INTERVIEW WITH NEW JUFC COACH BILL BYRNE

New first team coach Bill Byrne on his recent appointment at Joondalup United.

“I am very proud to be returning to JUFC as Senior Coach.
 
As the original founder of the club it has always held a place in my heart and indeed, had I not left to work overseas, I would no doubt have never left the club.
 
Next February marks the 10th anniversary of the club and it has done extremely well in those 10 years, rising from the lowest division to be starting its 3rd season in the Premier League.
 
I have spent the last three years at Ballajura AFC as Senior Coach but it was with no hesitation whatsoever that I accepted JUFC’s offer to return. I realise there is a job to be done here and I am under no illusions that it will be easy, but I am confident that with a positive attitude from everyone on and off the park we will progress as a club in the coming seasons.
 
As a coach I have a strong belief in treating all players both honestly and fairly. I firmly believe in maintaining discipline on the park and not being sucked into silly yellow/red cards through “losing our cool”. That wins you nothing.
 
I will always be available to any player who wants to talk to me about their position in the squad or any other matter and I am prepared to speak to players one on one at any time.
 
I will be looking at all players who turn up for preseason with no pre-conceived ideas about who will form the eventual squad. In other words its up to everyone to show they deserve a spot in the First/Reserve team.
 
My ambitions for JUFC are exacty what they were 10 years ago – to establish JUFC as a feared and respected Premier League club. I will be looking for all players to share that ambition over the coming seasons.”
 
Bill

Three off as Arena beat Dallies

Spearwood Dalmatinac 0 Arena Joondalup United 2

A fixture error by Football West forced Arena Joondalup United to forfeit home advantage and instead make the long trek to Dalmatinac Park to take on Spearwood Dalmatinac in this crucial game with just two points separating the teams at the start of play.

The game started at a high tempo with several crunching tackles made as both teams fought to make an early strike. It was the “home” team Arena Joondalup who settled the quicker and began to play what has become in recent weeks their trademark quality football, however it was the away team Spearwood who had the first opportunity when an gilt edged chance was hit against the post when it seemed to all a goal was certain. 

Several yellow cards followed in the next few minutes as the official appeared to overreact too hard but fair challenges from both teams, finally the opening goal was scored on the half hour mark when a mazy dribble by Arena’s Ryan Green down the left was backed up by an even better cross to the far post which was met by the big unit Steve Trowbridge who showed great vision to head the ball back across goal to his strike partner Josh “Messi” Rolls who was left with a simple finish from close-range to open the scoring 1-0 much to the delight of the travelling faithful!

Arena Joondalup took control of proceedings and were unlucky not to go further ahead however the game appeared to take a twist when on 42 minutes following what appeared nothing more than handbags at six paces the Arena Joondalup United skipper Ian Bunton was shown a straight red by the over zealous referee.  The remaining minutes until the break passed without incident and the scoreline remained 1-0 to the home team.

Arena Joondalup United coach Nick Jennings re-organised his team at the break with the emphasis on defence and counter attacks at pace, this game plan was carried out to perfection and Spearwood had no idea how to break down the two banks of Arena Joondalup defenders. 

On the hour mark after dispelling another attack Josh Rolls chased and harried the Spearwood defence into an error and after being gifted the ball he clinically slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper to make the score 2-0 to the boys in blue.

A further four yellow cards followed in the next few minutes much to the amazement of both benches, this had the effect of unsettling the Arena team down to 10 men, and Spearwood should of scored on at least one occasion, they hit the crossbar and twice forwards unmarked inside the six yard box were thwarted by great saves from the Arena custodian Matt Williams. 

With 15 minutes to go this enthralling game seemed to take another twist when following a collision with a Spearwood forward Williams was knocked out and suffered an injury to his cheekbone which forced him from the field, with no substitute keeper amongst the subs it was Steve Trowbridge who donned the gloves and went between the posts.

Within minutes with the Spearwood forward going nowhere Trowbridge had a moment of madness and conceded a penalty kick by bringing him down, however what followed was a full length save diving to his left and then quickly to his feet to turn the follow up wide.  This completely took the wind out of Spearwood and ill discipline saw two of their players sent of within the next five minutes and it was Arena Joondalup who finished the game camped in the Spearwood half being unlucky not to add to the scoreline which finished at 2-0 to Arena Joondalup United a result which saw them leapfrog Dallies in the table.

Arena Coach Nick Jennings was delighted with his sides battling performance. “Fantastic effort by all the boys today, who showed great determination and character to get the result.  It was a strange game with hardly a bad tackle yet somehow three players were sent off and 7 or 8 received cautions, we kept our discipline and shape and carried on doing the simple things. In the end we fully deserved the 3 points it what was i would describe as a complete team performance,” Jennings said.

“Already we are looking forward to next weeks game away to Murdoch University, in what is another six pointer, with both clubs in the wrong half of the table.” he added.

United home on the road

Hamersley Rovers 1 Arena Joondalup United 5

It was a confident Arena Joondalup United team that made the short trip to Carine Open Space to take on Hamersley Rovers, with both clubs locked in a relegation battle it was a massive six point game. Arena had just one change to the starting 11 with skipper Ian Bunton, returning to his former hunting ground restored to the team after missing the midweek draw with Shamrock Rovers.

The Arena Joondalup boys made a great start to the game and their short passing game and quality on the ball saw them dominate from the first whistle and within 15 minuted two Steve Trowbridge strikes saw their pressure turn into a two goal lead. It was one-way traffic with Hamersley struggling to get out of their half and it was no surprise when on the 30 minute mark that a defensive blunder gifted Ian Bunton an opportunity which he calmly slotted in the bottom corner.

Half time came and the only surprise was the boys in blue were only leading 3-0. Within minutes of the restart an in swinging Gary Andrews’ corner found the back of the net with a little assistance from the home keeper. It would of been easy for the Hamersley team to fall to pieces but too their credit they kept going and in fact starting to put the Arena defence under pressure and when a free kick from the edge of the area could only be parried by Matt Williams in the Arena goal the Hamersley centre half was the first to react and make the score 4-1.

With a few of the Arena Joondalup team starting to show heavy legs following their midweek exertions all three subs were introduced, it was one of the subs Ollie Langdale who caused panic in the Hamersley defence with a mazy dribble allowing Josh Rolls to bang home his third goal for the club in the 88th minute. There was still time for Hamersley to be awarded a penalty it was a very strange decision which mystified even the Hamersley players and officials, justice was seen to be done when the Hamersley No3 blazed the spot kick high wide and handsome. The final whistle was blown immediately with the final score Hamersley Rovers 1 Arena Joondalup United 5.

United Coach Nick Jennings was delighted with his side’s performance. “That was the best performance since I took over as coach, in difficult windy conditions we got the ball down and played some great football which was a pleasure to watch. We could quite easily of hit double figures but I’m happy to settle for the five goals and more importantly the three points as we attempt to climb away from the relegation zone,” Jennings said.

“We have another big game next week against a Spearwood Dallies team that are just two points above us in the table,” he added.

United stun league leaders Shamrock

Football West Loans Cafe Amateur Premier League leaders Shamrock Rovers were the visitors to the Arena, as United had their first home fixture for a number of weeks. In a re arranged league fixture due to State Cup commitments and with an 8.30pm kick off on a wet and windy night it was only the brave who were luckily to present to witness a game that ebbed and flowed all night.

Shamrock set the early tempo as the Arena Joondalup team struggled to deal with the pace and sharpness of the boys in green and white, but gradually they came into the game and the first 20 mins were pretty even though the clearer chances fell the way of the visitors. When central midfielder James Green picked up his second bookable offence and was dismissed from the field, this appeared to inspire Arena Boys and they completely dominated the game and began tearing to pieces the one paced Shamrock Rovers backline.

New signing 18-year-old Josh Rolls was on fire and just after the mid way mark of the half following a free flowing move, it was Rolls belying his tender years who outsmarted a hesitant defence before drilling the ball past the hapless Rovers custodian and within five minutes a carbon copy of the first goal followed yet again expertly finished by the youngster. The last five minutes of the half saw two half chances spurned by the home team who by this stage even down to 10 men were well on top.

The start of the second half was a completely different story a rejuvenated Shamrock team found themselves level within seven minutes. The first goal a moment of hesitation by the Arena Keeper left the onrushing forward with a simple finish worse was to follow when the otherwise outstanding Arena defence allowed a Shamrock to wriggle free before firing home amid mass celebrations from the Shamrock players and faithful.

Just as it seemed Arena Joondalup would buckle under enormous pressure similar to the recent Stirling Panthers game, the boys in blue found another gear and came back into the game only to receive a real kick in the teeth when Shamrock snatched the lead on 70 minutes with a clinical finish from the edge of the area.

In recent weeks that would of been that but yet again the Arena team came again and the veteran midfielder Gary Andrews having his best game in an Arena Joondalup United shirt, strode onto a square ball from Steve Trowbridge and with his left foot (what else!) buried the ball from an acute angle to bring the scores level at 3-3 with only minutes to go and send the Arena bench and supporters wild with delight. It was with much relief that the ref brought an end to the spectacle just after 10.10pm.

United Coach Nick Jennings was delighted with his side’s performance. “I was very proud of the effort put in by the boys tonight; we got the ball down and did the simple things well. Going down to 10 men appeared to inspire us, the message finally appears to be getting home that if you work hard and believe in it you get your rewards,” Jennings Said.

“We have to move on and focus on Sunday’s game away at Hamersley Rovers, which is a massive six point game as we strive to climb away from the bottom of the table. I’ve told the boys as good as the performance was tonight, it counts for nothing if we don’t follow it up and get a result on Sunday,” Jennings added.

Arena Joondalup’s cup run continues

Sunday 21st June – The 3rd round of the Amateur Cup saw Arena Joondalup United on their travels once more this time to take on Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve.  It was the 5th Division side who started the better and with the goal machine Sal Marrappodi looking very threatening from the first whistle it was a good job that the ever impressive Aaron Platten was up to the challenge and was able to nulify his threat. 

Bayawater continued to threaten and the Arena defence under pressure gave away a couple of free kicks around the edge of the area, both were well saved by the Arena custodian Matt Williams. The Arena machine suddenly sprang into life and three easy opportunities were spurned before midday way through the half, big Steve Trowbridge outmuscled the keeper and was left with a simple header which looped into the net. At 1-0 the Arena boys relaxed a little and began knocking the ball around like a premier team should half time came without any addition to the score, which was amazing as Steve Trowbridge was presented at full stretch an opportunity on the goal line of Bayswater he defied gravity and somehow put the ball 20 yards over the empty net, leaving even the Arena Joondalup coach Nick Jennings lost for words!!.

Ollie Langdale was introduced wide on the right at the break this had the desired effect and which stretched the Bayswater defence and caused them a number of scares.  On the hour mark a free flowing move resulted in debutant 18-year-old Josh Rolls reversing the ball to his onrushing skipper Ian Bunton who steadied himself before rifling home from just inside the 18-yard-box. 

At 2-0 the game seemed over, but after Arena Joondalup missed four opportunities in the next 10 minutes, the pendulum swing and Marrappodi was presented with gifts in front of goal which luckily he blazed wide on both occasions. 

After this the game petered out as Bayswater ran out of steam and Arena Joondalup were happy to play keep ball in the latter stages of the game and celebrated at the final whistle a good 2 nil victory there last win since the 2nd round of the cup!
 
United Coach Nick Jennings said:”It was a job well done today a lot of people were predicting an upset today with Bayswater being the top scorers in Amateur Football and us struggling a bit at the moment. We were professional in the way we approached the game and we are very pleased to be in the hat for the next round of the cup.”

Panthers roar late to beat United

Sunday 14th June - United visit the home of Stirling Panthers in what was the first meeting between the two clubs.  The high flying Panthers came out of the traps flying in an attempt to batter the Arena boys into an early submission, however the Arena defence superbly marshalled by Aaran Platten and ably assisted by Gary Asbridge and Steve Mills repelled all attacks without any real scares. 

This allowed the Arena boys in the middle of the park to slowly take control and is was no surprise when midway through the first half a free flowing move was smashed home from 25 yds by Joondalup No 9 Steve Trowbridge his first goal for the club.  Arena Joondalup took control and were unlucky not to add to the lead before the half time break came at 1-0 to the away team. 

The second half started in much the same vain with the better football being played by the boys in blue, Stirling created a couple of half chances but seemed to be running out of ideas when 10 minutes from time they were awarded a hotly disputed free kick 20 yds from goal.  This resulting shot at goal was deflected into the back of the net off the Arena wall which brought massive celebrations from the Panthers players, this double stroke of luck invigorated the team in red and black and and confidence could be seen to drain immediately from the Arena Joondalup players.

The Panthers threw wave after wave of attacks at the Arena team and the result was 3 goals in the next 5 minutes which saw Stirling run out 4-1 winners and consolidate their 2nd spot on the ladder whilst Arena Joondalup were left to dream about what might of been and contemplate life at the wrong end of the table.
 
United Coach Nick Jennings said:” I couldnt of asked anymore from my players for the first 80 minutes of the game we executed our game plan to perfection and were looking very comfortable at 1 nil up.  However as often happens when you are down at the wrong end of the table crucial decisions and lady luck tend to go against you and once that 1st goal went in the boys fell apart.  No excuses though the Stirling boys kept going for 90 minutes and good luck to them.  We have a rest from the league this week and instead turn our attention to the cup where we have been drawn away (yet again) vs Bayswater City so we look forward to taking on this free scoring team from Division 5″

United go down to Olympic

Arena Joondalup United made the short journey to the Kingsway Sports Complex to take on a Kingsway Olympic side fresh from a 7-0 midweek hammering of Spearwood Dallies.

A number of experienced players were recalled to the Arena line up, with injury ruling out several of the young guns including 18-year-old top scorer Pete Kenny.  After a slow start to the game which was played on a very poor surface, a mistake out wide on the Arena right resulted in a cross being clinically finished by Kingsway’s Derek Cooke. Moments later a goalkeeping blunder by Matt Williams gifted a second goal to Cooke and Arena were on the back foot.

Arena struggled to get any real structure to their game and half time came at 2-0 to Kingsway with the home team well on top.  The second half followed a similar pattern and the only surprise was that it took so long for Kingsway to score a 3rd goal, and after spurning several more chances the ref finally put the Arena team out of their misery with the final whistle. With the three points going to the home team Kingsway Olympic.

United Coach Nick Jennings was disappointed with the performance. “We were completely outplayed today by a well organised, physical Olympic team and got out of the game exactly what we deserved.

“Players commitment to the cause must be questioned and changes will be made to the starting X1 for next week’s game,” Jennings said.

United let in slip in the second half

UWA 4 Arena Joondalup United 1

A perfect day for football played on a carpet like pitch saw Arena Joondalup fly out of the traps full of confidence following two successive wins, the first 20 minutes saw a number gilt edged opportunities spurned by the forward line including failing to hit the target with two 1 on 1 chances.  As is often the case in football Joondalup fell behind to a sucker punch, a quick break away by UWA and poor marking resulted in a headed opener by the UWA centre forward.  UWA dominated the game for the next 10 minutes before Joondalup become to assert their authority on the game and scored a well deserved equaliser smashed home by Pete Kenny (his 4th goal of the season).  Half time came at 1-1 and the game was evenly poised.
 
The 2nd half began slowly with neither team troubling the respective custodians, then a dubious free kick was awarded to UWA on the edge of the Arena Joondalup area and a goalkeeping error saw the ball hit the back of the net.  At 2-1 to UWA changes were made and Joondalup changed to an attacking 4-3-3 formation which resulted in a lot of pressure without any clear cut chances being created.  Pushing numbers forward left us exposed at the back and the last 5 minuted saw a penalty converted and another goal scored on the breakaway which gave the students a rather flattering scoreline of 4-1, though in all probability a deserved victory.
 
“The game was a classic case of what might of been for us today, we started like a house on fire and should of been 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes, however individual errors at both ends of the pitch cost us dearly and we ended up having to chase the game which resulted in us being hit late on with 2 sucker punches.  We now have 2 weeks until our next game to work hard on the training ground and hopefully bring in a couple of new faces. As next weeks scheduled opponents Shamrock Rovers are involved in the State Cup vs Morley Windmills so good to look to the ammies lets hope they can emulate Hammersley Rovers achievements from last season.”

By Nick Jennings

United edge Spearwood in cup

Spearwood Dalmatinac 1 Arena Joondalup United 3

The 2nd Round of the Amateur Cup saw Arena Joondalup United FC head down the freeway to take on Spearwood Dalmantiacs. 

 

After witnessing the reserve team bow out of the cup 5-4 on pens after 90 minutes of stalemate, Arena Joondalup were lucky to get into half time trailing only one nil to a superb finish from the Spearwood number 9 only young Ollie Langdale doing himself justice in a very poor opening  45.

 

A few harsh words from Coach Nick Jennings saw his team come out and take the game to Spearwood and substitute Sam Coolican created the equalising goal with a jinking run and cross from the right hand side clinically finished by 18-year-old Pete Kenny on 55 minutes, this was shortly followed by a wonder strike from left back Michael J Lo Banks who picked up the ball deep in his own half beat two men before smashing the ball into the top corner from 35 yards. 

 

Spearwood had spurned a couple of gilt edged opportunities to draw level, before Pete Kenny grabbed his 2nd from close range.  Special mention to man of the match Ollie Langdale who finally showed what talent he has, he was the standout performer throughout.

After an unacceptable first half, we changed a few things around at half time and produced a 2nd half performance which did the talent we have in the team justice.  Hopefully the message will have hit home and with the young boys leading the way, we can build on the victories of the last 2 weeks and start climbing the league table beginning with what will be a very physical encounter away at UWA this week.

ROUND 1. ARENA JOONDALUP UNITED V MURDOCH UNI

Round 1

ARENA JOONDALUP UNITED V MURDOCH UNI

1^st team

In what was a very even game on the opening day of the league

campaign, AJU drew 1-1 with the south of the river outfit Murdoch

Uni, the uni side opened the scoring on 32 minutes thanks to a well taken goal

by centre forward and club president Clayton Kendall, he took advantage of some slack marking on the edge of AJU 18 yard box to turn nicely and slot past AJU keeper

Matt Williams. AJU drew level within 5 minutes after an in swinging corner from Paul Bunton wasn’t dealt with by Murdoch’s giant defence, the ball fell kindly to

Gary Assbridge who stabbed it home from all of 2 yards!

Both teams had there chances in the second half the best of AJU’s falling to forward Andy Burrell who after some nice build up play and a Beckham like cross from Jono

Doherty narrowly missed the target with a sweetly struck volley.

A point a piece was a fair result and both coaches would have been happy with what

The effort there teams put into the game.

Joondalup left back Mike Banks had this to say after his debut ‘I never want to leave. I am here for the rest of my life, and hopefully after that as well’

 

Reserve‘s

I what was a high scorer game the Uni boys came out on top 6-4

Joondalup’s goals were scored by veteran Peter Rustige, 18 year old Rohan Livingstone and a brace by 18 year old Peter Kenny.

 

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