Western Knights Join Perth SC In Grand Final

The Western Knights defeated Floreat Athena 2-1 at Nash Field today to join Perth SC in next week’s Football West Premier League Grand Final.

The Knights were good value for the win although it must be said that today’s preliminary final was a very average game of football played on a pitch that did justice to neither side as it is too narrow with a surface that more resembles a cow paddock than a football field.

That said, the Knights reacted to the conditions better (as they should being the home side) and that possibly was one factor that contributed to their win on the day.

Floreat’s starting lineup included last week’s hero David Foster and there was no place again for Brad Scott whilst the Western Knights defence was without Okwy Diamondstar who also started on the bench.

The narrow spaces at Nash Field and the bumpy surface do not suit teams who like the play the ball on the deck and this looked to be a problem for both sides but mainly Floreat from the kickoff.

In fact the first 10 minutes of the game yielded little at all to suggest a place in the grand final was riding on the outcome as both sides started sluggishly.

Long throws into the box from both sides were the major weapon of attack with Western Knights having a slight territorial advantage during this first period.

Floreat had the first chance as Johnny Migas found space outside the box to get a shot off on goal. The shot took a slight defelection which made Knight’s keeper Fraser Siddall’s job all the much harder, however, Siddall managed to turn the ball wide of the goal.

Within a minute the Knights had their first attempt on goal as David Micevski’s freekick from the left just outside the penalty box curled just wide of the far Floreat upright.

On 16 minutes Migas was in the thick of the action once again as he benefited from the Knights gifting possession to Floreat just inside their own half. Migas broke free and took time to line up his shot however his tame effort was easily collected by Siddall.

On 22 minutes Daniel Trim headed just wide of the upright before Floreat nearly gave away a goal via a mistimed backpass. Any backpass to the keeper on this surface was tempting fate and this one which was also in the air was an open invitation to Campbell. Dunn was quickly off his line but only managed to half clear. The ball fell to David Micevski, however he was unable to get a shot away and was crowded out to the right touchline by the Floreat defence.

On 34 minutes Floreat threatened again as Jason Barrera placed his half volley over the crossbar.

David Micevski became the first player into the referee’s book for the day on 36 minutes as he brought down Johnny Migas in the middle of the park with a clear professional foul to halt Migas’ progress.

The Knights had the best chance of a quiet first half on 39 minutes as both Daniel Trim and Anthony Campbell had a sight of goal in the same passage of play. The Floreat defence were able to clear the danger though and both sides went in level at the break.

The second half started at a better pace with both sides no doubt aware that much more was required to win the match. Barry Devlin was so close to an opener on 49 minutes as his drive from 22 metres rattled off the Floreat crossbar.

On 52 minutes Daniel Neiderberger created a chance for Branimir Mikulic and the Floreat wideman pounced on the opportunity to round Siddall only to be flagged for offside by the referee’s assistant.

The first goal came on 53 minutes. The Knights David Micevski with a strong run down the right and a hard low cross to the front post which was met by Cambell 3 metres out. There was little chance of the big man missing from that distance and the Knights were deservedly 1-0 up.

A goal was what the game needed badly and it brightened up both sides and the game in general.

We had said in our pre-game preview that Floreat were finding goals hard to come by and today was no different. Athena were really struggling to create chances even this week and their first real opportunity of the second half came on 63 minutes as a freekick from the right was headed wide of the Knights goal although, in truth, the Knights looked completely in control of the situation.

On 71 minutes John Mirco threatened for the visitors as he tried to lob the ball over Dunn from distance as the ball broke to him outside the penalty area after the Knights tried to clear another Floreat long throw.

Daniel Micevski was having a strong performance at the back for the Knights and his run from his own penalty area down the touchline created all sorts of problems for Floreat. Micevski’s cross was just to long for the incoming strikers, however, Floreat, however, failed to clear the ball sufficiently and it broke for brother David Micevski.

David Micevski showed why he is favourite for the Player of the year Award as he calmly placed the ball wide of Dunn for 2-0 to the Knights on 76 minutes and it looked very much like game over at this point.

Floreat do not give up easily though and they were back in the game on 81 minutes. A Floreat shot was only half saved by Siddall and Branimir Mikulic managed to get to the ball first to force it over the line with his head to set up a fascinating last 10 minutes.

On 84 minutes Floreat coach Mike Roki introduced Brad Scott for Daniel Neiderberger in the hope that the talented Kiwi could do enough to take the game into extra time.

Floreat did have one more chance on 88 minutes as Johnny Migas managed to get a shot away whilst on the ground, however, his effort lacked power and was gratefully collected by Siddall.

Floreat had a big shout for a penalty on 92 minutes as a shot from out side the box collected Marco Warmt-Murray on the upper body although there was never any real chance referee David Costello would blow for a foul for such an incident.

The Knights lasted out the last couple of minutes to claim a well deserved spot in next week’s grand final.

Summary

Player of the match: David Micevski – made one, scored one. No contest.

Western Knights Verdict: They will have to play much better than this to beat Perth SC next week.

Floreat verdict: A very average performance from a side that regularly plays much better. The ground did not favour them but that cannot be used as the only excuse on the day. There just didn’t seem to be that spark and swagger they displayed against Mandurah last weekend and scoring goals is really becoming a problem – a striker must be on Mike Roki’s Christmas list this year surely ?