Boland on target as Floreat win Night Series title

Report by  Football West Reporter Peter Simcox

Teenage striker Liam Boland scored the only goal to give Floreat Athena a hard fought 1-0 win against ECU Joondalup in the 2011 Bam Creative Night Series final at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday evening. (Photo courtesy of Football West)

The big striker controversially fired home in the 68^th minute, after ECU keeper Andy Banks spilled a cross from Jack Allen, and Boland fired home from close-range. The ECU players were incensed as they thought the keeper was fouled, but the goal stood to give Floreat their fifth night series triumph.

“I’m delighted to have scored the winner but it was a great team effort tonight,” Boland said. “We dominated early but didn’t take our chances and they came back into the game. We had a good chat at half time and we got our reward, it’s really great to get the win.”

Both sides went in to the final unchanged from last week, but it was Floreat who opened the brighter and they went close after only three minutes. Miki Vujacic’s free kick found Paul van Dongen, but the midfielder headed straight at Banks.

It was Paul van Dongen again five minutes later, this time he was picked out by Jarred Smith’s cross from the left, but Banks was alert to push his header wide.

ECU were struggling to cope with Floreat, and Boland’s long-range shot was saved by Banks at the second attempt on 12 minutes and three minutes later Paul van Dongen’s first time shot whistled inches past the post.

Boland was a becoming a real handful, and when he was found by Vujacic on 24 minutes, his powerful shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Banks at his near post.

After surviving the Floreat onslaught, ECU pressed forward and Chris Wyle found the over lapping John Higgins, whose teasing cross was superbly cleared by Ante Kovacevic, off the toe of striker John Thornley.

On the half hour a quickly taken free kick from Boland sent Paul van Dongen in on goal, but the midfielder’s first touch let him down and Banks was out quick to smoother his shot.

ECU were coming more into the game and they had the best chance of the first half on 37 minutes. Higgins’ corner from the right found Oliver McGee at the back post; his powerful header was cleared off the line by Michael van Dongen. Moments later Thornley played in Scott Blackmore, his shot from 18-yards was well saved by Alex Dunn.

It was ECU who ended the half the better and in stoppage-time Higgins’ cross from the left was headed out by Julian Madaschi, only to Jake Benson-Cooper, whose follow up shot was tipped over by Dunn.

Floreat made a change at the break with Matthew Spurling being replaced by Jack Allen, and the youngster had an immediate impact. Michael van Dongen sent the youngster down the right, and his pinpoint cross found Boland who headed wide at the back post.

The game was still in the balance, and there were chances at both ends. First on 58 minutes Garin Collins ball sent Paul van Dongen in down the right. His cross picked out Boland, who’s shot on the turn was well saved by Banks. Then five minutes later ECU midfielder Benson-Cooper came within inches of breaking the deadlock, his long-range shot beat Dunn, but crashed off the crossbar.

But the decisive goal came on 68 minutes. Michael van Dongen played in Allen down the right, his deep cross was dropped by Banks, under pressure from Boland. The big striker was quickest to react to the loose ball and fired home from close-range, much to the delight of the Floreat supporters behind the goal.

ECU looked to hit back immediately, Thornley was sent clear by Blackmore and he looked to be brought down by Dunn, but referee Mathew Cheeseman waved away the penalty claims. Dunn required treatment after the incident with blood streaming from his face. He couldn’t continue and he was replaced by Simon Madaschi on 75 minutes.

Time was running out for ECU, but they continued to push forward and their supporters thought they had levelled in the 90^th minute. Second half substitute Jordan Dodds’ 20-yard shot was superbly tipped around the post by Madaschi.

There was six minutes off stoppage-time added, and ECU had one last chance in the last minute. McGee sent youngster Dodds clear, his shot from 12-yards was again superbly saved by Madaschi at full stretch.

At the final whistle the Floreat players and supporters celebrated their victory, and Floreat midfielder Jarred Smith was voted best on ground and winning the ‘The Robbie Dunn Medal’.

Floreat Coach Ante Kovacevic was delighted with the performance and the win. “It was a real team effort tonight. Liam scored the winner but the service from the midfield was excellent, the van Dongen boys are as honest as they come, they are a great signing for me,” Kovacevic said.

“We lost keeper Alex with a nasty injury, but Simon Madaschi came on and made two great saves late on to keep us level, like I said a great all-round team performance, and I’m delighted.”

ECU Joondalup Coach Syd Amphlett was bitterly disappointed about the goal, and he also believed they should have had a penalty. “We are all gutted to lose the game like that. I think 99% of the time that would have been given a free kick for a foul on the keeper, but the referee saw nothing wrong with it, which was disappointing,” Amphlett said.

“We were convinced we had a penalty when Thornley was brought down by the keeper, but the referee saw a bit of blood and didn’t give it. I’ve told my players to lift their heads as they have done really well in the night series, but to lose the game like that is frustrating.”

Bam Creative Night Series Final

Floreat Athena 1 (Boland 68’)

ECU Joondalup 0

Saturday 19th February 2011

BGC Stadium

Local kick-off: 7.45pm

Attendance: 700

Referee: Mathew Cheeseman

Assistant Referees: Joe Fusari and Ammar Timour

4th Official – Michael Tolmie

ECU Joondalup: GK Andy BANKS, 2 Ben KELLY (15 Josh BROOK 85’), 3 Chris WHYLIE, 5 Oliver MCGEE, 6 Ross EDWARDS, 7 John HIGGINS 8 Scott BLACKMORE (22 Jordan DODDS 80’), 9 John THORNLEY, 10 Jonathon STYNES, 13 Jake BENSON-COOPER (23 Max POPE 71’), 19 Ross LAING - Substitutes not used: RGK Bryn HINDLEY, 11 Dan ALLEN

Yellow Cards – Nil

Floreat Athena: GK Alex DUNN (RGK Simon MADASCHI 75’), 4 Julian MADASCHI, 5 Jarred SMITH, 6 Miki VUJACIC, 8 Michael VAN DONGEN, 9 Paul VAN DONGEN (2 Curtis PRIOR 80’), 10 Liam BOLAND, 12 Matthew SPURLING (3 Jack ALLEN 46’), 14 Garin COLLINS, 16 Ante KOVACEVIC, 22 Callum FRANSZ - Substitutes not used, 15 Gordon PEREIRA, 17 David HOUSTON

Yellow Cards – Vujacic 80’

ECU stuns Perth to reach Night Series Final

Report by Football west Reporter Jordan McArdle

A stunning 87th minute strike from ECU substitute Max Pope has crushed Perth’s hopes of a sixth consecutive Bam Creative Night Series title.

The 2-1 defeat at 6PR Stadium on Sunday night sees Perth not reach the Final for the first time since 2005.

ECU attacked hard in the opening minutes, making the most of a lacklustre Perth defence.

Perth looked out of sorts without Captain Robert Puca who was missing through suspension.

ECU striker John Thornley continued his excellent Bam Creative Night Series, running rings around the Perth defence to create a number of opportunities.

David Onoforo had Perth’s best chance midway through the first half as he get past two defenders and had a shot, but ECU keeper Andy Banks was up to the task, producing a fine save to keep his clean sheet intact.

Bam Creative Night Series leading goal scorer John Thornley broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, wrong footing Perth goalie Devon Spence to net his eighth goal of the tournament and giving his side a shock 1-0 advantage.

Greg Sharland’s sensational injury-time strike got Perth back into the game, squaring things up at 1-1 moments before the half-time whistle.

Perth came out all guns blazing in the second half and Sharland came agonisingly close to giving his side the lead when he struck the ball inches wide of the upright.

ECU fought back on the counter attack, with the run of John Higgins and Jake Benson-Cooper giving Perth some headaches.

Onoforo got himself into a great position as he so often does, but Oliver McGee’s perfectly timed tackle prevented the Perth striker scoring his first goal of the match.

Perth had a number of opportunities to take the lead, but sloppy finished and the inspirational goalkeeping of Andy Banks kept the scores even.

It was looking like extra time until the 87th minute when Max Pope’s spectacular strike left Ronnie Campbell’s men scratching their heads as their chances of a sixth consecutive Night Series crown were all but over.

ECU Joondalup Coach Syd Amphlett was delighted with his side’s improvement this so far this season after a disappointing 2010.

“I’ve always said Perth were the benchmark for the league, we have been improving every year,” Amphlett said.

“I thought last year we definitely underachieved, finishing fifth.

“I knew we were better than where we were, but we are progressing well.

“Training has been good, the efforts of the lads has been fantastic and a great team spirit.”

Amphlett praised the performance of striker John Thornley, who is one of the star players of the competition with eight goals in five matches.

“He’s an in-form player,” Amphlett said regarding his 23-year-old front man.

“But he can’t score these goals without the efforts of his teammates.

“I think the work rate of young Benno (Jake Benson-Cooper) and Higgsy (John Higgins) has been phenomenal.

“John is going to play A-League, I keep saying that, but not quite yet.”

ECU takes on Floreat Athena at BGC Stadium for the Bam Creative Night Series title next weekend, while Cockburn City will be against Perth SC in the 3rd Place Playoff.

ECU Joondalup: 1. Andy BANKS (gk), 2. Ben KELLY (Max POPE 77′), 3. Chris WHYLIE, 4. Ross LAING (15. Josh BROOK 68′), 5. Oliver MCGEE, 6. Ross EDWARDS, 7. John HIGGINS (11. ALLEN 85′), 8. Scott BLACKMORE, 9. John THORNLEY, 10. Jonathon STYNES, 13. Jake BENSON-COOPER – Substitutes not used: 25. Bryn HINDLEY (RGK)

Yellow Cards – Josh BROOK 81′

Perth SC: 1. Devon SPENCE, 2. Trent KAY, 3. Adam BACHILLER, 4. Craig SIMPSON, 6. Shaun KILKELLY, 7. Matt DANSKIN (16. Ian MCMURRAY), 9. David ONOFORO, 11. Robert SCIASCIA, 15. Antonio NAGLIERI, 18. Domenic DE FELICE, 20. Vlad NAUMOVSKI, 21. Callum O’CONNELL, 23. Greg SHARLAND  - Substitutes not used: 19. Luke MARTINO (RGK)

Yelow Cards – David ONOFORO 38′

Thornley looking forward to Perth SC clash

ECU Joondalup striker John Thornley has been in a rich vein of form, with two hat-tricks in the last two Bam Creative Night Series games. He was the match winner last week when ECU beat Western Knights 3-2, completing his hat-trick in the last minute to set up a semi-final clash with Perth SC this weekend.

The 23-year-old is looking forward to a repeat of last season’s semi-final, and believes the win against the Knights will put them in good stead.  “It was a great win against the Knights, I thought we dominated the game for large parts and deserved to win. We were under dogs but we proved even with five players out we can still beat any team in the league,” Thornley said.

“We know Perth’s going to be a big test but we won’t be worried going in as underdogs again, if we take our chances we have a good chance of winning.”

With Jamie Watt and Phil O’Callaghan leaving the club last season, it put more pressure on the big striker, so he’s happy to be able to score regularly and believes some of the younger players at the club have stood up in the Night Series. “Phil and Jamie definitely left big shoes to fill but at least we have a few young players like Jake Benson-Cooper and Max Pope who can do a job upfront, and they have got a chance to shine and make a name for themselves,” Thornley explained.

“I’m glad to keep scoring, but I’m more happy with the way the teams playing, each week I’m trying to get fitter and sharper the goals are just a bonus.”

The inclusion of new faces Oliver McGee, Ross Edwards and Ben Kelly has bolstered the defence and Thornley believes they will only get better. “All three were excellent last week. They have come straight into the side and look comfortable as ever they are big lads with good pace and passing, very glad to have them at our club,” Thornley said.

Many pundits had ECU struggling this season, but Coach Syd Amphlett and his assistant Andy Petterson seem to have them playing well and they still have a number of experienced players to come back in into the squad. “People always love to hate ECU, I think but that’s why I love them. No club in the league brings young players through like ECU, “Thornley said.

“With a mx of older heads, such as Dale McCulloch, Charlie Comyn-Platt, John Higgins and Scott Blackmore, our team has a perfect mix of youth and experience. All the players have a tremendous
respect for both Syd and Andy which is important I think, they have brought in the right players and also kept good players.”

ECU Coach Syd Amphlett is delighted with John’s form and believes he can play at a higher level. “John has been great for our club, and I believe he could make the transition to the A-League, no problem,” Amphlett said.

“His attitude is great and trains really hard and is clinical in games but maybe more important is very much a team member.”

Thornley headed east last season to play in the VPL, and he also tried his luck overseas too with English Premier League Birmingham City, and if a chance to play in the A-League or overseas again came up he would jump at the opportunity. “I’d defiantly take any chance to play full time as it’s something I still wish to do,” Thornley said.

“But at this stage I play for ECU and that’s all I’m thinking about. I turned down a lot of clubs over the summer to stay at ECU because I love the club and I believe we can win the league or I otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed.”

Thornley heroics send ECU through in a thriller – Report by David Cameron

A hat-trick from John Thornley has single-handedly sent ECU Joondalup into the Semi Finals of the Bam Creative Night Series in their enthralling encounter against Western Knights at 6PR Stadium.

Thornley’s third and most important goal came in the dying moments of the game, after ECU had seen the Knights come from behind twice in the match.

The first half was a very cagey affair, with both teams lacking any real coherence and quality in the final third.

It was only in the last minute of first half regulation time that ECU went into the lead via a penalty from the boot of John Thornley.

With the ball at the feet of Jonathon Stynes in the box he looked to cross to the back post in a crowd of players but was blocked by a hand from one of the Western Knights players surrounding, which referee Hugh Best adjudged as a deliberate handball and pointed to the spot.

Thornley stepped up to the mark and stroked the ball gently into bottom right hand corner with goalkeeper Siddall being sent the wrong way.

If the first half was quite dour and the second was the complete opposite, with four goals and a winning strike with only seconds remaining.

The first of the four second half goals came from the boot of new signing Branimir Mikulic 74 minutes into the contest.

A long cross field was controlled well by Callum Roberts on the edge of the ECU penalty box and laid off to a totally unmarked Mikulic, who with time to compose himself and he shot low to Andy Banks’ near post and the ball managed to sneak past the despairing goalkeeper.

However, the Knights’ joy was short lived when ECU earned their second penalty of the match.

With his back to goal and being harassed by Knights defenders, Thornley tried to turn only to be upended by a trailing leg of an ECU defender leaving referee Best with little choice but to point to the spot.

Thornley again stepped up to the spot and again he sent goalkeeper Siddall the wrong way, placing his shot straight down the middle.

To the credit of the Knights they didn’t let up their fierce assault on the ECU goal and were level for the second time in the match only a couple of minutes later through a great individual goal from Simon Versaico.

After dropping off the shoulder of his defender outside the box, he received the ball and with a combination of fine close control and quick feet, he was able to beat three defenders and fire off a shot that screamed past a despairing Banks in the ECU goal.

With both teams looking resigned to penalties, they looked to minimize the number of men committed forward.

However, in the last minute of added time a tired pass from the back lacked the pace required to switch the play and was pounced upon by the lurking Thornley.

He burst through to be one on one with Siddall and coolly slotted the ball all the way along the ground, completing his match-winning hat-trick.

To see match highlights and an interview with ECU assistant Andy Petterson please visit www.footballwest.tvfrom Monday afternoon.

Western Knights: GK. Frazer SIDDALL, 2. Duncan HIND, 4. Cormac DAWSON, 6. Garth LECKY (3. Stuart FERGUSON 63′), 5. David ANNALL, 7. Luka JUKIC, 9 Simon VERSAICO (14. Dale WINGELL 85′), 10. Stuart MONTGOMERY, 13. Ryan SHACKLETON (11. Branimir MIKULIC 55′), 16. Callum ROBERTS, 18. Glen ROBERTS
Substitutes not used: RGK Tom DIXON, 12. Daniel TRIM

ECU Joondalup: GK. Andy BANKS, 2. Ben KELLY, 3. D ALLAN, 5. Oliver McGEE, 7. John HIGGINS, 8. Scott BLACKMORE, 9. John THORNLEY, 10. Jonathon STYNES, 13. Jake BENSON-COOPER (21. Ross EDWARDS 77′) 15. Josh BROOK, 19. Ross LAING (14. Andy BROWN 85′)
Substitutes not used: RGK M POPE, Sebastian FRANSSON, Gerardo SOTO

ECU Sponsorship 2011

ECU Joondalup Soccer Club are looking for sponsors for the 2011 season. This is an excellent opportunity for your business to gain maximum exposure throughout the local northern community and WA.

Your sponsorship will help to develop this community based club to continue to produce and progress talented young players from grassroots to mature professional players in the WA State League, Hyundai A League, Overseas clubs and Australian Socceroos.

Please contact Kirsty McCluskey at ecujoondalupsoccerclub@hotmail.com for details.

Kirsty McCluskey

Amphlett pleased with improvement from ECU

ECU Joondalup powered their way into the top five finals in 2010, and their fifth placed position was the highest finish for the club in six years, and Coach Syd Amphlett was delighted. “It was a good season and to reach the finals was a great achievement. The players had a great attitude and we did think we could have gone further in the finals series as confidence was high but it was not to be,” Amphlett said.

“We have now kept the nucleus of players and coaches for last two years and want to keep progressing on that. We now have stability in the club and everyone seems to be enjoying it more. Yes we have the usual up’s and down’s but that’s usually my shouting, but we put that down to passion, and the players think the same.”

Amphlett, who is on vacant in the UK, said there had been some outstanding performances by the side during 2010, but two came to mind. “I’d have to say coming back from 3-1 down to beat Sorrento typified the never say die attitude the players have got, but probably  the best performance of the season was the 5-1 away win at Floreat Athena, where everything we asked just came right on the day,” Amphlett explained.

“I’ve said from the start of the season that we had the best three strikers in the league in James Watt, Phil O’Callaghan and John Thornley and that was proved with ECU being the top scorers in the league. The only problem was we also conceded the most, but saying that I thought Charlie Comyn-Platt was outstanding and Chris Whylie proved to be a very good signing at the back for us.”

There was some lowlights during the season the season, and Amphlett hopes his side can learn from them. “Probably the worst performance this season was at Armadale when we were 3-0 down at half time, which was not pleasant, while losing to Mandurah 4-1 after dominating the game for 85 minutes was hard to take,” Amphlett said.

The club have unearthed some young talent in 2010 and Amphlett hopes they continue to improve. “The club continue to produce talented players and Luke Johnson and Brandon O’Neill both impressed and played first team football before signing for Perth Glory Youth. We now have Josh Brooks and Jonathan Stynes knocking on the first team door while Lee Thomson has impressed me in the Under 18’s,” Amphlett explained.

A State League Cup Final win for the ECU under 23’s bodes well for the club in the future, and Amphlett was delighted for the side and coach David Tough. “Dave has done a great job with a very young side. Everyone knows what a tough job the reserves can be but he loves it and has so much enthusiasm and that rubs off on the young players,” Amphlett said.

“We did have a bit of experience in there to help as we were lucky to have two experienced keepers but Andy Petterson is now part of the first team coaching team and Andy Banks will step up to regular first team keeper.”

With the 2010 season only just finished, the preparation for ECU in 2011 has begun already. “We are always looking to sign quality players. We would like to strengthen the right side as this was a problem last year especially with Garin Collins leaving and Ryan McDarby going to UK. We have a list of players we would like to sign and add to what we already have, it’s just as important to keep the players we already have as i am sure a few will be on other clubs radars.” Amphlett said.

ECU Joondalup Skipper Ready for the Finals

ECU Joondalup steam rolled their way into the top five finals last week with a stunning 5-1 win against Floreat Athena.

They come up against the same side this week in the elimination final and skipper Dale McCulloch is hoping they can repeat last week’s performance. “We came out very attacking and on the day, and it paid off from start to finish, and we all worked hard and stuck to our jobs,” McCulloch said.

“It’s important that we get over last week’s win and really put in a strong week on the track and to expect a different Floreat side to come out this week. It’s always hard as Floreat will be dying to get out there Saturday to rectify what went wrong but hopefully our boys will be ready to fight that little bit more.

“They do have a strong side, Jason Barrera is a very good midfielder who always looks lively and Branimir Mikulic has scored a few goals this year, but I’m sure our defenders can handle that again this week.”

The northern suburbs side are probably the form team going into the finals, and McCulloch believes they have nothing to lose. “We have beaten all sides above us in the league this year, so we don’t fear anyone and coming 5th there is no expectations on us, so we go out there to play to our system and see how everything pans out,” McCulloch said.

“Playing in the finals doesn’t happen very often for us so the boys will be buzzing to get out there Saturday and show the rest of the league that we deserve our place.”

Last week ECU played three strikers, and the trio have formed a great partnership, and McCulloch hopes it continues on Saturday. “They are three very good strikers who all know were the net is. The best thing is that they are very competitive but in the same token not over greedy, .they are all in our side to finish games off for us,” McCulloch said.

ECU Coach Syd Amphlett has come under criticism from certain quarters this season, but McCulloch believes he is doing a great job. “Coming from a President position he was always going to get some stick from people but he has stuck to the task and it is starting to take shape,” McCulloch said.

“We haven’t made finals since 2004, so we surely have improved. Syd is a very passionate man who makes the hard decisions when they have to be made, and he has the respect of every player at the club. So to get us to the finals he must be up for coach of the year,” McCulloch joked.

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.

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

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