MATCH OF THE WEEK

Floreat Athena vs. Perth Soccer Club

Saturday, 19 May – 5.00pm

Floreat Athena host Perth Soccer Club in a crucial game between two traditional rivals at Litis Stadium on Saturday, 19 May at 5.00pm. The hotly anticipated clash sees the top two sides meet each other in a battle that could prove vital in the title race. Both sides have won all their matches so far and will be keen to keep that record after Saturday’s game.

Perth and Floreat met in the McInerney Ford Night Series Semi-Final with the North Perth based side running out 2-0 winners in a tight and even contest.

Floreat enter the game coming off a 4-1 away win over struggling Inglewood. Former Perth Glory midfielder Josip Magdic continued his recent run of good form with two goals while Miki Vujacic and Julian Madaschi both chipped in with goals in the comprehensive victory. Athena coach Michael Roki will rely on lively striker Boima Karpeh and young partner Stefan Smiljanic to cause problems for the water-tight Perth defense that has conceded just one goal in the league season.

The form of teenage Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya has been a big part of star-studded Perth’s success so far. The quick Ukrainian-born striker has scored an amazing nine goals in five Premier League games, clearly leading the league’s goal-scoring charts. Trent Kay, Michael Icanovski and Gianfranco Circati form a strong defense that is nearly impossible to break down, having conceded just one goal all season to Dean Wallace of Cockburn. The mix of youth and experience all across the park has proved to be a winning formula for Coach Graham Normanton, given he led Perth to the night series title and they currently sit top of the Premier League table on goal difference.

By Jacob Kagi



Cockburn City vs. Stirling Lions
Saturday, 19 May – 3.00pm

An entertaining battle looms this Saturday at Dalmatinac Park in Spearwood when Cockburn City hosts an in-form Stirling Lions outfit.

Cockburn currently sit fifth on the Football West Premier League ladder with a 3:2 win/loss ratio; the two losses being away from home against arguably the two best teams in the competition, Perth and Floreat. They have been in tremendous form at their home ground recording wins over reigning champions Sorrento, Night Series Finalists ECU Joondalup and most recently Inglewood.

Coach Scott Miller will hope Josh Kamasz can continue his excellent start to the season while veterans Dean Wallace and Michael Mirco will provide valuable experience in attack. Centre back Shane Nunes has been solid in defence and along with Peter Kuzet and Paul Natale, they present a tough assignment for the Stirling strikers.

Stirling’s form has been impressive the last two weeks recording comprehensive victories over Swan I.C 3-1 before blitzing Sorrento 4-0 at Macedonia Park. The Lions have yet to lose a game this season but will face their toughest test against Cockburn. Young talent Ludovic Boi will be brimming with confidence after scoring twice on the weekend while striker David Dugdale poses a daunting proposition for the Cockburn backline.

With a blend of young and experienced attacking players on both teams, the match is destined for a shootout and all supporters shouldn’t miss what could be one of the games of the season so far.

By Beau Crompton


Sorrento vs. Fremantle Spirit
Saturday, 19 May – 3.00pm

Rock bottom Sorrento will host confident Fremantle Spirit in round six of the Football West State Premier League from 3.00pm at Percy Doyle Reserve this Saturday, 19 May.

Last years Champions the Gulls have had a horrendous start to their League campaign and are still to pick up their first points after five completed rounds.

The visit of a buoyed Fremantle side, who disposed of Swan IC 2-1 in the previous round, will give Steve Neville’s team the opportunity to kick start their season and move away from the bottom of the table.

Fremantle though will be looking to claim another scalp to go with their victory over Wanneroo and draw against Armadale that sees them currently in an admirable seventh position on the League table.

By Ben Fitzpatrick



SMARTER THAN SMOKING WOMEN'S PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH OF THE WEEK

East Fremantle vs. Queens Park
Sunday, 20 May – 3.00pm

East Fremantle host Queens Park in a southern-suburbs derby between two traditional rivals in the Smarter than Smoking Women’s Premier League on Sunday, 20 May at Wauhop Park in East Fremantle.

The Cannington-based visitors will hope their star attackers continue their good form. Learmont and Higgins both registered three goals for Queens Park going into last weekends round, leaving them tied for the highest goal-scorer in the League along with a handful of other players. Queens Park faced a tough match at home last weekend against Subiaco United but will hope to continue their good form against an undefeated East Fremantle side.

East Fremantle enter the game in brilliant form coming off two wins from their first two games before picking up a default victory due to a Kingsway forfeit. The Fremantle-based side will view early season matches against fellow title contenders such as Queens Park as vital if they are to win the league in 2007.

Other games for the round see Balcatta make the long journey to face Mandurah City, Subiaco United host Beckenham Angels, UWA play Northern Redbacks and Noranda travel to play Kingsley, with all matches being played on Sunday, May 20, with the first team matches commencing at 3.00pm.

By Jacob Kagi