ALeague Roundup Round 8

A depleted Brisbane Roar defeated Sydney FC 1-0 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, a win which moves the Roar up the table and keeps Sydney from regaining top spot from the Gold Coast and Perth Glory.

Roar striker Sergio van Dijk scored the only goal of the game, five minutes from full-time, to stretch Brisbane’s undefeated run against the Sky Blues to eight matches.

Adelaide United won away from home at North Queensland Fury’s Dairy Framer’s Stadium 2-0 on Sunday night.

The Fury dominated the first half, however, the Reds sealed the points in the second with Lucas Pantelis scoring after halftime and Mathew Leckie getting the clincher in injury time.

Melbourne Victory showed their post championship blues are now officially gone as they defeated new guns Gold Coast United by the odd goal in five on the Gold Coast.

The Victory won it in controversial circumstances though as skipper Kevin Muscat, who had previously never missed from the spot, initially drove his spot kick over the Gold Coast cross-bar.

Referee Peter Green gave Muscat a second chance though as he adjudged that Ronnie Van Der Groot had encroached in the box before the kick was taken. The referee was clearly technically correct with this call but was it in the spirit of the game asked Gold Coast coach Miron Blieberg after the game.

Muscat duly stepped up and hammered home the second chance to end Gold Coast’s unbeaten home record and to put the Victory up into fourth position.

Back to Back Golden Boot Glory for the Big ‘O’

Phil O’Callaghan has done it again with his golden boot success capping off a successful move mid way through the season from Mandurah City to the Stirling Lions.

The ever consistent striker with a predators eye for goal scored 7 with the Lions to add to his tally of 8 with the Mandurah side and finish with 15, two goals clear of a chasing pack that included hot shot Armadale striker James Robinson, ECU young gun Tommy Amphlett and retiring Swan United great Damien Scali.

The Lions were in all sorts of trouble at the mid way mark of the season with only 9 premiership points on the board, then an ambitious and timely approach to the jaded striker by Lions President Don Evans gave the goal sneak a new lease of football life.

Phil jumped at the chance to join former mentor Mick Lyons at the Den where the travel issue was a lot less tiresome and the new look Macie Park with the roaring fan base helping give O’Callaghan the fresh football air he badly needed.

Phil Joined the Lions in Round 15 scoring the winner against ECU Joondalup in a tight and hard fought contest that proved to be the Lions turning point for the season, with the Stirling side then going on an amazing 7 run unbeaten spell with O’Callaghan scoring another 6 in the remaining 7 games.

The Lions now look forward to the leagues top striker being at his best for the big match elimination final at Mandurah City…. a club who helped give Phil so much in the time he was there and a club that he has much respect for.

Respect will be put aside as the two sides do battle on the 11th October in what will be a big day for the Lions and the Dolphins.

Lions Through To Finals Depite Defeat at Armadale

The Stirling Lions have miraculously made it into this years Football West Final Five Series despite a heavy 5-2 loss at the hands of Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reseve on Saturday. The Lions were fortunate all the other results went their way after ending their 7 game winning streak at the hands of a merciless Armadale side.

Stirling started the day looking for a win to make sure of their place in the FSS finals series and they started very brightly taking the lead on 16 minutes when Daniel Stoitis headed in a Marc Anthony corner at the back post.

Neither team had many chances on goal in the early stages of the first half as set pieces posed the greatest threat towards goal as Armadale showed when they equalized on 28 minutes.

Lions defender Rick Brewer fouled Warren Grieve outside the area and Gary Bunting took the free kick duties. He whipped in a curling effort around the wall and Brewer managed to get his head to it and divert it past his own keeper who had absolutely no chance at saving it.

Stirling fought back from that unfortunate setback and should have taken the lead once again but Robbie Easton pulled off an incredible instinctive save from Marc Anthony’s point blank header.

Armadale then took the lead on the stroke of half time as Lions keeper Kevin Miller spilt a difficult save low down and the ball fell right at the feet of Army’s Gary Bunting who smashed into the empty net to send the army into raptures.

Stirling got back on level terms seven minutes after the restart thanks to a breakaway attack as 17 yeear old Nadumba Makeche used his lighting pace to beat a defender and advance towards goal before slotting the ball coolly past Easton and give Stirling a point which had them in the finals series.

Easton then denied Lions captain Jordan Rhodes as his ferocious shot was well saved by the keeper before Armadale hit the lead again thanks this time to Warren Grieve’s stunning strike from the edge of the box.

Then on 78 minutes the in-form striker of the competition James Robinson scored a fantastic solo goal to put Armadale 4-2 up and give the coaching staff of the Lions a headache as their team was now looking at missing a place in the finals series.

The Armadale crowd was high in spirits singing “we want five” and the devastating Robinson coolly obliged on 90 minutes as he received the ball on the edge of the box, skipped past his marker then fired truly into the bottom corner to finish the rout and leave Stirling relying on other results to go their way to see if they would have a spot in the FSS finals series.

Fortunately for them Mandurah equalized late on against Inglewood which meant that Mandurah along with the Lions go through to the FSS finals series but coach Michael Lyons would be looking for a vast improvement if Stirling were to make an impact.

Stirling’s Reserves had a strong 3-1 win while the Under 18′s were convincing 5-0 winners ending the season in 2nd place 2 points behind Champions ECU Joondalup.

The Lions will meet Mandurah City in the sudden death elimination final on the 11th of October at Hyundai Stadium in Mandurah.

Mikulic Leaves it Late for Floreat at Swans

A goal five minutes into stoppage-time from Floreat Athena midfielder Branimir Mikulic gave his side a share of the spoils with Swan United after a 1-1 draw at Francis Street.

After dominating the second half it looked like Floreat would leave empty handed before Mikulic headed home a long throw from Adam Bachiller, and he was happy to get something from the game. “Second half we piled on the pressure, but we couldn’t beat Cory Hugo who made some outstanding saves. We left it a bit late but I thought we were patient and didn’t panic and we got the goal which gives us a lift going into next weeks Cup Final,” said Mikulic.

The Swans made two changes to the side that were beaten 1-0 at the Lions last week with youngster Simon Williams, coming in for his league debut, and John Mansaray, replaced the suspended duo Brendan Craig and Shane Webb. The visitors made three changes to the side that beat Canning city 1-0 last week with Callum Roberts, Dean Apelgren and Brad Scott, replacing Daniel Neiderberger, Simon Elton-Bott and Mirco Aleksic.

It was a great day for football and it was the visitors who were first to go close, Bachiller’s long-range shot on three minutes was saved by Hugo.

The Swans, whose Flexible Signage Solutions top five spot vanished last week, began to get on top and on eight minutes John Mansaray’s cross from the right picked out Stephen Guest, but his first time volley went well wide.

With Swans veteran’s Damian Scali and Dom Ando announcing their retirement, the home side were looking to end the season with a victory to celebrate, and on 13 minutes Williams sent Mansaray clear and the midfielder beat keeper Alex Dunn to the ball but his shot rolled agonizingly past the post.

Their pressure paid off on 22 minutes when they hit the front. A long clearance from Hugo was flicked on by Scali and Mansaray streaked clear and fired low past Dunn.

It should have been 2-0 five minutes later, a great run down the right by Williams ended with a pass to Mansaray, who skipped past John Migas, but with only Dunn to beat he fired wide of the target.

Floreat steadied and began to get back into the game and from James Isaia’s cross from the right on the half hour, Roberts fired wide.

Both sides had chances as the tempo lifted, Ando long-range shot curled just past the post for the Swans, while Mikulic’s cross from the right found Scott, whose header was saved low by Hugo.

It was the visitors who ended the half on top and in first half stoppage-time Migas’ cross from the right was headed inches over by Mikulic, but at the break it was 1-0 to the Swans.

Floreat started the second half as they finished the first, on top, and from Jason Barrera’s corner on 55 minutes Mikulic’s header was cleared away by Robert Monterosso, and Bachiller’s follow up shot was saved low by Hugo.

It was one-way traffic as the visitors laid siege to the Swans goal and on 58 minutes Johnny Mirco cut in from the right but his shot from 10-yards went just wide of the post, and moments later David Foster’s close-range header was saved by Hugo.

The Swans keeper was having an outstanding game, and on 65 minutes Roberts’ cross from the left picked out Mikulic, but Hugo saved superbly from his point blank header.

Mikulic was again denied by Hugo on 75 minutes, his shot looked destined for the back of the net, but the Swans custodian palmed the ball away superbly.

Floreat were totally dominating the game, and on 78 minutes Mirco’s run and cross from the right found Bachiller in the box but he headed over from close-range.

Against the run of play the Swans went close to doubling their lead. With Athena pushing men forward, Scali flicked on to Mansaray, and the midfielder rounded Dunn but his shot was cleared off the line by Migas.

Time was running out for the visitors and on 89 minutes Bachiller’s corner fell to Foster, whose first time shot was superbly saved by Hugo and Mirco’s follow up shot was blocked by David McNally.

The Hugo show continue in stoppage-time, a great run and cross by Mirco on 92 minutes found Roberts in space in the box, but the Swans keeper made another outstanding save to deny the striker, and moments later Roberts shot from the edge of the box was pushed away at full stretch by Hugo.

It looked like the Swans would hang on to the points put in the 95th minute Floreat scored their well deserved equaliser. A long throw from the left by Bachiller found Mikulic and his header beat Hugo much to the delight of the travelling Floreat supporters.

After the game both teams, Coaches and officials lined up to applaud Scali and Ando off the pitch, as the pair retire from Premier League football.

Swans Coach Paul Lincoln was philosophical after the game. “Floreat are a good side and the boy’s defended well today. If we had taken our chances in the first half the game would have been over, but on the whole Floreat played well in the second half and deserved the point. It was a shame to let it slip late, it would have been a great send off for Damian and Dom,” said Lincoln.

Floreat Athena Coach Michael Roki was disappointed with his side’s first half but happy with their second half performance. “Unfortunately we only turned up for the second half, we looked a little casual in the first half but we made a few changes and stepped it up in the second half. It was like the Alamo for Swans near the end and Cory Hugo was sensational to keep us at bay,” said Roki.

Swan United 1 (Mansaray 22’)

Floreat Athena 1 (Mikulic 95’)

Francis Street, Saturday, September 26th 2009

HT: 1-0

Att: 150 (Approx)

Referee – Michael Tolmie

Assistants – Taz Paraskevas and Matthew Southern

SWAN UNITED: GK Cory HUGO, 2 Dom ANDO, 4 Robert MONTEROSSO, 5 David PAONE, 7 John MANSARAY, 10 Stephen GUEST, 11 Chris MARSHALL (9 Matthew CATALONO 90’), 13 David MCNALLY, 14 Simon WILLIAMS (16 Christian LOPEZ 76’), 19 Aaron COLE, 20 Damian SCALI

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Alex SUTTON, 6 Andy ALVERAZ, 15 Matt WOOD

Yellow Cards – Mansaray 20’

FLOREAT ATHENA: GK Alex DUNN, 3 James ISAIA, 5 Johnny MIRCO, 8 Adam BACHILLER, 10 Jason BARRERA, 11 Callum ROBERTS, 12 Branimir MIKULIC, 13 John MIGAS, 15 Paul VATISTAS (6 Miki VUJACIC 57’), 18 Brad SCOTT (14 David FOSTER 57’), 22 Dean APELGREN

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Vas VUJACIC, 4 Alex NOVATSIS

Yellow Cards – Nil

Sorrento End Joondalup Season

ECU JOONDALUP’S hopes of a place in the FSS Finals Series were ended by Sorrento who beat their bitter rivals 2-0 at Percy Doyle Reserve.

A goal in each half from Stuart Montgomery and Steve McDonald meant that, despite favourable results elsewhere, the campaign is over for Syd Amphlett’s side.

Given they needed to win to have any chance of extending their season, it was a rather lacklustre start by the visitors and they found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes.

The ball found its way through to Montgomery and, with just keeper Andy Petterson to beat, the veteran coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

It could have been worse for Joondalup seven minutes later but an unmarked McDonald headed over the bar when he should have at least hit the target.

It was nearly midway through the half before the visitors had their first effort but, after a neat touch, Scott Bushby’s half-volley from 20 yards skewed well wide.

Both sides were guilty of giving the ball away far too often and a disappointing first period ended with Todd Harnwell firing wide from distance, before Petterson comfortably held onto Daniel Darras’ drive through a cluster of players.

Joondalup clearly came out after the break with more urgency and were unlucky not to be on level terms two minutes in when Jamie Watt’s spectacular scissors kick from Jake Benson-Cooper’s cross crashed against the upright and away to safety.

Watt again went close 12 minutes later, his close-range volley brilliantly blocked by Gulls keeper Cyril Sharrock, with Bushby heading the rebound over a gaping net.
The visitors continued to press with Benson-Cooper unable to direct a header past Sharrock.

Sharrock was again forced into action moments later, parrying a blistering 20-yard drive from Ryan Williams.

Sorrento hit back but McDonald couldn’t get enough power behind a header to test Petterson, then the giant striker was guilty of an astonishing miss, somehow poking Harnwell’s centre across the face of goal from three yards out.

Montgomery flashed a first-time volley across the six-yard box but there was no-one on hand to apply the finishing touch, then Petterson comfortably held another header from McDonald.

The Sorrento striker was guilty of another glaring miss at the 75-minute mark, heading Montgomery’s pinpoint cross over the bar when unmarked.

But McDonald made no mistake with 12 minutes remaining, powerfully heading a corner past a helpless Petterson to make it 2-0 and all but end Joondalup’s hopes of playing finals football.

Montgomery attempted to add some salt to the visitors’ wounds but his 20-yard volley flew well wide, while at the other end, Scoot Blackmore saw his header from a corner drift off target.

Deep into injury-time Sorrento manager Steve Neville sent Cameron Yorke on in place of the retiring Stuart Banks who received a generous and well-deserved reception from players and fans after a sterling career with the Gulls.

Neville, while obviously disappointed at not being in a position to challenge for a finals spot, was pleased with his side’s end to the season and was quick to stress it wasn’t a matter of having nothing to play for.

“Obviously it was local derby and another thing, we wanted to finish as high as we could,” he said.

“And knowing if we got three points today, instead of being fourth bottom, it could push us up to just over halfway.

“The last three games, we’ve played how Sorrento play. Everybody’s worked hard, we’ve grafted. If we could have carried that through the season, but it’s too late …

“The table doesn’t lie, we finished where we are because over the 22 games we just weren’t quite good enough.”

Report by Tim Lefort courtesy Football West

Match Details:
Sorrento 2 (Montgomery 15′, McDonald 78′)
ECU Joondalup 0
Saturday September 26, 3.00pm
Percy Doyle Reserve
Crowd: Appx 130
Referee: Ton Klaver

SORRENTO: GK. Cyril SHARROCK, 3. Stuart BANKS (28. Cameron YORKE, 90+3′), 4. Shaun KILKELLY, 7. James MORGAN, 8. Brodie MARTIN, 9. Todd HARNWELL, 10. Stuart MONTGOMERY, 11. Lewis FLATT, 12. Paul CUNNINGHAM, 13. Steve McDONALD, 14. Daniel DARRAS
SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Michael LAWSON, 22. Billy QUINCROFT, 24. Ross LAING, 25. Joe STOKER
YELLOW CARDS: Paul CUNNINGHAM 15′
RED CARDS: None

ECU JOONDALUP: GK. Andy PETTERSON, 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 8. Scott BLACKMORE, 9. Jamie WATT, 10. Ryan WILLIAMS (11. Joseph LADO, 77′), 12. Dan ALLEN, 13. Tommy AMPHLETT, 14 Garin COLLINS, 15. Scott BUSHBY, 17. Jake BENSON-COOPER (6. Craig CHEESEMAN, 62′), 18. Dale McCULLOCH
SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Andy BANKS, 2. Aryn WILLIAMS, 5. John WALMSLEY
YELLOW CARDS: Scott BLACKMORE 69′
RED CARDS: None

Balcatta Crowned Worthy Div 1 Champions

Balcatta completed their season today with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Grindleford Reserve against cousins Bayswater City.

Neither side dominated in a gutsy display that rarely rose above mediocre standards.

The first half saw few opportunities for either side, however the Cats looked the better of the two sides immediately after the break and they were ahead on 59 minutes.

Bayswater dominated the final 15 minutes as they fought to salvage a draw and they were rewarded on 83 minutes with a well deserved equaliser.

Following the game Balcatta were presented with the First Division Championship Trophy and individual medals by Football West.

Photo Gallery

Stateleague Results Round 22

FOOTBALL WEST STATE LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Results – Saturday, 26 September 2009

Cockburn City 3 (Natale 14, Jelen 29, Mirco 57) Canning City 3 (Trevisiol 54, Van Dongen 57, 67); Swan United 1 (Mansaray 22) Floreat Athena 1(Mikulic 94); Armadale 5 (Bunting 29, 45, Grieve 72, Robinson 77, 89) Stirling Lions 2 (Kennedy 18, Mukehie 53); Mandurah City 1(A.Brown 90) Inglewood United 1(Osei-Tutu 13); Sorrento 2 (Montgomery 15, McDonald 78) ECU Joondalup 0; Perth SC 2 (Onoforo 15, 38) Western Knights 0.

Reserves
Cockburn City 4 Canning City 1; Swan United 1 Floreat Athena 5; Armadale 1 Stirling Lions 3; Mandurah City 1 Inglewood United 1; Sorrento 1 ECU Joondalup 0; Perth SC 2 Western Knights 1.

Under 18’s
Cockburn City 2 Canning City 1; Swan United 1 Floreat Athena 5; Armadale 0 Stirling Lions 5; Mandurah City 1 Inglewood United 8; Sorrento 1 ECU Joondalup 2; Perth SC 3 Western Knights 3.

Division One Results – Saturday, 26 September 2009

South West Phoenix 2 (Binni 23, Murphy 32) Fremantle Spirit 3 (Jorquere 50, Wade 56, Carroll 86); Dianella White Eagles 0 Wanneroo City 4 (Boysen 8, Cairney 60, R.Yates 39) ; Balcatta 1(O’Neil 76) Bayswater City 1( Marulanda 83); Gosnells City 3 (Watson 5, Francis 49, Maguire 65) Morley-Windmills 0; Forrestfield United 3 (A.Harold 42, 67, M.Harold 44) Rockingham City 2 (Downs 8, 80); Ashfield 3 (Narraphunt 26, Greenwood 28, Kenevey 36) Queens Park 0.

Reserves
South West Phoenix 1 Fremantle Spirit 2; Dianella White Eagles 1 Wanneroo City 5; Balcatta 5 Bayswater City 2; Gosnells City 4 Morley-Windmills 3; Forrestfield United 2 Rockingham City 2; Ashfield 5 Queens Park 1.

Under 18’s
South West Phoenix 2 Fremantle Spirit 1; Dianella White Eagles 0 Wanneroo City 0; Balcatta 1 Bayswater City 0; Gosnells City 4 Morley-Windmills 1; Forrestfield United 0 Rockingham City 3; Ashfield 6 Queens Park 0.

Scali bows out of the Swans on top

On Saturday at 4.45pm the curtain will come down on the Premier League football career of long-serving Swan United striker Damian Scali. The 33-year-old will hang up his boots after the weekend’s clash against Floreat Athena, and the decision to call it a day was one he thought long and hard about. “The decision to retire is very difficult, and I have no idea what I am going to do with myself from Sunday onwards.

“Since I was about 5-years-old I have been hanging around this soccer club. I honestly don’t know any different other than showing up on Tuesdays, Thursdays and the weekends, Saturday is going to be the hardest day of my life so far.

“But when you end up in the emergency department at a local hospital, on a Sunday afternoon because you need an injection so you can straighten your back up I think its time to retire.,” explained Scali.

The striker will again top the Swans goal scoring chart this season, and will go close to the Football West Golden Boot, which is a far cry to his early days at Francis Street. “I’ve always said that every time I win the leading scorer at our club it cant be good because we obviously are not going very well in that year.

“The years we have made finals and won cups I have finished second or third in this trophy, and when I have won the award we have been in relegation fights so I used to not like winning it.

“However, moving to be a striker in the last two years has meant that I am relied on to score so I have really enjoyed that, but really, the boys have done all the work and made scoring the goals very easy. I even said the other week that if I won the Golden Boot every other striker should be ashamed of themselves,” joked Scali.

With over 200 games for the black and whites, Scali has had many coaches, was there one who had a big influence on his career. “Well, this is tough, said Scali.

“My dad was my coach all through my junior years and my ability to read the game and score goals is no doubt down to what he taught me. Anything I have done in the game is due to him, his encouragement, yelling, ideas and gene pool – I guess my mum helped in that area as well!

“As a senior coach, there is no doubt that my best soccer was played with Eric Williams. I think he just had the team structure tailored to me playing the best I can, and obviously Gary Marocchi, who led us to two cups is right up there as well,” said Scali.

Scali has played with and against a number of great players but who was the most difficult he had played against and the best Swans player he had played with? “Toughest player would have to be between Mark Pottier, Todd Howarth and Stuart Montgomery. All three are very skilful, strong, fast, score goals and have caused us no end of trouble over the years. There are many more such as Norrie Sutton who ran me ragged and Paul McVittie who was very good as well,” said Scali.

“The best Swans player would have to be my cousin Carlo. That’s because he knows my game more than anyone, and probably set me up more than anyone. I would hope that Carlo and I had a little to do with Swan being where they are now,” explained Scali

Scali, who has helped the Swans to two Boral Cup victories and promotion from the first division in 1994, are memorable moments for him and he will never forget them. “I’ve enjoyed every game I’ve played for this club, but the highlights would be winning back-to-back cups in 2003 and 2004, but as a club getting promoted in 1994 to the premier league for the first time was special. We celebrated all night, with everyone who had put so much into the club has to be my most memorable moment. To have the whole club singing all night in a warehouse in Midland is something I will never forget,” said Scali.

Former Swans player and Coach, Carlo Scali, knows Damian will be sadly missed around the club. “Damian Scali has been part of the furniture at Swan, longer than me. As my Cousin, I have seen him play juniors with my brother, and I also was lucky to play with him for many years in the seniors. He’s has without doubt become one off the most consistent players in the league and one of only a few that can play equally well anywhere in the spine of the side.

“Damian has scored some of the best goals I have seen, has been a great captain, an excellent player and a passionate supporter of the team. It was great watching him grow as a player, even better playing alongside him and I am sure the whole club is as proud of his achievements as I am,” said Carlo.

Current Swans coach Paul Lincoln, also played with Damian, and wished him all the best in his retirement. “Damien and I have enjoyed the highs and lows of our great game. He has been an important player for me over the past two years, not only has he been the team’s leading goal scorer and can finish with authority, it’s  his ability to play anywhere in the spine that shows his class as an all round footballer. He has had a fantastic career and is a true champion of the club,” said Lincoln.

So from Sunday morning Scali will have other plans for the pre-season, but he will miss the football. “What’s next’s for me – no idea.

“I still want to remain involved at the club but how I am not sure; I will need something to do every Saturday, maybe something will pan out in the next few months.

“I will miss not being able to fight out on the pitch for the club as a whole. Knowing that I’m representing everyone who have had anything to do with the club, against the best clubs in the state. I will miss the emotional points that happen on a Saturday – scoring in the last minute to win games, celebrating with the fans near the canteen, singing the song in the change rooms after a game. I will also miss the friendships I have made in the change rooms, the rubbish talk that goes on amongst the players, and the fun we have, and of course the player’s trip, thanks for the memories guy’s,” explained Scali.

Knights’ defender Ferguson heads over the ditch

It’s been a fantastic season for the Western Knights, winning the league title and for defender Stuart Ferguson, who heads to New Zealand side Hawkes Bay United after the end of the season, hopes to go out with a top five series victory for the Nash Field side.

“I’m 24, and I’ve played for two seasons now and won the Soccer Pools Cup, the Football West Shield, the League title and hopefully now the Top Five Finals Series. So to me it signals a good time to move on, not that I want to but due to a few problems with my VISA, I have accepted an offer to play for Hawkes Bay United in the New Zealand Football Championship this season starting a week after the grand final,” said Ferguson.

“I’m flying out the day after the grand final and playing there till May, and after that I may return to Perth but who knows. I know I’m not the prettiest football player in the world, but as I keep saying to the boys every team in the world needs a no-nonsense defender and a training ground joker and well I have enjoyed giving my all for the Western Knight during my 2 seasons playing in the state league. I have made some lifelong friends at the Knights and it’s a part of my life I will never forget,” explained Ferguson.

The big English defender has been a rock at the back over the season and he believes they deserved the title. “We began the season stared poorly, our round one loss to ECU Joondalup, I believe set us up for a big season. It really brought us back down to earth after an impressive night series.

“After that the playing group really grouped together to play some attractive yet powerful football. It hasn’t all been plain sailing as there are a number of big personalities within the club and people don’t always see eye to eye but in the end everyone was committed to the same goal and we always knew we had the talent and experience to win the league and too be honest from a defensive point of view we have still conceded some sloppy goals,” said Ferguson.

The Knights struggled last season but the turn around has been tremendous and Ferguson knows the players were determined to rectify last season’s poor league position. “I think fitness was a key element and I’m sure a few of the boys would agree with me some of our “top yourself Tuesday” training sessions weren’t enjoyable but we all knew we needed to increase our level of fitness.

“Add to that we also had a squad with more experience and knowledge of the game has certainly helped especially after losing personal friends Rory Grant and Kevin Miller from the squad.

“Last year we have a lot of young boys with great promise and a huge future in the game but there come times in a season where you need that extra a bit of experience to guide you through a tough period and for a time this year we won a number of games not playing our best football,” said Ferguson.

There were new coaches at the club this season and Ferguson paid tribute to the pair for getting the best out of the squad. “Paul and Tony are totally opposites, which really helped them and us as players. They have tried to keep training enjoyable but at the same time make sure it has direct benefit to part of our game.

“Personally with both being defenders many moons ago it has helped my game considerably, they understand my strengths but at the same time understand my weaknesses. They have adapted my game to suit the Australian soccer culture and I’m not talking huge wholesale changes but slight subtle changes which make a lot of difference in game time situations. I will say they have a very different style to any other coach I have worked for previously as being raised in North East England I’m used to having things drilled into me rather then passed on quietly,” joked Ferguson.

After two years at the Knights Ferguson has seen the club rise to the top and a number of players have impressed him on that road. “As a defender I have to say my defensive partner Dave Annall has been outstanding. Since arriving in Australia I have created a good on and off field relationship with Dave and our games seem to complement each other, with him being the more cultured, calm and ball playing centre half and me being the ball winner and all round pest and to have Dave fit and playing at the heart of our defense all season I see as crucial to us winning the title. Also as a defender it’s hugely important to trust the guy behind you and in Fraser Siddall I believe we have one of the best goalkeeper’s in the state and the transformation of Okwy Diamonstar into a defender (who I must add wears white boots) has been remarkable. I hope to go out with the top five trophy and give the Knights fans something else to celebrate,” added Ferguson

Ando flies the Swans nest

Swan United defensive midfielder Dom Ando will end his Premier League football career on Saturday, after announcing his retirement from the game to his teammates on Tuesday evening.

The 35-year-old, who has played for Perth Azzurri, for 19 years, then Bayswater City, Fremantle City, Inglewood United, Bassendean Caledonians and finally Swan United, believes he has made the right, but difficult decision. “I’ve been playing the game I love for 31-years now so the decision to retire was difficult, but I believe I’ve had a good run in the game and I’ll look forward to watching on a Saturday from now,” said Ando.

Like all players who retire Ando has worked with a number of players and coaches and has enjoyed every minute. “The local game has been great to play in for a number of years. I’ve had many battles on the park, I’ve won some and lost some but I’ve always gave 100% The most difficult opponent in the league, that is hard to pin point one player as there have been many of players in the state league, but one would have to be Scott Miller due to his pace getting down the line,” said Ando.

“I’ve played along side many talented players but probably the best would be Alan McKenzie.  His fitness and ability to read the game was outstanding.  I have to include Robert Zabica in goals as well,” said Ando.

Ando has had a number of coaches along the way, and for him one stood out. “While I was at Perth I had Laurie Naven, farther of Gareth and Craig for five years. He was great for me at young age and I learnt a great deal from him,” said Ando.

He has a great three years at Swan and wishes them the best of luck next season. “I’ve enjoyed the club and a highlight for me would be my thunder bolt against Inglewood United a couple of years ago to earn us a 2-2 drew.

“I will miss the team bonding nights at Francis Street and the team trips, but I will not miss pre-season training at the Bickley concentration camp,” joked Ando,

Swans Coach Paul Lincoln praised Ando, who has been a strong contributor in his two-years at the helm of the Francis Street club. “Dom has had a terrific career and has been able to get the most out of himself.

“He played a more defensive role in the team which suited his game and he is a strong tackler, who could hit the ball well with both feet, and although not noted for his goals, when he did score they were top shelf.

“Dom you have had a fantastic career which you should be proud of,” said Lincoln.

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