Soccer Pools Cup Round 2 Draw

The second round of the State League Cup fixtures have been released following the completion of the opening round on Monday.

Football West Competitions Manager Keith Wood, State League Competitions Administrator Angela Murphy and Referee Coordinator Mathew Cheeseman were present for the draw which took place at Football West offices in Maylands.

The draw has several all-Premier League clashes with Western Knights hosting Armadale, Perth SC taking on Balcatta and Stirling Lions will be at home to Mandurah City.

Cup holders Floreat Athena will be away to Division One’s Ashfield.

Round Two of the State League Cup will take place on June 7.

Round Two State League Cup fixtures

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Presidents Message

Welcome to Macedonia Park for Round 7 Football West Premier league action as our Stirling Lions take on northern neighbours ECU Joondalup. Traditionally the encounters have been packed with attacking and entertaining football with no quarter given.

Both sides have had interesting starts and are still in the mix for making a charge into the top 5 as the competition is once again very even, so today’s clash will definitely have plenty to play for. ECU Joondalup come off two draws with Swan and Armadale while the Lions come off two losses against Sorrento and Floreat. Both sides got a taste of winning with 1st Round victories in the Soccer Pools Cup with ECU 5-3 victors over Forrestfield and our Lions getting some shooting practice in with a 10-1 demolition over Queens Park.

I would like to welcome ECU Joondalup president Steve Wheatley and “the special one” Syd Amphlett as well as all the coaches, players and supporters of the proud Joondalup side. I look forward to chatting about the football after the games have ended over a cool beer at the bar with all our ECU friends.

Last weeks Cup round was certainly a confidence boost for all sides with 34 goals scored on the day and our lads can take their good form into today’s important contest. New signing Mario Marcinko found his form banging in four classy goals as did Keith Clevenger in the Reserves while this week we look forward to the return of injured key players Michael Pugliese, Dean Evans and Tom Ingram. The game against Floreat Athena was very frustrating for our fans and players with the Lions dominating play but not clinical in the final third. Bran Mikulic was again our nemesis scoring two goals that mattered and helped the Athena boys get the result. It was a great atmosphere with excellent passionate football being played while the fans in the stands from both sides came with a football spirit and added to the day, we hope the fans who support us on these occasions can come regularly and fill the Macie Park stadium roarring for the Lions.

It was a historic day at Macedonia Park last Sunday when all our players coaches and parents gathered to take the first ever photo of ALL our Stirling Lions members with some 450 people attending to be a part of history. The photo taken by CLUB photographer Dave Ball is accessible on our Stirling Lions website www.stirlinglions.com.au and will go onto the West Ham United International Academy website alongside our partnership announcement with one of the greatest Academy’s in the world. We look forward to announcing more details on the special clinics to be held later this year under Hammers DOC Mike Leigh. Thank you to all the parents, kids and senior players, women’s team and amateurs for making it a great success!!!

The juniors have kicked off their season with some great football being played and I encourage all parents, grand parents and football fans to get along on a Sunday morning and watch some of the amazing talent on display as our stars of tomorrow show what they have at Vasto Reserve and Ted Cross Reserve every second Sunday.

Every club needs more volunteers as they are scarce and precious so on that note I would like to pay a big thank you to Chris Vrteski for stepping up and helping with player feeds on match day and training nights. His magical cooking skills are almost as good as his son Aleks’s goal keeping skills for the Perth Glory. Thanks heaps Chris……..the boys and the club are glad to have you on board and a part of the team.

I would like to wish you all a very enjoyable day here at Macedonia Park as we look forward to ROARRRING OUR MIGHTY LIONS TO OUR FIRST LEAGUE HOME VICTORY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Super Mario Bags 4 In Lions’ Walk In The Park

The Stirling Lions scoring drought came to an end as new Perth Glory Youth signing Mario Marcinko made a statement scoring 4 quality goals at Macedonia Park in the Lions 10-1 rout of Division 1 side Queens Park in Saturdays Round 1 Soccer Pools Cup tie.

The Lions were still lamenting wasted opportunities that could have secured a moral boosting win over arch rivals Floreat Athena when they went down to a last minute winner by Bran Mikulic giving the Athena side a 2-1 win against the run of play. Poor finishing was to blame for the Lions but it all clicked on the Anzac Monday holiday fixture as the Lions tore apart the hapless Queens Park opponents.

It was an all out assault as the Lions opened up the game attacking the opposition goal and Ndumba Makeche squared off a perfect pass to Ludo Boi whose shot fell comfortably into the hands of the Queens Park keeper in the 2nd minute. The Stirling fans didn’t have to wait too long as some solid work in the midfield by Paul Dickson saw Marcinko through on goal to slot home the opener in the 5th minute. Two minutes later it was Marcinko supplying Glory youth team mate Ludo Boi with a lovely ball giving Boi a perfect ball to make it two from close range.

The Lions were in a mean mood and went in search of more as right back Clayton Arnez continued his good form supplying an inch perfect cross to the head of Marcinko who glanced into the top corner of the net for his second goal of the day in the 10th minute. The Queens Park defence was under the pump as they tried to repel the onslaught and to their credit fought back with a surprise goal when Lions midfielder Matthew Stares failed to clear and John Gowland pounced on the loose ball and slotted home from a tight angle giving the Queens Park fans reason to celebrate in the 17th minute.

Lions fans roared in anticipation as Marcinko found himself in space with a hat trick in the offering but his long range shot on the run smashed into the post and away to safety, while at the other end Queens Park centre back Mugala should have equalized from a well taken corner but his header went wide in the 28th minute.

Arnez was in the thick of it and combined well with fleet footed winger Jamie De Abreu who found Stares at the edge of the area and he blasted home the 4th for the Lions in the 29th minute.

The Lions held midfield sway with Stares and Dickson working like terriers while Boi and DeAbreu created havoc from the flanks, near misses followed as Marcinko and Boi shot wide but Arnez was the creator again as his deep cross from the right found Ndumba Makeche at the far post who headed back into the goalmouth where Marcinko was on hand to head home for his first half hat trick in the 40th minute to make it 5-1 at the half.

The second half was more like a training run for the Lions as Boi sent De Abreu through on goal to nail his first goal from a tight angle in the 50th minute. Jason Feather thought he had pulled one back for the Queens Park side in the 65th minute but was disappointed to find the offside flag up as he scored.

Stirling’s defence was well led with late inclusion Dennis Galan and Bobby Wilson marshaling and controlling any threat from the nippy Queens Park forwards and it was defender Wislon’s turn to get amongst the goals as he latched onto a deep free kick cross from Matty Stares in the 66th minute, calmy slotting home from 5 meters out.

Lions coach Paul Lincoln used his bench well as he rested key players Ludo Boi and Ndumba Makeche bringing on Jake Geddes and Stuart Long who both immediately got into the action. Geddes was through on goal and was brought down for a penalty in the 75th minute but his spot kick was well saved by the Queens Park keeper who palmed it away to safety. A minute later Long had a shot that skimmed off the crossbar and then found the net a minute later when Arnez combined with Dickson to set up Long for his first league goal for the Lions.

The scoring was not over as the Lions earned a corner in the 85th minute with Jamie De Abreu’s deep cross being met powerfully by defender Daniel Stoitis who got his name on the score sheet for the Lions ninth.

The final nail in the coffin came from a lovely bit of play where Geddes sent multiple scorer Marcinko through on goal with the clever striker sublimely chipping the keeper from 30 metres out with the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar then crossing the line and bouncing out for number 10. The Queens Park lads were glad to hear the final whistle while the Lions will use go into next weeks big home game with ECU Joondalup brimming full of gaol scoring confidence.

The Lions Reserves went through to the next round with a 13-2 thrashing while the 18′s did likewise winning 11-1.

Next weeks game will be at Macedonia Park where the Lions meet northern rivals ECU Joondalup on Saturday kick off 3pm.

Perth Glory Signs Robbie Fowler

Perth Glory is thrilled to announce the club has signed super star striker Robbie Fowler for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.

Fowler, a former England international is the fourth highest goal scorer in the history of the English Premier League and known to Liverpool fans across the globe as “God”.

“This is vindication that everything we are doing at Perth Glory is on track”, beamed Chairman Tony Sage.

“Robbie had a number of clubs chasing his signature, both in the Hyundai A-League and from the Middle-East and we’re delighted he’s decided to join Perth Glory.

“It’s exciting for football fans in Western Australia that a legend has decided to play for us” Sage said.

Fowler joins the Glory after one season in the Hyundai A-League with North Queensland Fury where he scored 9 goals in 26 games.

The 35 year old is the biggest signing in the history of Perth Glory.

“Getting players of this calibre is not easy but it’s the commitment I have made to this football club. Now we need our fans and supporters to return the faith by purchasing season memberships.

“We also need strong support from the commercial and business world and it would be remiss of me not to thank those organisations and individuals who have already pledged their support”, Sage said.

Fowler will become the Glory’s foreign marquee player and the club has now finalised its 23 man squad for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.

Fowler will join his new Perth Glory team mates for pre-season training in June.

Cocking double sees Swans through to next round

A first half double from Swan United striker Alex Cocking has helped Premier League side Swan United through to the next round of the Soccer pools Cup after a 3-0 win against Sunday Amateurs side Stirling Panthers in the first round clash at Francis Street on Monday Afternoon.

The young striker fired home in the 11th and 34th minute and when John hunter added a third late on it gave United’s coach Jamie Goodman his first win as senior coach for the Swan Valley club.

The Panthers, who won the Premier Amateur league title last season headed in to the game, full of confidence, but it was the home side that opened the better, and on four minutes Cory Hugo’s free kick found David McNally, who beat keeper Simon Madaschi to the ball, and his header went just over the crossbar.

Moments later Brendan Craig picked our Cocking in the penalty area, and the strikers first time shot flashed inches over the bar.

The early pressure from the home was rewarded on 11 minutes when they hit the front. Rory Mouttet found James Sammut in the middle of the park and the former Perth Glory Youth midfielder’s inch perfect cross picked out Cocking, who headed home from six-yards.

It was a blow for the visitors but they almost hit back immediately, Christopher Agostino was sent clear down the right and his dangerous cross into the box was headed away by Mouttet, under pressure from Anthony Arnold at the back post.

The home side continued to press and Brendan Craig’s shot flashed wide of the post on 20 minutes, and four minutes later Irish midfielder Darragh Kinnevey won possession in the middle of the park and found Boland on the edge of the box, the big strikers shot went inches wide.

It was a fast paced game and there were chances at both ends of the park. First on 25 minutes Panthers striker Arnold’s long-range shot was straight at Hugo, who saved, while down the other end Craig’s powerful shot was well saved by Madaschi at full stretch.

United continued to press and they were rewarded with a second on 34 minutes. Again it was Kinnevey who was the provider, his great through ball picked out Cocking and the young striker kept his nerve and fired low past Madaschi from five-yards to double United’s lead.

The home side suffered a blow on 40 minutes when Kinnevey limped off, and he was replaced by John Mansaray, but it was the home side that ended the half the better and they had two good chances to add to their lead before the break.

First on 43 minutes Mansaray found Cocking on the right of the penalty area, but his first time shot went wide, and in stoppage-time Boland was found by Hunter, but the former Stirling Lions strikers shot flashed inches past the near post with Madaschi well beaten.

The Panthers opened the second half well and had their best chances three minutes in, Nicholas Paone snap shot from close-range was superbly saved by Hugo, although the flag was up offside.

It was the visitor’s who was taking the game to United, but the final ball let Bruno Serra’s side down. United hit back and Sammut’s cheeky lob on 68 minutes was well saved by former Perth SC keeper Madaschi, and second half substitute Christian Lopez’s follow up went wide.

Madaschi was keeping his side in the game with a great save to deny Sammut on 75 minutes, but he was beaten moments later when the lively Lopez found Nick Joshi on the edge of the box, but the striker fired wide when well placed.

The decisive third goal came on 84 minutes when Paul da San Martino was adjudged to have handled the ball by referee Ton Klaver, and he had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Hunter stepped up to fire home from the penalty to make it 3-0.

Still the home side pressed and Lopez’s shot from the right of the penalty area flew over the top of the bar, before a late flurry from the Panthers almost gave them a consolation. Hussein Awada showed great skill to skip past three United defenders on the right on 85 minutes, but Mouttet was alert to clear his dangerous cross.

It was almost 4-0 to United in stoppage-time when Sammut fed Hunter, who was in on goal, but Madaschi did well to deny the former Forrestfield United youngster, and at the final whistle it was United who went into the hat for the second round draw.

United Coach Jamie Goodman was happy to get the win and the way his side had played on the day. “It’s always a difficult game in the cup against lower opposition but I thought we were good today. We controlled the game and should have won by more. I told the players before the game to go out and express themselves and I thought they did just that, which was pleasing,’ said Goodman.

Panthers coach Bruno Serra was happy with his sides’ performance, but said they were well beaten on the day. “I was proud of the boys today, they just continued to work hard until the final whistle and I can’t ask anymore than that. We had a few chances but they did too, so 3-0 against a Premier League side is not bad, we now have to continue to improve in the league,” said Serra.

Soccer Pools Cup 1st Round

Swan United 3 – Cocking 11′, 34′, Hunter 84′ (pen)

Stirling Panthers 0

Venue – Francis Street

Att – 150

Referee – Ton KLAVER

Assistants Jonathon THROSSELL and Gary FROST

SWAN UNITED: GK Cory HUGO, 4 Robert MONTOROSSO, 6 Darragh KINNEVEY (13 John MANSARAY 41’), 7 James SAMMUT, 8 Brendan CRAIG, 9 Nick JOSHI (6 Trent WOOD 77’), 10 Alex COCKING (24 Christian LOPEZ 64’), 11 John HUNTER, 15 David MCNALLY, 17 Liam BOLAND, 19 Rory MOUTTET

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Daniel AGUDELO, 24 Thomas SHEPHEARD,

Yellow Cards – Nil

(2 Nick JOSHI 81’),

STIRLING PANTHERS – GK Simon MADASCHI, 3 Michael KOVACEVIC (6 Gareth BANFIELD 56’), 4 Hussein AWADA, 7 Dulio XAVIER, 8 Anthony ARNOLD, 9 Christopher AGOSTINO (5 Luke PAVLOS 63’), 10 Paul DA SAN MARTINO, 11 Nicholas PAONE (2 Kenny SALIM 79’), 12 Simon DA SAN MARTINO, 13 Kristian RAGNI, 14 Shane MITCHELL -

Subs not used – RGK Tony ALEKSOVSKI

Yellow Cards – Simon da San Martino 72’

Soccer Pools Cup Round One Results

Soccer Pools Cup Results

Rockingham City 1 (Senior 53) Morley-Windmills 3 (Walsh 45, 47, Muhmud 77); Murdoch Uni  Olympic Kingsway ; Wanneroo City 0 Perth SC 5 (Onoforo 45P, 80, De Felice 72, McMurray 77, Sharland 82); Forrestfield United 3 (Harold 5, Hart 48, Burns 66,) ECU Joondalup 5 (Watt 28, 70, 72, 84, O’Callaghan 30); Shamrock Rovers  Ashfield ; Sorrento 7 (Morgan 24, Foster 45P, 71, 78, Harnwell 67, Hayton 82, Love 86) Spearwood Dalmatinac 1; Stirling Lions 10 (Marcinko 5, 11, 39, 85, Boi 17, Stares 29, De Abreu 51, Wilson 67, Long 75, Stoitis 81) Queens Park 1 (Gowland 18); Subiaco AFC 1 (Munier 55) Bayswater City 3 (McStea 22, Jorquera 56, 90); Bunbury Forum Force 6 (Kavanagh 4, Stewart 19, Rodgers 42P, 54, 68, McGee 51) Fremantle United 0; Floreat Athena 8 ( Mirco 21, 56, 76, 89, Isaia 33, Mikulic 52, Contera 67) Gosnells City 0; Armadale 6 (Shrall 9, J Robinson 14, 25, 35P, Flatt 29, Kelly 66) UWA-Nedlands 0; Dianella White Eagles 1 (Njigic 31) Cockburn City 4 (Dos Santos 2, Feely 44, 67, Findlater 57); Mandurah City 3 (Brown 17, Bower 31, Bobridge 46) Canning City 0; Inglewood United 1 (Baczynski 51) Balcatta 3 (Piromalli 37, Komdaric 73, Stellitano 85); Fremantle Spirit 0 Western Knights 8 (Hind 15, Campbell 51, 59, 91, Versaico 75, 78, Montgomery 89, Ferguson 52); Swan United 3 (Cocking 11, 34, Hunter 84) Stirling Panthers 0

Reserves

Rockingham City 1 Morley-Windmills 2; Murdoch Uni  Olympic Kingsway ; Wanneroo City 2 Perth SC 3; Forrestfield United  ECU Joondalup ; Shamrock Rovers  Ashfield ; Sorrento 6 Spearwood Dalmatinac 0; Stirling Lions 13 Queens Park 2; Subiaco AFC 2 Bayswater City 2 WOP; Bunbury Forum Force 7 Fremantle United 1; Floreat Athena 5 Gosnells City 2; Armadale  3 UWA-Nedlands 1; Dianella White Eagles 1 Cockburn City 2; Mandurah City  3 Canning City 1; Inglewood United  Balcatta ; Fremantle Spirit 2 Western Knights 3; Swan United  Stirling Panthers

Under 18’s

Rockingham City 6 Morley-Windmills 0; Wanneroo City 0 Perth SC 2; Forrestfield United  ECU Joondalup ; Stirling Lions  Queens Park ; Subiaco AFC 0 Bayswater City 2; Bunbury Forum Force 5 Fremantle United 2; Floreat Athena 4 Gosnells City 1; Dianella White Eagles 0 Cockburn City 8; Mandurah City 2 WOP Canning City 2; Inglewood United  Balcatta ; Fremantle Spirit 3 Western Knights 2

Soccer Pools Cup Round One Preview

On Monday the Football West Soccer Pools Cup first Round ties take centre stage, with all games kicking off at 3pm. It’s a chance for the Amateur Sunday sides to pit their wits with the semi-professional clubs and there are some interesting contests. The pick of the round see’s undefeated first division leaders Gosnells City travels to the E&D Litis Stadium to take on cup holders Floreat Athena. Athena will go into the game as favourites but Tony Maguire’s side will hope to cause an upset. Assistant Coach Taki Nicolaidis believes the game will be tight but hopes they can hold on to their trophy this season. “I’m not expecting this game to be an easy one. Even though they are in a division below they are the form team and will come into the game full of confidence. In the past we have struggled against teams from lower divisions and I guess it’s the coach’s job to ensure the players perform at their best on the day,” said Nicolaidis.

“Both teams have tough games on Saturday and its important that we go into Mondays game with a win under our belt as good form is winning form. A lot will also depend on how players from both teams pull up after Saturdays game, but at this stage everyone is fit and we will rely on the squad depth and class to get us through,” added Nicolaidis.

Gosnells City midfielder Ian Maguire is looking forward to pitting his wits against a top Premier League side and he can’t wait. “Obviously its going to be a tough match as Athena are one of the top clubs in the state, but the lads are really looking forward to it. We were unlucky not to get a result last year away to Inglewood, so who knows maybe we can go one better this year,” said Maguire.

“It’s been a great start for us and the lads have been buzzing at training this week, so hopefully it continues on to this weekend. Both us and Floreat have tough games on the Saturday so hopefully we can get a result and get through it without picking up too many knocks, and hopefully the Stirling lads get stuck in to them,” joked Maguire.

Shamrock Rovers reached the quarter-finals of last season’s competition, before losing 3-4 to Premier League side Inglewood United, and they open their 2010 campaign with the visit of Ashfield to Harold Rossiter reserve. Trevor Hatton’s thunder bolt last week helped earn Ashfield their first win of the season and they head into the cup round full of confidence.

In other Division One v Premier League ties, Wanneroo City host Perth SC at the Kingsway Sporting Complex, Forrestfield United entertain ECU Joondalup at Hartfield Park, Western Knights visit Wauhop Park to take on Fremantle Spirit, Cockburn City journey to Dianella Reserve to play Dianella White Eagles. Fremantle Sprit host Western Knights at Wauhop Park, Stirling Lions entertain Queens Park at Macedonia Park, and Canning City travel to the Hyundai Stadium to play Mandurah City.

The only all Premier League clash is at the 6PR Stadium where Inglewood United host Balcatta, but it’s the Sunday amateur sides that will be looking for cup upsets this weekend against Premier League opposition. Sorrento entertain Spearwood Dalies at Percy Doyle reserve, Armadale host UWA Nedlands at Alfred Skeet Oval, while Stirling Panthers travel to take on Swan United at Francis Street. There is an all first division clash at Lark Hill when Rockingham City host Morley Windmills, and in the other ties Murdoch University play Sunday amateur league leaders Olympic Kingsway at the Len Shearer reserve, Subiaco entertain Bayswater City at Rosalie Park, while division one leaders Bunbury Forum Force face Fremantle United at the WesTrac Stadium.

Knights hold top spot after win at Balcatta

Balcatta 0 Western Knights 2  (By Football West reporter Michael Bate)

Western Knights continued their unbeaten run with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Football West Premier League newcomers Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve.

Goals from Anthony Campbell and David Micevski were enough to see Paul Price’s side over the line in a game the coach described as his team’s “best performance of the season.”

“I thought we were totally dominant from start to finish today,” said Price after the game.

“I’m very happy to come here and win by two goals, and very happy that we kept a clean sheet in the process.”

That clean sheet was very nearly tarnished in the seventh minute when Adam Tong rose highest to meet an Andy O’Neill corner, but a sharp goal line clearance by David Price kept the scores level.

The Knight’s first chance fell to winger Simon Versaico in the 14th minute when he latched onto Stuart Ferguson’s long ball from halfway.

Balcatta ‘keeper Bobson Koroma fumbled Versaico’s volleyed effort but was able to grab the ball ahead of the lurking Paul Van Dongen.

League top scorer Ashley Rosindale saw a free kick well saved by Frazer Siddall, the Knights’ goalkeeper getting down well to push the ball away with his left hand.

The best chance of the half fell to Stuart Montgomery in the 32nd minute.

David Micevski picked up the ball on the halfway line and drove forward 25 yards before sliding in the experience striker on the right hand side of the area.

Montgomery unleashed a fierce strike that swerved in midair, wrong-footing Koroma as it flew towards the top corner.

Fortunately for the home side, the keeper was able to get a hand to it, deflecting it onto the underside of the crossbar before collecting the rebound.

The sides went in at half time level, with the Knights looking most likely to break the deadlock.

Just two minutes after the restart Montgomery was again causing Koroma problems, this time forcing the keeper to tip over with a powerful 25-yard strike.

The visitors finally had the goal their play deserved in the 50th minute.

Versaico made a strong run down the right wing before cutting inside and firing on goal from a tight angle.

Koroma could only parry the ball into the path of Campbell who tucked it home from six yards out.

Campbell could have had a second just ten minutes later when he ran onto David Micevski’s through ball but his effort was too close to Koroma and the keeper made a fine, low save.

Balcatta’s best chance for an equaliser came from O’Neill’s 70th minute corner.

Muhamed Komaradic found himself unmarked from just a couple of yards out, but he failed to attack his header and the ball flew harmlessly across the face.

David Micevski had a couple of decent chances to seal the points for his side but both times he fired well over.

Tong sent an 85th minute header over the bar under pressure from Siddall, before the Knight’s finally sealed the win in the fourth minute of injury time.

Micevski was fouled just outside the area, and the Knight’s playmaker picked himself up to fire the free kick in off Koroma’s right-hand post.

Teams

BALCATTA: GK Bobson KOROMA, 2 Corey WILTSHIRE (3 Jack BAREHAM 59′), 4 Igor ILIKJ, 5 Michael BLACK (14 Brian McDONALD 78′), 6 Adam TONG, 7 Ashley ROSINDALE, 8 Matty ITALIANO, 9 Andy O’NEILL, 10 Anthony JONES, 16 Julian PIROMALLI, 17 Genaveo HUMAN (15 Muhamed KOMADARIC 45′)

Subs not used: RGK Devon SPENCE

WESTERN KNIGHTS: GK Frazer SIDDALL, 2 Duncan HIND, 3 Stuart FERGUSON, 4 Paul VAN DONGEN, 5 David ANNALL, 6 Garth LECKY, 8 David PRICE, 9 Simon VERSAICO, 10 David MICEVSKI, 11 Anthony CAMPBELL (12 Daniel TRIM 62′), 19 Stuart MONTGOMERY

Subs not used: RGK Grant HERD, 14 Daaniel FRANCIS, 15 Matt ALLEN

Perth fight back for the points

Mandurah City 1 Perth SC 2 (By Football West Reporter Andrew Harris)

Perth had to grind out a hard fought come from behind 2-1 win over Mandurah thanks to the heroics of Mandurah’s goalkeeper Phil Straker in the round’s evening clash at Hyundai Stadium.

Although Mandurah had some good chances in the match it was Straker, with three magnificent saves, that kept the score line respectable.

Mandurah started Andy Brown up front and the tactic worked well with early possession and Brown beating the offside trap in the 3rd minute with the resulting corner seeing Darren Broxton’s header go agonisingly close.

The early pressure by Mandurah continued and with just nine minutes gone, Jordan Rhodes put the home team ahead with a fine shot after some good build-up play from the left.

The equaliser was not unexpected though, as Hayden Doyle had been playing some good through passes from midfield and when he stole the ball in the 30th minute on the half-way line he quickly fed it through to Andreas Oliveira who capitalized on a defensive error by slotting the ball into the net.

From there on to half time Perth launched a siege of Mandurah’s goal and if it was not for some fine saves by Straker, Mandurah would have been at least a further two goals down at half time.

Perth spent the first ten minutes of the second half waiting to see what Mandurah would do before they lifted the tempo, starting to play wide and switching Greg Sharland into a roving role.

Mandurah’s best chance of the half was created with under 20 minutes to go when Rafa Insurralde broke through into the box only to be denied by a well  from Matt Danskin.timed tackle

But Perth were rewarded for their pressure when a cheeky back heel from Oliveira was well read by Dom De Felice who made no mistake with his shot to fire home the winner.

An entertaining overhead kick by Insurralde in injury time went well over the bar and with it Mandurah’s last hope of an equaliser.

Mandurah coach Stuart Young said that Straker kept them in the game with some “world-class saves”.

“After starting the game ever so well and getting a nice goal I was thinking we were looking likely today,” he said.

“We put ourselves in a lot of difficult situations for the rest of the first half by defending too deep and giving Perth far too much respect and if it wasn’t for our goalkeeper the game would have been beyond us at half time.

“We needed half time more than any other team I’ve seen for a while”.

The result plunges Mandurah to the bottom of the league and the three points gained by Perth keeps their pressure on league leaders Western Knights.

Teams

PERTH SC: GK Luke MARTINO, 4 Craig SIMPSON, 5 Hayden DOYLE, (8 Rob PUCA 80′) 6 Shaun KILKENNY, 7 Matt DANSKIN, 10 Andreas OLIVEIRA, 11 Rob SCIASCIA, 12 Antonio NAGLIERI, 16 Ian MCMURRAY, (9 David ONOFORO 78′) 18 Dom DE FELICE, 23 Greg SHARLAND

Subs not used: RGK Jason SALDARIS, 2 Trent KAY, 13 Simon WILSON

MANDURAH CITY: GK Philip STRAKER, 2 Ryan TOWNSEND, 3 James HESKETH, 4 Jordan RHODES, 7 Darren BROXTON, 8 Andrew BROWN, 10 Rafael INSAURRALDE, 14 Craig YOUNG, 17 Alex DARBY, 18 Luke BOWER, (9 Michael BOBRIDGE 75′), 19 Nicky PLATT (16 Robbie HAMM)

Subs not used: RGK Michael GREEN, 13 David DAWSON, 21 A FOTTI

Floreat leave it late to tame the Lions

Floreat Athena 2 Stirling Lions 1 (By Football West Reporter Chris Correia)

A brace from Branimir Mikulic got Floreat Athena home against intense rivals Stirling Lions in a memorable match at E&D Litis Stadium which finished 2-1 for the home side.

The Athena man won the match with an injury time header after Stirling’s Jamie De Abreu had looked to have snatched a point for the Lions in the final stages.

Stirling began the match terribly after an errant backpass by Clayton Arnez was intercepted by Floreat’s James Isaia.

His effort was blocked by Lions ‘keeper Kevin Miller and the follow-up by Mikulic was just over the crossbar.

Minutes later another pass by Arnez was intercepted by returning Floreat co-captain John Migas, who sprayed his low drive wide of the goal.

Floreat’s attacking dominance in the early stages was rewarded with a goal on 12 minutes.

The opener came when a Paul Vatistas through-ball for Mikulic was perfect for the striker to slot home in the bottom-left of the net past Miller.

Shane Robinson tried to lift the Lions with a long-rang effort, but his shot was lifted inches high of the target.

Some great work from Paul Dickson saw the Lion work his way into the box and pass to Roberto Lujan, who found the right goal post as he tried to find a quick equaliser.

A cross from wide on the left found Robinson unmarked towards the back post and the Stirling import made Athena ‘keeper Alex Dunn earn his pay with a diving save preventing the ball from finding the back of the net.

Moments later, Lujan found midweek signing Mario Marcinko and the latter’s effort was saved by Dunn.

Stirling’s new front pairing of Lujan and Marcinko looked lively early and it was a question of whether they could continue to gel in the second stanza.

As the end of the first half loomed, Lujan had a great chance to score, but his initial effort was blocked by the Floreat defence and his second effort travelled just over the crossbar.

Stirling star Ludovic Boi dominated the left wing for the majority of the match with his fancy footwork too much for the Floreat defence.

The Lions had all the possession in the second half, but wasted most of their opportunities in the final third.

Substitute Stef Frost had a fantastic chance to pull one back for the Lions but the striker blasted his clear-cut chance wide of the far post.

The breakthrough for Stirling came from substitute Jamie De Abreu after the nippy striker pulled off a miraculous goal to silence the boisterous Athena crowd.

As he received the ball from wide on the right of the box, he chipped Dunn from a near-impossible angle with a dipping effort which rebounded off the far post and over the goal line.

The Lions continued to push with all the possession in the final ten minutes of play, but Mikulic was the hero yet again for Athena when he won the match at the death.

The star midfielder flicked a header towards the back post which angled low towards the bottom-left corner of the net, with Miller too slow to react.

It was the roaring Lions faithful that were now silenced as Floreat marched on for a memorable victory in another heated clash between the two sides.

To add the the Lions’ woes, Jason Gavin was then dismissed by referee Paul Anderson for a second bookable offence in the final seconds for a late challenge in the middle of the park.

Check out the post-match interview with Floreat player/coach Ante Kovacevic on www.footballwest.tv from Monday afternoon.

Teams

FLOREAT ATHENA: GK Alex DUNN, 8 Adam BACHILLER, 17 Ante KOVACEVIC, 16 Jovo PAVLOVIC, 2 Jarrad SMITH, 13 John MIGAS, 15 Paul VATISTAS, 12 Branimir MIKULIC, 10 Jason BARRERA (5 Johnny MIRCO 46′), 3 James ISAIA (4 Julian MADASCHI 75′), 9 Daniel NEIDERBERGER (6 Miki VUJACIC 84′)

Subs not used: RGK Jakub CHUDY

STIRLING LIONS: GK Kevin MILLER, 4 Jason GAVIN, 2 Bobby WILSON, 5 Daniel STOITIS, 10 Shane ROBINSON (11 Stef FROST 50′), 17 Roberto LUJAN, 8 Matt STARES, 6 Paul DICKSON, 7 Ludovic BOI, 9 Mario MARCINKO (16 Jamie DE ABREU 70′), 3 Clayton ARNEZ

Subs not used: RGK James TURVILL, 14 Paul RECHICHI

Scoreless at Windy Hill

(By Football West Reporter Tristan Lavalette)

There may have been no goals scored but Cockburn City and Sorrento contested an enthralling match at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides rued missed opportunities in front of goal in a match fitting the expected tight battle between the seventh and eighth-ranked sides heading into round six.

The visitors were dealt big blows with midfield maestro Jason Dos Santos and reliable defender Devon Gibson unavailable for the contest.

Defender Shane Nunes and midfielder Pereira picked up the slack and were prolific in midfield providing plenty of supply for dangerous attacking duo David Dugdale and Nick Feely.

Cockburn City defender David Tarka stopped many forward Sorrento thrusts to continue his stunning form this season.

Sorrento started slowly but demonstrated their potential with gritty defence followed by a quick counter attacking game plan, which caught Cockburn on the back foot on several occasions.

Sorrento midfielders Glen Thomas and Jason Mirco were crucial to their attack providing opportunities for striker Todd Harwell, whose radar was awry on several clear chances.

Cockburn City coach Scott Miller believed his side dictated the contest but was frustrated with the missed opportunities in front of goal.

“We dominated the whole game but unfortunately we couldn’t whack it into the net,” he said.

“We’re happy with a clean sheet, the ‘keeper and the defence deserve it.”

Sorrento coach Trevor Morgan disagreed with Miller’s viewpoint and was happy his side kept a clean sheet.

“I didn’t think we were outplayed at all, Cockburn looked dangerous from their set pieces but I thought we had our opportunities,” he said.

“We opened them up from good play but just picked the wrong option in the final ball.”

After their memorable comeback victory against Balcatta last week to reignite their season, Cockburn started confidently and dictated possession for the majority of the first half.

Dugdale had the match’s best opportunity in the seventh minute but his header from a corner flushed the crossbar.

The experienced striker was in thick of the action early but could not find the back of the net despite several chances.

Sorrento eventually found their groove towards the end of the half precise ball movement caught Cockburn napping during several scything counter attacking runs.

The home side came into the half-time break with the momentum after dominating the final minutes and were unlucky not to hit the scoreboard after near misses from Harnwell and Thomas.

The second half resembled an arm wrestle with both sides refusing to give an inch.

Cockburn appeared to have the confidence and the legs to finish stronger particularly through the running ability of Nunes, who had a shot blocked by a scrambling Sorrento defence in the dying minutes.

Both sides refused to wilt and the draw was a fitting result to a tight encounter between two desperate teams.

Teams

COCKBURN CITY: GK Dejan Aleksic, 2 Shane Nunes, 3 Jason Godfrey, 5 David Tarka, 6 Anthony Pereira, 7 Aaron Dos Santos, 8 Llewlyn Bake, 9 David Dugdale, 11 Rory Feely, 12 Jon Davite, 17 Paul Natale, 18 Josh Findlater, 20 Ryan Pretorius

Subs not used: RGK Nick Feely, 19 David Nairn

SORRENTO: GK Tom Woodhead, 2 Danny Cain, 4 Cameron Yorke, 5 Adam Hayton, 7 James Morgan, 9 Todd Harnwell, 10 Ryan Jeans, 11 Jason Mirco, 14 Ryan Sheppard, 15 Kris Dennis, 17 Jarrad Love, 18 Glen Thomas, 24 David Foster.

Subs not used: RGK Todd Ross, 13 Shane Webb, 22 Billy Quinncroft

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