INTERVIEW WITH NEW JUFC COACH BILL BYRNE

bill with jufc new match balls for 2010

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

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.

Joondalup away from home for cup home tie against Spirit

Arena Joondalup United take their first step for 2009 this weekend, when they host First division Semi-Professional side Fremantle Spirit at Kingfisher Reserve in the first round of the Soccer Pools Cup. Coach Nick Jennings is relishing the opportunity to play against the Spirit and see where his team are at for the season ahead. “This Saturday sees our first venture into the State Cup it is a great shame that we can’t play on our new home pitch at Arena Joondalup, as West Perth have a home WAFL game. 

“As underdogs against State League opposition we have absolutely nothing to lose and whilst respecting our higher ranked opponents Fremantle Spirit we are going to have a real go at them in what is for us is a win, win situation.  All the boys are looking forward to it and as you would expect will really be up for it on the day, the only downside is the couple of players who will be missing due to work commitments and the injuries we picked up in last weeks game versus Fremantle Croatia will further deplete us but I have every confidence in my squad and that those coming in are capable of getting our name into the hat for the next round come 5 o’clock,” Jennings said.

The Spirit was a Premier League side last season, but has lost a number of players since then. Simon Elton Bott, Jason Barrera Callum Roberts, Lou Bake, Ben Kelly, Cisco Jorquera, Michael Draper and Dave Rodgers have left the club and Coach Marc Wingell hopes for a good cup win to kick start their season. “Will put out as strong a team that is available, the cup isn’t part of the big picture, but it is always nice to win all games in a season. I think the Sorrento friendly on the weekend, which we lost 1-3, will put us in good stead for this cup game against an unknown opponent,” Wingell said.

United go down to White Eagles in a friendly

Joondalup United travelled to the Serbian Community Centre in Maddington to take on Dianella White Eagles on Saturday and were beaten 0-3. It was a good hit out for Nick Jennings’ side, on another baking hot day.  Both first team and reserve sides were without a number of players due to work commitments, and both sides used experimental squads, which including six 18-year-old players.

The game opened at a high tempo, belying the mid 30 degree temperatures, although clear cut chances were few and far between in the opening half with both defences dominating.  Arena Joondalup finished the half the stronger and were well on top when the referee brought a premature end to the first period perhaps the heat had got to him. 

At the break Arena Joondalup made a number of changes which appeared to unsettle them and they were unable to quite manage to play with the same tempo as the first half. Dianella took control and opened the scoring on 55 minutes with a clinical finish from Kris Spaseski.

Then two minutes later the Joondalup defence went to sleep and conceded a soft 2nd goal. Eagles skipper Dragan Njegic released Rodrigo Aguirre, and the former Floreat Athena marksman finished clinically. This seemed to breathe life back into the Joondalup boys and they took the game to their opponents, Paul Bunton rattled the crossbar from 35-yards on 65 minutes, and Dianella keeper Todd Bushby made some fine saves to deny United.

At this stage it was one way traffic, but a sucker punch saw Dianella hit a third goal on the break, former Inglewood United striker Wes Ryder firing home,

Joondalup surged forward and young debutant Rohan Livingstone hit the post after a good cross from Joey Waller and they created several other chances which were spurned before the ref brought an end to proceedings.

United coach Nick Jennings was happy with the performance despite the loss.  “Today’s game was another step forward in our pre season preparation. We dominated the game for large periods against a state league team, who are very similar to our opponents in the first round of the cup. 

“Our inability to concentrate defensively for 90 minutes is killing us, we are gifting teams goals and playing catch up is always hard particularly so in this heat.  Having said that we kept going the whole game and with a bit of luck and more clinical finishing could of scored 3 or 4 goals. We kept the ball well today and played some very good football,” said Jennings.

The reserve fixture ended 2-0 in favour of DWE, a goalless first half saw both teams’ huff and puff without creating much though the young Arena keeper Rein Duim on debut looked a good prospect and handled everything thrown at him with ease.  We made five changes at half time giving debuts to four players, and Dianella received a dubious penalty just after the break, which was converted by  Cvete Ristoski and this was followed by a second goal to the home team, Luka Nenadic on target., United made a number of clear cut chances, but were spurned, who more then held their own in a very close game.  

ECU Win The Battle of Joondalup

ECU Joondalup ran out comfortable 5-0 winners against Arena Joondalup United in Saturday’s local derby friendly at the Edith Cowen University Arena.

Goals from Tommy Jones (2), Scott Bushby, John Higgins and new signing Greg Gosling gave Steve Amphlett’s side the win and the Coach was delighted the way his side performed. “It was a good performance in very hot conditions, and the match was played in good spirit against our local rivals. The game was played at good pace by both sides despite the weather, which was a credit to them all,” said Amphlett.

“John Higgins was superb today, while we gave a senor debut to Perth Glory youth player Josh Risdon who was fantastic at right back. We are still missing key players like keeper Jonesy, Tommy Amphlett, Ian McMurray and Scott Blackmore, so the signs for the season are improving, and were building to our 1^st round Soccer Pools Cup game at home to Cockburn City on Saturday 28^th March,” added Amphlett. (See home page for details)

One sour note from the game was the knee injury to new recruit Ryan McDarby; the club are waiting on scans to see the severity of the injury.

ECU has further pre-season friendlies. First on Saturday 14th March v Morley Windmills (all 3 teams) and Saturday 21st march v Dianella White Eagles (First and reserves) all games at home. Kick offs 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm.

United Coach Nick Jennings was left to wonder what went wrong. “I was disappointed with the overall performance, because I know we are capable of playing a lot better and didn’t really do ourselves justice. 

“On the day we were punished for defensive mistakes with some clinical finishing, but having said that at 0-0 we had a couple of early chances and it all could have been different.  They were fitter and sharper and by far the better team, they were missing a few players whilst we also had key players out due to injury and work commitments. 

“It was an entertaining, good physical game for 90 minutes played in the right spirit by both teams, I look forward to future battles in the forthcoming seasons,” said Jennings.

Joondalup Derby is ‘The Battle of the North’

It may only be a friendly, but Saturday’s clash between Football West Premier League side ECU Joondalup and Premier Division Amateurs side Joondalup United is being dubbed  ‘The Battle of The North’. The game at the Edith Cowen University Arena at 3pm is a chance for both sides to prepare for their upcoming seasons.

For United Coach Nick Jennings it’s another game in the preparation of the season but he and his players are looking forward to taking on the big boys of Joondalup on their patch.

“It’s another first at the club, with a game against ECU, a team at the level we aspire to achieve, State Premier League.  The boys are really up for this and have put in another solid week of training with sessions at The Arena and Mullaloo Beach.

“We are missing a few first choice players but this opens the window of opportunity for other members of our squad to nail down a starting position when the real action gets under way.  I feel we are ready for this massive challenge and will give a good account of ourselves and Amateur football in general in front of what I hope will be a decent size crowd,” said Jennings.

Jennings has been pleased with the pre-season of his squad and the friendly games they have played and he believes they are heading in the right direction for the season ahead. “Pre season going along nicely and we’ve had about 30 new players down at training which is now in its fifth week. We have been improving gradually as our fitness levels increase and have been using 18/20 players per game.

“This is indicated in some of our results, losing 2-0 at Quinns, 5-2 at Belmont Villa and 5-0 to Wanneroo Under 23’s. I then played a more balanced team for the first hour of the game v Kwinana and we won 5-1. Results are not important at this stage of the season, although I would rather win games. We are slowly starting to reach the levels I require, getting the ball down and start to play football,” explained Jennings.

United have been drawn at home against division one semi-professional side Fremantle Spirit in round one of the Soccer Pools Cup and Jennings is hoping for a good showing from the side. “It a good draw for us at home, and we are working hard towards the start of the season and our first appearance in the Cup. The Spirit is a very talented young side and we are looking forward to the test of State League opposition,” said Jennings.

The club also has a new Captain for 2009 with Jennings giving the honour to a new signing. “I’ve made a few signing to bolster the squad and the most notable being the former Hamersley Rovers captain Ian Bunton who provides power, drive and goals from the centre of the park. We’re looking forward to a good season and hope to continue on with our improvement,” said Jennings.

UPDATED PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Monday 2^nd Feb – Arena Joondalup

Athletics Oval 630pm start.

Thursday 5^th Feb – Mullaloo Beach

Meet o/s Surf Club 615pm for 630pm start

Saturday 7^th Feb – Club Barbie – 3 Kyby Place, Carramar (My House)

All Players, Officials and Partners invited from 3pm till late.       

Sunday 8^th Feb

Sunday 8^th Feb – Pre Season Game 1

Away – vs – QUINNS FC

Reserves 10am ko – 1^st Team 12pm ko

Monday 9^th Feb – Arena Joondalup

Athletics Oval 630pm start.

Thursday 12^th Feb – Mullaloo Beach

Meet o/s Surf Club 615pm for 630pm start

1st team coach nick jennings

 

 

CLUB BARBIE

There is a club bbq for all players players partners and kids

at Nick Jennings house, 3 kyby place Carramar on sat 7th feb from 3 till late.

food will be provided by the club, but please bring your own drinks,

bathers and towel!

stevie martin will be the chef for the day

Steve

With lots of new faces at the club , this will be a perfect occasion

to get to know each other, so see ya there!!!

CHANGE OF CLUB NAME

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