MATCH OF THE WEEK

Cockburn City vs. Floreat Athena

Its make or break for League hopefuls Cockburn City in a mouth watering round 18 Match of the Week clash against Floreat Athena at Dalmatinac Park this Saturday.



After 17 rounds of the League campaign, the top two now face off for a crunch match with the League title up for grabs. The situation is simple for Cockburn; anything but a win will hand the championship to Athena who hold an eight point advantage over their southern rivals.



Cockburn are coming off of a shock 3-0 loss to Inglewood United and can thank ECU Joondalup for two late goals in a 2-2 draw with Floreat for keeping their slim hopes alive. Scott Millers’ men have been in tremendous home form and will still remember their recent 2-1 victory over Athena in the Soccer Pools Cup only a month ago. An attacking lineup will be tempered by the loss of the suspended Jonny Mirco while Shane Nunez and Liam Lilly will need to be at their best to curb top scorer Jerry Karpeh.



The scenario is a little easier for Michael Roki's Floreat with a potential three points putting his side within two points of claiming the title whilst a draw will maintain their eight point advantage. Even a loss will still see Floreat maintain a five point buffer with four matches to go.



Get down to Dalmatinac Park this Saturday at 3.00pm for the season defining match between two of the best sides in the Football West State Premier League.

Football West Match Reporter - Ben Fitzpatrick





FOOTBALL WEST STATE LEAGUE

First Division Preview



MATCH OF THE WEEK

Queens Park vs. Dianella White Eagles

Queens Park host Dianella White Eagles in a battle between two out of form sides in the Football West State First Division at Coker Park from 3.00pm this Saturday.



The White Eagles sit in sixth place, a whopping fourteen points behind League leaders Mandurah City. Saturday’s visitors won six of their first seven games but since then have won just three of their past ten, recording six losses in the process. Although Dianella have won their past two games, the victories came against ninth place Forrestfield United, who they beat 4-2, and last placed Rockingham City who they defeated 5-3. Striker Jon Greenwood is currently the Leagues leading goal-scorer despite missing a substantial part of the season through injury. Midfielders Paul Hickey and Michael Mayne will attempt to provide much needed support for Greenwood, while Coach Jimmy Pearson will hope for a much improved performance from his defence after conceding five goals in their last two games.



After a poor start, a midseason revival under new coach Glynn Shaw saw Cannington based Queens Park move well clear of the relegation zone. Their form has slipped dramatically however and they will be looking to turn it around quickly. Shaw’s side has lost their last three games, conceding fifteen goals in the process without managing to bulge the net themselves. Queens Park will likely be missing striker Ricky Simpson who has been trialing with English club Brighton and Hove Albion so they will have to rely on former Stirling Lions striker Jimmy Taneski and Captain Ian McKean to provide an attacking threat.

Football West Match Reporter - Jacob Kagi.





Loans Café Amateur League

Premier League Preview



MATCH OF THE WEEK

Southern Spirit vs. Murdoch University

Murdoch University’s title hopes will officially end if they are unable to record an away victory against Southern Spirit in their Loans Café Amateur Premier League Match of the Week at Watson Reserve.



Despite putting up a good effort all year, Murdoch University’s hopes of winning the League have effectively disappeared after losing their last match to Hamersley Rovers. Whilst it is already almost impossible for Murdoch to be able to catch Group B leaders Shamrock Rovers, a Murdoch loss or draw on Sunday coupled with a Shamrock win will mathematically secure the Group B title for Shamrock. Sunday’s visitors still boast a great array of talent that must not be taken lightly, including defender Jacob King, midfield danger-man Michael Jennings, winger Taps Ndlovu and goalkeeper/Coach Andrew Barrett.



Southern Spirit’s first season in the Premier League has been rather successful. Despite a midseason form slump, Spirit have climbed back up the table and now sit in third place on the Group B ladder and in fifth place overall. The Spearwood based side boast one of the Leagues leading goalkeepers in former State Premier League player Bobson Koroma, while their attacking power is just as strong with the likes of attacking midfielder John Ferreira and strikers David Palin and Damien Pescud. Spirit will be keen to continue their good run of form as they look towards building a side that is capable of winning the League next season.



The match commences at 3pm.

Football West Match Reporter - Jacob Kagi.