ECU Thumps Floreat to Reach Finals

Photo – ECU Joondalup striker Phil O’Callaghan takes on Floreat Athena defender Jarred Smith

ECU Joondalup forced their way into the ‘All Flags’ Top five series after thrashing Floreat Athena 5-1 in the final round of the APB Premier Division at the E&D Litis Stadium on Saturday.

The northern suburbs side needed to win the game and hope Sorrento would slip up against Inglewood United, and they did. Goals from Jamie Watt 2, Scott Blackmore, Phil O’Callaghan and John Thornley overpowered the home side, whose consolation goal came late on from Branimir Mikulic.

It was a huge round of football in the league with top five and relegation spots still up for grabs and ECU made three changes to the side that beat Sorrento last week with Chris Whylie back in the side, while skipper Dale McCulloch and defender Charlie Comyn-Platt returned from suspension. They replaced Andy Brown, Josh Brooks and Dan Allen, who all dropped to the bench.

The home side went in with the same side that beat Balcatta 4-0 last week, meaning new French signing Emmanuel Rivera could only find a spot on the bench.

It was ECU who began the game the better and went close on nine minutes. Ross Anderson’s cross from the right was only cleared to Thornley, who played in Watt, his shot from 12-yards was saved low by Alex Dunn.

The home side were struggling to cope with the three pronged ECU forward line, and on 15 minutes the visitors hit the front. Good approach work on the left by John Higgins ended with a ball into O’Callaghan who laid a perfect ball into the path of Blackmore who fired home from the edge of the box.

They continued to take the game to their hosts and went close again four minutes later. A cross from the right by Watt found Higgins at the back post, his volley from 8-yards was well saved by Dunn.

The first chance for the home side didn’t arrive until the 24th minute; Daniel Neiderberger’s shot from long-range was blocked by Comyn-Platt, the rebound falling kindly to Johny Mirco whose shot from 10-yards was pushed around the post by Andy Petterson.

ECU then blew the game wide open with two goals in three minutes. First on 29 minutes a great through ball by Whylie sent O’Callaghan clear down the left and the striker cut into the box and finished clinically past Dunn to make it 2-0.

Then on 32 minutes a quick break from ECU caught the Floreat back four square, and O’Callaghan and Thornley combined to send Watt clear and the Scottish striker fired home from 10-yards, to make it 3-0 at the break for ECU.

Floreat opened the second half well and they went close in the 47 minutes. Mirco’s shot from 6-yards beat Petterson, but Comyn-Platt came to his keepers rescue, clearing the ball off the line. Then moments later John Migas’ shot from 12-yards was saved at the second attempt by Petterson.

Their missed chances came back to haunt them four minutes later when ECU made it 4-0. A great move started by Comyn-Platt found Higgins down the left, and his cross was turned home by Watt at the near post.

Floreat were stunned, and with their top two chances gone they continued to push forward looking for a consolation, and two minutes later Neiderberger’s long-range shot was well saved by Petterson, and Migas’ follow up shot sailed over the top.

The home side still pressed forward, and on the hour Mirco’s cross from the left was laid off by Mikulic and second half substitute Rivera’s snap shot flashed wide. Then ten minutes later Adam Bachiller’s low shot went inches past the far post

With Floreat pressing forward they left themselves open at the back, and were caught out again on 83 minutes when ECU made it 5-0. A great ball over the top by defender Mark Tebbutt sent Thornley clear, and the former Altona Magic striker in VPL, finished low past Dunn.

It was a huge blow for Floreat, who will meet ECU again in next week’s Elimination Final, but they managed a consolation goal with two minutes remaining. Mirco found Migas on the left, and his cross was fired home by Mikulic from close-range, the goal being the 100th goal scored in league games involving ECU this season.

In injury time ECU almost made it 6-1, when substitute Jake Benson-Cooper’s shot from the edge of the box crashed off the crossbar, but at the final whistle it was ECU celebrating a great victory and Coach Syd Amphlett was delighted with their performance. “We had a plan today and fortunately it came off for us and we totally deserved the win today, I’m delighted,” Amphlett said.

His plan to go in with three strikers worked a treat and he believes he has the best three strikers in the league. “The three lads played great today, and I’ve said all season that the club has the three best strikers in the league and today showed why.

“It’s been frustrating for me this season; we play well against the top sides, but have lost points against the bottom sides. But saying that we are peaking right for the finals and it’s the best finish for our club for a while, so we look forward to next week’s elimination final back here against Floreat.”

APB Premier Division – Round 22

Floreat Athena 1 (Mikulic 88)

ECU Joondalup 5 (Blackmore 15, O’Callaghan 29, Watt 33, 52, Thornley 83)

@ E&D Litis Stadium

Referee – Joe Fusari

Assistants – Stephen Knight and Stuart Muldoon

Attendance – 200

FLOREAT ATHENA: GK Alex DUNN, 2 Jarrad SMITH, 4 Julian MADASCHI, 8 Adam BACHILLER, 9 Daniel NEIDERBERGER, 11 Johny MIRCO, 12 Branimir MIKULIC, 13 John MIGAS, 14 Moe ATAK, 16 Jovo PAVLOVIC, 17 Ante KOVACEVIC

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Jakub CHUDY, 6 Miki VUJACIC, 10 Jason BARRERA, 15 Paul VATISTAS, 22 Emmanuel RIVERA

ECU JOONDALUP: GK Andy PETTERSON, 3 Chris WHYLIE, 4 Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5 Ross ANDERSON, 6 Mark TEBBUTT, 7 John HIGGINS, 8 Scott BLACKMORE, 9 Jamie WATT, 10 Phil O’CALLAGHAN, 12 John THORNLEY, 18 Dale MCCULLOCH

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Andy BANKS, 2 Dan ALLEN, 6 Josh BROOKS, 13Jake BENSON-COOPER 15 Andy BROWN.

Amphlett ready to fire

Perth Glory young midfielder Tommy Amphlett is set and ready to fire, after recovering from injury which has hampered his pre-season.

The 22-year-old burst on the A-League scene last season after a move from APB Premier Division side ECU Joondalup, but was left devastated when he injured himself early in the pre-season. But he’s happy to be back and can’t wait to get back on the pitch. “It was a huge blow for me when I injured my hip. We were doing a circuit and I overstretched myself in one of the exercises and just felt it go. I had two tears and it’s taken time to heal, but everything is all good now and I’ve started full training two weeks ago,” Amphlett said.

It was frustrating for the talented midfielder, not only to miss the pre-season but the Glory’s tour to China. With that behind him now, he’s ready to fight for a spot in the Glory side that have made a great start to the Hyundai A-League season. “It was disappointing to miss the tour, but that’s all part of football.  There is so much competition for places in the side this season, so the injury really came at the wrong time for me. I really wanted to impress in my first full pre season, and everyone was buzzing so I needed to make an impression, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be,” Amphlett explained.

Glory sits on top of the table after four rounds and Amphlett knows the task of breaking into the side is tough, but he’s ready for the challenge. “It’s going to be hard with so much experience and the Gaffer has a lot more depth this season, but I intend to keep plugging away and take my chance when I get it,” Amphlett said.

Amphlett has been watched my scouts from clubs in the UK, but he’s only got one thing on his mind and that’s to be successful at the nib Stadium with the Glory. “I never really knew anything of it to be honest, but that’s nice to know. I just want to play well and the rest will follow. At this stage I am just concentrating on becoming a regular first team player at Glory. I love it here, the all coaching staff are brilliant and all the players get on really well,” Amphlett said.

New recruit Robbie Fowler and assistant Coach Ian Ferguson have come into the club this season, and Amphlett believes the pair have been great on an off the pitch. “Robbie has been brilliant since he’s arrived. He’s played at the highest level and you can see that at training, hopefully I can learn a few tricks of him,” Amphlett said.

“Fergie’s a great bloke too, and has come in and fitted in really well. He’s great with all the young players and like Robbie he has played at the top level. He gives the young players advice, like Mitch, and show’s us were we’re going wrong and he’s a good laugh as well,” Amphlett said.

ECU Joondalup Junior Trial Dates

Benson-Cooper fires ECU to Cup Final Victory

Armadale 1 (Bridge 52′) ECU Joondalup 2 (McNally 51′, Benson-Cooper 70′)

ECU Joondalup defeated Armadale 2-1 to win the 2010 State League Reserves Cup at Frank Drago Reserve on Sunday.

Jake Benson-Cooper grabbed the winning goal in the 70th minute for an ECU side that had seen Jarrad McNally’s opener cancelled out by Samual Bridge sixty seconds later.

ECU was also indebted to their goalkeeper Andy Banks, who pulled off a stunning save to keep out Darren Kingston’s late free kick to give David Tough’s side the cup and the Coach was delighted.

“The boys were great today, although it was a Jekyll and Hyde performance. The first half they were terrible, but after our talk at the break they came out and played the way I wanted them to play and they deserved the win,” Tough said.

Armadale started the stronger of the two sides, with Bridge and skipper Warren Grieve going close with early efforts.

Then on ten minute ECU’s Max Pope attempted to latch onto a poor back pass by Peter Jackson, but Armadale goalkeeper Alex Preece was quick off his line to save.

Both sides looked nervous and found it difficult to keep possession as the game was battled out in the middle of the park, and a number of wasteful long passes gifting the ball to the opposition.

Armadale sparked into life in the 30th minute when Sean Nicholls made a great run down the right before rolling the ball across the six-yard box but there was no-one there to convert the chance.

Six minutes later Grieve found himself in behind the ECU backline but Mark Tebbut got back to make an important tackle.

ECU made their opponents pay for not scoring when they hit the front on 51 minutes. Bridge was caught in possession on the half way line. Tom Swatton found Benson-Cooper down the right and he cut inside Mark Darby and found McNally, who rode the tackle from Aaron Beattie before slotting the ball coolly past Preece from four-yards..

The lead only lasted a matter of seconds, however, when Adam Galvin found Bridge on the right of the penalty area, and he managed to wriggle away from Lee Thomson and beat Banks from the edge of the box.

ECU seemed stung by surrendering their lead so quickly and went about trying to get it back.

Pope went close with a volley from Benson-Cooper’s corner in the 57th minute before McNally was denied by Aaron Beattie’s desperate late tackle, just as he was about to pull the trigger from a similar area to where he had scored.

Pope should have restored his side’s advantage in the 70th minute, but he sent a free header wide having done well to get on the end of substitute Conrad Poi’s cross.

That miss was forgotten just seconds later when they re-took the lead. Poi robbed Ali Paredes in the middle of the park. Swatton found Jon Stynes who picked out Benson-Cooper on the edge of the box, the midfielder glided past Peter Jackson and the challenge from Beattie, before firing home, despite keeper Preece getting a hand to it.

There was still time for Armadale to get back into the game, and they nearly had another quick fire equaliser in the 75th minute when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal.

Kingston fired a powerful left foot effort that deflected off the wall, but Banks produced a stunned one-handed save to deny him.

Banks backed up that fantastic save by again denying Kingston, this time blocking with his legs as the striker fired low at goal from inside the area.

Kingston completed unfortunate hat trick of missed chance in the 84th minute when his brave header rolled inches past the far post.

When referee Steve Knight blew the final whistle the ECU side celebrated a great victory, and Coach Tough was proud of his players.

“Armadale to their credit pushed us late, but we fought it out till the end.  I was disappointed the way we conceded a goal only seconds after we had took the lead, but he boys dug in and deserved the win,” Tough said.

“I’m delighted for Jake to score the winner. I was just about to take him off, but we all know he can produce a bit of magic at any time, I’m over the moon and I’m going to celebrate with the boys, I’m so proud of them,” Tough added.

TEAMS - ARMADALE : GK Alex PREECE, 2 Peter JACKSON, 4 Mark DARBY, 6 Aaron BEATTIE, 7 Daniel PAREDES, 8 Sean NICHOLLS, 9 Darren KINGSTON, 11 Jake DALEY (17 Shariff MOHOMAD 57′), 14 Samual BRIDGE, 15 Adam GALVIN (5 Cameron RICHINS 75′), 25 Warren GRIEVE  SUBS NOT USED: 21 Razali MOHOMAD

Yellow Cards – Darby 17’

ECU JOONDALUP: GK Andy BANKS, 2 Tom SWATTON, 3 Lee THOMSON, 4 Josh BROOK, 5 Mark TEBBUTT, 6 Shane DOYLE, 7 Jake BENSON-COOPER, 8 Jon STYNES, 9 Jarrad MCNALLY (15 Andy BANKS 79′), 10 Max POPE (13 Colin HOEY 82′), 11 JORDAN WITHEY (12 Conrad POI 67′) - SUBS NOT USED: Nil

Referee – Steve Knight

Yellow Cards- Stynes 12′

UNDER 23′S STATE CUP 2010

CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVID TOUGH AND HIS UNDER 23′S SIDE WINNING THE UNDER 23′S STATE CUP FINAL TODAY BEATING ARMADALE 2 – 1 AT FRANK DRAGO RESERVE.

Team – Sir Andy Banks, Tom Swatton, Lee Thomson, Josh Brook, Mark Tebbutt, Shane Doyle, Jake Cooper-Benson, Jon Stynes, Jarrad McNally, Max Pope, Jordan Whithey Subs – Conrad Poi, Colin Hoey, Andy Brown

Goals coming from Jarrad McNally and Jake Cooper-Benson

‘We are delighted to get a trophy for working so hard this year, it is nothing the boys don’t deserve!” David Tough

ECU beat Lions to keep finals hopes alive

(by Football West Reporter Ann Odong)

ECU Joondalup has scored a major scalp in their quest to make the All Flags Finals Series, defeating Stirling Lions 3-0 at ECU Joondalup. (Photo by Ann Odong)

Despite the eventual score line, the Stirling Lions actually started the better as the looked to get back on track after last week’s disappointing draw with Floreat Athena.

Captain Shane Robinson took control of the proceedings centrally with winger Ludovic Boi proving an early handful for the ECU fullbacks with his touchline runs.

Despite Stirling’s heavy possession, the ECU midfield and defensive pressure kept the Lions at bay with the visitors forced to shoot from distance.

Eventually the home side did gain passages of possession and their first real foray forward proved fruitful with Dan Allen’s left wing run and well weighted floated cross finding Phil O’Callaghan at the top of the six yard area.

Reacting faster, the striker rose early and nodded his side into the lead against the run of play.

While Stirling was still catching their breath and composure, the home side struck again less than ten minutes later.

O’Callaghan capitalised on the midfield hassling of Garin Collins and Dale McCulloch when he picked up the ball in the midfield.

With a little time on the ball, he intelligently chipped a ball into the path of strike partner Jamie Watt who had no problem doubling ECU’s advantage.

Well and truly on top, the home side went for the killer blow and again O’Callaghan was involved with a through ball to John Higgins but this time Stirling goalkeeper Kevin Miller was out early to avert the danger.

Although 2 – 0 down, Stirling was working hard to get back into the match with all their stars Robinson, Boi, Phil Arnold getting involved in the action and they were rewarded with a small opening in the 34th minute when Robinson played in Boi behind the ECU defence.

However, Boi was unable to capitalise as the recovery from Dan Allen forced the Stirling winger to shoot straight into the arms of ECU goalkeeper Andy Pettenson.

A minute later Stirling was made to pay with the O’Callaghan/Watt combination once again bearing fruit.

After receiving the ball from Higgins, O’Callaghan bisected two Stirling defenders to find the feet of the oncoming Watt.

Cutting inside, the striker emphatically finished as he lashed his strike past the right palm of Miller.

Stirling looked to reply quickly with Scott Muirhead’s left wing run and cross spotting up the yet unsighted Mario Marcinko but Stirling’s top goal scorer was unable to keep his header down.

The half time interval fast approaching, the visitors had another opportunity to peg one back with Arnold earning a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.

Taken quickly, the cross met the head of Stef Frost but only was only able to pick out Pettenson.

Stirling were looking to get back into the match with an early second half goal but despite having the bulk of possession it was ECU to fashioned the first chance of the half.

Midfielder Collins rewarded Ryan McDarby’s run when he flicked on the ball into his path. McDarby’s flying strike ricocheted to the back post and the waiting Higgins but he finished disappointingly as he lashed high and wide from 10 yards out.

Looking for a spark, Stirling coach Paul Lincoln brought on Tom Ingram and Ndumba Makeche, with the latter having an almost immediate impact.

Brought down 20 yards out, Muirhead took the resulting free kick and the in-swinging effort forced a forced a rare save from Pettenson as he tipped it over the crossbar.

Controlling the ball and play, the visitors looked to convert the possession into goals and interplay between Arnold and Boi in the 64th minute looked promising when it ended with the ball at Robinson’s feet but he too was unable to get his strike on target.

Under pressure, ECU played on the counter and one such attack in the 74th minute almost closed out Stirling completely.

McCulloch started off the move when he released John Higgins down the left wing with the midfielder slipping in a ball behind the Lion’s defence into path of Watt.

After tucking away two more difficult opportunities early in the afternoon, Watt inexplicably took an air swing at the tap in to the groans of his supporters.

The Lions had chances late to gain something out of the match.

First Bobby Wilson headed Shane Robinson’s corner high in the 81st minute and minutes later physical pressure from Ross Anderson forced Wilson to head Boi’s back post cross well wide.

Scott Muirhead had one final chance to get the visitors on the scoreboard when he struck from distance in the final minute of the game but, as it had been all game, Petterson was untroubled as the strike sailed over the cross bar.

As expected, Syd Amphlett was pleased with the result.

“The lads have been terrific.” said the ECU coach.

“I have high expectations of the lads and they know that and everything worked today all through the team.

“I have set them a target of winning the next two games so that we can face Sorrento, the likely challenger for the top five.”

TEAMS

ECU JOONDALUP: 1. Andy PETTENSON, 2. Dan ALLEN (13. Jake BENSON-COOPER 82′), 3. Ryan McDARBY, 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5. Ross ANDERSON, 6. Scott BLACKMORE, 7. John HIGGINS, 8. Scott BINCKMONT, 9. Jamie WATT, 10. Phil O’CALLAGHAN, 14. Garin COLLINS, 18. Dale McCULLOCH (16. John STYNES 89′)
SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Andy BANKS, 11. Gerardo SOTO, 17. Jordan WHITEY

STIRLING LIONS: GK Kevin MILLER, 2. Michael PUGLIESE, 3. Scott MUIRHEAD, 4. Matt STARES (7. Tom INGRAM 53′), 5. Dennis GALAN (17. Ndumba MAKECHE 53′), 6. Paul DICKSON, 9. Mario MARCINKO (8. Bobby WILSON 75′), 10. Shane ROBINSON, 11. Stef FROST, 12. Ludovic BOI, 14. Phil ARNOLD
SUBS NOT USED: 16. Dave SESAY, 20. Anthony SALPIETRO

ECU SENIOR PRESENTATION NIGHT 2010

The Annual Senior Presentation Night will be held on Friday 5th November 2010 at the Woodvale Reception Centre. You will enjoy a 3 course meal, having a choice of 2 for entree, main and dessert.

Date – FRIDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2010
Venue – WOODVALE RECEPTION CENTRE, WOODVALE TAVERN
Time – 7.00pm – 12.00am

Tickets Price – $60 per person
Dress Code - Smart Casual
Menu – Provided closer to the time

Players, family and friends welcome from all age groups.

To register your interest please contact Kirsty McCluskey on 0420 370 410 or kirsty.louise@hotmail.com

ECU Race Night Sponsors

The annual ECU Race Night will be held on Saturday 4th September 2010.  We are looking for a main sposor for the evening costing $400 and a sponsor per race costing $150. The main event sponsor will recieve a centre page advertisment plus 2 tickets. Each race sponsor will have an advertisment for their race plus 1 ticket.

If you would like to help the club raise money by sponsoring the evening or a race please contact Kirsty McCluskey on 0420 370 410.

Programmes will be available soon … keep your eyes and ears open!!

Swans Fly Home in a Thriller

Two goals in the final 11 minutes gave bottom-of-the-table Swan United a dramatic 3-2 victory over ECU Joondalup at Edith Cowan University.

In an eventful match, Thomas Shepheard headed the visitors in front on the stroke of half-time but goals from Phil O’Callaghan and Jamie Watt — the latter a penalty — looked like consigning Swans to their eighth league defeat of the season.

But a quite stunning strike from Darragh Kinnevey drew them level, before Brendan Knox — who had earlier missed from the spot — gave Jamie Goodman’s side three priceless points in their quest to avoid relegation.

Brendan Craig forced Andy Petterson to make a decent save low down with a well-hit effort from 25 yards but it was ECU who should have opened the scoring after 20 minutes.

Chris Wylie’s long throw-in was flicked on but Watt could only stab the ball wide from six yards out.

In an opening half of few clear-cut chances, O’Callaghan almost benefited from a poor bit of control from Swans defender David McNally but the striker somewhat scuffed his shot from 25 yards and Cory Hugo had no trouble making the save.

At the other end, Kinnevey pounced on a loose ball but blazed well over from distance. However, team-mate Jamie Sammut was a lot closer, his low drive from 25 yards fizzing just wide.

But, with just seconds remaining in the first period, Swans went ahead with a goal their hard work and effort probably deserved.

Sammut picked up a short corner and whipped a dangerous ball into the box that Knox met with a glancing header. Petterson superbly tipped the ball over for another corner and this time the Joondalup keeper was helpless as Shepheard steered a header into the back of the net.

Whatever ECU boss Syd Amphlett said during the break worked because his side were back on level terms four minutes after the resumption with a well-worked goal.

Wylie and John Higgins played a neat one-two down the left and when the former crossed deep beyond the far post, Garin Collins rolled the ball back across the six-yard box for O’Callaghan to fire home.

David Perich sent a snap shot over from 12 yards as the visitors looked to restore their lead immediately but they were given a golden opportunity after 55 minutes when Knox’s great run into the box was illegally halted by substitute Mark Tebbut. Knox stepped up to take the spot-kick himself but his low strike was brilliantly saved by Petterson.

Incredibly, 60 seconds later, Joondalup were ahead when an almost identical challenge from Robert Monterosso upended Watt. He also stepped up to take the kick himself but made no mistake, driving the ball inside the left upright.

O’Callaghan and Watt then combined well with the latter blasting just over from a tight angle.

McNally wasted an excellent chance for Swans after 67 minutes, sending a free header over the bar from a long free-kick, then Knox saw a close-range effort somehow cleared off the line, with Shepheard unable to direct his follow-up header under the bar.

But just when it was beginning to look as though ECU might hang on, Kinnevey drew his side level with an absolute screamer with 11 minutes remaining. There looked to be little on when he picked up a half-cleared ball 25 yards from goal but, after an initial touch, the midfielder lashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner.

Clearly inspired, Kinnevey was only denied his second from long-range moments later by a fine save from Pettersen.

The Swans could sense victory and Knox delivered the killer blow five minutes from time. Substitute Christian Lopez made a good run into the box and, although Petterson did well to get down and keep out his low shot, the keeper was helpless to prevent Knox driving in the rebound from six yards.

Goodman was naturally thrilled with the result and was full of praise for his players.

“The boys did really well today, showed a lot of character,” he said.

“We had a chance to go 2-1 up but missed the penalty and then went 2-1 down with another penalty at the other end within a minute of that.

“I think it was a bit of a scrap after that and our boys really dug deep and it was a great result.

“We battled hard last week but didn’t quite manage to get the result but we’ve gone a step further and managed to get the win today. I’m just rapt at the moment, absolutely rapt.”

Report by Tim Lefort

Match Details:

ECU Joondalup 2 (O’Callaghan 49′, Watt pen 56′)

Swan United 3 (Shepheard 44′, Kinnevey 79′, Knox 85′)

Saturday July 17, 3.00pm

Edith Cowan University

Crowd: Appx 150

Referee: Dave Scragg

ECU JOONDALUP: GK. Andy PETTERSON, 2. Ryan McDARBY, 3. Chris WYLIE, 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT (16. Mark TEBBUT 28′), 6. Andy BROWN, 7. John HIGGINS, 8. Scott BLACKMORE, 9. Jamie WATT, 10. Phil O’CALLAGHAN, 12 Dale McCULLOCH, 14 Garin COLLINS

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Andy BANKS, 5. John STYNES, 11. Josh BROOK, 13. Jake BENSON-COOPER

YELLOW CARDS: Ryan McDARBY 46′, Dale McCULLOCH 90+2

RED CARDS: None

SWAN UNITED: GK. Cory HUGO, 3. Trent WOOD (2. Christian LOPEZ 77′), 4. Robert MONTEROSSO, 6. Brendan KNOX, 8. Brendon CRAIG, 10. Michael VAN DONGEN, 11. Jamie SAMMUT, 12. David PERICH, 16. Darragh KINNEVEY (15. Alan O’MAHONY 85′), 17. David McNALLY, 19. Tom SHEPHEARD (13. Stuart LONG 88′)

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Daniel AGUDELO, 9. Morgan DENDLE

YELLOW CARDS: Brendon CRAIG 69′

RED CARDS: None

McDarby puts injury behind him

Twelve months ago ECU Joondalup defender Ryan McDarby’s football career was hanging in the balance, when the ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

That’s a distant memory now for McDarby, who has forced his way back into the starting line up and was in great form on Sunday in his first full game in the first team, when ECU beat Perth SC 3-1, and move closer to the top five.

It’s been a long road back for the 20-year-old, but he’s enjoying his football again back at ECU. “It was a long and frustrating road back after my full knee reconstruction. It was many days spent in the gym doing weights to build the muscles back up, and when you start to run again it gets easier from there but you just can’t rush it,” McDarby said.

He only had one goal on his mind, and that was to get back playing in the Football West Premier League. “Yes it’s hard to get back playing again, as I said you can’t rush it, and I was told it would take time and was told it needs to be a 100% before I played again. I’m getting fitter and more confident with every game so hopefully I can have a strong finish to the season,” McDarby explained.

ECU Joondalup Coach Syd Amphlett is delighted to have the defender back, and believes he will get better when he is match fit. “When Ryan did his knee against Cockburn last year he was devastated, and it has taken 12 months to get back to match fitness,” Amphlett said.

“At one stage we had to hold him back in training because he was so desperate. He has been outstanding in the last two reserve games and had a sound and full game on Sunday against Perth. He has played a part in the last five games as his fitness gets better and better and thankfully no reaction to his injury,” Amphlett said.

He was signed back from Mandurah and Amphlett says – he is ECU through and through and prepared to play anywhere. Last season he was a vital member of the side and made the final 20 at Perth Glory youth trials before his season was cut short. He made a welcome return against Forrestfield in the first round of the cup, and although a bit nervous he has just gone from strength to strength.

The win on Sunday at Perth was a great result for the club and McDarby believes they can get better. “It was a great win at Dorrien Gardens, as we needed it to keep pushing for the top 5. It was also a great team performance, everyone worked their socks off for each other and we got what we deserved in the end which was the three points,” McDarby said.

This week Swan United visit’s the Arena, a game ECU should be looking at winning three points, but McDarby knows it will be a tough game. “I think after beating two of the top four teams we will be confident going into this game. But this league is so tight anyone can beat anyone on their day so we will have to be on the top of our game to beat them, it should be a good game,” McDarby said.