State league Preliminary Final Preview

Well we are now down to the three best sides in the league and that really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone should they ?

Where it goes from here though is up for grabs as all three sides are chock full of potential match winners on their day and games between the sides have been close all season.

This week’s fixture is the Preliminary final between the Western Knights and Floreat Athena. The prize at stake is a position in the Grand Final against Perth SC.

The Knights are coming off another frustrating loss against Perth SC in last week’s major semi final.

Anthony Campbell once again proved what a danger he is to the opposing defence with another goal from a header off a set piece whilst David Annall added a second late on although by that time Perth were already just a bit too far ahead to be caught.

Conceding three goals at home must be a worry to Knights coach Paul Price. Perth were happy to meet the Knights as I expect that they believe the Knight’s playing style suits them as their defence struggles to cope with the pace and movement of Perth strikeforce of David Onoforo and Phil Arnold.

Knights skipper David Micevski will once again be a key man as he caps off an exceptional season for the Knights. Micevski must already be favourite to claim the Football West Gold Medal for 2009.

Floreat looked dangerous last week against Mandurah City and the week before against Perth SC, however, their problem seems to be a lack of goals.

Johnny Migas had a bagful of chances last week against Mandurah as he pushed up to support his strikers yet the radar was somewhat off on the day combined with a world class save from Phil Straker that kept Floreat’s most influential player goalless.

Daniel Neiderberger toiled away up front in appallingly hot conditions and it was little wonder when he was substituted midway through the second half. Neiderberger’s inspirational workrate is key for Floreat as is the support play of Jason Barrera and Johny Mirco.

Coach Mike Roki must be very tempted indeed to introduce last week’s substitute and match winner David Foster from the start giving Floreat’s current lack of goals.

Formbook

The Knights have bested Athena twice already this season having won both home and away by a 2 goal margin on both occasions.

The Knights recent record for their last 5 games is (most recent first), Loss (Perth SC at home), Loss (Perth SC away), Draw (Sorrento home), Loss (Mandurah away), Win (Armadale at home).

Floreat Athena’s record, Win (Mandurah at home), Loss (Perth SC away), Win (Inglewood neutral ground), Draw (Swan United away), Win (Canning City away).

Prediction

This is perhaps potentially the closest call we have had to make all season.

Had it been a regular season fixture we would have opted to sit on the fence and call it a draw.

As it stands though a result must occur so we are going for the next best thing and predicting 2-2 after extra time and penalties to decide it.

Whilst traditionalists would likely want to see the Western Knights through to the final our even money bet goes on Athena this time to set up a very interesting re-match with Perth SC in the Grand Final next weekend.