Armadale in Upset Over Floreat

Armadale has defeated Floreat 2-1 at Alfred Skeet oval on Saturday afternoon, turning the tables on Floreat Athena by the same score line which Floreat won by in last week’s Soccer Pools Cup quarter final.

The much needed win, only Armadale’s second from 12 matches pushes them above Stirling Lions at the bottom of the table on goal difference and one point behind ECU Joondalup in the race for survival.

It was a lively match that started brightly as both sides had promising opportunities. Firstly for Armadale Gary Faria sent Jason Robinson in on goal, he did very well to turn his defender but Athena captain Dean Apelgren got in a fantastic tackle that deflected the ball out for a corner.

The resulting corner was allowed to fly low across the face of goal; somehow no one got a touch until Robinson blasted high as the ball passed beyond the back post.

Floreat were next to threaten as Josip Magdic skipped away from his marker and crossed for Johnny Mirco who sliced his shot well wide of the target.

Robinson and Mirco again had good opportunities in the first half, both showing great skill to beat their defenders but both were unable to find that killer touch and put the ball between the posts.

Floreat nearly had the lead thanks to Branimir Mikulic but his header which stemmed from a weak punch from Armadale keeper Alex Pearson following a corner was cleared off the line by Ryan Pearson.

Ryan Pearson who was following up from his second half substitute appearance for Perth Glory against English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wolves on Friday night was very impressive in the first half and kept the scores at nil all thanks to his saving header.

Then a minute later Armadale were in the lead. A long ball to the back post found Andy Bowyer who was able to control the ball then force his shot under Alex Dunn and send the home side in at half time one goal up.

The second half was just as entertaining as the first with plenty of goalmouth action. The first real opportunity fell to Gary Faria but he completely miskicked and another golden opportunity for Armadale to increase their lead went begging.

They were made to pay for that miss and poor defending as Jason Barrera scored the equalizer on 61 minutes for Athena. Picking up the ball on halfway and under no pressure he advanced on goal and as three Armadale defenders backed off he took the opportunity to let fly from the edge of the box and score with a well placed effort.

Ryan Pearson then found himself in acres of space on the right and had plenty of time to measure his shot but was unable to keep his swerving shot down as it flew way over the crossbar.

Moments later and Armadale were again in the lead thanks to some strong and determined pressure in the box leading to Marlon Ramirez being able to gather a loose ball and fire it into the roof of the net from very close range.

Floreat tried in vain to get the equalizer as Barrera had two pile driving efforts acrobatically saved by the very impressive Glory youth keeper Pearson and both Johnny Mirco and Migas were thwarted as the game neared the end.

Armadale held on to take three very crucial points as they look to be heading for a relegation battle but for Floreat it was three points dropped and they slip further behind Perth and the Western Knights in the fight for top spot.

Floreat coach Michael Roki was disappointed with the result considering they had beaten Armadale only a week ago on the same ground.

“After winning the game last week I think we probably went in too confident and I don’t think we put 100% into our game today,” Mr Roki said.

“Armadale look to be fighting against relegation but today they were more desperate and they did very well.”

“They were working hard all day. They were hungry and eager for it looking for the result and we stepped back a bit today.”

Report by James Wragg courtesy Football West

Armadale: GK Alex PEARSON, 5. J BRIGHT, 15. Andy Bowyer, 4. Ryan PEARSON, 2. P HARRIS, 17. Gary BUNTING (12. James HESKETH 88′), 11. Gary FARIA (19. Peter TAYLOR 88′), 6. Marlon RAMIREZ (13. M BENNION 71′), 8. D MAHONEY, 9. Keith TRACEY, 7. Jason ROBINSON
Subs not used: RGK Robbie EASTON

Floreat Athena: GK, Alex DUNN, 13. Johnny MIGAS, 5. Johnny MIRCO, 16. Jovo PAVLOVIC, 12. Branimir MIKULIC, 22. Dean APELGREN, 4. Josip MAGDIC, 11. Callum ROBERTS, 10. Jason BARRERA, 9. Daniel NEIDERBERGER, 14. David FOSTER (6. Miki VUJACIC 71′)
Subs not used: 15. Paul VATISTAS, 2. Simon ELTON BOLT, RGK Vas VUJACIC