Match of the Week

PERTH S.C. vs. FLOREAT ATHENA

Perth SC welcome league leaders Floreat Athena to Dorrien Gardens this Saturday in a mouth watering Match of the Week clash in the Football West State Premier League.

The sides have a great rivalry stretching many years and after both had shock losses in the Soccer Pools Cup Quarter Finals on Saturday, the league now takes even greater significance as the last chance for silverware in the 2007 season.

Floreat ran out deserved 1-0 winners the last time the two sides met thanks to a Jerry Karpeh goal, with the enigmatic striker since going on to boost his bulging tally to 18 in only 14 matches. Stopping the prolific striker will be foremost on Perth coach Graham Normanton’s mind as he has to reshuffle his defensive line following Gianfranco Circati’s dismissal against Stirling Lions last weekend.

Star Floreat midfielder Josip Magdic could be an inclusion from the start in this crucial match after returning from injury as a substitute in their 2-1 loss to Cockburn in the Cup on Sunday.

The stakes are high for both sides. A win for Floreat will push them further down the path to their ultimate goal of winning the league whilst also eliminating one of their rivals for the crown in Perth. However a victory for the home side will move them to within three points of the leaders and will also give Cockburn the chance to close the gap should they gain maximum points in their clash with Stirling, ensuring a dramatic finish to the league season is in order.

Kick off 3.00pm at Dorrien Gardens

Football West Match Reporter Ben Fitzpatrick.


Football West State League

Premier Division


Wanneroo City vs Swan I.C.

Bottom of the table Wanneroo City go in search of their first victory of the season when Swan IC visit The Kingsway Sporting Complex on Saturday in round 15 of the Football West Premier League.

The Swans have struggled on the road this season with only one point in their seven games, but will be buoyed by last weeks 3-1 victory in the cup at Armadale. Carlo Scali’s side has been troubled with injuries and suspensions this season, but going into the second part of the season he has a full squad to choose from.

The return of David Foster and Thomas Shepheard has seen an improvement in the goal scoring department, and the Roos will have to watch both closely on Saturday. In midfield the return of the experienced Damian Scali from injury has given the side stability, and the Swans much maligned defence has tighten up over the past fortnight and the form Aaron Cole and David McNally has been outstanding.

Michael Brazil’s side have lost all their home games this season, but will fancy their chances on Saturday. The departure of keeper Kevin Miller was a huge blow for the club but his replacement Jordan Conti is an excellent replacement. At the back veteran Peter Vukmirovic and teenager Chris Pugh will need to be on top form, and Brazil will hope the weeks break will help his injury concerns.

Craig Cheeseman has been consistent this season and Derek Cooke, will always give you 100% and if not closed down well punish the Swans, and Rowdy Yates, Morgan Dendle and Daniel Hendley have been solid in a struggling side. The Roos led 3-0 in their first meeting at Francis Street in round six before the Swans hit back to win 6-4. It will be a close game, but a defeat for the Roos will almost certainly mean relegation for 2007.

Football West Match Reporter Peter Simcoxi.



ECU Joondaup vs Inglewood United

A close tussle is expected this week as Inglewood United travel to play ECU Joondalup in round 15 of the football west state league.

Despite the different ways of reaching this point of the season, the sides are right in the middle of the table, separated by just 4 points at this stage. ECU have been in good form so far this season, having lost just three games so far this term, and still keeping an unbeaten home record. A key to this strong from has been goalkeeper Aleks Verteski, who has been one of the form goalkeepers in the division so far this season. Also, the form of Mark Lee and young winger Tommy Amphlett have helped carry Willie McNally’s side to 6th place with 8 games remaining.

Despite being considered by many to be playing the worse football of the two, Bobby Despotovski has his Inglewood United team just one place and four points behind this weekends opponents. However, their form has been more inconsistent, with seven losses in 14 games. Last weekend, they were able to smash first division Mandurah by six goals to two. This form will need to continue if they are to become the first side to win in Joondalup this year.

Football West Match Reporter Raymond Bohan

Western Knights vs Armadale

Western Knights will be looking to jump into the top four this weekend when they head down the freeway to face second bottom Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

After slipping out of finals contention following a few disappointing losses, Ronnie Campbell’s side has bounced back into form with their amazing come from behind 5-5 draw against Floreat Athena paving the path for a run to the playoffs.

The Knights youngsters have been outstanding with David Price, Andrija Jukic and Anthony Skorich invaluable assets to a squad containing plenty of experience in Stuart Montgomery and Scott Bushby.

Although they currently sit second from bottom, Armadale have surprised many this season with their never say die attitude and will give the Knights a tough challenge. Ryan Pearson, Scott Patterson and Ben Howe have been in great form for Billy Russell’s men while new recruit Neil Gawley will be one to watch for the Knights defenders.

Match Kick off at 3pm

Football West Match Reporter: Beau Crompton


Loans Café Amateur League

Premier Division

Match of the Week

Fremantle United vs. Shamrock Rovers

Fremantle United host Shamrock Rovers in what is sure to be one of the best matches of The Loans Café Amateur Premier League season on Sunday, August 5 at Hilton Park. The highly anticipated match between the leagues top two sides is almost certain to be a preview of the championship final later in the year. Shamrock have won thirteen out of fourteen games this season, sitting thirteen points clear in Group A while Fremantle have a comfortable eight point gap on top of Group B with eight games remaining.

Despite being five points behind Shamrock on the combined ladder, Fremantle United are the only side still undefeated in the league. United are very strong at home and are desperate to claim early supremacy over their likely opponents in the final later in the year. Fremantle have a large group of star players in their team, including former Perth SC strikers David Onoforo and Felim Rugel and former Floreat Athena midfielder Jason Smith. Rob Pagnoni’s side will be desperate to show that they can match it with Shamrock, who are favourites to claim the league title, as the port side march towards their dream of promotion to the Football West State League.

Shamrock’s amazing run of form is even more amazing considering the obstacles that have been put in front of them this season. Playing in the extremely strong Group B, Rovers have already had four coaches during the short season. Flav L’Abbate started the season as coach but walked out just as the season was about to start. Nik Silsby then took over on an interim basis before Mick Murray was appointed. Murray was forced to resign due to health problems, with his assistant coach Paul McCue taking the reigns for the rest of the season. Silsby has now returned as McCue’s assistant. The Hoops have fought through these problems and have firmly established themselves as the team to beat this season. Key players in the Shamrock side include midfielders Stephen Guest and Paddy O’Boyle, Elliot Wilkinson, who scored twice in their 3-1 win over Maccabi last weekend, and goalkeeper Ed Schuller, who was been a tower of strength all season.

The match commences at 3pm.

Football West Match Reporter Jacob Kagi.


Smarter than Smoking Women's League

Premier Division

Match of the Week

Northern Redbacks vs Subiaco

Subiaco have a tough match ahead of them as they travel to face the Northern Redbacks at Rickman Delawney Reserve this weekend.

The Redbacks have been one of the form sides of late, having taken points from both Queens Park and Balcatta in a run that has seen them move to fourth on the table. Their opponents on Sunday, are one position better, having jumped to third in recent weeks following some good wins. With both sides in good form, this match should shape up as a quality encounter.

In other matches this weekend, Queens Park host Mandurah, Balcatta travel to play Beckenham Angels, Kingsley play East Fremantle and Noranda host UWA.

Football West Match Reporter Raymond Bohan