Division 1 Round 11 Preview

This week’s games mark the half way stage of the season with leaders Wanneroo City facing another difficult task as they face a bruised and battered Dianella White Eagles still smarting from last week’s loss to Bayswater. The Roos are at home once again which should give them a slight edge but the White Eagles will have a point to prove.

Match of the round must be the ‘Italian derby’ between Balcatta and Bayswater at Balcatta. Both sides face a must win match here to keep pace with the Roos.

Preview

Fremantle Spirit 0 v 1 South West Phoenix

By all accounts the Phoenix are suffering once more from the familiar travel bug and this week’s fixture up at Fremantle is no easier for them.

Last week’s loss to cellar dwellers Ashfield will have brough the ‘Nix back down to earth after their barnstorming home win against leaders Wanneroo and Micky Cairns’ side will be pulling out all stops to make up some ground on the leaders.

Fremantle had just that chance last week at Kingsway Reserve, however, a lack of firepower saw them unable to fashion more than a chance or two against a resolute Wanneroo.

We suspect that this week might see the Spirit’s hope for immediate promotion suffer a mortal blow against a rebounding Phoenix.

Wanneroo City 1 v 0 Dianella White Eagles

The Roos keep dredging out hard fought wins against their challengers and that has kept them at the top of the pile. This week they face the inconsistent White Eagles but they must do this without key striker Brian Cairney who received a straight red in last week’s game against Fremantle.

The Roos have added ex Perth keeper, Gareth Deeg, to their lineup and his experience and leadership might just be the key factor that keeps them in the lead as the season progresses.

Dianella need this one badly and that might be sufficient to spur on Peter Drca’s men to an unlikely victory but it will be a big ask. It’s just the right stage for Greeny to make his mark with a goal or two (or is he pasta it ?).

Bayswater City 2 v 2 Balcatta

Bayswater have put themselves back in the mix after last week’s superb smash and grab at Dianella. The squad showed that they can eke out a win in trying conditions and such fighting qualities will be required in big measure this week as they face an even bigger task away at the home of their ancestral cousins, Balcatta.

The Cats have quietly gone about their business putting together a lossless run that stretches back to round 4 and amassing 16 points in the process.

Last week’s win over the Vindmills has likely ended the dutchies’ season and a similar result against Bayswater would likely condemn them to another season of First Division football.

So everything to play for in this mouth watering fraternal derby.

Morley Windmills 2 v 1 Gosnells City

Last week we talked about Gosnells being safe in comfortable mid table obscurity with the opportunity to plan for season 2010.

Well now it looks like the Vindmills have joined them in that category.

Nine points is a lot to make up on the leaders, especially as there are so many other clubs in the top half just waiting for the Roos to slip up as well.

Morley should have sufficient quality to shade this one although we expect that there will be more grit than excellence on show at Wotton Reserve this Saturday.

Queens Park 1 v 2 Ashfield

What a result for Ashfield last weekend as ‘form team’ South West Phoenix came crashing down against pointless Ashy.

Last week’s result has put the cat amongst the pigeons (isn’t the cat amongst the leaders ?) in the relegation battle with Queens Park needing a win here in order to not be cast adrift .

Ashfield will have their tails up and will be looking to put some distance between the two clubs tablewise. A close encounter which could go either way.

Rockingham City 1 v 3 Forrestfield United

Forry keep on edging up the table whilst the disappointing Rockingham City stay right where they are – potentially dragged into the relegation battle at the bottom of the table.

The youth policy at Forrestfield seems to be paying some dividends and the side is going from strength to strength. A win here and a slip up by the sides above them could even see them up into second place and within touching distance of the league leader’s spot.

Rockingham seem to lurch from crisis to crisis with their big move to superb new facilities at Lark Hill still unable to translate to success on the park in the season proper.