WA to host 2009 Australian Schools Sport Football Nationals

The 2009 Australian Schools Sports 19 Years and Under Football Championships are being held at Lark Hill, the home of first division side Rockingham City. The tournament for boys and girls will be held over six days, and a School Sport Australia team will be selected at the conclusion of the Championships to tour the United Kingdom from 16 January to 7 February 2010

It’s been a hectic time for Coach Damon Atthowe, with a number of his original squad being unavailable for the tournament that starts on Sunday (2^nd August), but he is very happy with the squad and is looking forward to the tournament. “The squad looks very good, however there are several issues we are facing in particular the issue of clubs expecting and demanding that the boys play this Saturday when the tournament starts on Sunday,” said Atthowe.

This is a disappointing situation for the players selected and I’m sure common sense will prevail, and with WA hosting the tournament it would be a shame if these players, who are representing their state, were not given the backing of their clubs. But Atthowe has seen the problem in the lead up to the tournament. “We’ve already had issues with player’s availability to train due to midweek games for their clubs and other issues, which hasn’t helped the build up for us.

“To make matters worse we’ve had to replace three players this week for a combination of reasons, and we’ve had to change four players from the original squad we named two months ago,” added Atthowe.

The WA boy’s side will be captained by Cockburn City youngster Devon Gibson, and both girls and boys sides will be hoping to win the tournament on home soil and gain selection in the Australian School squads. Last season Ryan Pretorius won that honour and toured the UK, he hopes to get another opportunity this season. “The Tour was great, real good experience to play against some great footballers in the UK. The highlights was playing against England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland school boys teams, some of which players are playing professional football,” said Pretorius

The WA Coach believes Pretorius is a vital member of his squad, but there are a number for the fans to watch over the six day’s. “Ryan is definitely a chance for the Aussie squad again but he is not the only one the selectors will be looking at.

“Our preparation has obviously been less than normal and to make so many changes so late will have an effect on our first couple of games until everybody settles in, still those boys coming in will have a point to prove and the others have all got strong characters and will respond to the challenge. We have NSW first up they are the traditional powerhouse of the competition and how we fare against them will go a long way to determining our final position,” explained Atthowe.

The Boys squad is as follows

Todd Ross, Tom Dixon, Max Clarke, David Nairn, Alen Galic, Josh Pugh, Jermaine Lewis, Jamie Street, Tim Robertson, Mitchell Crocker, Ryan Pretorius, Luke Randazzo, Devon Gibson, Josh Pereira, Liam Boland, Gerado Soto

Coach – Damon Atthowe, Manager - Tony Campbell

The Girls Squad is as follows -

Hollie Farrell, Corrin Walmsley, Annique Keisler, Emma Ylias, Joanne Randazzo, Sadie Lawrence, Rebecca Davies, Jamie-Lee Gale, Jaymee Gibbons, Morgan Cox, Ebony Drane, Rachael Smith, Kathryn Riley, Lindsey Kenyon, Emily Murray, Kristy Teschinsky

Coach: Tony Carvajal, Manager: Karen Bauer

Fixtures

Sunday

9.30 Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremony

10.30 QLD v ACT (B) NSW v WA (G)

12.15 NSW v WA (B) VIC v NT (G)

2.00 VIC v SA (B) QLD v ACT (G)

Monday

2.00 ACT v NT (G) SA v QLD (B)

3.45 VIC v SA (G) ACT v NSW (B)

5.00 QLD v WA (G)

6.45 WA v VIC (B)

Tuesday

9.00 QLD v NT (G) ACT v SA (G)

10.45 QLD v WA (B) SA v ACT (B)

12.30 NSW v VIC (B)

2.15 NSW v VIC (G) NT v SA (G)

Wednesday

9.30 NT v WA (G) QLD v SA (G) ACT v NSW (G)

Thursday

9.00 NT v NSW (G) WA v ACT (G) QLD v VIC (G)

10.45 NSW v SA (B)

12.30 VIC v QLD (B) ACT v WA (B)

2.15 SA v NSW (G) WA v VIC (G)

Friday

9.00 QLD v NSW (G) VIC v ACT (G) WA v SA (B)

10.45 SA v WA (G) QLD v NSW (B) VIC v ACT (B)

12.45 Closing Ceremony Closing Ceremony

Canning City skipper notches up 200 games

In their first season in the Premier League, Canning City have surprised a number of sides in 2009, and a player who has been at the forefront of their campaign has been midfielder Paul van Dongen. The captain of the Willetton Sporting Complex club will clock up another milestone on Saturday when he leads out his team against Mandurah. This will be his 200th game for the first team, and President Malcolm Watson is delighted in the achievement. “Paul played in our very first State League game in 2001 and has been part of the foundations on which the club has built its successful climb into the Premier League.

“He is a quality footballer who has shown a loyalty and passion for the club he has played at since he was in juniors. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow from a precocious teenager and achieve his ambition of playing Premier League football with the club that he loves. We look forward to his 300th game for the club, said Watson”.

For the midfielder he isn’t thinking of his milestone it’s the win he’s more concerned about. “It’s a big game against Mandurah City on Saturday, not just for the 200 games but the three points that will get us back up the table,” Van Dongen said.

In 2001 van Dongen played his first game for the club and he has been asked many times over the past week the team he played but the midfielder say’s he can’t remember. “I’ve been asked that question all week and I can’t really remember the club I played against, but I do remember I played right wing, which is a little different to these days. It’s nearly nine years ago now, but the club have been great to me and to re-pay them with promotion to the Premier League is something I will never forget,” explained von Dongen.

The chance to play with the big boy’s in WA football was something van Dongen wanted for Canning and this season he has shown he is a Premier League player. “Last season was great, and to get promotion was something we had strived for a while. The club have been great to me and to play Premier League football with them was something I want to achieve, and to win promotion without losing a game was pretty fulfilling for me,” said van Dongen.

Canning Coach Frank Longstaff believes the loyalty to the club shown by van Dongen is a credit to him. “Playing 200 games is a fantastic achievement and Paul as club captain now leads by example while he is not a major talker on the pitch his work rate inspires the players around him,” said Longstaff.

“I am sure if we look around other clubs we would find it hard to find someone as loyal as Paul as I know he has plenty of offers to leave the club but his loyalty to Canning is unwavering.”

Higgins back to his best

Back-to-back wins for ECU Joondalup has moved the club away from the drop zone, and a huge part of their turn around has been the return to form of John Higgins. The 23-year-old struggled at the start of the season with fitness and form but after a talk to new coach Syd Amphlett, the left sided midfielder has been outstanding. “I had a real slow start to the season, with a few issues and I struggled with fitness. I actually got frustrated, but had a chat with the gaffer and really worked on my fitness. I’m feeling in top condition now and I hope we can get on and have a good second half of the season,” said Higgins.

The turn around at the club is something Higgins was sure would happen but it took a win against the league leaders to finally snap a long losing streak. “I think in the last couple of weeks we have realised that if we work hard as a team the result will sought its self out. Technically its one of the best ECU sides, yet we were just short of confidence and a bit of belief. It was really tough getting out of the losing way but the win against Perth was huge and hopefully has sparked us back into winnings habits,” explained Higgins.

The loss of Scott Bushby was a blow for ECU, but Higgins believes James Sammut has picked up the slack in the middle of the park. “Scott was a big loss, he scored a lot of goals from midfield, but James has found he’s feet in the middle of the park and is a quality player. He’s got a huge engine and very comfortable on the ball, I think he has a big future in the game. I think the second half of the season Dale McCulloch and James will form a real strong partnership and will be hard for a lot of teams to break down,” added Higgins.

With Amphlett moving from club President to head Coach this season Higgins believes his partnership with Gary Church has been excellent. “Both Syd and Gaz both live and breathe ECU; I think we just had a bit of bad luck for a few games. We are a real close team and the relationship between the players and the staff is top draw. I think now with a few wins we can be a force,” said Higgins.

ECU Coach Syd Amphlett has been delighted with Higgins’ form over recent weeks. “John has been in fantastic form recently. He has turned down several offers of going elsewhere and hopefully is happy at ECU for a few years to come. He is a fitness fanatic and usually runs to training.

“John is great to work with and now having his younger brother in the first team squad (Andy is with Glory Youth) has meant he has had to up his game,” said Amphlett.

The club have unearthed some talented teenagers this season and the clubs youth development has been evident, with a number of players stepping up to play first team football, and Higgins believes there are more to come. “The young lads at the club are brilliant. Young Ryan Williams has the quickest feet I think I have ever seen in my life. He has a huge future in the game, James Summut is another who I think has a lot of potential to play at a higher level, and I still can’t believe Tommy Amphlett is playing at this level, he would be a great asset to an A league club. Our under 18’s this year are unbelievable too, I think if they aren’t snapped up overseas then the future looks bright for club for years to come,” said Higgins.

A defender with a cultured left foot, Higgins tried his luck overseas as a youngster and trailed with the Perth Glory, but he’s happy playing at ECU now. “I was at Birmingham City on a three-year scholarship. I was 15 at the time and the English lifestyle and being away from everyone back here got to me a bit. It was a choice I made to move back here, the experience was good but tough and the English game is very hard to adjust too. It’s a hard step for the young lads to travel across and to perform at there best at a new club,” said Higgins.

“I trained with the Glory a few seasons ago, and at one point I thought a contract might be on the cards, but I don’t know much of the details, and the club was going threw a change in staff and committee. But I’m just enjoying playing at ECU at the moment, the lads are great and I’m enjoying my football,” added Higgins.

Higgins who has represented the state at all levels has had many coaches passing on their wisdom, and he also believes it has been some of the players that have given him the best advice. “There have been a few coaches who have definitely had a huge impact on my football when I was younger, Mike Lyons, John Brown and Micky Quaile to name a few, but I also think the players around me have had a massive impact. When I first broke into the 1st team at ECU, players like Andy Brown, Dale McCulloch and Richie Watson were all really influential and helped me on the pitch and off it,” explained Higgins.

Football West add new board members

Football West has continued their re-structure, and have appointed three new board members.

The Honourable Bob Kucera, Mr Joe Claudio and Ms Anna Liscia have accepted positions as Directors of the Company and will serve terms until the 2010 financial year Annual General Meeting.

“The three new Directors will all provide valuable experience in their related fields in servicing the 33,000 registered football players in Western Australia” said Mr Kevin Campbell AM, Chairman of Football West.

“We are entering an exciting period of growth for our great game and we are confident that we are now well placed with the expertise to maximize our potential and drive the game forward to even greater heights”.

Mr Kucera is a decorated former police officer of over 30 years, and served as the Assistant Commissioner for the WA Police from 1996 until 2001 when he was elected to the State Government with the Australian Labor Party. In his time with the State Government, he served as a Minister for a number of portfolios including Sport and Recreation between 2003 and 2005. Mr Kucera retired from Parliament after a distinguished career in September 2008.

The former assistant commissioner of police and WA health minister told the West Australian football correspondent Jonathan Cook he believes the code is set to claim its rightful place on the local scene.

“Football has traditionally lagged behind the other major sports and the time is right to lift it up to the elite level where it is recognised in every other part of the world,” said Kucera.

He has been given the task of helping the code establish a central administrative and training base, and with Football West crammed into accommodation at Gibbney Reserve in Maylands, while Glory, who do not have their own training base, have inadequate office space at the rebranded ME Bank Stadium, formerly Members Equity Stadium and Perth Oval.

“The important thing is to create a brief that we can present to all levels of Government – to the corporate world and to the supporters of football generally,” said Kucera.

He was excited by the commitment to the game of Glory owner Tony Sage, and also praised the club’s founding co-owner Nick Tana.

“It’s always amazed me that we have never really established the game here in the way it should be,” he said.

“WA is traditionally very introvert when it comes to sports and we tend to look inward. We have just got to broaden our view a bit and I think soccer’s ideally positioned. “The appointment of Kucera, Joe Claudio and Anna Liscia, who will all serve until the 2010 annual general meeting, has increased to nine the Football West board.

Mr Claudio was a former Chairman of the Perth Kangaroos Soccer Club which participated in the 2004 season of the Singapore based S-League, holds life membership with the Western Australian Amateur and Social Soccer Association (WAASSA) and is the Chairman of the Disciplinary & Grievance Committee for Football West. Mr Claudio is currently Managing Director of GLWB Pty Ltd.

Ms Liscia is an experienced legal expert and member of the Legal Practice Board of WA, having served as Chair since 2007, and is the Principal of Liscia & Tavelli Legal Consultants Pty Ltd, a company Ms Liscia formed in 1993.

Pool Fun

During the mid season break some of the girls attended a pool session which will no doubt help with endurance and was meant to keep training at a consistent level. Thanks to all who attended which was mainly div 5 players with a few of the team members available on the the night.

There will be at least one more event like this and this attendence is appreciated.

Div 5 will no doubt have benefited and they will need to be at their best when the league resumes and Gwelup visit Centenary Park on 02 Aug.

Remember that we are top of the table and will need to protect that lead if we want to win Div 5. So well done on the first half of season 09 and now to get on with the second half.

A rumour has it that FW will be organising an end of year presentation for all league winners in a gala event somehwere in Perth in Oct – would you like to get your trophy at this event?

Another rumour circulating is that there might be a top four cup as well!

Mid Season Break

At the mid way break of  season 09 Suburbs Div 6 found that they were playing home and away fixtures as normal due to a twelve team league.

The first part of the break was the 12th July round eleven and Div 6 had to travel to Perth Royals. In what was an unusally warm morning Suburbs were woken up to a very competant Perth Royals and were fed a 5 – 1 beakfast to think about.

Without excuses the game could have gone Suburbs way if early chances were taken. As it is in this game if you take your chances you will be punished and Royls proved that they were prepared to take the opportunities that went their way.

But the Sunburbs team are tough and will not be so wasteful when the reverse fixture is played at Centenary Park on the 27th Sept.

In round 12 at Centenary against UWA  Suburbs Div 6 were far from asleep and made up for the week before by giving their opponents a 8-1 drubbing and keeping themselves in the top half of the table and looking forward to the rest of the season with confidence.

Round 13 was away to Armadale and Suburbs found themselves up against a team that has slowly climbed to the top of the table with some gritty performances over recent weeks. The game was moved from Alfred Skeet to Morgan Park due to flooding and this might have affected Suburbs who found themselves in  a hard match which could have gone either way. But unfortunately the girls went down 2-1 and will ponder if coach Ritchie ’s influence might have spurred them on a little harder.

All is good and they will look forward to round14 when they take on Melville and with a welcome back to coach Ritchie Apolo on the sideline things can only get better.

On the 26th July was also the SMS Cup round four and the Suburbs A team were up against one of the slickest teams in WA. We were proud to host the Northern Redbacks from the womens premier division. This team was built up over a number of years with patience and are the curent champions from 08 as well as Top  4 Cup winners. Add the fact that they have a host of Glory players as well as state and former state players.

Well it turned out to be a lesson for Suburbs A and as hard as they tried they were taught a football lesson with a very sound 13-1 defeat that knocked us out of the cup. The ‘A’ girls who played will have learnt a footballing lesson and will gain experience which will take them to higher ranks in the near future.Without going into to many details of the game it was an event were a good div 2 team was doing its best on limited experience against a team that were holding all cards for a convincing win. The ‘A’ team is made up of players who are playing together for their first season and can only get better from playing teams such as NRedbacks.

Coach Zane was not dissappointed,  when the draw was made the reality was that it would be the end of a wonderful cup journey in which we were the only Divsion two team left in the cup. And as a team that is ‘new’ we are proud to go down to a team that would be favourites to win this cup.

Now its time to get back to grind of the home and away season and take on Mandurah at Centenary at 3pm on the 2nd Aug. Confidence is always high and the target will be to keep the pressure on UWA who hold us from top spot by 1 point.

Rockingham C vs Mandurah C

Location – Lark Hill

The morning was crisp and cold and after a break over the holidays, the boys were keen to play.  Mandurah C dominated and van Dieken scored in first few minutes.  Some great passes by Baty, led to goals for Manning and van Dieken.  The attacks dominated the half, as Rockingham C struggled to get the ball into their attack.  To their credit their defence worked hard all game and never gave up.  Van Dieken, Manning and Baty dominated up front and attacked with vengeance.  The Rockingham goal keeper was under pressure the whole half.
On the occasions that Rockingham broke into Mandurah’s half our defence (Richardson, Strugess and Mereno) ensured that Rockingham didn’t convert in the first half.  Richardson did some brilliant passes, two notably led to goals by van Dieken and Manning.  The half time score was Mandurah 10 – Rockingham 0.
The second half, Mereno and Sturgess moved to attack, with van Dieken and Nie.  In the first minute, a great cross from Mereno resulted in van Dieken scoring.  This followed with some great passing from Sturgess, van Dieken to Mereno who converted.  Sturgess kicked a great goal.  The Rockingham goal keeper pulled off numerous saves and was pushed every moment.  A great moment from the half came from a set piece.  Van Dieken found the net with header from a Richardson free kick.   Nie worked hard in attack and had many near misses but failed to convert.
Although the score was Mandurah C 19 – Rockingham C 0, it was a great match.  Well done to Rockingham who have improved and always tried.  They were great sportspeople and a credit to them.
Our goal scorers – van Dieken 11, Manning 2, Mereno 1, Sturgess 4, Baty 1

Lions Preview New Faces Against ECU Joondalup

Division 1 Round 15 Preview

Balcatta face the unpredictable Dianella this week and we are banking on the White Eagles to take a bit of the sharpness from the Cats claws.

The Roos are away at Queens Park as Ronnie More tries to patch over the cannon ball holes that Baysie blasted in his defence last weekend.

Talking of Baysie, they have a tough challenge against Rockingham to overcome to keep their late promotion challenge alive.

Preview

Fremantle Spirit 1 v 1 Gosnells City

Two clubs that should be looking to focus on season 2010 from here on in.

Gossie to continue to improve and to take a point against the Spirit.

South West Phoenix 2 v 1 Forrestfield United

The Phoenix had a break last week due to the Glory game in Bunbury whilst Balcatta took another step towards promotion.

Gut feel says that it is too late for the ‘Nix to mount a serious challenge for the Div 1 championship now and a loss here would underline that in red ink.

Forrestfield face a similar challenge but few ever return with any points from the long trip south.

Wanneroo City 4 v 1 Queens Park

The Roos are still in with a shout of top place and they will not give up easily.

Queens Park shipped 9 against Baysie last week so they must be better this week. Surely!!!

Bayswater City 3 v 1 Rockingham City

Baysie have started their run. New coach, new attitude. Too good for Rocky here.

Morley Windmills 2 v 2 Ashfield

Does anyone really give a shit (sorry Tom) ?

Balcatta 2 v 2 Dianella White Eagles

The surprise of the round.

Dianella will be looking to show that they are a much better side than their league position suggests.

Balcatta will be getting a bit nervous as the finish line is starting to appear over the horizon.

A case of the yips for the Premiers in waiting this week!!!

Premier League Round 15 Preview

Our favourite for game of the round this week is surprisingly at Macedonia Park, the home of the Stirling Lions, as they try and catch up with the teams above them to avoid the dreaded drop into Div 1. Syd Amphlett’s in form Joondalup are the visitors and they will provide a stern challenge for Lyons’ lions – been dying to use that one all season .

In other games second takes on third on Sunday as the Knights visit Floreat whilst Armadale and Swan get the chance to put more daylight between themselves and the dreaded trapdoor.

Previews

Inglewood United v Perth SC – Referee – Michael Nugus

League leaders Perth SC travel’s to the Clipsal Stadium to take on Inglewood United (3pm). Inglewood has lost their last two games and has dropped back into the pack. The home will hope for a simular result to last season when won 4-2, but Perth does have a good record at the Clipsal Stadium, and last season was their only lose in their last five visits. Alan Vest will be without the suspended Mladen Kovacevic for the game, but he will look to Rory Grant to re-find his goalscoring touch, while keeper Oliver Taseski, who is hot favourite for ‘goalkeeper of the year’, Shane Pryce and Danny Kovacevic will need to be on their toes against a strong Perth side.

Perth has a long list of injuries with Matt Danskin (hamstring), Giovanni Human (Knee) and Simon Madaschi (Thumb) will all miss the clash. Antonio Naglieri should return after starting on the bench last week, while Ian McMurray has trained this week and well hopefully return after injury.

Canning City v Mandurah City – Referee – David Scragg

Mandurah City make their first visit in the Premier League to the Willetton Sporting complex to take on Canning City (3pm). Both sides lost last week and a victory is needed to keep in touch with the top five. Canning coach Frank Longstaff was happy with last week’s performance despite the loss. “I thought we deserved something from the game but credit to Armadale they caught us cold straight after we equalised. “Mandurah beat us 2-0 last time out but one thing for sure both sides will be up for a tough game and hopefully we can get our passing game going which in turn should provide us with enough chances to win the game,” said Longstaff.

In team news Michael Rogers and Steve Maguire have both returned to the UK, Jonathon Mathers is suspended, while there is injury clouds hanging over Paul Oliver and Duncan Hind. New signing Diego Garcia comes into the squad and could make his debut.

Mandurah have only lost once on the road this season and with keeper Phil Straker and midfielder Rafael Insurralde in good form they will fancy there chances of continuing that record. But they will have to do it this week without suspended trio Andy Brown, Stephen Payne and Jay Bonsor.

Stirling Lions v ECU Joondalup – Referee – Mat Cheeseman

Its must win game for Stirling Lions when they entertain ECU Joondalup at Macedonia Park on Saturday (3pm)

There is a six point gap to the nearest club for the Lions and they need to start picking up the points to close it. They have a good record against ECU at home and they have won the last four meetings, included a 3-1 victory last season. The Lions will have three new faces in their squad for the game, strikers Phil O’Callaghan and Anthony Fearon and midfielder Matt Allen, who joined in midweek..

ECU have won the last two games to kick start their season and defender John Higgins believes the win against Perth was the turn around. “The last couple of weeks we have realised that if we work hard as a team the result will sought its self out. We were just short of confidence and a bit of belief, and it was really tough getting out of the losing way but the win against Perth was huge and hopefully it has sparked us back into winnings habits,” said Higgins.

The visitors will be without former Lions midfielder Steve Porter due to suspension, but with Tommy Amphlett Dale McCulloch and James Sammut in good form they will look to return north with the points.

In other games Floreat Athena v Western Knights – Referee – Steve Gregory

Only six points separate the two sides and it’s a game both clubs will be looking forward too. For Knights midfielder Daniel Micevski, he hopes they can continue on with the good form they showed against Stirling Lions last week. “It was a very solid performance against the Lions, and we reacted really well after the loss to Perth, scoring 11 and conceding only one in four matches.

“Sunday is a big game for both sides, a win for Floreat I think is vital if they are to challenge for top spot and a win for us will put us in a fantastic position. We’re all focused on the game and were definitely looking forward to the match,” Micevski said

The Knights will be without the suspended defender Stuart Ferguson for the big game, but with David Annall and Okwy Diamondstar in good form they will fancy their chances of the win.

Floreat won at Sorrento last week and Coach Michael Roki was happy to keep in touch with the front two. “The win at Sorrento was important and it keeps the pressure on, and with Perth to still play us in a few weeks and Knights in the last round there’s still a lot to play for.

Floreat have a good record against the Knights at home and Roki’s team are looking forward to the clash. “It hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us at Nash Field, but at home the last time we have lost to Knights was June 2006.  A win on Sunday would certainly give us some belief that we can match it with the top two,” added Roki.

In team news, new signing Miroslav Aleksic, could make his league debut if the club receive international clearance, while Adam Bachiller, Jarad Smith, David Foster and Julian Madaschi are back in contention. Jovo Pavlovic will be missing; the young defender has travelled to Europe for trials.

The game is broadcast live on 107.3 Heritage FM, coverage commencing at 2.45pm.

Cockburn City v Sorrento – Referee – David Costello

Fourth placed Cockburn City entertains Sorrento at Dalmatinac Park (3pm). The Cockerels won on the road last week but will hope to improve their home form, were they have lost two out of the last three. The have beaten Sorrento on the last two occasions at Dalmatinac Park and Scott Miller is looking for a repeat against his former club. “Last week win was great for our boys, to beat Mandurah a team we have not beaten before has given us great confidence. This week, to be honest is must win for everyone. The top and bottom five changes every week, all the teams apart from the top three are all really close.

“Sorrento has been a bit up and down with them losing last week we expect Steve Neville and Shaun Murphy to have them up this week. I have a lot of mates there from my time there so looking forward to a good entertaining game,” said Miller.

In team news Nick Feely, Ryan Pretorius and Devon Gibson have been selected in the WA Schoolboys squad, and could miss the game.

Sorrento was beaten by Floreat last week, and will look to bounce back against Cockburn. Big striker’s Steve McDonald and Danny Hill will cause the home defence some headaches, at the back Shaun Kilkelly and Danny Cain have been in fine form while Lewis Flatt and Glen Thomas have formed a good partnership in the midfield.

Armadale v Swan United – Referee – Ross Sardi

It’s a real six-pointer at Alfred Skeet Oval on Saturday with Armadale hosting Swan United (3pm)

The home side are in good form and head into the game looking for their fourth consecutive win, and more important move clear of the relegation zone. With Alex Pearson in good form between the sticks and Andy Bower and Jeff Bright at the back, Brad Hassell’s side will go into the game full of confidence. They will be missing the suspended duo Ryan Pearson and Kieran Tracey.

It’s not been a happy hunting ground for the Swans losing on their last two visits. Coach Paul Lincoln knows it will be tough trip. “Armadale are on a roll in recent weeks and no doubt that has to do with the quality of players they have brought in. We know that this game is a real challenge for us, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Lincoln. The Swans welcome back Paul Dugdale from suspension, but will be missing the injured Thomas Shepheard and Trent Wood and the suspended Robert Monterosso.

Predictions

Canning City 3 v 1 Mandurah City

Canning lost the battle of the south-east at Armadale last week by a single goal and that had to hurt whilst Mandurah by all accounts surrendered meekly to an eager and mobile young Cockburn side.

Mandurah don’t seem to have recovered from their mid-season ‘off the park’ issues and motivation to succeed seems low in some quarters with a number of below par performances from what looked to be a quality squad capable of mounting a serious challenge this season.

Now we hear that Phil O’Callaghan has jumped ship to the Lions. Top 5 finish starting to look out of reach for the Dolphins.

Canning to kick the black and white cetacean whilst he’s down. Comfortable home win !!!

Cockburn City 2 v 3 Sorrento

The Gulls gave away three soft goals (saying that, all three were well taken by Floreat’s impressive strikeline) last week and that cost them the three points. Apart from defensive sloppiness in a 15 minute spell the Gulls looked good value and, but for lack of a bit of luck,  would have scored more than the single consolation goal they did get.

Don’t write off the Gulls. They are well within striking distance of fourth or fifth spot come season’s end and this week shapes up as a must win encounter for them.

In fairness to the Cockerels, Scott Miller’s young side’s enthusiasm and movement caused all sorts of problems for the Dolphins last week and Sorrento’s lethargic defence may also struggle with the pace and sharpness of Cockburn’s strikeforce.

We are going with the Gulls to commence their challenge for the finals this week.

Stirling Lions 2 v 2 ECU Joondalup

The Lions have bulked up this week with a number of new arrivals and they face a MUST WIN encounter at home against the rejuvinated Joondalup.

A loss here will make the task of avoiding the dreaded drop much more unlikely so expect the Lions to be seriously fired up.

Joondalup, for their part, have won two on the trot and now look to be one of the teams mounting a credible late challenge for the finals. A few losses in a row whilst others around win will have them looking over their shoulders once again though so expect coach Syd Amphlett to have his young charges fired up big time.

If you are planning to go to one game this Saturday and you don’t know which one to attend as yet – this might be the one to go to !!!

Come up and say ‘hello’ to our cameraman – he’ll be there too !

Inglewood United 1 v 3 Perth SC

Perth avoided the potential banana skin v the Swans last week to get back on winning ways.

This week Normo’s charges take on and Inglewood side that could still mount a credible challenge for a top five spot with a few more wins.

We can’t see them getting one this week though. Perth to march on.

Armadale 2 v 1 Swan United

Both Armadale and Swan will still be casting nervous glances over their shoulders as Stirling refuse to go peacefully.

A win here will make a big difference for both sides as it will give them a much larger margin for safety in the coming weeks.

We have plumped for Armadale as they are at home and due to the fact that they are on a run having won the last three on the trot.

Army to make it four.

Floreat Athena 2 v 2 Western Knights

The Sunday fixture this week sees second and third clash in a game that is more important for pride and confidence for the end of season finals series as it is for league position at present.

Lets all be realistic. Perth, the Knights and Floreat are the best three teams in the league at present by some margin and they will, barring a minor miracle, take up the top three places in the league come the end of the home and away season.

This will be a very close encounter with both teams having quality, organisation and goalscoring ability in spades.

We expect an interesting game with neither team prepared to lose.

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