STATE PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 7 MATCH OF THE WEEK

Perth SC v Western Knights - BGC Stadium - 3.00pm Saturday

Match highlights available on www.footballwest.tv from Monday afternoon

 

The most anticipated match of the season will take place this Saturday afternoon in Round 7's match of the week when reigning champions Perth SC take on arch-rivals Western Knights at BGC Stadium.

 

Recent times have seen the two dominant sides in the competition strike up a huge rivalry, as both sides contested last season's Allflags Grand Final in a classic contest where Perth edged out the Knights 2-0 in the title decider. Perth then needed an injury-time winner from Ian McMurray to take out the Bam Creative Night Series Final against the Knights in March of this year. This season so far sees the Knights undefeated on top of the State Premier League table with Perth just one point behind in second place.

 

Last weekend the Knights defeated Premier League newcomers Balcatta 2-0, while Perth came from behind against Mandurah City to win 2-1 in the evening fixture. Andreas Oliveira has been on fire for the Blues, with five goals this season and his form will be a key to his side's performance on Saturday afternoon. Reigning Gold Medal winner David Micevski has also been scintillating in 2010 with four goals from midfield, with great support from Stuart Montgomery with six goals and Simon Versaico with three. Expect another clash of the titans in this meeting in what will be a huge match for supporters and neutrals alike.

 

STATE PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 7 FEATURE MATCH

Sorrento v Balcatta - Percy Doyle Reserve - 3.00pm Saturday

Match highlights available on www.footballwest.tv from Monday afternoon

 

Both Sorrento and Balcatta failed to grab maximum points in Round 6 after Sorrento had a nil-all draw at home to Cockburn City, while Balcatta were defeated 2-0 by Western Knights. Sorrento sit sixth on the table while Balcatta are two points ahead in fourth place.

 

Sorrento has been bolstered in the off-season with some new faces such as midfielder Jason Mirco and striker Adam Hayton, who has bagged four goals for the Gulls. Balcatta's main avenue to goal has been 2009 Division One player of the year Ashley Rosindale with seven strikes against his name to lead this year's Golden Boot race. A win for both teams in crucial to stay within the top five for an end-of-season finals berth. The talismanic Rosindale watched Balcatta's Monday cup win from the bench after pulling up sore from the Knights match, but coach Sal Todaro is hopeful his star playmaker will return for the trip to Percy Doyle Reserve. Sorrento coach Trevor Morgan will be hoping his strike force of Hayton, Todd Harnwell and David Foster can find the back of the net this Saturday after Foster starred in Monday's cup win with a hat-trick.

 

All matches will have live updates of all the scores and news, just follow Football West on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/FootballWestHQ

 

Other State Premier League Fixtures:

Armadale v Inglewood United - Alfred Skeet Oval - 3.00pm Saturday

Stirling Lions v ECU Joondalup - Macedonia Park - 3.00pm Saturday

Swan United v Mandurah City - Italian Club - 3.00pm Saturday

Cockburn City v Floreat Athena - Dalmatinac Park - 3.00pm Saturday

 

STATE DIVISION ONE - ROUND 5 MATCH OF THE WEEK

Dianella White Eagles v Bayswater City - Dianella Reserve - 3.00pm Saturday

 

High-flying Dianella White Eagles will host Bayswater City at Dianella Reserve in Division One's match of the week for Round 5. The Eagles sit second on the table following their undefeated start to the season, while City is on their tail in third place just one point behind.

 

Last weekend saw Bayswater knock off the previously untouched Gosnells City with a 3-1 victory, while Dianella thrashed Rockingham City at Lark Hill courtesy of a 6-0 mauling. Helen and Ryder both grabbed doubles for the Eagles and if their form continues, the tight Bayswater defence is going to be in for a long afternoon.

 

Other State Division One Fixtures:

Wanneroo City v Fremantle SC - Kingsway - 3.00pm Saturday

Morley-Windmills v Bunbury Forum Force - Wotton Reserve - 3.00pm Saturday

Gosnells City v Forrestfield United - Walter Padbury Reserve - 3.00pm Saturday

Ashfield v Rockingham City - Ashfield Soccer & Sports Club - 3.00pm Saturday

Canning City v Queens Park - Burrendah Reserve - 3.00pm Saturday

 

SUNDAY LEAGUE CUP - ROUND 2

 

Spearwood Dalies will be host to Murdoch University and Southern Spirit will be home to UWA-Nedlands FC in the two all-Premier League clashes in Round 2 of the Sunday League Cup. The Dalies are sixth on the league table after one win and one loss this season, while their opponents are one point better off in fifth. The Spirit have begun the season terribly with no wins and conceding 12 goals in just three matches and will need a much-improved performance on Sunday against UWA-Nedlands, who are eighth on the table.

 

For full Sunday League Cup fixtures, please visit www.footballwest.com.au

 

SMARTER THAN SMOKING WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 2 MATCH OF THE WEEK

Balcatta v East Fremantle - Grindleford Reserve - 1.00pm Sunday

By Ann Odong

 

This weekend's Smarter than Smoking Women's Premier League match of the week throws up a mouth-watering clash between last season's top two teams; Balcatta SC and East Fremantle.  

Balcatta are the undisputed title favourites for 2010 and their 7-1 defeat of Beckenham Angels in Round 1 only served to reinforce that view. Balcatta were at their devastating best with US imports Sara Clapham (2 goals) and Caitlin Dingle (1), joining locals Jamie Carley (2) and Emily Williams amongst the goals.  Whilst the Balcatta attack is potent, their real strengths are in midfield and defence.  Lindsay Kenyon, Lauren Busby and Allarice Keswell can be counted on to be solid at the back once again, while Clapham and Prue Cormie's creativity should supply Carley and Dingle up front.  Despite the attacking options, this combination will have a tough task breakdown a well-drilled defensive unit.  

East Fremantle have had an up and down start to the season with injuries stifling their pre-season progress.  However, Round 1 saw the return of crucial players including Sarah Hughes.  Creative midfielder Hughes was part of the goals alongside hat-trick goal scorer Katarina Jukic and will play a major role in the port side's fortunes. East Fremantle defeated Balcatta last season by winning the defensive battle courtesy of a stonewalling back four.  Headlined with Rebecca Baumngartner and Anna Sweetingham, the East Fremantle defence will have to do the same again if they are to continue their League dominance over the defending champions. 

This should be another close encounter between two well coached and disciplined sides.  East Fremantle has had the better of Balcatta in recent League fixtures, however, the last time these two met Balcatta overcame a half time deficit to defeat East Fremantle in the Night Series semi final 3-1.  The question now is which form will hold true?

 

Other STS Women's Premier League Fixtures:

Queens Park v Subiaco AFC - Coker Park - 1.00pm Sunday

UWA-Nedlands FC v Northern Redbacks - McGillivray Oval - 3.00pm Sunday

Bunbury Forum Force v Beckenham Angles - Hay Park - 3.00pm Sunday