Match of the Week
Western Knights (0) v Perth SC (3)
Perth Soccer Club has outlined their title credentials with a 3-0 victory over Western Knights at Nash Field in Round Two of the Football West State Premier League.
With the ground bathed in sunshine, Perth got off to the perfect start with Nikita Rukavytsya out pacing the Knights defence to beat Perth Glory team mate Tommy Tomich after only five minutes on the clock. Rukavytsya further outlined why the Glory made him a permanent signing in recent months with a well taken second goal after an inch perfect through ball from Andres Oliviera caught the defence napping, before Rukavytsya turned provider with his smart pass allowing Antonio Naglieri to turn in the box and fire home past Tomich for Perth’s third on 36 minutes.
Whatever was said by Campbell at half time worked however, as the Knights began to establish themselves early in the second half putting the Perth defence under some sustained pressure. The Perth work rate had dropped significantly and the Knights should have pulled a goal back on 61 minutes after Jon Higgins danced past three defenders on his way into the box but saw his lofted shot go just over the cross bar. Rukavytsya could have had his hat-trick shortly after but this time Tomich was equal to the task with a fine block after the Perth strikers frightening pace again had the Knights defence floundering.
The Knights found a way back into the contest on 68 minutes after a penalty was awarded after slight contact from Perth defender Michael Icanovski on the Knights Captain inside the area. Scott Bushby stepped up but saw his powerful strike fantastically saved by Perth keeper Gareth Deeg to the delight of the traveling away fans.
Both sides created a few further chances in the dying minutes however the score stayed at 3-0 to the 2007 McInerney Ford Night Series Champions.
Perth Coach Graham Normanton, whilst happy to take home the three points, was disappointed at his side’s second half performance.
“It was good in the first half, but I was pretty disappointed with our second half performance. If you’ve got a team three nil at half time you want to really press the point home but we didn’t do it today and took our foot off the pedal so a little disappointed in the end,” said Normanton.
“I was quite critical of our players today. I thought we didn’t really press the point home and we could have done. We just did enough and enough is not enough. Sometimes you’ve got to go for the game and go for the jugular and we didn’t and that was disappointing.”
With Perth’s squad depth and recent form in the Night Series, Cup and now the League, the Dorrien Gardens outfit are being touted as favorites and Graham expects his side to be up there.
“Everybody tells me we are favorites and we want to play well every week and obviously as a coach you want to win the League. I’ve worked hard in the off season to strengthen the squad which we’ve done and we think we have the squad to win the League so I will be pretty disappointed if we don’t,” he said.
In the next round of the Football West Premier League, Perth host Swan IC on Sunday, 29 of April at Dorrien Gardens in a match that will be broadcast live on 90.5FM Let’s Talk Football. The second round draw for the Soccer Pools Cup will be held at half-time.
Match Reporter on behalf of Football West:
Ben Fitzpatrick
Swan IC (0) v Inglewood United (0)
Both Swan IC and Inglewood United had to settle for a point after 0-0 draw at Francis Street in Round Two of the Football West Premier League. The goalless draw was the first at the ground since round 15 in 2002 when the black and whites drew against Western Knights.
The game began on a somber note when a minutes silence was held for former player and administrator David Schrandt who passed away following a lengthy battle with leukemia. His wife Linda was present at the ground and tossed the coin at the start of the match.
The Swans opened brightly and Anthony McStea’s free kick was punched clear by Ollie Taseski, only to be returned by David Perich and Paul Baczynski headed inches over. The visitors settled and began to get on top, Aaron Colli tried his luck from long-range but Cory Hugo saved low.
On 18 minutes Inglewood should have taken the lead; a pinpoint cross from Dean Aplegren found Albert Osei-Tutu unmarked in the box but he headed over. The visitors continued to hold the upper hand, Aplegren’s teasing free kick was flicked on by Osei-Tutu but there was no one following up at the back post. Inglewood were dominating but lacked the finish in the final third and they went into the break all even.
Bobby Despotovski’s side opened the second half well; Mladen Kovacevic found second half substitute Michael Baczynski but his cross was cleared off his line by his brother Paul and Aplegren fired wide from long-range. The Swans tried their luck and Perich headed wide, and McStea was found by a quick taken free kick by Damien Catalano which caught United napping, but the winger’s shot hit the side-netting. There weren’t many clear cut chances as both sides battled it out in midfield, but Daniel Niederberger did test Hugo who saved low and Thomas Shepheard fired wide when well placed.
As the game entered the final ten minutes it was the home side that looked favourites. McStea found substitute Geoff Mason in on goal, but Shane Pryce was back to get in a vital tackle. The 2006 Football West Young Player of the Year, Mason, almost snatched the points for the Swans in injury time; his cross from the left was flicked on by Shepheard and Mason’s header was heading for the top corner, but Taseski produced a stunning reaction save to deny the youngster.
Coaches Comments:
Carlo Scali
“I thought the back four of Cole, Baczynski, Scali and Mouttet were really good today. Add to that it was Cory Hugo’s first game back from injury and it was good to keep a clean sheet. It was a little bit scrappy for both teams today. I think both sides knew the importance of the game after both losing last week. It was good to get a point but I would have liked a couple more,” said Scali.
Bobby Despotovski
“We dominated the game in the first half, and we’ve got nothing out of it. In my opinion we dropped two points here today. Our inability to score has cost us. We defended extremely well, in fact for 70 minutes we controlled the game, they haven’t created that much, until the last couple of minutes, and it’s really disappointing to let two points slip,” said Inglewood Coach, Bobby Despotovski.
Squads:
Swan IC – GK C. Hugo, Mouttet, Cole, P. Baczynski, Scali, McStea, Knox, Catalano, Perich(Mason 75), Foster, Shepheard Subs not used: Agudelo, Paone, J. Hugo
Inglewood United – GK Taseski, Pryce, D. Kovacevic, Stoitis, Aguirre(Griffiths 60) , Niederberger(Craig 83), A. Colli, J. Colli, Osei-Tutu(Baczynski 45), Aplegren, M. Kovacevic Subs not used: Razmovski, Duncan
Referee: Tom Klaver
Match Reporter on behalf of Football West:
Peter Simcox
Armadale Soccer Club (0) V Stirling Lions (0)
Armadale Soccer Club’s hopes of avoiding relegation received a major boost after a 0-0 draw with the highly rated Stirling Lions at Alfred Skeet Oval.
Armadale found themselves in relegation trouble last season after not registering any points from there first nine league matches, but the draw early in the season with Stirling, who finished second in the league last season, is sure to boost the hopes of the southern suburbs side.
The best chance of the first half fell to Armadale’s Marlon Ramirez who found himself open after a corner but stabbed the ball over the bar from six yards in the 14th minute. Other than that, early opportunity chances were few and far between in the opening period with Stirling unable to breakdown the defensive style of Armadale.
The Lions introduced teenage sensation Ludovic Boi as well as Tommy Jones at the break in an attempt to get past the tough Armadale defence. Those efforts proved unsuccessful as Armadale lifted their game further in the second half.
In the 56th minute Armadale substitute Darren Kingston had his goal-bound header brilliantly saved by Stirling ‘keeper Phil Straker, who made several important saves.
Stirling had their best opportunity to pinch the three points in the 78th minute when Leo Harman intercepted a poor back-pass inside the penalty box and quickly shot, only for the ball to cannon off the inside of the post and roll away.
Stirling coach Mick Lyons was disappointed with the performance of his side.
“We knew from early that Armadale were trying to drag the game out but they battled hard and on the day we weren’t good enough to break through,” he said.
Armadale coach Billy Russell was delighted that his side was able to pick up a crucial point early in the season.
“The result was tremendous, we waited nine games for a point last season so to get one after two games is excellent,” he said.
Squads:
Armadale Soccer Club: C Sharrock (GK), C Anderson, S Devine, S Patterson, D Platten, M Benion, M Ramirez, D Macura, S Skilandis, R Pearson, A Galvin, K Madelay, D Kingston, B Harvey, R Lacey, J Goodwin.
Stirling Lions: P Straker (GK), M Pugliese, S Hesketh, K Henderson, D Ilomanoski, K Brown, D Dugdale, P Arnold, A Brown, L Harman, C Hansen, L Boi, O Diamondstar, T Jones, M Bentley.
Match Report on behalf of Football West:
Jacob Kagi
Wanneroo City (0) V Fremantle Spirit (1)
New Wanneroo Coach Mike Brazil only had a week to put together a team for this weekends State League Game versus Fremantle Spirit with new signing Luke Croxall in defence and a towering difference he made with his ability in the air and his talking from the back; the only problem now is to get Wanneroo's strikers to put the ball in the net.
The first half was tight with a couple of chances going to either side and with both keepers involved in keeping the scores level at the break 0-0. The main talking point of the first half was the yellow card dished out to veteran Alex Christie for not removing a ring from his finger.
The second half had more urgency about the game with Fremantle's pace down either flank causing Wanneroo all sorts of problems. Fremantle's main concern was Wanneroo's high balls into the box which were dealt with by Fremantle Keeper Steve Grant, while at the other end, Wanneroo keeper Miller kept his team on level terms as he denied the Freo strikers time and time again.
Then In the 81st minute Dale Wingell and Barrera exchanged passes on the edge of the Wanneroo box as Barrera cut the ball back to Roberts who controlled the ball and placed it in the far corner giving Miller no chance to stop the shot. With time running out Wanneroo's last chance was a free kick 22 metres straight in front of the goal and as the ball whizzed just over the bar, Wanneroo new that was there last chance. The final score in a very tight encounter going in favour of the port side 1-0.
Mark Wingell after the game was pleased with the three points but also thought his side should have scored more. Mike Brazil said he could take a lot of positives out the game and will relish the task at Wanneroo this season.
Match Reporter on behalf of Football West:
Mark Caplin on behalf of Football West and Lets Talk Football
Western Knights (0) v Perth SC (3)
Perth Soccer Club has outlined their title credentials with a 3-0 victory over Western Knights at Nash Field in Round Two of the Football West State Premier League.
With the ground bathed in sunshine, Perth got off to the perfect start with Nikita Rukavytsya out pacing the Knights defence to beat Perth Glory team mate Tommy Tomich after only five minutes on the clock. Rukavytsya further outlined why the Glory made him a permanent signing in recent months with a well taken second goal after an inch perfect through ball from Andres Oliviera caught the defence napping, before Rukavytsya turned provider with his smart pass allowing Antonio Naglieri to turn in the box and fire home past Tomich for Perth’s third on 36 minutes.
Whatever was said by Campbell at half time worked however, as the Knights began to establish themselves early in the second half putting the Perth defence under some sustained pressure. The Perth work rate had dropped significantly and the Knights should have pulled a goal back on 61 minutes after Jon Higgins danced past three defenders on his way into the box but saw his lofted shot go just over the cross bar. Rukavytsya could have had his hat-trick shortly after but this time Tomich was equal to the task with a fine block after the Perth strikers frightening pace again had the Knights defence floundering.
The Knights found a way back into the contest on 68 minutes after a penalty was awarded after slight contact from Perth defender Michael Icanovski on the Knights Captain inside the area. Scott Bushby stepped up but saw his powerful strike fantastically saved by Perth keeper Gareth Deeg to the delight of the traveling away fans.
Both sides created a few further chances in the dying minutes however the score stayed at 3-0 to the 2007 McInerney Ford Night Series Champions.
Perth Coach Graham Normanton, whilst happy to take home the three points, was disappointed at his side’s second half performance.
“It was good in the first half, but I was pretty disappointed with our second half performance. If you’ve got a team three nil at half time you want to really press the point home but we didn’t do it today and took our foot off the pedal so a little disappointed in the end,” said Normanton.
“I was quite critical of our players today. I thought we didn’t really press the point home and we could have done. We just did enough and enough is not enough. Sometimes you’ve got to go for the game and go for the jugular and we didn’t and that was disappointing.”
With Perth’s squad depth and recent form in the Night Series, Cup and now the League, the Dorrien Gardens outfit are being touted as favorites and Graham expects his side to be up there.
“Everybody tells me we are favorites and we want to play well every week and obviously as a coach you want to win the League. I’ve worked hard in the off season to strengthen the squad which we’ve done and we think we have the squad to win the League so I will be pretty disappointed if we don’t,” he said.
In the next round of the Football West Premier League, Perth host Swan IC on Sunday, 29 of April at Dorrien Gardens in a match that will be broadcast live on 90.5FM Let’s Talk Football. The second round draw for the Soccer Pools Cup will be held at half-time.
Match Reporter on behalf of Football West:
Ben Fitzpatrick
Swan IC (0) v Inglewood United (0)
Both Swan IC and Inglewood United had to settle for a point after 0-0 draw at Francis Street in Round Two of the Football West Premier League. The goalless draw was the first at the ground since round 15 in 2002 when the black and whites drew against Western Knights.
The game began on a somber note when a minutes silence was held for former player and administrator David Schrandt who passed away following a lengthy battle with leukemia. His wife Linda was present at the ground and tossed the coin at the start of the match.
The Swans opened brightly and Anthony McStea’s free kick was punched clear by Ollie Taseski, only to be returned by David Perich and Paul Baczynski headed inches over. The visitors settled and began to get on top, Aaron Colli tried his luck from long-range but Cory Hugo saved low.
On 18 minutes Inglewood should have taken the lead; a pinpoint cross from Dean Aplegren found Albert Osei-Tutu unmarked in the box but he headed over. The visitors continued to hold the upper hand, Aplegren’s teasing free kick was flicked on by Osei-Tutu but there was no one following up at the back post. Inglewood were dominating but lacked the finish in the final third and they went into the break all even.
Bobby Despotovski’s side opened the second half well; Mladen Kovacevic found second half substitute Michael Baczynski but his cross was cleared off his line by his brother Paul and Aplegren fired wide from long-range. The Swans tried their luck and Perich headed wide, and McStea was found by a quick taken free kick by Damien Catalano which caught United napping, but the winger’s shot hit the side-netting. There weren’t many clear cut chances as both sides battled it out in midfield, but Daniel Niederberger did test Hugo who saved low and Thomas Shepheard fired wide when well placed.
As the game entered the final ten minutes it was the home side that looked favourites. McStea found substitute Geoff Mason in on goal, but Shane Pryce was back to get in a vital tackle. The 2006 Football West Young Player of the Year, Mason, almost snatched the points for the Swans in injury time; his cross from the left was flicked on by Shepheard and Mason’s header was heading for the top corner, but Taseski produced a stunning reaction save to deny the youngster.
Coaches Comments:
Carlo Scali
“I thought the back four of Cole, Baczynski, Scali and Mouttet were really good today. Add to that it was Cory Hugo’s first game back from injury and it was good to keep a clean sheet. It was a little bit scrappy for both teams today. I think both sides knew the importance of the game after both losing last week. It was good to get a point but I would have liked a couple more,” said Scali.
Bobby Despotovski
“We dominated the game in the first half, and we’ve got nothing out of it. In my opinion we dropped two points here today. Our inability to score has cost us. We defended extremely well, in fact for 70 minutes we controlled the game, they haven’t created that much, until the last couple of minutes, and it’s really disappointing to let two points slip,” said Inglewood Coach, Bobby Despotovski.
Squads:
Swan IC – GK C. Hugo, Mouttet, Cole, P. Baczynski, Scali, McStea, Knox, Catalano, Perich(Mason 75), Foster, Shepheard Subs not used: Agudelo, Paone, J. Hugo
Inglewood United – GK Taseski, Pryce, D. Kovacevic, Stoitis, Aguirre(Griffiths 60) , Niederberger(Craig 83), A. Colli, J. Colli, Osei-Tutu(Baczynski 45), Aplegren, M. Kovacevic Subs not used: Razmovski, Duncan
Referee: Tom Klaver
Match Reporter on behalf of Football West:
Peter Simcox
Armadale Soccer Club (0) V Stirling Lions (0)
Armadale Soccer Club’s hopes of avoiding relegation received a major boost after a 0-0 draw with the highly rated Stirling Lions at Alfred Skeet Oval.
Armadale found themselves in relegation trouble last season after not registering any points from there first nine league matches, but the draw early in the season with Stirling, who finished second in the league last season, is sure to boost the hopes of the southern suburbs side.
The best chance of the first half fell to Armadale’s Marlon Ramirez who found himself open after a corner but stabbed the ball over the bar from six yards in the 14th minute. Other than that, early opportunity chances were few and far between in the opening period with Stirling unable to breakdown the defensive style of Armadale.
The Lions introduced teenage sensation Ludovic Boi as well as Tommy Jones at the break in an attempt to get past the tough Armadale defence. Those efforts proved unsuccessful as Armadale lifted their game further in the second half.
In the 56th minute Armadale substitute Darren Kingston had his goal-bound header brilliantly saved by Stirling ‘keeper Phil Straker, who made several important saves.
Stirling had their best opportunity to pinch the three points in the 78th minute when Leo Harman intercepted a poor back-pass inside the penalty box and quickly shot, only for the ball to cannon off the inside of the post and roll away.
Stirling coach Mick Lyons was disappointed with the performance of his side.
“We knew from early that Armadale were trying to drag the game out but they battled hard and on the day we weren’t good enough to break through,” he said.
Armadale coach Billy Russell was delighted that his side was able to pick up a crucial point early in the season.
“The result was tremendous, we waited nine games for a point last season so to get one after two games is excellent,” he said.
Squads:
Armadale Soccer Club: C Sharrock (GK), C Anderson, S Devine, S Patterson, D Platten, M Benion, M Ramirez, D Macura, S Skilandis, R Pearson, A Galvin, K Madelay, D Kingston, B Harvey, R Lacey, J Goodwin.
Stirling Lions: P Straker (GK), M Pugliese, S Hesketh, K Henderson, D Ilomanoski, K Brown, D Dugdale, P Arnold, A Brown, L Harman, C Hansen, L Boi, O Diamondstar, T Jones, M Bentley.
Match Report on behalf of Football West:
Jacob Kagi
Wanneroo City (0) V Fremantle Spirit (1)
New Wanneroo Coach Mike Brazil only had a week to put together a team for this weekends State League Game versus Fremantle Spirit with new signing Luke Croxall in defence and a towering difference he made with his ability in the air and his talking from the back; the only problem now is to get Wanneroo's strikers to put the ball in the net.
The first half was tight with a couple of chances going to either side and with both keepers involved in keeping the scores level at the break 0-0. The main talking point of the first half was the yellow card dished out to veteran Alex Christie for not removing a ring from his finger.
The second half had more urgency about the game with Fremantle's pace down either flank causing Wanneroo all sorts of problems. Fremantle's main concern was Wanneroo's high balls into the box which were dealt with by Fremantle Keeper Steve Grant, while at the other end, Wanneroo keeper Miller kept his team on level terms as he denied the Freo strikers time and time again.
Then In the 81st minute Dale Wingell and Barrera exchanged passes on the edge of the Wanneroo box as Barrera cut the ball back to Roberts who controlled the ball and placed it in the far corner giving Miller no chance to stop the shot. With time running out Wanneroo's last chance was a free kick 22 metres straight in front of the goal and as the ball whizzed just over the bar, Wanneroo new that was there last chance. The final score in a very tight encounter going in favour of the port side 1-0.
Mark Wingell after the game was pleased with the three points but also thought his side should have scored more. Mike Brazil said he could take a lot of positives out the game and will relish the task at Wanneroo this season.
Match Reporter on behalf of Football West:
Mark Caplin on behalf of Football West and Lets Talk Football
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