Last season’s Champions Floreat Athena’s poor start to the season continued when they were held 0-0 by Swan IC at Francis Street, while Cockburn City edged out Fremantle Spirit 2-1 in the local derby at Dalmatinac Park.

It was a goal feast at the Clipsel Stadium with visitors Stirling Lions running out 5-2 winners with new recruit Mark Redshaw, the former Manchester United trialists, scoring a hat-trick on his league debut for the club. In the other game E.C.U Joondalup beat Western Knights 2-0 at Nash Field.



PERTH S.C. vs MANDURAH CITY
Perth SC claimed a win over Mandurah City on Sunday afternoon with a 4 – 2 extravaganza at BGC Stadium - Dorrien Gardens. Andres Oliveira, Antonio Naglieria and David Onoforo were on target for Perth leading them into victory over the Mandurah side.
The first 20 minutes of the match looked doubtful for Perth as Mandurah had plenty of great opportunities to score with two near misses in the first 10 minutes.

The table was turned though when number 10 Andres Oliveira found himself space on the right hand side to shoot and score for Perth on the 25th minute.

The home side nearly scored again when they were awarded a free kick after Onoforo was fouled just outside the box, but number 23 Greg Sharland was unable to convert the free kick into a goal just missing the left goal post by centimeters.

In the 43rd minute Onoforo had a chance in a 1 on 1 with Green but the Mandurah Goalkeeper stood his ground and blocked the shot.

Mandurah’s players frustration on the pitch was evident as they picked up 3 yellow cards before the first half ended.

Mandurah City looked a lot stronger in the second half this led to striker O’Callaghan scoring within 7 minutes forcing Perth SC out of their comfort zone.

Perth responded 7 minutes later when number 15 Antonio Naglieri scored to put the home side back in front.

Mandurah did not quit though as number 8 Andrew Brown equalized once again in the 61st minute with a shot inside the box putting the ball right into the back net.

In the 65th minute frustration was seen once again as number 5 from Mandurah Chris Currie was sent off the field for getting his second yellow card after talking back to the referee.

Mandurah tried their hardest to battle Perth with only 10 men but found themselves failing as Onoforo scored to put the home side in front on the 73rd minute with a simple goal from left side of the box.

Andres Oliveira scored his second goal of the match in the 88th minute to hand Perth SC there first win of the season.

Reported by: Christopher Cruz


WESTERN KNIGHTS V ECU JOONDALUP
ECU Joondalup has recorded their first win of the 2008 Football West Premier League season, seeing off a gallant Western Knights side 2-0 at Nash Field on Saturday.

Goals from Tommy Amphlett and Ian McMurray gave ECU all three points; however, it was a tight struggle as the visitors were forced to play with 10 men for much of the 2nd half, after former Knights player John Thornley was sent off following a 2nd booking in a few minutes.

It was a tight start to the contest with neither side really penetrating the opposition defence in the first 30 minutes. Joondalup did look the more threatening up front however, with the aerial abilities of Ian McMurray and Jon Higgins a constant concern for the Knights backline.

After a couple of wayward attempts on goal from the visitors, they had the ball in the back of the net eight minutes before half time when Tommy Amphlett made a darting run through the Knights defence before curling a superb strike past goalkeeper Kevin Miller.

The visitors took a deserved lead into the half time break after having majority of the possession.

Ronnie Campbell seemed to get stuck into his troops at the interval as the home side came out a totally different outfit after the break and looked likely to tie scores up on a number of occasions.

Striker Anthony Fearon had his point blank header tipped away by the ever reliable Tommi Tomich, who was featuring in his first game at Nash Field following his move north.

Fearon’s strike partner Rory Grant was also unlucky minutes later when his header from Luka Jukic’s curling corner flew inches away from the goal.

The Knights were dominating the 2nd half and their chances of snatching a result were given a huge boost when John Thornley was given his 2nd yellow of the match after raising the elbow in a challenge with Knights defender Josip Peran.


The visitors defended tightly as the match ticked on and Rory Grant had a golden chance to level proceedings in the 72nd minute when he found himself free with just the goalkeeper to beat but once again Tomich was up to the task, blocking out the effort.

With the Knights pressing for the equalizer, it was the visitors who stunned the home side when they doubled their lead on 76 minutes. Big striker Ian McMurray the beneficiary of a lapse at the back, easily finishing past goalkeeper Kevin Miller to seal the match.

Joondalup will take plenty of confidence down to Mandurah next weekend as they look to consolidate against the competition new boys while Western Knights face a tough away battle against a rejuvenated Inglewood United.

Football West Match Reporter: Beau Crompton

INGLEWOOD UNITED V STIRLING LIONS
A stunning debut hat-trick by former Manchester United youth player Mark Redshaw helped the Stirling Lions beat Inglewood United at the Clipsal stadium on Saturday. The come from behind win was a true test of character for the young Lions who were two goals down in the first 15 minutes, then un-mercilessly tore United apart with five unanswered goals.

The contest kicked off in perfect playing conditions as Inglewood raced out of the blocks and put the Lions under immense early pressure. The Lions were saved by the post in the first sixty seconds as Jason Colli had a long range shot that bounced away to safety off the woodwork, giving the home side early hope. It was end to end action as the Lions did likewise when an Andy Brown header fell invitingly for Jordan Rhodes to smash at goal from 15 metres only to see it rebound off the post in the 3rd minute.

The Inglewood side won an early free kick when Kevin Griffiths was fouled outside the box in the 6th minute and Daniel Neiderberger stepped up to curl it over the wall and into the bottom corner giving United the lead. Inglewood had their tails up and their lead was doubled in the 15th minute when a clever flick by Alex Stamatiadis sent Neiderberger to race through and clinically slot home leaving Lions keeper Phil Straker no chance.

The Lions star signing Mark Redshaw was busy early and showed he was likely to score, and that he did as he cleverly beat the United’s offside trap then outfoxed Inglewood keeper Oliver Taseski as he rounded him and slotted the Lions first into the empty net in the 20th minute.

Stirling were now back in the hunt and an exhilarating exchange of passes between Brown, Leo Harman and Redshaw found the nippy striker through on goal and Redshaw calmly belted the ball under the advancing keeper for the equalizer in the 30th minute.

The Lions surge continued as the Stirling defence led by Captain Darko Ilomanoski, Michael Pugliese, Dean Evans and Steve Hesketh tightened up and gave little room to the United strikers to threaten any real danger.

Redshaw must have thought he'd have his hat-trick before the half was out as he raced on goal with only keeper to beat, but the ball bobbled on an uneven piece of turf and his shot was skewed off target. Phil Arnold got in on the action soon after but his goal bound shot deflected off the body of Shane Pryce and away to safety for United.

A set piece from a Jordan Rhodes in-swinging corner would give the Lions the lead in the 43rd minute as Andy Browns header was saved off the crossbar by Taseski, but deflected off Jason Colli for a bizarre own goal to make it 3-2 to the Lions at half time.

The second half opened up with the same enthusiasm by both sides as first Redshaw's shot whizzed past the post in the early minutes and then Neiderberger did the same at the opposite end minutes later. But it was the Lions who had found the path to goal as some excellent delivery work from big front man Brown and Rhodes sent Redshaw through on goal to blast in his hat-trick in the 56th minute.

It was one way traffic now as the Lions superior fitness kicked in and signs of another goal were there when a curling free kick from Steve Hesketh sizzled narrowly past the post. The final Stirling goal came in the 70th minute when creative midfielder Alan Muir crossed to Brown who headed down to Rhodes for him to belt in the Lions 5th for the day.

The Lions had a red letter day as the Reserves had an impressive hard fought 2-0 win with Rory Feely and Chris Rutherford being the scorers, while the Under 18's made it a clean sweep with a 3-1 win.

Next week the Lions are at home where they meet top of the table Sorrento with a 3pm kick off at Macedonia Park.

Don Evans


SORRENTO FC v ARMADALE
A goal either side of half time was enough for Sorrento to overcome a determined Armadale side 2-0 at Percy Doyle Reserve. Todd Harnwell and Stuart Montgomery were the men on target for the Gulls who needed a workman-like performance to grind out the win in a scrappy affair.
Early on both sides shared possession yet Sorrento always seemed the more likely to score with the experienced duo of Harnwell and Montgomery paired up front. The latter was involved in the game’s first real chance in the 6th minute, setting up Michael Ord on the right of the box. Unfortunately, Ord could only direct his delicate chip on to the top of Cyril Sharrock’s crossbar and over.

Armadale however found chances few and far between in the first half. Shannon Dally had the best of them in the 14th minute, picking up a loose ball from the left before cutting inside and firing his right foot shot well over Neil Young’s crossbar.

As the half went on Sorrento continued to press forward and were eventually rewarded in the 27th minute. After a goalmouth scramble Sharrock denied Harnwell from point blank range but couldn’t stop his rebound bouncing in off the bar.

Sorrento eased the pressure before half time and were given an almighty scare when Armadale’s Marlon Ramirez was fouled on the edge of the goal square. Daryl Platten sent the free kick straight into the wall but Brunetto smashed the rebound just wide of Young’s far post.

It took only two minutes into the second half for Sorrento to step up the pressure on the Armadale defence again – and they did it in the best possible manner. James Morgan’s cross from the right was met by Stuart Montgomery who was able to get in front of his marker and slide the ball past a helpless Sharrock at the near post.

Montgomery almost doubled his tally in the 65th minute. Good work by Scott Neville enabled Montgomery to collect the ball, turn and direct a well hit shot towards Sharrock’s near post, but the Armadale custodian did well to turn the ball away for a corner.

It seemed like it was to be Sorrento’s day but Darryl Platten almost grabbed a consolation goal for his side in the 76th minute. After collecting the ball from the midfield Platten embarked on a mini-run before shooting just wide of the near post.

Sorrento finished the stronger and had the ball in the back of the net on a third occasion in the 78th minute. Shaun Kilkelly’s close-range header was disallowed however after some pushing from a corner kick.

Montgomery almost added a legitimate third late on for the Gulls. Brodie Martin and James Morgan combined well down the right to supply Montgomery but the skilful striker somehow hit the upright from three yards out.

It didn’t seem to bother the Sorrento faithful however who went home happy at the final whistle and with their side’s unbeaten start to the season still very much intact.

Football West Match Reporter - Ilija Mihalj.


SWAN I.C. v FLOREAT ATHENA
Floreat Athena’s poor start to the season continued today when they were held 0-0 by Swan IC at Francis Street in round two of the Football West Premier Division. In fact they had keeper Vas Vujacic to thank for keeping a point, he made three great saves to deny the black and whites.

Athena opened the brighter and in unfamiliar colours of black and gold, and from Miki Vujacic cross on eight minutes Garin Collins was in on goal but Cory Hugo was out quick to save.

The visitors were totally dominating and the Swans defence were working overtime, on 14 minutes Raphael Insuralde and John Migas combined well, and Migas’ shot from eight-yards that looked destined for the net was blocked by David McNally.

After the early onslaught the Swans settled and their first chance came on 22 minutes Damian Scali found John Mansaray but a superb last ditch tackle from Julian Madaschi cleared the danger. Athena almost handed the lead to the Swans on 25 minutes Vas Vujacic’s attempted clearance was charged down by Scali the rebound was collected gratefully by Ante Kovacevic.

It was an open game now with chances at both ends, Dom Ando’s cross was flicked towards goal by Mansaray but Vas Vujacic saved, and then Ando had to be alert down the other end to clear an Insuralde shot of the line after good work on the left by Collins.
The Swans faithful were shouting for a penalty when Alex Cocking fell in the box after a challenge from Kovacevic but referee Mathew Cheeseman waved away the claims.

The home side finished the half the better and had the best chances of the game, on 43 minutes David Perich’s inch perfect pass sent Mansaray clear, but with only the keeper to beat the youngster blazed over. Then in first half injury-time Perich found Brendan Knox whose first time shot from 10-yards was superbly tipped over by Vas Vujacic.

Athena began the second half well, but again lacked the final ball and it was the home side that carved out the best early chance, Michael Tronchin’s ball found Perich on 53 minutes and the midfielder’s surging run took him clear, his shot beat Vujacic but went inches past the post.

The game was end-to-end with chances for both sides, first Branimir Mikulic’s 20-yard shot flicked the outside of the post on 58 minutes for the visitors, and two minutes later Scali flicked on Cory Hugo’s free kick, and Perich’s shot from four-yards was superbly saved by Vas Vujacic.

It was anyone’s game and when Collins skipped away from Ando down the right his cross found Migas at the back post whose header was pushed around the post by the alert Cory Hugo.

Athena should have taken the lead in the 76th minute a superb ball from Adam Bachiller sent Mikulic clear on goal, his first touch was good but his weak shot was straight at Cory Hugo. Back came the Swans and from a long ball from Justin Hugo moments later, that caused panic in the Athena defence, Alex Cocking won possession off Kovacevic and his powerful shot was again superbly saved by Vas Vujacic.

A second yellow card to Dean Aplegren meant Athena had to play the last few minutes with ten men but they still could have won it in the third minute of injury-time. A long ball into the box by Bachiller found Mickulic, the striker controlled the ball well but his snap shot flew inches past the post.

Reporter Peter Simcox




DIVISION ONE
With two rounds gone in the Football West First Division there are two teams on maximum points. South West Phoenix leads the way on goal difference from Wanneroo City.

Phoenix ran out convincing 3-0 winners at the Westrac Stadium against Queens Park. The home side hit the front on 30 minutes when Suttie scored, and he doubled their lead on 51 minutes. The sealer came on 54 minutes through Bennie, to send the Phoenix to the top of the table.

Wanneroo City won 2-1 at the Kingsway Reserve in a hard fought game against Gosnells City. McDonald gave the Roos the lead in the first half with Herety scoring in the 90th minute to make it 2-0. Gosnells scored a late consolation goal from Capewell in stoppage-time.

There was a six goal thriller at Frank Drago Reserve, where Canning City came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 against Bayswater City. The home side was two up inside 30 minutes, Cumace and Kuduzovic on target.

Frank Longstaff’s side hit back with a goal from Mouttet, but Dendle increased Bayswater’s lead and it looked like the game was won. Back came the visitors Oliver scoring on the hour and the equalizer came in the 85th minutes from Trevisol.

In other games Ashfield SC were held at home 2-2 by Forrestfield United. Thomasz and Long were on target for Ashfield while Hunter and Hart replied for the visitors.

Balcatta left it late to equalize in their game against Rockingham City at the Graham Burkett Reserve. City had led through a 16th minute goal from Howard, but Novakovic leveled in the last minute to give the home side a share of the spoils.

Dianella White Eagles edged out Morley Windmills 2-1 at the Dianella Reserve to give the home side their first win of the season. They were ahead in the 19th minute when Crofts scored, but the visitors leveled just before half time when El Chami scored from the penalty spot. The winner came in the 85th minute through Butler.

Reporter Peter Simcox


PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES
Saturday, 26 April 2008
3:00PM Mandurah City v ECU Joondalup at Hyundai Stadium
3:00PM Swan I.C. v Perth Soccer Club at Swan Italian Club
3:00PM Fremantle Spirit v Floreat Athena at E & D Litis Stadium
3:00PM Stirling Lions SC v Sorrento FC at Macedonia Park
3:00PM Inglewood United v Western Knights at The Clipsal Stadium
Sunday, 27 April 2008
5:00PM Armadale v Cockburn City at Alfred Skeet Oval