heavily involved, his sublime chip from 20 yards coming back off the underside of the bar, leaving Collins with a simple tap-in.

But the visitors drew level for the second time four minutes before the interval when McDonald was needlessly tugged back behind play in the penalty box. Referee Mathew Cheeseman had no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick and Montgomery had no trouble beating Jones.

Joondalup still had a chance to lead at half-time but Amphlett was thwarted by Sharrock in a one on one, before McDonald squandered two decent openings, volleying wide on both occasions.

The second half was just nine minutes old when Sorrento took the lead for the first time.

Harnwell picked out Thomas with a long diagonal ball and the Gulls skipper took one touch before slotting past Jones.

Five minutes later McDonald could have extended their advantage but he volleyed over from the edge of the box when he had more time than he perhaps realised.

But Sorrento didn’t have to wait long for their fourth. Thomas got a touch on a right-sided corner and Cunningham was first to react, heading home from point-blank range.

With 13 minutes remaining, McDonald made it 5-2. Michael Ord sent Lewis Flatt away down the right and when his low centre came across, Jones could only parry it into the path of the giant striker who gratefully rammed the ball into the empty net.

Sammut saw a low drive from 20 yards saved at the second attempt by Sharrock but by then Joondalup were well beaten.

Sorrento manager Neville was delighted to end a barren run and revealed he’d had a few words to his players during the interval.

“I had a bit of a go at them at half-time and they came out in the second half and they were magnificent,” he said.

“The boys at the back were nice and tight, we looked a lot brighter, the tempo was a lot quicker and we got good ball into the front men.

“We got the third goal at the right time.”

The Gulls boss admitted confidence had been a bit low in the camp after recent results.

“We haven’t had the best of times,” he said.

“We played Western Knights and Perth — a half against Perth we were superb and a half against Western Knights we were superb but we came away with nothing, so obviously heads were a little bit down.

“But today second half I couldn’t have asked any more and it was probably one of the best performances since I’ve been here.”

Match report by Tim Lefort courtesy of Football West

Match Details:
Joondalup 2 (Amphlett 1′, Collins 26′)
Sorrento 5 (Harnwell 13′, Montgomery 41′ pen, Thomas 54′, Cunningham 65′, McDonald 76′)
Saturday June 27, 3.00pm
Edith Cowan University
Crowd: Appx 130
Referee: Mathew Cheeseman

ECU JOONDALUP: 1. Davvyd JONES, 3. Craig CHEESEMAN (7. Aryn WILLIAMS 65′), 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 6. Ryan WILLIAMS (10. Ryan McDARBY 77′), 8. Scott BLACKMORE, 11. John HIGGINS, 12. Jamie SAMMUT, 13. Tommy AMPHLETT, 14 Garin COLLINS, 16, Dale McCULLOCH (18. Daniel ALLEN 74′), 17. Jamie WATT
SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Denis MITREVSKI, 9. Jake BENSON-COOPER,
YELLOW CARDS: Dale McCULLOCH 41, James SUMMUT 54′
RED CARDS: None

SORRENTO: GK. Cyril SHARROCK, 3. Stuart BANKS, 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 5. Michael ORD, 6. Daryl PLATTEN (Joe LAMPLOUGH 86′), 9. Todd HARNWELL, 10. Stuart MONTGOMERY, 11. Lewis FLATT, 12. Paul CUNNINGHAM, 13. Steve McDONALD, 18. Glen THOMAS
SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Todd ROSS, 14. Daniel DARRAS, 22. Billy QUINNCROFT, 28. Cameron YORKE
YELLOW CARDS: Paul CUNNINGHAM 32′
RED CARDS: None

9 Man Inglewood Thwart Mandurah City

Inglewood United produced a battling defensive performance to earn a 2-2 draw with Mandurah City in Saturday’s round 11 Football west Premier League clash at the Clipsal Stadium. It was an even better result for Alan Vest’s side, when you take into consideration they played the last fifteen minutes with only nine men.

It was a lively opening and the home side should have gone ahead in the second minute, Albert Osei-Tutu was sent clear, but he shot straight at Mandurah keeper Phil Straker, who saved well.

Then minutes later Osei-Tutu was the provider, cutting past the Jay Bonser and finding Dannie Richman, whose shot was deflected wide.

Mandurah settled and almost caught the home side napping on seven minutes. A quickly taken free kick from Bonser found Stephen Payne; his cross from the right was headed over by the unmarked Ryan Townsend.

The wind was making football extremely difficult but chances fell to both sides. On 12 minutes Rafael Insurralde shot from 18-yards flashed just wide, and six minutes later Alex Stamatiadis fed Michael Baczynski, whose low shot was saved by Straker.

Inglewood keeper Oliver Taseski then came to his sides rescue with two stunning saves. First on 22 minutes Phil O’Callaghan found Payne on the edge of the box and his shot was pushed around the post by Taseski at full stretch.

Then from the resulting corner, Inglewood failed to clear their lines and O’Callaghan’s powerful shot was blocked by the legs of the Inglewood custodian, and Shane Pryce cleared the rebound.

It was the visitor’s best period of the match and it was only a matter of time before they hit the front. It came on 38 minutes, Payne’s cross found the unmarked Insurralde who fired low past a standard Taseski.

Mandurah should have extended their lead on 43 minutes, the impressive Payne played O’Callaghan in down the right, and his cross found Insurralde, whose shot beat Taseski but Ricky Smith cleared the ball off the line.

In the final minutes of the half, and against the run of play, the home side equalised. A great through ball from Danny Kovacevic found the lively Stamatiadis, who beat Straker to the ball and fired home from six-yard.

It was a different Inglewood side after the restart, and Straker had to be alert to tip over a Jason Colli cross shot in the opening minute, and Richman’s long-range shot was off target.

But after a good start they were reduced to ten men on 62 minutes, when Baczynski and Payne tussled strongly for the ball, and the Mandurah player was left in pain on the floor. Referee Michael Tolmie had no hesitation in showing a red card to the Inglewood midfielder.

With a one man advantage Mandurah upped the tempo, and O’Callaghan was again denied by Taseski on 67 minutes, and Christian Paschkewitz fired the rebound wide.

It was all one-way traffic and Andy Brown sent Paschkewitz clear again on 73 minutes, but again Taseski was equal to the task tipping the ball around the upright. But from the resulting corner Mandurah controversially regained the lead. The in-swinging corner found Paschkewitz, who finally beat Taseski but Stamatiadis blocked the ball on the line and cleared.

The referee adjudged the Inglewood midfielder had used a hand to stop the ball and awarded a penalty and sent him off. A disgruntled Stamatiadis left the field with a big mark on his chest were the ball hit, and Inglewood Coach Alan Vest was livid. Mandurah striker O’Callaghan kept his nerve and fired Mandurah back in front from the spot.

Down to nine Inglewood re-organised, but it was Mandurah who should have extended their lead two minutes later, Taseski again saving well to deny O’Callaghan. That save was vital to the home side because sixty second later they equalised.  A great run down the right by Jason Colli and his pinpoint cross was volleyed home by Osei-Tutu from five-yards.

Mandurah pushed players forward, including central defender Townsend, but it was Taseski again who defied them on 81 minutes, superbly saving Payne’s shot from the edge of the box.

Inglewood was defending desperately, and Mandurah had many chances. O’Callaghan fired over when well placed on 84 minutes, and they thought they had won the game in the second minute of stoppage-time. Second half substitute Michael Currie’s shot looked goalbound, but somehow Taseski produced a stunning save to deny him, but the rebound fell to Insurralde who scored. But their celebrations were cut short as the flag was up for offside.

There was still time for Mandurah to win it, Brown’s super through ball sent Townsend clear, and with only Taseski to beat, the former Perth Glory defender tried to pick out Brown, who had continued his run, in the box but he should have taken the shot as his ball into the area was cleared.

A good point for Inglewood and Coach Alan Vest was delighted with his team’s spirit. “We rode our luck a little in the last ten minutes, but Oliver Taseski was excellent today, like he has been all season for us,” Vest said.

“We worked really hard today and it looked all over for us when we had two players sent off, but we stuck at it and got the rewards. We’ve been talking about Jason Colli getting on his bike and using his pace down the flanks, and it was a great run for the equaliser and a great finish from Albert,” Vest added.

For Mandurah City assistant Coach Billy Russell it was two points lost. “Yes it’s disappointing not to come away with all three points but that’s football. We flung everything at them at the end and Ollie was magnificent for them today, and in the end we didn’t get that little bit of luck we needed,” Russell said.

Inglewood United 2 (Stamatiadis 44’, Osei-Tutu 79’)

Mandurah City 2 (Insurralde 38’, O’Callaghan 75’)

Clipsal Stadium, Saturday, June 27th, 2008

HT: 1-1

Att: 150 (Approx)

Referee – Michael Tolme

Assistants – Leon Markich and Alan rush

INGLEWOOD UNITED – GK Oliver TASESKI, 2 Shane PRYCE, 3 Daniel KOVACEVIC, 6 Matt WARDLE, 7 Michael BACZYNSKI, 9 Rory GRANT (34 Kevin GRIFFITHS 71’), 12 Dannie RICHMAN (10 Lewis PARKINSON 92’), 13 Alex STAMATIADIS, 18 Jason COLLI, 19 Ricky SMITH, 20 Albert OSEI-TUTU

SUBS NOT USED – RGK Lewis ITALIANO, 26 James DUNCAN,

Yellow Cards -

Red Cards – Baczynski 62’, Stamatiadis 74’

MANDURAH CITY – GK Phil STRAKER, 2 Ryan TOWNSEND, 5 Jay BONSER, 6 Darren BROXTON, 8 Andy BROWN, 9 Christian PASCHKEWITZ (99 Michael CURRIE 76’), 10 Phil O’CALLAGHAN, 11 Chris WYLIE, 14 Craig YOUNG, 18 Rafael INSURRALDE, 24 Stephen PAYNE

SUBS NOT USED – RGK Michael GREEN, 4 Jason GODFREY, 7 Tom CULLEN, 12 Jake LORETO,

Yellow Cards – Young 30’, Brown 70’

Red Cards – Nil

Floreat Edge Out Swans

Floreat Athena ended a two game losing streak with a hard fought 1-0 win against Swan United at a rain soaked E&D Litis Stadium on Saturday evening. A Brad Scott header on 73 minutes won the game for the home side and he was delighted to score the winner. “It was unbelievable out there tonight. The wind and rain made it difficult for both sides, and I was in the right place at the right time to score. We had to fight it out til the end, and were glad to be back in the winners circle,” Scott said.

Athena made four changes to the side that lost 1-3 at home to Canning City last week, with Alex Dunn replacing Vas Vujacic in goal; Johnny Mirco replaced James Sammut, who has joined ECU Joondalup, Paul Vatistas replaced Miki Vujacic, who dropped to the bench, while Dean Apelgren returned to replace the suspended Callum Roberts

The Swans made three changes to the side that beat Stirling Lions 4-1 last week. They gave a debut to Gareth Deeg in goal as a replacement for Cory Hugo, who is overseas; Robert Monterosso replaced the injured Brendan Knox, while John Mansaray returned from suspension to replace Million Butshiire, who dropped to the bench.

The wind was howling as play got underway, and the first chance fell to the home side on three minutes, Mirco run and shot drifted wide of the target.

Swans had the wind at their backs in the first half and from Paul Dugdale’s curling free kick five minutes later, Damian Scali rose unchallenged in the box, but his header was well saved by Dunn. From the resulting corner, David Perich crossed to Aaron Cole, who headed wide.

Then on 27 minutes Dunn came to the home sides rescue again holding on to a fierce Dugdale shot, which bounced awkwardly in front of him.

It was a scrappy game, although the conditions made it difficult for both sides, but the home side pressed and went close twice in as many minutes. First on 33 minutes Jason Barrera drifted past three Swans defenders, but his shot was saved low by Deeg, and moments later the Swans custodian did even better, palming away a John Migas powerful shot.

Not to be outdone the Swans went close themselves on 37 minutes. Again it was a perfectly weighted free kick from Dugdale that found the unmarked Scali, his header was saved well by Dunn and Thomas Shepheard fired over the rebound.

Floreat suffered a blow on 42 minutes when midfielder Vatistas left the field with a broken nose and he was replaced by Miki Vujacic, but at the break it was 0-0.

The rain and wind didn’t abate after the break; neither did the chances, as both sides pressed. First Swans Brendan Craig’s run and cross was headed wide by Shepheard in the opening minute and six minute later Barrera found Scott on the edge of the box, but the Floreat striker’s shot was saved low by Deeg.

Shane Webb was causing the Floreat defence problems down the right, and on the hour he was sent clear by Shepheard’s through ball, but the teenager delayed his shot and it allowed Apelgren to get in a timely tackle.

The home side then forced three consecutive corners, and from the third on 63 minutes they scored the winner. Miki Vujacic’s in-swinging corner from the left was headed home by Scott from close-range.

There was almost a quick response from the visitors, Webb’s cross from the right found Scali, whose header crashed off the crossbar, and Mansaray’s follow up shot struck Apelgren, and the Swans players appealed in vain to referee Joe Fusari for handball, who waved away their protests.

Swans brought on Butshiire moments later, and the young striker was soon in the action. He found Perich, whose stinging low drive was well saved by Dunn at his far post. Floreat’s new recruit Mirco then went close, but his shot from 20-yards drifted wide.

With the game opening up, there were chances at both ends. First on 76 minutes Scali sent Butshiire down the right, he tried to find Mansaray in the penalty area, which was deflected wide, when a shot would have been better.

From Dugdale’s resulting corner, the ball dropped to Perich on the edge of the box, his low shot was cleared off the line by Apelgren.

It was a hectic last five minutes, Mirco headed wide from a Miki Vujacic free kick for the hosts, while Butshiire’s long-range shot whistled inches past the post, but it was Floreat that ran out winners.

Floreat Coach Michael Roki was happy with the win. “It was tough conditions out there tonight, and it wasn’t one of the prettiest of games. Our defence was good tonight, and Alex Dunn made a couple of important saves for us. We had to fight hard to get the points tonight, and were pleased to get them,” Roki said.

Swans Coach Paul Lincoln was happy the way his team battled. “I thought we deserved something from the game tonight. The conditions were tough and we didn’t have much luck, but that’s football,” Lincoln said.

Report by Peter Simcox

Floreat Athena 1 (Scott 63’)

Swan United 0

E&D Litis Stadium, Saturday, June 27th, 2008

HT: 0-0

Att: 200 (Approx)

Referee – Joe Fusari

Assistants – Ton Klaver and Michal Jasinski

FLOREAT ATHENA: GK Alex DUNN, 13 John MIGAS, 16 Jovo PAVLOVIC, 12 Branimir MIKULIC, 4 Josip MAGDIC, 9 Daniel NEIDERBERGER (14 David FOSTER 64’), 5 Johnny MIRCO, 10 Jason BARRERA, 18 Brad SCOTT, 15 Paul VATISTAS (6 Miki VUJACIC 41’)

SUBS NOT USED: 3 James ISAIA

SWAN UNITED: GK Gareth DEEG, 3 Paul DUGDALE, 4 Robert MONTEROSSO (11 Million BUTSHIIRE 66’), 7 John MANSARAY, 8 David PERICH, 9 Shane WEBB, 10 Thomas SHEPHEARD, 13 David MCNALLY, 14 Brendan CRAIG,19 Aaron COLE, 20 Damian SCALI

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Alex SUTTON, 2 Dom ANDO, 5 Rory HOLLINGUM, 12 Andy ALVERAZ

Yellow Card – Perich 58’

Sammut joins ECU Joondalup

Perth Glory Youth midfielder James Sammut has joined ECU Joondalup from fellow Premier League side Floreat Athena. The former Inglewood United youngster thought long and hard about the move, but is happy now the transfer is complete. “It was a tough decision to leave Floreat, but I think it was one that needed to be made. Floreat were good to me while I was there but I wasn’t really getting the opportunities that I feet I needed.

“ECU Joondalup gave me a call last week and Michael Roki and I had a long chat Tuesday night after training and put everything in perspective, and we both agreed that the move would be the best for my football development, “Sammut said.

ECU Coach Syd Amphlett is delighted to have signed the talented midfielder. “James is a great signing for the club. He is young player that fits our criteria as we strive to build a side capable of challenging the top four on a consistent basis. He has loads of stamina, is a confident player and wants to play football,” Amphlett said.

Not being able to hold down a starting spot at the E&D Litis Stadium side was difficult for Sammut but he did enjoy his time there. “I enjoyed my time at Floreat, but yes it was frustrating at times, not really getting a regular start and not getting a chance to play in the centre of the park which is my preferred position, but I’ve moved on now and I’m looing forward to my time at ECU,” Sammut added..

Floreat Athena Coach Michael Roki wished Sammut the best. “Both James and the club were agreeable that he would have more opportunity to develop by getting maximum game time, something which he has not been able to get completely at Floreat with a number of experienced players holding key positions.

“It has been hard to give James the roles he needs and hopefully the move is one that he will from immensely. James has a great attitude and tremendous potential and will be missed by the club,” Roki said.

The youngster is still involved with Glory youth trials for 2009 and he hopes to get another contract with the club. “The trials are still going and I’m not sure at the moment what is going to happen, but I’m still down there training hard and hopefully get another contract. First I’m looking forward to getting some first team football under my belt at ECU and helping them climb the table, and what ever else happens is a bonus,” Sammut said.

United stun league leaders Shamrock

Football West Loans Cafe Amateur Premier League leaders Shamrock Rovers were the visitors to the Arena, as United had their first home fixture for a number of weeks. In a re arranged league fixture due to State Cup commitments and with an 8.30pm kick off on a wet and windy night it was only the brave who were luckily to present to witness a game that ebbed and flowed all night.

Shamrock set the early tempo as the Arena Joondalup team struggled to deal with the pace and sharpness of the boys in green and white, but gradually they came into the game and the first 20 mins were pretty even though the clearer chances fell the way of the visitors. When central midfielder James Green picked up his second bookable offence and was dismissed from the field, this appeared to inspire Arena Boys and they completely dominated the game and began tearing to pieces the one paced Shamrock Rovers backline.

New signing 18-year-old Josh Rolls was on fire and just after the mid way mark of the half following a free flowing move, it was Rolls belying his tender years who outsmarted a hesitant defence before drilling the ball past the hapless Rovers custodian and within five minutes a carbon copy of the first goal followed yet again expertly finished by the youngster. The last five minutes of the half saw two half chances spurned by the home team who by this stage even down to 10 men were well on top.

The start of the second half was a completely different story a rejuvenated Shamrock team found themselves level within seven minutes. The first goal a moment of hesitation by the Arena Keeper left the onrushing forward with a simple finish worse was to follow when the otherwise outstanding Arena defence allowed a Shamrock to wriggle free before firing home amid mass celebrations from the Shamrock players and faithful.

Just as it seemed Arena Joondalup would buckle under enormous pressure similar to the recent Stirling Panthers game, the boys in blue found another gear and came back into the game only to receive a real kick in the teeth when Shamrock snatched the lead on 70 minutes with a clinical finish from the edge of the area.

In recent weeks that would of been that but yet again the Arena team came again and the veteran midfielder Gary Andrews having his best game in an Arena Joondalup United shirt, strode onto a square ball from Steve Trowbridge and with his left foot (what else!) buried the ball from an acute angle to bring the scores level at 3-3 with only minutes to go and send the Arena bench and supporters wild with delight. It was with much relief that the ref brought an end to the spectacle just after 10.10pm.

United Coach Nick Jennings was delighted with his side’s performance. “I was very proud of the effort put in by the boys tonight; we got the ball down and did the simple things well. Going down to 10 men appeared to inspire us, the message finally appears to be getting home that if you work hard and believe in it you get your rewards,” Jennings Said.

“We have to move on and focus on Sunday’s game away at Hamersley Rovers, which is a massive six point game as we strive to climb away from the bottom of the table. I’ve told the boys as good as the performance was tonight, it counts for nothing if we don’t follow it up and get a result on Sunday,” Jennings added.

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