Glory Off to China

Perth Glory will head to China this Friday night for a 12 day pre season camp ahead of the 2010-11 Hyundai A-League season.

The 21 man squad including Robbie Fowler and international players Jacob Burns and Mile Sterjovski will be based at Qinhuangdao training centre, the start of art facilities used during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The Glory will play one match on the tour against Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda on Friday, July 9.

The camp is part of a lucrative one million dollar, two year partnership between Perth Glory and GNS China.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the club to spread the word of Perth Glory”, the club’s Chief Executive Paul Kelly said.

“We’re going global but also through our sponsorship with GNS China, it’s a wonderful chance for us to both enhance football in the region.

“We’re also stepping outside the sports market into different areas by integrating trade and cultural relationships and we thank GNS China for their wonderful support.”

With the 2010-11 Hyundai A-League season just five weeks away, the camp in China will be a crucial part of Perth Glory’s pre season campaign.

WA’s Best to Take on Perth Glory For Charity

Football West is pleased to announce that a Western Australian State Team will take on Perth Glory on Wednesday July 28 at E&D Litis Stadium, Mount Hawthorn.

The match will be known as the Call To Arms Cup presented by Veto Sports.

Call To Arms is a national Cancer Council campaign to raise awareness of cancer in men and is supported by a range of ambassadors including Socceroos star Tim Cahill.

It will be the final hit out in the Glory’s preparations prior to their opening Hyundai A-League match for the 2010/11 season against North Queensland Fury at nib Stadium on August 6 and both teams are expected to field strong line-ups.

With regular coach and former Socceroo Robbie Dunn unavailable due to work commitments, Football West has appointed former State players Peter Murphy as coach and Andy Thorburn as his assistant.

“I believe that every chance to play against full-time players creates an opportunity for a player to test himself and maybe progress to the next level,” said WA coach Peter Murphy.

“We will be going all out to give Glory a tough game and provide entertainment for the crowd and we hope that the WA football family gets behind both teams and the Cancer Council on the night.”

The WA State Team has proven a perfect shop window for locally-based State League players since the reintroduction of the team in 2008.

Scott Bulloch, Andrija Jukic, Marc Anthony and Todd Howarth have all gone on to be signed by the Glory following stellar performances in the black and gold of WA.

The selected squad will commence training on Wednesday July 7 with two further sessions being available to prepare the team made up of some of the best players in the APB State League.

The match is being supported by new Football West apparel partner, Veto Sports and part proceeds from every ticket sold will go towards the Cancer Council.

Football West hopes that this match becomes a regular feature each year and that over time a real tradition is established.

Head to Head WA v Perth Glory

Played 5, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 4

2008 W 3-2 (S Bulloch 2, A Jukic)

2003 L 0-4

2002 L 2-3 (A Oliveira, T Howarth)

1998 L 0-2

1996 L 0-2

Match Details:

Western Australia v Perth Glory

Wednesday July 28

E&D Litis Stadium, Mount Hawthorn

Kick Off: 7.00pm

Adults $10, Concessions/Pensioners $5, U15’s Free

Canning City Snatch Late Win

Canning City secured a much needed win over Fremantle Spirit with a dramatic last minute penalty at Wauhop Park on Saturday.

In a game full of chances for both sides it looked like City would settle for a share of the spoils until a dubious decision by the referee for a push in the back.

Greg Newcomb showed great composure to place his spot kick low into the left hand corner to give City a 3-2 win.

It was Fremantle who had the best of the early play and opened the scoring on 22 minutes when Lance Lovvie reacted quickest to a block by City keeper Stuart Gelgarno to slot home from close range.

Delgarno kept the deficit at one with a fantastic save to his left on 29 minutes from a header by Calub Aquino.

City were struggling to get into the game and it was left to Danny Trevisiol to get them level on 41 minutes with a great solo effort.

The second half was another finely balanced affair and it looked like Fremantle would take all 3 points when on 71 minutes Mark Donnelly was penalized for hand ball in the box and Lovvie stepped up to score from the spot to make it 2-1.

But City responded with a more positive approach and on 75 minutes equalized when Mark Sheehan struck a perfect left foot volley into the roof of the net from 20 metres.

That looked to be the end of the scoring until City were gifted the penalty to steal the 3 points in the final minute.

State League Results and Tables

Premier League

Floreat Athena 2 (Mikulic 56, Mirco 76) Perth SC 2 (Simpson 42, Onoforo 54), ECU Joondalup 2 (McCulloch 2, Collins 83) Western Knights 1 (Daniel Micevski 92); Sorrento 2 (Martin 70, Lamplough 83) Swan United 1 (Boland 64); Inglewood United 2 (Clarke 39, Grant 55p) Mandurah City 0; Cockburn City 4 (Webster 22, 43, Feely 27, Pereira 37) Armadale 1 (McDonald 82); Balcatta 2 (Rosindale 45, Tong 85) Stirling Lions 3 (Frost 4, Marcinko 42, Wilson 53p).

Reserves

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

Under 18’s

Floreat Athena 3 Perth SC 4, ECU Joondalup 1 Western Knights 0; Sorrento 1 Swan United 0; Inglewood United 3 Mandurah City 0; Cockburn City 6 Armadale 2; Balcatta 1 Stirling Lions 5.

Division 1 (full time)

Rockingham City 3 (Senior 5, 25, 38p) Queens Park 0, Dianella White Eagles 0 Wanneroo City 3 (Cairney 2, 78, McGahern 40p); Bayswater City 2 (Marulanda 4, 59) Forrestfield United 1 (Hart 67); Fremantle Spirit 2 (Lowie 22, 69p) Canning City 3 (Trevisol 40, Sheehan 73, Newcombe 90p); Morley-Windmills 2 (Griffiths 52, Larkin 50) Gosnells City 3 (Lally 37, Allen 31, Pomfret 60p); Bunbury Forum Force 3 (McGee 57, Kavanagh 61, 73) Ashfield 1 (Moteroffo 64); Rockingham City Queens Park.

Reserves

Rockingham City 1 Queens Park 5, Dianella White Eagles 3 Wanneroo City 1; Bayswater City 2 Forrestfield United 1; Fremantle Spirit 4 Canning City 3; Morley-Windmills 1 Gosnells City 2; Bunbury Forum Force 5 Ashfield 2; Rockingham City 1 Queens Park 5.

Under 18’s

Rockingham City 5 Queens Park 4, Dianella White Eagles 1 Wanneroo City 5; Bayswater City 1 Forrestfield United 5; Fremantle Spirit 1 Canning City 0; Morley-Windmills 2 Gosnells City 6; Bunbury Forum Force 3 Ashfield 0; Rockingham City 5 Queens Park 4.

Junior School Holiday Goalkeeping Clinic

Lions Hit The Top After Victory in Local Derby

Stirling Lions moved to joint top of the APB Premier Division table after a 3-2 local derby win against Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve on Saturday.

The Lions led 2-0 with goals from Stef Frost and Mario Marcinko before Ashley Rosindale reduced the margin before the break. Bobby Wilson restored the Lions two goal cushion early in the second half, but a goal five minutes from time from Adam Tong gave the Lions some nervous moments near the end but they hung on for maximum points.

The home side coach Salv Todaro made three changes to the side that lost 1-2 at Inglewood United last week with Igor Ilikj, Ian McKean and Nicholas Tatasciore coming into the starting line up, replacing Anthony Jones, who dropped to the bench, Corey Wiltshire and Jack Clisby.

Lions Coach Paul Lincoln made two changes to the side that beat Armadale 4-0 last week with 19-year-old Ben Senior making his league debut, and Stef Frost replacing the injured Shane Robinson and suspended Paul Dickson.

It was a perfect start for the visitors and they were ahead on four minutes. Scott Muirhead’s free kick from the left was nodded back across goal by Jason Gavin and Frost was on hand to fire home from close-range.

The Lions were well on top and they almost doubled their lead five minutes later. A great run by Marcinko down the right, and his ball into the penalty area found Senior at the back post, but the teenager fired wide.

Balcatta steadied and went close themselves on 12 minutes; Rosindale’s corner fell to Ilikj who volleyed inches over.

Both sides had chances as the game opened up. Muirhead’s corner picked out Wilson on 15 minutes, whose header was well saved by Balcatta keeper Bobson Koroma. Then moments later Ian McKean fed Rosindale, but his low shot was saved by Lions custodian, James Turvill.

Then three minutes before half time the Lions doubled their advantage. Frost sent Marcinko in down the right and the Perth Glory Youth striker outpaced Tong and finished low past the on-coming Koroma.

With time running out in the first half Balcatta pressed and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Rosindale, a former Lions player, stepped up and superbly curled the ball around the wall and into the corner of the net, to make the half time score 2-1 to the Lions.

The Lion’s two goal buffer was restored eight minutes into the second half. Referee Paul Anderson pointing straight to the spot after a handball by Tatasciore, and Wilson fired home from the penalty to make it 3-1.

Despite the set back Balcatta continued to take the game to the Lions and on 58 minutes Rosindale’s cross from the right found second half substitute Jones, whose shot was pushed onto the post by Turvill at full stretch.

It was end-to-end football with both sides going close. An audacious free kick on 74 minutes from Rosindale, from near sideline on the left, almost caught out Turvill, but to the keepers’ relief the ball crashed off the crossbar and away to safety. Moment later the Lions thought they had increased their lead, Ludovic Boi sent Marcinko in on goal but his shot was superbly saved by Koroma.

Both sides continued to push forward and on 80 minutes Tong’s free kick found Sam Allan, his shot from eight-yards was well saved by Turvill. Then two minutes later Marcinko found Roberto Lujan on the left, he cut inside the penalty area, but his curling shot drifted just wide of the far post.

Balcatta received a lifeline five minutes from time, to get them back in the match. A surging run from defender Tong sent him clear of the Lions back four and he finished low past Turvill.

It was game on as the home side pushed forward looking for the equaliser, but they were almost caught out in the 89th minute. Lion’s substitute Dave Sassey found space down the right. His shot was only parried by Koroma and Marcinko’s follow up shot was blocked by the alert keeper.

The home side pressed late, and in stoppage-time it was Tong again who was sent clear by Jones, but the defender’s powerful shot was superbly saved by Turvill at his near post and seconds later the final whistle sounded giving the Lions the points.

After the game Stirling Lions coach Paul Lincoln was happy with the win, but not the first half performance. “We created a lot of chances today; I think we had a dozen corners. But we couldn’t get that breathing space we would have liked,” Lincoln said.

“I was disappointed with the first half performance, as we didn’t move the ball as quick as I would have liked, but the early goal in the second half was good for us and it was important because to Balcatta’s credit they put some pressure on us. But at the end of the day we had enough chances to have won comfortably, and it took a good save near the end from young keeper James Turvill to come out with the three points.”

APB Premier Division – Round 15

Saturday 26th June 2010

Balcatta 2 (Rosindale 45’, Tong 85’)

Stirling Lions 3 (Frost 4’, Marcinko 42’, Wilson 53’pen)

Referee – Paul Anderson

Attendance – 200 (Approx)

BALCATTA: GK Bobson KOROMA, 2 Adam STILLITANO, 3 Mark WALSH, 4 Igor ILIKJ, 5 Adam TONG, 6 Ian McKEAN (13 Anthony JONES 56’), 7 Ashley ROSINDALE, 8 Matt ITALIANO, 9 Andy O’NEILL, 10 Sam ALLEN, 11Nicholas TATASCIORE (12 Kyle TORRIANNI 63’)

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Dave KHUEN, 14 Michael BLACK,

STIRLING LIONS: GK James TURVILL, 2 Michael PUGLIESE, 4 Jason GAVIN, 7 Tom INGRAM, 8 Bobby WILSON, 9 Mario MARCINKO, 10 Ludo BOI 11 Stef FROST, 12 Ben SENIOR (15 Dave SESAY 51’), 14 Roberto LUGAN, 15 Scott MUIRHEAD

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Anthony SALPIETRO, 5. Michael CROCKER, 6 Dennis GALAN, 13 Rick DELBASSO,

Local derby has Stirling a buzz

On Saturday Balcatta will host Stirling Lions in a local derby at Grindleford Reserve and ‘The City of Stirling Youth Development Cup’ will be up for grabs. The two clubs met earlier in the season with Balcatta winning 2-1 at Macedonia Park, a game that saw former coach Michael Lyons lose his job days later, and Paul Lincoln was appointed. The former Stirling Macedonia striker, Lincoln, has been happy with his sides form and was delighted with last week’s win at Armadale. “It was a fantastic result and not only the result, but the way we played. We were clean and clinical all over the ground and we scored very good goals. It’s a pity the cameras were not at the ground because both Ludovic Boi and Mario Marcinko would have made a case for goal of the season,” Lincoln said”

On the other hand Balcatta coach Salv Todaro saw his team lose 1-2 at Inglewood, in a game that has closed the gap to the teams below them. “Last week was the classic game of two halves. First half we were quite ordinary and conceded two rather soft goals, second half we had better commitment and purpose about our play. Although we had a lot of possession we were not able to turn possession in goals, Inglewood played as their lives depended on this result,” Todaro said.

In football local derbies are always competitive and both coaches believe Saturday’s game will be the same and if their last encounter has anything to go by Saturday’s game will be a classic. “Both teams will be out to gain maximum points on the weekend but for different reasons,” Todaro said.

“Stirling to keep pressure on the top two and press for the minor championship and us to try and keep touch with the top half of the ladder, so I envisage a quite an entertaining game on the cards.”

Lincoln wasn’t involved in the last game but knows the importance for the club. “Yes I wasn’t involved in that game, but I know the players are looking forward to it and we expect a hard game as we know Balcatta have claimed some big scalps this season. If we can continue our form from last week we are confident that we can come home with three points and stay in touch with the Knights,” Lincoln said.

Both sides have played some entertaining football this season and both coaches know that it’s who turns up on the day will take the points. “Balcatta were good earlier in the season but seem to have slipped in recent weeks. Looking at the table it appears they are following the same trend as Canning last season but I think Sal has the experience to win enough points to survive although this competition is even and any team can beat each other on any given day,” Lincoln added.

Todaro side is young and he knows they are improving week by week, and it will be good to gauge for his side against the form team of the league this weekend. “It appears that Stirling’s overseas recruitment drive looks like it is paying dividends at this moment in time, they have an excellent player in Shane Robinson pulling the strings in the middle of the park and my boys need to be at their best to ensure that we are competitive. They are looking forward to playing against Stirling which gives them an opportunity of gauging where they are at in their development. Last week we started with 5 players who are 20 or younger,” Todaro said.

In team news for Saturday’s game the Lions will be without Phil Arnold who is trialling at Newcastle Jets, but Matthew Stares should return from an ankle injury that kept him out against Armadale. For Balcatta Julian Piromalli and Lucas Whitehouse are still away in South Africa, while Bobby Klenkoski has gone overseas and will missing for the rest of the season. Veo Human is recovering from a hamstring injury, and should be in contention, likewise Igor ilikj, who has missed nearly 2 months with a groin injury.

Thornley enjoying the Magic in Victoria

The move of striker John Thornley from ECU Joondalup to VPL side Altona Magic was a surprise to many, but it was a chance the 23-year-old couldn’t turn down. He has made an immediate impact at the club and has settled in well. “It’s been a great start for me at the club, scoring three goals in my opening three games, plus a hand in making a few,” Thornley said.

Former Perth Glory and Western Knights keeper Tommi Tomich also plays for the Magic and he contacted Thornley regarding the move and he hasn’t looked back. “I’ve kept in touch with Tommi for a while and he spoke to me how Altona were struggling in front of goal and were looking for a striker. I spoke to President Bill Nikolovski and in few days I decided to make the move over and give it a shot,” Thornley added.

Altona find themselves near the foot of the VPL table, and Thornley believes they will move away from the relegation zone. “There is a great bunch of lads at Paisley Park and some great technical players, and everyone has made me feel really welcome.

“They have some great players at the club and they are back-to-back Top Five Champions, but the President left last year along with the money and several players. This season has been disappointed with us sitting near the bottom but we are improving and hope to make a late run for a play off spot, as relegation would be a disaster for the club,” Thornley explained.

The big striker really enjoyed his time at ECU Joondalup and it was big decision to leave. “It was huge decision to leave ECU, I really enjoyed my time there and the players and training was excellent. I enjoyed playing for Syd (Amphlett), he tells it as he see’s it and it was really hard to tell him I was leaving. But at the end of the day to play in VPL was something I wanted to do and prove to myself that I could score in a higher level of football,” Thornley said.

He has only been playing for three weeks but Thornley believes the VPL is a better standard than the Football West Premier League. “In my opinion the VPL is a better standard, as there are a lot of quality players, the pace is a lot quicker and most of the players are bigger, stronger and faster, and if you make a mistake you will get punished,” Thornley explained.

Thornley, who went for trials at Birmingham City three years ago is hoping to impress for the Magic and would love the opportunity to play in the A-League. “There are always scouts at the games all the time, and just before I arrived an Altona player was signed by new A-League side Melbourne Heart. It’s something I’d always consider, but I’m just take things one step at a time, as I know there is a number of quality strikers in the VPL, and I know it will not be easy,” Thornley said.

Altona Magic is coach by former Australian Under 20 international striker Sash Becvinovski and Thornley is enjoying working with him. “Sash is a great coach, and he’s still young. He only stopped playing a few months ago. He was a great footballer in his day, and the players respect that. At training when he joins in he looks a different class, even at 38. But the way he conducts training and runs the football club is very professional,” Thornley said.

APB Premier Division – Round 15 Preview

APB Premier Division – Round 15

Saturday 26^th June

ECU Joondalup v Western Knights – Edith Cowan University Arena (3pm)

Sorrento v Swan United –   Percy Doyle Reserve (3pm)

Inglewood United v Mandurah City – 6PR Stadium (3pm)

Cockburn City v Armadale – Dalmatinac Park (3pm)

Balcatta v Stirling Lions – Grindleford Reserve (3pm)

Sunday 27^th June

Floreat Athena v Perth SC – E & D Litis Stadium (3pm)

Preview

On Saturday Football West Premier League leaders Western Knights are on the road this week, when they visit the Edith Cowen University Arena to take on ECU Joondalup (3pm). It’s a vital game for both sides at either end of the table. The home side find themselves only three points of the foot of the table, but scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for Syd Amphlett’s side, having scored the third most goals in the Premier League, it’s in defence were they have struggled conceding the most goals in the league. Charlie Comyn-Platt will be vital at the heart of the back four on Saturday, while Garin Collins and Dale McCulloch will need to be at their best. The Knights lead the league by three points after a hard fought win against Floreat Athena last week, and with Stuart Montgomery and Anthony Campbell in good form and former ECU midfielder Scott Bushby pushing for a starting role, Paul Price’s side head North full of confidence.

It’s a local derby at Grindleford Reserve when Balcatta host Stirling Lions in the ‘City of Stirling Youth Development Cup’ (3pm) The Lions are the form team of the league and won convincingly last week at Armadale, with Mario Marcinko re-finding his goal scoring touch with a hat-trick. Lions Coach Paul Lincoln will be without the suspended Paul Dickson, and he will hope influential midfielder Shane Robinson recovers from the injury he received last week, while Bobby Wilson and Michael Pugliese continue to impress at the back. Balcatta on the other hand have slid down the league in recent weeks.  Julian Piromalli and Lucas Whitehouse are still away in South Africa, while Bobby Klenkoski has gone overseas and will missing for the rest of the season. Veo Human is recovering from a hamstring injury, and should be in contention, likewise Igor ilikj, who has missed nearly 2 months with a groin injury.

Sorrento occupies fifth spot and they entertain Swan United at Percy Doyle Reserve (3pm). The Gulls stunned Perth Sc last week and will go into the game as favourites, although their home form is nothing to write home about. They will be missing the suspended duo James Morgan and Darren Quincroft for the match with Jared Love and Brodie Martin pushing for a starting role. The Swans stopped their run of defeats last week with a 1-1 draw against Cockburn City, and Jamie Goodman will be looking to add to their good way form. John Hunter’s departure has given the coach some headaches,  and he will look to Stuart Long and skipper Brendon Knox to fill the void.

Mandurah City head down the Kwinana Freeway to visit The 6PR Stadium to take on Inglewood United. (3pm). Both sides enjoyed wins last week, the Dolphins scoring three late goals to beat ECU Joondalup. Darren Broxton comes up against his former club while fellow midfielders Andy Brown and Craig Young will hold the key to the Hyundai Stadium sides hope of three vital points on the road. Inglewood moved off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 win against Balcatta and Shane Pryce would like to make it back-to-back wins this weekend. They will be without the suspended pair, Mladan Kovacevic and Aaron Colli, but with Alex Stamatiadis and Lee Carr pushing for a starting spot, there loss will be covered.

The final Saturday game sees’s Cockburn City host Armadale at Dalmatinac Park (3pm) The Reds good form ended last week with a 0-4 loss at home to the Lions. New striker Matt Barlow and James Robinson are forming a handy strike partnership while Ryan Pearson’s good season continues. The Cockerels revival stuttered somewhat last week with a 1-1 draw at Swan United, and this week they will be without the suspended Jason Dos Santos. The return of Marc Anthony has boosted the midfield which also includes hard working duo Adrian Webster and Anthony Pereira, the trio will need to be on their toes if they are to gain maximum points.

On Sunday, traditional rivals Floreat Athena and Perth SC go head to head at the E&D Litis Stadium (3pm). A game you can here live on Heritage 107.3FM, starting at 2-45pm with Bob Figg and Alan Vest. This game has been a highlight on the local football calendar for a number of years, and Perth have not won at the venue since Shane Crampton and Rhys Graham scored to give them a 2-1 win in round six in 2003. Perth has hit the skids over recent weeks losing three on the bounce and they will be without skipper Robbie Puca due to suspension, while Coach John Coyne will hope Ian McMurray and Aaron Cole are available after injury. Floreat went down to the Knights last week and will be looking to bounce straight back. Strikers Johnny Mirco and Daniel Neiderberger will be a key to the game for Ante Kovacevic’s side, while James Isaia and Branimir Mikulic will have to be closely watched by the Perth side if they are to get the right result and keep in touch with the leaders.

VIP’s Give Thumbs Up to the New Look Macedonia Park Complex

The big match between old rivals Perth and Stirling was witnessed by a large crowd on Sunday 30th May, including some distinguished guests who were there for a pre game function in the club house. State federal Labor Party candidate Louis Durack was on hand to get to know the local football fans as was Macedonian Community President Mr Sam Novatscou along with State MLA John Kobelke, Football West CEO Kevin Campbell, FW director Anna Liscia, Glory CEO Paul Kelly, City of Stirling Acting Mayor Giovanni Italiano, Jim McNeilly from the City of Stirling Sport Rec team, Gold Sponsor John Sweet from TMM Repairs plus 3 of the Perth Glory team namely, Most Glorious award winner Andy Todd, Naum “What about me” Sekulovski and the smiling assasin Aleks Vrteski.

Ms Durack gave a speech praising the growth of the world game in the Australian community and the good work done locally by clubs such as Stirling Lions in helping children learn the skills of football and team work. Lions President Don Evans said “Without the help of federal, state and local government volunteer community run clubs like the Stirling Lions would struggle and he thanked Louis for the kind support supplied by the Commonwealth government in re-vamping the aging Macedonia Park complex and giving it a fresh look for the future. Evans also thanked the City of Stirling for coming to the party and making the playing fields at the rear of Macedonia Park safe and ready for play in 2011.”

The big crowd estimated at 1,000 people were treated to a tight tussle with Perth taking out the GAME 2-0 but the fans were also treated to some half time banter between the Glory players as Andy Todd, Naum Sekulovski and Aleks Vrteski spoke of the season ahead for the ambitious Glory side.

All in all it was a great day for football and the VIP’s left full of praise for the Macedonia Park Complex and the standard of Premier League football in WA.

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