Football West State League

Premier Division

Match of the Week

Western Knights vs. Swan IC

In round 13 of the Football West Premier League Ronnie Campbell’s Western Knights hosts Carlo Scali’s Swan IC at Nash Field in Mosman Park (3pm). The Knights will be looking for revenge on Saturday after losing twice to the Swans this season. The black and whites won 1-0 in the first round of the Soccer Pools Cup and 2-0 in round eight of the League.

The Knights welcomed back John Thornley last week after injury and the talented youngster was on target in their 4-3 victory against Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve. The Knights sit in sixth spot on 20 points and will hope to continue their good form on Saturday. The midfield drive comes from Daniel Trim and Scot Bushby, while evergreen striker Stuart Montgomery continues to find the back off the net. The defence is held together by new signing Kevin Miller in goal with Jonathon Mathers and Jon Higgins both having outstanding seasons for the Knights.

The Swans sit in ninth spot on the table and threw away a two goal lead last week to draw 3-3 against ECU Joondalup at Francis Street. But the positive for the black and whites was the return from injury of Thomas Shepheard who was outstanding against ECU. Another player returning was David Perich; the youngster has matured into a vital part of the Swans midfield along side Brendan Knox and the experienced Dom Ando and Damian Scali. The Swans will be without the suspended Aaron Cole and Justin Hugo at the back but the form of youngster David McNally has been excellent. Another plus for the Swans is the return to training of striker David Foster who has missed two months of football with glandular fever.

Football West Match Reporter Peter Simcox.





Football West State League

First Division


Match of the Week

Queens Park vs. Rockingham City

Queens Park meet Rockingham City in a crucial relegation battle in the Football West State First Division at Coker Park on Sunday, July 14.

Queens Park were rocked midseason by the surprise departure of former Coach Tony Campbell. Campbell was replaced by Glynn Shaw who had previously been coaching Balga in the Amateur First Division. Shaw brought a group of talented players with him to the club and the Cannington-based outfit have since turned around their fortunes and are now ten points clear of last-placed Rockingham City after struggling earlier in the season. Even though there is still a large amount of time left in the season, Queens Park know a win against Rockingham would virtually guarantee their survival in the First Division.

After scaring second placed Canning City last weekend, confidence will be high in the Rockingham camp. The southern suburbs side showed great grit and determination against their more fancied opponents and even led the match 1-0 at half-time before eventually going down 2-1. The impressive performance could spark a revival for City, who had appeared doomed not so long ago. A Rockingham win on Saturday coupled with a Gosnells loss against Forrestfield would leave City just three points behind eleventh placed Gosnells. Saturday’s away side has already faced plenty of challenges in 2007. Following the key departures of Cyril Sharrock and Fraser Marr in the off-season, Coach Mike Brazil left to become coach of Premier League side Wanneroo midway through this season. To achieve their goal of survival in the semi-professional ranks, Rockingham will need to continue to show the fighting spirit they have displayed so far this season.

The vital match at Coker Park commences at 3.00pm.

Football West Match Reporter Jacob Kagi.



Loans Café Amateur League

Premier Division


Match of the Week

Stirling Panthers vs. Maccabi

Stirling Panthers will be looking to get their season back on track when they host a dangerous Maccabi side on Sunday, July 15 at Yuluma Reserve in The Loans Café Amateur League Match of the Week.

Last years runners up Stirling have failed to play anywhere near the standard they reached last year. The Panthers currently sit in tenth place on the combined table. If they are unable to recapture some of last seasons form soon the Panthers will find it tough to avoid the five team relegation zone, which features an in-form Olympic Kingsway and other sides such as UWA and South Perth who are all threatening to jump clear of the drop-zone. Last weekends match against Spearwood Dalmatinac will be viewed as a wasted chance by the Panthers. Despite being outplayed by the 2006 champions for much of the match, Stirling had two brilliant chances to claim a point in the dying minutes, including one particularly embarrassing miss from talented striker Nick Paone who shot wide with a completely open goal.

2007 has been a season of change for Maccabi. Despite winning promotion to the Premier League from Division One for the former semi-professional side, the popular Mo Caplin was replaced by Ian Cowan as coach. Although not yet safe from relegation themselves, Maccabi have been respectable so far currently sitting eight on the combined table. Sunday’s visitors also know that a form slump would likely see them slip to the foot in the table, which could mean playing in the First Division next year with so many talented sides currently placed underneath them. Maccabi have lost their last two Premier League matches and know that they need to bounce back quickly to avoid nervous days come the end of the season.

The match at Yuluma Reserve commences at 3.00pm.

Football West Match Reporter Jacob Kagi.