FOOTBALL WEST STATE LEAGUE

Premier Division

Saturday, 1September 2007



MATCH OF THE WEEK

ECU Joondalup vs. Cockburn City

ECU Joondalup welcome Cockburn City this Saturday, 1 September for the Football West Match of the Week in Round 19 of the State Premier League.

With both sides out of League contention, pride and table position is to play for with both sides potentially using the fixture to blood some talented youngsters in preparation for season 2008.

ECU have a proud unbeaten home record to maintain and will face a tough test against a Cockburn side smarting from their defeat to soon to be League Champions Floreat last weekend.

Willie McNally can call upon the experience of evergreen Mark Lee through the midfield, whilst Marc Anthony will be looking to prove he can mix it with the big teams of the competition after being well held by Floreat two weeks ago.

Cockburn have surrendered second position on the league table to Perth and will be looking to reclaim that as the season draws to a close in the coming weeks. It has been an impressive debut season for new coach Scott Miller however he will feel the job is not yet done and will be keen to see his side improve their poor away record so far in 2007.

Kick off 3.00pm at the University Ground, ECU Joondalup this Saturday.

Football West Match Reporter: Ben Fitzpatrick


Inglewood United vs. Swan IC

In round 19 of the Football West Premier League, Inglewood United host Swan IC at Clipsal Stadium from 3.00pm. Both sides have been disappointing in season 2007, although they are both still in contention in the Soccer Pools Cup, reaching the semi-finals to be played on Saturday, 15 September.

Inglewood sits in seventh spot and will be looking to finish the season strongly. However, the side has lost five times at home in 2007 but a strong finish from Bobby Despotovski’s side could see them in the top half of the League. At the back, former Perth Glory defender Shane Price has been outstanding with the two Danny’s; Kovacevic and Stoitos. In midfield Dean Aplegren, Shaun Kilkelly and Kevin Griffiths have formed a good partnership along with livewire Jason Colli. Up front Greg Sharland, Albert Osei-Tutu and youngster Michael Baczynski will be a handful for the Swans defence.

The Swans have struggled on the road this season winning only once. Swans coach Carlo Scali has brought in a number of the clubs youngsters to the side over recent weeks with Daniel Agudelo in between the sticks and 18-year-old David McNally at the back. Another player making his mark is 17-year-old midfielder Michael Tronchin; Tronchin and David Perich have been outstanding in the past fortnight and with the experience of Aaron Cole and Dom Ando at the back the Swans too will hope to finish the season of with a few victories.

Football West Match Reporter: Peter Simcox




FOOTBALL WEST STATE LEAGUE

First Division

Saturday, 1September 2007


MATCH OF THE WEEK

Morley Wind-mills vs. South west Phoenix

Morley-Windmills will be looking to get back into form when they meet South West Phoenix in the Football West State First Division Match of the Week at Wotton Reserve (3.00pm).

After a successful run during the middle part of the season, Morley’s form has dropped considerably in recent weeks; Windmills lost two of their past three matches against struggling sides. Last weekend Morley lost 3-0 away to Gosnells City, who entered the match in tenth. Before their recent drop in form, Windmills had been in the top four for most of the season so Coach Brad Hassell will be keen to move his side above their current sixth place. Key players in the Morley side include Seita Hamamoto, Scott McIlroy and brothers Adrian and Remo McCann, and goalkeeper Chris Ramsey.

Bunbury based South West Phoenix have been in superb form recently. After finishing last in 2006, Coach Micky Cairns has turned his side around dramatically and are currently sitting in third place. With a good mix of youth and experience in their side, Phoenix have a realistic chance of finishing in the top two, having won six of their past seven games. Saturday’s visitors boast what is arguably the Leagues best strike partnership in Gary Mayers and Stephen Suttie, while Greg Hayes, Patrick Quinn and Sebastian Trim form a talented midfield.

Football West Match Reporter: Jacob Kagi




The Loans Café Amateur League

Premier Division

Sunday, 2 September 2007


MATCH OF THE WEEK

Hamersley Rovers vs. Shamrock Rovers

Hamersley Rovers will be looking to cause an upset when they host Shamrock Rovers in The Loans Café Amateur Premier League at Carine Open Space this Sunday, 2 September.

With their place in the Championship decider all but sown up, Shamrock Coach Paul McCue will be hoping to fine-tune parts of his side’s game. McCue has the luxury of having endless attacking options including Sean Brooks, James Kilbee, Lachlan Conboy, Elliott Wilkinson and former Floreat Athena winger Stephen Guest. After slipping up at home against South Perth United three rounds ago, drawing 1-1 against the relegation threatened side, Shamrock have won their past two and will be keen to continue that run.

Hamersley Rovers will be looking to continue their march up the table with a win against Shamrock. After failing to win in their first six League matches this season, Hamersley looked like a major contender for relegation. The Carine based side, who won three consecutive Amateur Championships from 2001-2003, went onto win six of their next seven encounters. The only time they failed to record a victory in that streak was when they drew 1-1 against Fremantle United. Sunday’s hosts have won three out of five matches since the streak ended. Their much improved form since the opening rounds has seen them climb up from near the bottom of the table to fifth on the combined ladder and third in Group B. With a good run in the final four games, Hamersley could climb as high as a very respectable third, so Coach Kevin Clifford will certainly have his side motivated for this match, which commences at 3.00pm.

Football West Match Reporter: Jacob Kagi