Football West State League
Premier division
Match of the Week
Cockburn (2) vs. Armadale (1)
The pressure is mounting at the top of the Football West Premier League table after Cockburn City continued their recent winning form with a 2-1 victory over a gallant Armadale at Dalmatinac Park. Two goals in the opening twenty minutes to Paul Natale and Aaron Dos Santos was enough for the three points despite a second half rally from the visitors, who were spurred on by a passionate and vocal group of supporters spread along the banks of the Southern Suburbs venue.
Cockburn went into the match missing the Mirco brothers and Coach Scott Miller was forced to field a younger side however the midfield pace of Aaron Dos Santos and Adam Surjan was damaging in the opening stages. It was defender Paul Natale though who opened the scoring, after a storming run into the penalty area, he struck his left foot shot past goalkeeper Cyril Sharrock to give the home side the lead.
The visitors could have drawn level only minutes later with Neil Gawley and Ryan Pearson wasting golden opportunities after getting into great positions. Cockburn on the other hand were clinical and midfielder Aaron Dos Santos doubled his sides lead when he unleashed a long range shot which cannoned off the inside of the post before bouncing over the line.
Armadale’s group of supporters were not deterred by the goals and continued to sing and chant as their team searched for an avenue to goal. After the half time team talks, the visitors returned to the pitch desperate for a result however their delivery and ball control in the final third was poor.
Coach Billy Russell urged his team to lift and they started to apply the pressure with Dino Pacella called on to make a number of timely intercepts. They were finally rewarded for their hard work on 72 minutes when a great run and ball from Marlon Ramirez slipped through the Cockburn defence to a vacant Goodwin who poked his shot home from close range.
The visitors searched desperately for an equalizer throwing everyone forward in the final stages but it was Cockburn keeper Dino Pacella who had the last laugh diving to stop Stephen Skilandis’s point blank shot in the last kick of the game.
Cockburn will be favorites to continue their un-beaten streak next weekend when they tackle Wanneroo City while Armadale will take plenty of confidence into a home clash with Sorrento.
Football West Match Reporter Beau Crompton.
Football West State League
First division
Match of the Week
Bayswater City (2) vs. South West Phoenix (2)
A late equaliser saw Bayswater City come from behind to draw 2-2 with South West Phoenix at Frank Drago Reserve in the Football West State League First Division Match of the Week.
Bayswater were just inches away from taking the lead six minutes in when Wesley Ryder’s cross was met by Rory Grant, who headed firmly but just over the bar from six yards. However, the visitors made them pay four minutes later as Greg Hayes put them ahead; Steve Suttie had the initial shot from 8 yards on a tough angle, but Bayswater goalkeeper Cody Bradshaw would be disappointed that he could only parry that effort straight to Hayes, who tapped in.
After Phoenix had looked on top for most of the early play, City tied the scores in the 30th minute through Ryan Frisina, who was played through by Jamie Kumkar and then shot fiercely from 15 yards, leaving the ‘keeper with no chance.
Just after half-time the home side narrowly missed taking the lead after Ryder and Grant linked up once again. Ryder crossed beautifully from the left-wing and Grant made strong contact with the ball but saw his header cleared off the line. South West were forced to absorb plenty of pressure throughout the second half but Bayswater were unable to convert their large amounts of possession and territory into chances. The Bunbury-based side narrowly missed taking the lead in the 74th minute after Steve Suttie was played through only to shoot narrowly wide from just inside the box.
Three minutes later Phoenix did take the lead through Gary Mayers who was allowed too much space as the ball was played to him on the edge of the box and then placed perfectly, leaving ‘keeper Bradshaw with no chance. Just as South West thought they had the game won, Bayswater captured a share of the spoils through Grant; The home side were awarded a free-kick from near the corner which Damir Kudozevic took beautifully, allowing Grant to out jump the defenders and head home, meaning the match finished in an entertaining 2-2 stalemate.
Football West Match Reporter Jacob Kagi.
Premier division
Match of the Week
Cockburn (2) vs. Armadale (1)
The pressure is mounting at the top of the Football West Premier League table after Cockburn City continued their recent winning form with a 2-1 victory over a gallant Armadale at Dalmatinac Park. Two goals in the opening twenty minutes to Paul Natale and Aaron Dos Santos was enough for the three points despite a second half rally from the visitors, who were spurred on by a passionate and vocal group of supporters spread along the banks of the Southern Suburbs venue.
Cockburn went into the match missing the Mirco brothers and Coach Scott Miller was forced to field a younger side however the midfield pace of Aaron Dos Santos and Adam Surjan was damaging in the opening stages. It was defender Paul Natale though who opened the scoring, after a storming run into the penalty area, he struck his left foot shot past goalkeeper Cyril Sharrock to give the home side the lead.
The visitors could have drawn level only minutes later with Neil Gawley and Ryan Pearson wasting golden opportunities after getting into great positions. Cockburn on the other hand were clinical and midfielder Aaron Dos Santos doubled his sides lead when he unleashed a long range shot which cannoned off the inside of the post before bouncing over the line.
Armadale’s group of supporters were not deterred by the goals and continued to sing and chant as their team searched for an avenue to goal. After the half time team talks, the visitors returned to the pitch desperate for a result however their delivery and ball control in the final third was poor.
Coach Billy Russell urged his team to lift and they started to apply the pressure with Dino Pacella called on to make a number of timely intercepts. They were finally rewarded for their hard work on 72 minutes when a great run and ball from Marlon Ramirez slipped through the Cockburn defence to a vacant Goodwin who poked his shot home from close range.
The visitors searched desperately for an equalizer throwing everyone forward in the final stages but it was Cockburn keeper Dino Pacella who had the last laugh diving to stop Stephen Skilandis’s point blank shot in the last kick of the game.
Cockburn will be favorites to continue their un-beaten streak next weekend when they tackle Wanneroo City while Armadale will take plenty of confidence into a home clash with Sorrento.
Football West Match Reporter Beau Crompton.
Football West State League
First division
Match of the Week
Bayswater City (2) vs. South West Phoenix (2)
A late equaliser saw Bayswater City come from behind to draw 2-2 with South West Phoenix at Frank Drago Reserve in the Football West State League First Division Match of the Week.
Bayswater were just inches away from taking the lead six minutes in when Wesley Ryder’s cross was met by Rory Grant, who headed firmly but just over the bar from six yards. However, the visitors made them pay four minutes later as Greg Hayes put them ahead; Steve Suttie had the initial shot from 8 yards on a tough angle, but Bayswater goalkeeper Cody Bradshaw would be disappointed that he could only parry that effort straight to Hayes, who tapped in.
After Phoenix had looked on top for most of the early play, City tied the scores in the 30th minute through Ryan Frisina, who was played through by Jamie Kumkar and then shot fiercely from 15 yards, leaving the ‘keeper with no chance.
Just after half-time the home side narrowly missed taking the lead after Ryder and Grant linked up once again. Ryder crossed beautifully from the left-wing and Grant made strong contact with the ball but saw his header cleared off the line. South West were forced to absorb plenty of pressure throughout the second half but Bayswater were unable to convert their large amounts of possession and territory into chances. The Bunbury-based side narrowly missed taking the lead in the 74th minute after Steve Suttie was played through only to shoot narrowly wide from just inside the box.
Three minutes later Phoenix did take the lead through Gary Mayers who was allowed too much space as the ball was played to him on the edge of the box and then placed perfectly, leaving ‘keeper Bradshaw with no chance. Just as South West thought they had the game won, Bayswater captured a share of the spoils through Grant; The home side were awarded a free-kick from near the corner which Damir Kudozevic took beautifully, allowing Grant to out jump the defenders and head home, meaning the match finished in an entertaining 2-2 stalemate.
Football West Match Reporter Jacob Kagi.
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