Hungry Lions Maul Floreat Athena

Blockbuster Night football came to Macedonia Park on Saturday evening where a big crowd was on hand to witness an inspired Stirling Lions side hand out a comprehensive belting to local rivals Floreat Athena with Lions recruit Phil O’Callaghan bagging two in the 4-1 victory.

The passionate and vocal crowd lifted the Lions from the start as the game opened up at a break neck pace with the Stirling strike pair combining brilliantly in the 9th minute as Anthony Fearon layed off a perfect pass to Phil O’Callaghan who drilled the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Floreat responded when John Migas had a chance to level from a free kick awarded just outside the Lions penalty area but his shot at goal sailed over the bar. In the 17th minute it was Stirling’s turn to take a free kick out wide on the left flank courtesy of a viciously dipping inswinger from Dean Evans that fell perfectly to Lions captain Steven Hesketh who smashed it into the roof of the net on the turn making it 2-0 to Stirling in the 15th minute.

The Lions were in a menacing mood and a spectacular half volley by Jamie DeAbreu saw Floreat keeper Alex Dunn at his best as he flew in the air to acrobatically save the goalbound shot in the 25th minute. Floreat were not to be denied when they came at the Lions on a great counter attack on the left flank with Adam Bachillar sending nippy striker Callum Roberts through to finish clinically past Lions keeper Kevin Miller in the 29th minute.

A strong challenge from Lions defender Rick Brewer on Branimir Mikulic was deemed too severe by referee Dave Collier in the 32nd minute and the Floreat players vented their feelings toward Brewer in an aggressive fashion and fueling the fanatical Lions supporters who were at southern end of the stand. An ugly incident occurred with a cigarette lighter being thrown onto the ground and hitting Bachillar on the forehead, requiring immediate attention to a bleeding cut. Lions security staff were on hand in large numbers to make sure no further incidents took place with the new fans who had turned out for the big game.

Stirling went back on the attack as Ludo Boi weaved his magic wide on the left flank and squared a centimetre perfect pass to Marc Anthony whose drive on goal went narrowly wide. The Lions were on an all out assault as Floreat tried to counter punch through Jason Barrera and Callum Roberts.

Boi’s rasping shot went over the bar from distance while Fearon did likewise after DeAbreu set him up in the 42nd minute, but it was to be goal sneak O’Callaghan who pounced on a through ball from Brewer and lobbed over the advancing keeper Dunn seconds before the half time whistle blew.

The second half saw Floreat looking to peg back the lead and a John Migas free header at goal saw Miller in good position to comfortably save with the goal at Migas’s mercy in the 55th minute.

The Lions midfield was flying as Dean Evans set Fearon free only to see his shot go just wide of the mark in the 60th minute. Athena threw players forward as Miki Vujacic came on to add bite but failed to impact in the final third while the Stirling flyer’s added to their tally when DeAbreu found himself in space and raced on goal tucking in the final goal for the day in the 86th minute.

The Lions have now climbed to 9th position on the ladder and are only 3 points off fifth spot.

The Perth Glory were well represented with coach David Mitchell and players Mille Sterjovski, Victor Sikora, Naum Sekulovski and Aleks Vrteski all in the crowd watching the football action.

It was another red letter day for the Stirling supporters as the Lions comfortably won all 3 grades with the Under 18′s setting the scene with a 9-0 white wash, then the Reserves feasting on a 7 goal haul in their 7-1 victory.

Next week the Lions travel to Dalmatinac Park where they face an out of sorts Cockburn City side on Saturday kick off 3pm.

State league Results Round 18

Round 18 results from the Football West Premier League and Division 1.

We apologise for the slow service tonight. This has been caused by ongoing outages with our US server suppliers. We have advised the CIA of where they live !!!

Premier league Sunday

Perth SC 2 (Kay 45′, Bourakis 90′)  Mandurah City 0

First Team
ECU Joondalup 3 (Benson-Cooper 63, Amphlett 65, 68,) Canning City 0; Inglewood United 1(Baczynski 76,) Cockburn City 0; Swan United 0 Western Knights 4(Marcinko 10, Dawson 37, David Micevski 61, Campbell 80,); Armadale 2 (Robinson 10, 86,) Sorrento 2 (Banks 75, Harnwell 28,); Stirling Lions 4 (O’Callaghan 9, 44, Hesketh 15, DeAbreau 86,) Floreat Athena 1(Roberts 29,).

Reserves
ECU Joondalup 6 Canning City 1; Inglewood United 2 Cockburn City 1; Swan United 3 Western Knights 2; Armadale 0 Sorrento 5;

Under 18’s
ECU Joondalup 1 Canning City 0; Inglewood United 1 Cockburn City 0; Swan United 0 Western Knights 4; Armadale 0 Sorrento 5;

Sunday Kick off
Perth SC 2 (Kay 45′, Bourakis 90′) Mandurah City 0

Division 1

First Team
Morley-Windmills 5 (Harman 55, 68, Sepon 70, Shelwyn 77, Elchemi 79,) South West Phoenix 2 (Rodgers 11, 44,); Bayswater City 0 Wanneroo City 2 (OG 3, Cairney 23,); Dianella White Eagles 1 (Radihovic 61,) Queens Park 2 (Goodwin 84, Garland 89,); Balcatta 1 (O’Neill 69,) Forrestfield United 1 (Andy 56,); Ashfield 0 Gosnells City 1(Tywnan 60,), Rockingham City 2 (Rennie 2, McCreery 85)Fremantle Spirit 4 (Wade 3, Colalillo 26, Kuppasamy 31, 49)

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

Under 18’s
Morley-Windmills 1 South West Phoenix 2; Bayswater City 0 Wanneroo City 0; Dianella White Eagles 0 Queens Park 2; Balcatta 0 Forrestfield United 3; Ashfield 0 Gosnells City 5, Rockingham City 0 Fremantle Spirit 2;

Knights Put Swans to the Sword

Western Knights continued their march towards there first league title in five years after a 4-0 victory against Swan United at Francis Street in round 18 of the Football West Premier League on Saturday.

The league leaders gave a scintillating attacking performance, which gives a warning to the rest of the FFS top five series sides that they will take some beating in October. Midfielder Barry Devlin believes they are peaking at the right time of the season. “The Swans had won three in a row, and to come here, where we haven’t had a good record, and get the three points and a clean sheet is a good result, “said Devlin.

“We were coming off two poor performances but to score four helps our goal difference and with four games remaining it’s in our own hands now,” he added.

The home side were forced into one change with skipper Aaron Cole missing through injury, he was replaced in the starting line up by Thomas Shepheard. The Knights also made one change with Perth Glory Youth striker Mario Marcinko replacing Duane Hepburn, who dropped to the bench.

On a beautiful day for football, it was the Knights that opened well and were ahead on 10 minutes. Anthony Campbell played Marcinko in on the right and he finished clinically past Cory Hugo from five-yards.

With Perth SC not playing on Saturday the Knights knew a win would give them an eight point buffer at the top of the table and they continued to dominate and went close again on 24 minutes. David Micevski’s free kick from the left was only half cleared by Brendan Craig and Daniel Micevski’s sweetly timing volley from the edge of the box was superbly saved by Hugo at full stretch.

The home side were struggling to create anything in the final third, but on the half hour they went close. John Mansaray found Trent Wood down the right; he fed Robert Monterosso whose cross was headed wide by Million Butshiire.

Then six minutes later the Knights doubled their lead. A long throw from David Micevski was flicked on to Campbell, the Swans defenders didn’t clear the loose ball, and Stuart Ferguson’s shot looped up over Hugo crashed against the post, and Cormac Dawson was quickest to react firing home from close-range.

After three consecutive league wins, the Swans were struggling to break down the Knights, but they did go close on 37 minutes. A cross from Craig fell to David McNally, but the big defender delayed his shot and Ferguson came across with a timely block.

As the half ended the Knights continued to threaten, with the Swans defence working overtime. David Price’s great through ball sent Marcinko clear but his shot was again well saved by Hugo, and in first half stoppage time David Micevski fired wide of the far post.

The Knights started the second half like they had finished the first, and on 50 minutes Campbell’s header found Dawson, who’s shot on the turn beat Hugo but hit the base of the post.

Paul Lincoln’s side had to dig deep and on 55 minutes they should have reduced the deficit. Dom Ando’s ball over the top sent Shepheard clear. The Knights looked for offside but the flag never came, and Shepheard, with only the keeper to beat, fired wide.

This was the best period of the game for the home side and on the hour Craig’s long throw was handled in the area by Okwy Diamondstar and referee Michael Nugus pointed straight to the spot. Damian Scali stepped up sent Fraser Siddall the wrong way but his spot kick crashed off the post.

That miss came back to haunt the Swans and sixty seconds later the Knights made it 3-0. A free kick from all of 30-yards from David Micevski curled over the wall, and despite Hugo getting a hand to it, the ball flew into the net.

Then two minutes later it was 4-0, a long clearance from Siddall was headed back towards his own keeper by Scali, but Campbell showed lighting pace to nip in and flick home from the edge of the box, much to the delight of the Knights supporters behind the goal.

It was all one-way traffic and on 67 minutes the impressive Price sent Marcinko clear and he lobbed the on-coming Hugo, but Craig got back to head off the line. Moments later Price again threaded an inch perfect ball through to second half substitute Karl O’Reilly, whose shot was pushed around the post by Hugo. From the resulting corner Marcinko shot flashed just wide of the post as the Knights continued to dominate.

You could see the Knights were hungry for more goals and from Devlin’s cross on 80 minutes, Marcinko rose unmarked at the back post but headed wide, and in stoppage-time Devlin’s volley from ten-yards dipped inches over the bar.

A superb victory for the Knights and Coach Paul Price was happy with the points and the four goals. “I couldn’t have asked for more from the players today. We created a number of chances, scored four and their keeper pulled off some fantastic saves, it was a great all-round performance,” said Price.

“At the break we discussed the goal difference situation with Perth’s being better than ours and the boy’s came out and didn’t take their foot of the gas. We’ve been creating chances in recent games and not converting but today we did,” added Price.

Swans Coach Paul Lincoln was disappointed after the game but he acknowledged they were beaten by a better side. “They are a very good side, and I spoke to the boys after the game not to get too disappointed, as the Knights have been the best side in the league all season and we’ve got to learn from that defeat for the rest of the season,” said Lincoln.

“We missed the injured Aaron Cole today at the back. His presence back their helps our young defenders but these things happen in football, we look forward to next week’s big game against ECU Joondalup,” added Lincoln.

Swan United 0
Western Knights 4 – (Marcinko 10’, Dawson 36’, David Micevski 61’, Campbell 63’)

Francis Street, Saturday, August 29th 2009

HT: 0-2
Att: 150 (Approx)

Referee – Michael Nugus
Assistants – John Taran and Gary Frost

SWAN UNITED – GK Cory HUGO, 2 Dom Ando, 3 Trent WOOD, 4 Robert MONTEROSSO (5 David PAONE 80’), 7 John MANSARAY, Shane WEBB, 11 Million BUTSHIIRE (10 Steven GUEST 65’), 12 Thomas SHEPHEARD, 13 David MCNALLY, 14 Brendan CRAIG, 20 Damian SCALI (16 Niall HUGHES 80’) – SUBS NOT USED – RGK Alex SUTTON, 6 Chris MARSHALL

Yellow Cards – Shepheard 87’

WESTERN KNIGHTS – GK Frazer SIDDALL 2 Barry DEVLIN 3 Stuart FERGUSON 4 Okwy DIAMONDSTAR 5 David ANNALL, 6 Cormac DAWSON (12 Karl O’REILLY 65’), 7 Daniel MICEVSKI (14 Duane HEPBURN 80’), 8 David PRICE, 9 Mario MARCINKO 10 David MICEVSKI 11 Anthony CAMPBELL

Subs not used: RGK David KHUEN, 13 Marco WARMT-MURRAY
Yellow Cards – David Micevski 40’, Hepburn 90’

Joondalup Give Canning That Sinking Feeling

Canning City came to Joondalup today with one thing in mind – gaining 3 points to get themselves off the foot of the ladder.

As it transpired, despite a lot of hard work and effort, they were made to look second best in the area that counts most – putting the ball in the back of the net.

The first half was a lacklustre affair with few clear chances. The movement of Joondalup strikers Tommy Amphlett and Jamie Watts always looked capable of creating a goal whilst left sided midfielder John Higgins was creating plenty of opportunities by getting past his marker wide on the left.

Canning rarely troubled the ECU defence which was well marshalled by Charlie Comyn-Platt.

The second half started much the same with Canning perhaps having the better of the opening exchanges without causing any real panic in the Joondalup defence.

Joondalup took the lead midway through the half as Jake Benson-Cooper was left unmarked at the back post to easily head home.

Within minutes it was 2-0 and game over as Joondalup’s leading scorer Tommy Amphlett was left in far too much space at the back post as the Canning defence were dragged out of the danger zone. Amphlett accurately placed his header wide of the keeper to double Joondalup’s lead.

Amphlett scored a second moments latter as he was given far too much space in the penalty area by the Canning defence. Amphlett’s smart side footed effort found the gap between defenders and keeper and the points were sewn up for Joondalup with 18 minutes to go.

Jelic Double Delight

Glory striker Branko Jelic found the perfect time to register his first score for the club by firing home a double against reigning Hyundai A-League Champions Melbourne to hand Perth a crucial 2-1 win.

The Serbian striker arrived in Perth from the German Bundesliga with a reputation for regularly finding the back of the net and his goals in each half were the difference in a high class affair at ME Bank Stadium.

Jelic’s first goal coming after just four minutes to give Perth the perfect opening while the second 10 minutes after the restart allowed the home side some breathing space in a hard fought contest that thrilled the 8057 supporters on hand.

One of five experienced recruits brought to the club in the off-season, Jelic said he felt the team was getting better and better each week and there is even more to come from the Glory.

“I’m happy because we won and my two goals are a product of the whole team,” Jelic said.

“We worked hard, the game was tough and we’ve won against the champion of Australia. It is good for our confidence and I hope that we will keep going.

“We have space to improve because this is just the fourth time that we play together and the season is long so we will see, we just need to see step by step,” added Jelic.

Glory Coach Dave Mitchell was delighted with the way his side repelled an attack minded Victory outfit that, despite conceding the opening goal, quickly found their way back into the game and dominated for large portions of the opening stanza.

“I think last year or in previous years we probably would have conceded one or two goals in the first half when we were getting well beaten so its credit to the boys, they worked their socks off,” Mitchell said.

“I was thankful that we could regroup at half time and go out back out with a clear understanding of what we need to do to turn the game and we did that.

“Tando Velaphi was outstanding tonight, not only his saving of shots but also his reading of the game and coming out of the box when he needed to.

“I always said we’d be a slow burner throughout the year and get better and better I think and tonight has proven it,” said Mitchell.

It may have been a chilly night at ME Bank Stadium but the Glory faithful did not have to wait too long for a goal celebration to warm them up. Naum Sekulovski’s beautiful free-kick found Chris Coyne who peeled it back across goal with a header to Mile Sterjovski. The striker forcing the ball goalward and his effort looked set to cross the line before Jelic slid in to make absolutely certain and bag his maiden Hyundai A-League goal in the process.

Glory, however, were to enjoy their advantage for only five minutes before the visitors restored parity courtesy of a delightful move featuring their much vaunted trio of Archie Thompson, Carlos Hernandez and Danny Allsop.

It was Thompson who slotting home from point blank range after his first effort was blocked by a desperate goal-line slide from Sekulovski.

The visitors continued to probe Glory’s defence with their trademark high-tempo and slick passing game but it was Perth that could, and perhaps, should have regained the lead as the game’s frantic pace showed no sign of abating.

Adriano Pellegrino delivered a tantalizing cross from the right to pick out the perfectly-positioned Victor Sikora however the Dutchman failed to time his headed effort and the chance went wide of the upright.

Melbourne responded to that let-off by creating several clear-cut opportunities of their own and Glory were indebted to Tando Velaphi who continued his impressive start to the season by producing fine saves to foil both Hernandez and Ney Fabiano.

His counterpart Glen Moss was also called into action shortly before the break as the chances continued to flow at either end, racing swiftly from his line to save at the feet of Pellegrino and blocking a firm headed effort from Andy Todd.

The interval did nothing to curb the breathless pace of the game as both sides came out firing and once again it was Jelic who wasted no time in striding onto centre stage.

On 54 minutes a sweeping Glory move saw young defender Scott Neville overlap from right back to find Sterjovski with a delightful cross. The marquee man put his header on target but Jelic was again in the right place at the right time to latch onto the parried ball with predatory precision.

Sikora, Pellegrino and Srhoj were then all narrowly off-target with long-range efforts as Glory enjoyed their best spell of the game.

Denying Melbourne the space and time they had enjoyed in midfield during the first-half, Glory effectively stifled the Victory’s attacking options and forced Ernie Merrick into several changes to swing the momentum back in their favour.

The tension mounted as full-time approached but Glory were not to be denied, showing great tenacity to blunt the reigning Premiers’ attacking edge to seal consecutive home victories and re-establish their finals credentials in no uncertain terms.

“We’re strong at home, the Champions came and we beat them,” Mitchell said.

“It was a game of two halves, they’re a very good side and will be there or there abouts but for us it’s good to get another win.

“We just have to improve our away form and that’s something we have set ourselves this year to get better at,” Mitchell said.

Hyundai A-League – Round 4

Perth Glory 2 (Branko Jelic 4’/54’)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Archie Thompson 9’)

Friday, 28 August 2009 at ME Bank Stadium, Perth

Crowd: 8057
Referee: Chris Beath

Perth Glory: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Victor SIKORA (25.AMARAL 80’), 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC (24.Matthew MAYORA 85’), 12.Scott NEVILLE, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (17.Todd HOWARTH 75’)

Substitutes not used: 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk),
Yellow cards: Burns 42’, Coyne 51’, Sikora 62’
Red cards: nil

Melbourne Victory: 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 5.Surat SUKHA (17.Matthew FOSCHINI 78’), 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO (22.Nick WARD 61’), 12.Rodrigo VARGAS (c), 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ (8.Grant BREBNER 75’), 23.Adrian LEIJER.

Substitutes not used: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk),
Yellow cards: Broxham 24’, Sukha 25’, Hernandez 69’, Leijer 71’
Red cards: nil

Heritage FM brings football to the people – “Saturday Scoreboard”

Football West state league coverage will have a new format on Saturday when Heritage 107.3Fm begins ‘Saturday Scoreboard’.  The station is fast becoming the number one local football station in WA and from 3pm this Saturday Eamon Duffy will host a brand new show giving score updates from Premier and division one grounds and talking to reports at all Premier League games.

It’s a great initiative from Heritage FM and Duffy, who also hosts ‘Let’s talk football’; 6pm on Sunday, is hoping the show is popular with the local fans. “The thoughts behind the show were that every week when I attended a game I had people either coming up to me or ringing me for updates on scores from other matches. It was then that the idea struck me to have a show that was a music come magazine style and would encompass all that was required. I also thought back to the “Grandstand” style show on BBC and thought it just might have an appeal in WA, especially within the football community,” said Duffy, who will playing music for all the ages in between the football.

“I want people to take their transistor or portable radio with them and listen to the music (sorry in advance!!!), and get a score update from around the grounds. I hope that all clubs can tune into the show after 5pm in their clubrooms and we can get a good following within the football family,” added Duffy.

Football West have been criticized in some quarters, regarding their media coverage, but Duffy has been delighted with there support in the new venture. “Football West have been supportive in that they have organised that all their reporters text the scores and important information as it happens, and we also talk to the reporters at the ground in the final half hour of the show for a full report on the game. Football West have publicised it on their website and media releases which is great,” explained Duffy.

It’s hoped the show is a success and can be continued next season. “Hopefully after the home and away season the show will continue, but as a general sports update show and of course from next year it should be back bigger and better. Funding or sponsorships for the show would be greatly appreciated and you can contact me on 0400558725,” said Duffy.

A-League Champions head to Perth for round Four

After last weeks win against Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory goes in search of another three points on Friday when they host last season’s League Champions Melbourne Victory in Round four of the Hyundai A-League at ME Bank Stadium (8pm)

Glory Coach David Mitchell looks set to play an unchanged starting eleven after picking up their first points of the season last week. Brazilian midfielder Amaral, who signed with the club for a nine-game guest stint earlier in the week, will probably start from the bench.

The 36-year old wants to make sure things go differently this time around, after missing a number of games due to injury in his first stint. “I wanted to finish the job I started last year because it was disappointing for me not to be able to play and help the club like I wanted to do,” said Amaral.

“I love the city and the club environment and felt like I needed to repay the team, the manger and the fans for their faith in me. I’m ready to go and very motivated, I feel fresh, even better than I did when I first arrived here last year,” he added.

Glory coach Dave Mitchell said he thought it was right to give Amaral another chance to show people what he is capable of.

“Amaral is an option now, the team did well last week and we’ve got those guys available but he’s an addition that could strengthen the side if we needed,” said Mitchell.

“He has looked good in training and I’m still throwing up whether or not to put him in the mix. He has an infectious character, he’s bubbly, a good guy and great player. He felt that the club and fans didn’t get the best from him last season and he wanted to come back and help the team achieve our goals this season. I’m sure he will be able to do that,” he added.

Another pleasing aspect for Mitchell last week was a clean sheet, and the Glory defenders of Andy Todd, Chris Coyne, Scott Neville and Naum Sekulovski, will need to be on their toes with Socceroos pair Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp in the Victory line-up. Thompson got off the mark against the Fury last week and will be looking to add to his tally, while Allsopp comes to Perth under something of an injury cloud after suffering a corked thigh last week.

The middle of the park is vital for both sides, and we may see a couple of ex-Glory players, Billy Celeski and Nick Ward fighting it out with Glory pair Jacob Burns and Wayne Srhoj.

The Glory welcome back Eugene Dadi to the squad, still no word what the problem has been with the big striker, but he looks set for a spot on the bench. Scott Bulloch has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Todd Howarth is struggling with a calf strain and is doubtful.

The Victory will again be without inspirational skipper Kevin Muscat and Evan Berger, while Matthew Kemp has other things on his mind, with his wife due to give birth at anytime, while former Fulham defender Adrian Leijer arrived from the UK this week and will go straight into the side.

Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick says he will not accept any excuses for a poor performance against the Glory, and a defeat would make it four loses in a row in the West. .

“I’m not accepting travel, the kick-off time or the weather as excuses and I’m not accepting that we have gone over there for the last two years with a good team and not won,” said Merrick.

“I’m not accepting that we’re going over there to lose. It’s about going there to do something about it. We can’t control things like flights and weather and kick-off times, but we can control our performance on the pitch. The emphasis will be on our performance as individuals and as a team. We want to put it all in perspective and have a good performance and a good result,” added Merrick.

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory - Friday 28^th August 2009

ME Bank Stadium - Kick off 8pm (WA Time)

Stats - Head-to-head

12 Hyundai A-League meetings: Wins: Perth 4, Melbourne 4, Draws 4

Previous meeting

Perth Glory 3, Melbourne Victory 2, ME Bank Stadium, Round 19, January 2009

Squads – Perth Glory – GK Tando VELAPHI, RGK Aleks VRTESKI, 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS, 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Branko JELIC, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 13.Scott BULLOCH, 14.Eugene DADI, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 23.Andrija JUKIC, 24.Matthew MAYORA * two to be omitted*

Melbourne Victory – GK Glenn MOSS, RGK Mitchell LANGERAK, 5.Surat SUKHA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 14.Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17.Matthew FOSCHINI, 22.Nick WARD, 23.Adrian LEIJER

Injury on the mend for Human

Perth SC has been hit hard by injuries in the past month, and for striker Genaveo Human there is a light at the end of the tunnel as he begins his rehabilitation from a knee injury. The South African born goal sneak injured his knee against Swan United in round 14 but is happy to be back running again. “The injury has come along quite well. I ran on it for the first time on Tuesday night and all went according to plan so I’m quite happy with how it’s progressing,” said Human.

“The incident was just one of them things that happen in football. I was attempting to see the ball out for a corner, I jumped in front of my opponent and as I was landing I got a tug on the shoulder which caused my whole body to rotate, unfortunately my knee was still facing forward causing it to twist and this resulted in a strained medial ligament,” explained Human.

It was a huge set back for the 20-year-old, who had just forced his way into Graham Normanton’s side but he hopes to get back on track for the finals series. “Obviously it was pretty disappointing because I was fit, sharp and playing well. But injuries are part of being a footballer and hopefully I’m able to get back to that level of fitness and be ready for the finals series,” said Human.

“There have been a few injuries of late but we’re lucky enough that we’ve got a squad with a mass of depth and quality at the club and I am more then confident that this squad can get us through this injury period relatively unscathed,” added Human.

Human played most of his football overseas before making WA his home in 2006. He began as a six-year-old at Cherrians FC in Durban South Africa, then moved to New Zealand in 2000 and settled with Auckland club Three Kings United. In 2005 he played in the 2005 Manchester United Premier Cup Qualifiers in Malaysia, and spent two weeks on trial at English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers the same year. He then moved to Perth in 2006 and has been with the Dorrien Gardens club ever since working his way through the ranks into the first team.

The loss of Todd Howarth has been a blow for the club this season, but he’s showing he can make the next step to A-League football and Human believes he will shine in the A-League. “Todd has been a massive loss for us. It’s not everyday a player comes along with the same qualities that he has displayed consistently for a number of years now and it was only going to be a matter of time before this was recognised by A-League clubs. He’s worked hard to be in the position he is now and by the looks of things that hard work is starting to pay dividends with his performances for Glory,” said Human.

A place in the A-League is something Human would like to achieve but he knows it doesn’t come easy. “Well obviously every kid growing up aspires to be a professional footballer and wants to go as far as possible and I am no exception to that. Those types of opportunities only come up if you put the hard yards in and produce quality performances week in and week out and that’s what I’m aiming to do when I get back to full fitness,” said Human.

He has many people along the way giving him advice, his farther has been the biggest influence on his career and Perth SC coaches Graham Normanton and John Coyne are the latest to point him in the right direction and the youngster has a great deal of admiration for the pair. “When you put two coaching brains like that together there is always going to be a positive result, not only for the team but also for players on an individual level and this shows by the number of trophies that both Normo and Coyney have won with their respective teams,” explained Human.

Lions Undefeated Youth Team Immortalised

The ‘Class of 2008′ under the guidance of Championship winning coaches Doug Hesketh and Joe Pugliese proudly presented Lions President Don Evans, Director of Coaching Michael Lyons and League Assistant coach Gary Williams in the Macedonia Park clubrooms last night. The 3 graduates on hand to make the presentation were dynamic goal scoring midfielder Tom Kennedy, ace striker Ndumba Makeche and midfield tyro Cameron Sutton.

Stirling Lions Undefeated Youth Team of 2008

All 3 lads have tasted senior football and are making their mark on the local football scene. Last weeks long range cracker against Perth by Kennedy had the large Macie Park crowd on their feet in appreciation of the fine skill shown by the youngster. Ndumba Makeche has also shown he has the magic at his feet and will be a star of the future as will hard working midfield enforcer Cameron Sutton who has scored some amazing goals in the Reserves this year.

The undefeated 2008 side made history for the club and Doug and Joe thought it was only right that the boys who were a part of this great side were never to be forgotten………and the club agreed wholeheartedly placing the signed shirt on the front stage wall last night.

Evans said ” These boys did something exceptional and many will be a big part of our clubs future.”

Premier League Round 18 Preview

The Knights have the minor premiership virtually sewn up now with Perth secure in second spot and Floreat most likely to get third and a second chance in the finals series.

The real interest is in who will secure the final two places in the finals series and who will fill the relegation slot come season’s end.

Stirling Lions have climbed from the foot of the ladder with 3 wins in their last 3 league outings whilst Armadale will be breathing a sigh of relief as their win at Mandurah last week made sure that they did not replace the Lions in last spot. Canning’s horror run has seen them take the unwanted 12th position and they are fast becoming favourites to go straight back down to Division 1.

Previews

Predictions

ECU Joondalup 3 v 1 Canning City

Canning’s poor run of results continued last weekend as they came up close but unfortunately not close enough against league leaders Western Knights.

Saturday’s fixture is far more winnable but Joondalup are on a good run at present with high morale, a tight defence, the ability to score goals as well and a coach, that, in anyone’s language, is worth a two goal lead even before the kick off

Canning badly need a win to stay on Armadale and Stirling’s coat tails whilst ECU can see a spot in the finals looming as Mandurah’s stuttering season continues to head south (well further south anyway).

Inglewood United 2 v 2 Cockburn City

Inglewood looked on their way to an unlikely victory at Floreat last weekend before normal service was resumed and Athena got two late goals to take a share of the points.

Shane Pryce’s side is now uncomfortably close to the relegation place and a loss at home to Cockburn would increase the pressure immesurably – especially if other sides round about managed to get all three points.

To emphasise the closeness of the league Cockburn share Inglewood’s predicament somewhat as they are only one point above them on the ladder. A loss will see the Cockerels also looking back over their shoulder in trepidation come 5 pm Saturday.

Swan United 1 v 2 Western Knights

The two surprise packages of the season meet at the Swan Italian club this week as the Knights look to put more daylight between themselves and Perth whilst the Swans look to consolidate their position in the top 5.

Tough to back against the Swans at home but the Knights are just iresistable at the moment.

Armadale 2 v 2 Sorrento

Cyril Sharrock returns to Armadale to find his old club in their usual position come the end of the season run up to decide the relegation place – in the thick of the action.

Will Sharrock be the hero or villian and will the loyal Army supporters cheer the returning hero of many an exciting afternoon’s football at Alfred Skeet Reserve or villify a traitor.

Either way this will be a tough and hard fought ‘British’ encounter to best wash down with a pint or two (or three or four) of Guinness and a plastic tray of Jambo’s curry.

Stirling Lions 3 v 3 Floreat Athena

What a game to throw up at such a crucial juncture in the league.

Perennial rivals the Lions and the Goddess do battle with so much at stake for the Lions in their new found climb out of relegation danger and Athena displaying patchy, inconsistent form as their previously unassailable hold on third place (and that vital second chance) looks more tenuous every week.

Form goes out the window with this one as courage and emotion takes centre stage. What sort of historical rivalry can footy throw up to match this ? Club A eats a different brand of meat pie than club B ? Wears different coloured singlets ? Different check pattern on the flanelette shirt ? Buys thongs from Woolies whilst the others prefer Coles  ?

Where else would you be on a Saturday afternoon ?

Perth SC 3 v 1 Mandurah City

Perth’s form in the second half of the season has been patchy to say the least. The loss of Todd Howarth and others may have something to do with this, however, it has just given some of the younger players a chance to stand up and be counted. No doubt they will improve with every game played.

Mandurah’s problems go much deeper in a season that promised so much and looks to end up delivering so little.

Stuart Young now has the helm and we hope his experience and enthusiasm can re-invigorate the boys from the south. We think it may be a bit too soon for Young to have got his message understood this week though.

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