Bayswater need to regain their focus according to striker Steve Burton (photograph by Brett Klucznik)

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THIS WEEK ON THE WORLD FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

Join Penny Tanner, Jon O’Connell and Melville City president Dave Kindness this Saturday for the latest edition of the World Football Programme. Banter this week includes the National Premier League, the Celebration Park upgrade with Northern Redbacks’ Tim Hodgson, and next week’s FFA Fan Forum with Peter Hugg. Mark Bosnich talks about the English Premier League and Manchester United’s friendly with the A-League All-Stars, Matt Bungard looks at the promotion play-offs, and Australian Maccabiah coach Mark Abro chats about one of the largest tournaments in the world. The World Football Programme, 9am every Saturday on Radio Fremantle, 107.9fm.

17.5.2013

PREMIER DIVISION PREVIEW

All roads lead to Frank Drago Reserve on Sunday for the traditional derby between top-of-the-table Bayswater City and fifth-placed Balcatta. Striker Steve Burton is hoping to for a marked improvement on Bayswater’s recent efforts. “We have had a dip in form so we need to focus and get back to winning ways,” commented Burton. “Balcatta have had a good start to the season, this is full credit to (coach) Saul Contera, who I know has been working hard with the boys and I’m sure they will be up for the game.” Bayswater captain John Kearney, Todd Howarth and Paul McCarthy are all back in contention.

It’s been a month since Balcatta last picked up maximum points but Mikey Aspin is tipping that to change on Sunday. “Bayswater are unbeaten this season so it’s about time somebody knocked them off their perch, and we’ll be trying our best to do just that,” said the defender, who was disappointed with last week’s loss to Floreat Athena. “At one-all we should have kept things tighter and made sure we at least got a point. To concede two more goals was unacceptable and it’s something we can’t do this weekend.” Striker Ashley Rosindale will be pushing to start having recovered from injury.

The remainder of Round Nine takes place on Saturday afternoon with ECU Joondalup’s derby clash with Sorrento expected to rate particularly high on the entertainment scale. “It will be an intriguing northern derby,” said home coach Salv Todaro, before stressing the importance of a Joondalup win. “The league table is starting to look congested and a win would see us jump up into the heady heights of third, conversely a loss could see us slip down to tenth. With the attitude that the boys have been showing at training and in the games I envisage an exciting game.”

Stirling Lions can close the gap, even if only for 24-hours, by getting the better of Perth SC at Macedonia Park. The home team have added Scott Bulloch and Michael Pugliese to their squad, while Perth is hopeful of regaining Daniel Micevski’s services. Floreat Athena can make it three wins in a row by taking the points over Armadale at Litis Stadium. Matt Holland’s first home game in charge of Bunbury Forum Force is against Inglewood United, who remains without striker Greg Sharland. Cockburn City welcomes the National Training Centre to Dalmatinac Park. All six Premier Division games – Saturday and Sunday – kick-off at 3.00pm.

17.5.2013

DIVISION ONE PREVIEW

Dianella White Eagles can extend their winning run to six games by taking the points from the local derby at Morley Windmills. “Morley are a form side and one of our biggest threats in the league,” said Dianella’s Michael Salsano. “Like most teams we want to continue our good form but more importantly keep the standards we have set ourselves. There’s great atmosphere at the club, a great work ethic from all the boys and effective coaching from Vesko (Zmukic) and Johnny (Castrilli). If we can bring that on the field every Saturday then I’m confident we’ll keep performing as well we have in previous weeks.”

Western Knights striker Brendan Craig says Saturday’s game at Canning City is the perfect opportunity to show how serious his team are about finishing on top of the table. “We’ve put ourselves in a terrible position in regards to reaching our target, which is promotion, but we still have it in us,” said Craig. “We are all relishing the challenge of playing a ‘good side’. We play much better against sides who play football, as opposed to teams who hoof it long, tackle hard and hope for some luck. I’m confident of bagging a few goals and supremely confident of a win against Canning.”

There are bound to be plenty of thrills and spills in the three verses four meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Ashfield at Harold Rossiter Reserve. UWA-Nedlands on-going battle with injury and absence has they on home soil this weekend against Wanneroo City, who has Garin Collins and Glen Thomas coming into the squad. Mandurah City will be without captain Craig Young for their date with Gosnells City at Hyundai Stadium. Oscar Thompson, Connor Price and Danny Snelling have put their hands up for selection ahead of Rockingham City’s visit to Swan United. All six Division One games kick-off at 3.00pm on Saturday.

17.5.2013

DIVISION TWO PREVIEW

Kingsway Olympic have every intention of collecting all the points on offer from their clash with Melville City. Not a lot has gone right for Kingsway at their ground so far this year but goalkeeper Anthony Salpietro says the time is right for that to change. “A win is important as we want to break our winless run at home and start to turn Kingsway Reserve into a fortress,” said Salpietro. “The boys are very motivated after a poor result last week and I believe we have the team to go on a run and challenge for top honours come the end of the season.”

There are some difficult decisions to be made at Fremantle United leading into their visit to Forrestfield United. Fletcher Tracy, Roberto Colalillo and Tom Speziali performed well last week after being promoted from the Metro League and are likely to retain their places despite Andrew Morrow, Darren Monaghan and Maddy Holman being available. Spirits are high in the Joondalup City camp as they prepare to go into battle with Division Two leaders Maddington White City at Nicola Tesla Reserve. Quinns are tipped to take the points from their meeting with Subiaco AFC at Gumblossom Park. All four Division Two games kick-off at 3.00pm on Saturday.

16.5.2013

STABILITY THE TARGET AT BUNBURY SAYS HOLLAND

Newly appointed coach Matt Holland is looking to bring some stability to Bunbury Forum Force as the clubs looks to put a difficult few months behind them. Holland became Bunbury’s third coach in three months last week by stepping up from assistant coach following Matt Lock’s sudden vacation of the position. “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to coach the club and I’m really grateful to Matt Lock on offering me the position of being his assistant earlier in the season,” commented Holland. “It is obviously a platform for me to cut my teeth properly at a good level in the game, so I am pleased to have been given the opportunity.”

Holland faces some significant challenges turning around not only Bunbury’s season – they’ve won once from eight starts – but also in revitalising the game in the south-west. “I believe it’s not just the club but the South West region that needs stability and a solid structure … football knowledge isn’t here in abundance,” Holland said. “I have been fortunate to work with, alongside and under the guidance of some very well respected coaches in the world game, especially in the UK. Having that experience and education will assist in developing the structure that the club needs from first team down to the under-12’s. Hopefully, we will achieve that by the end of the season.”

Despite their poor form, Bunbury have been competitive more often than not this season and that’s something Holland says bodes well. “It has been difficult but in all honesty it’s not too disheartening (as) we have come extremely close to getting positive results against the supposedly bigger clubs,” explained Holland. “We have a small cluster of players who really know the game and combined with those who are good players and are learning each week, I am feeling confident moving forward. As long as the professionalism and application is present in every session and the togetherness can pull us through to get points week in, week out then we will be well-placed after a poor start points-wise.”

Holland, 24, played youth team football for Swansea City but a broken collarbone and a serious back injury curtained his progression. After a spell with Welsh Premier League club The New Saints he moved into coaching at community and academy levels with Cardiff City, gaining his UEFA ‘B’ license at the age of 21. He developed a strong working relationship with the Football Association of Wales and was appointed Coach Educator/Instructor to deliver their Coaching Licenses. Last year Holland headed to Malaysia where he was appointed coach of the national youth team which finished third at the ASEAN Cup Under-13 Championship.

All that experience will be needed on Saturday when Holland takes charge of Bunbury on home turf for the first time, against Inglewood United. “It’s a game I’m looking forward to with Graham (Normanton) and Bobby (Despotovski) in the dugout, we are on the ‘A’ License together this year along with one of my coaches, John McGlynn,” Holland said. “I’m always positive for each game given the preparation and attention to detail that I deploy with my staff and the squad, although it’ll all come down to them crossing the white line and the man with the whistle so I’m interested to see what we can do about it this week.”

Holland feels the change of coach will prove to be what the doctor ordered for Bunbury. “When a new coach comes in there is always going to be a transitional period. I have introduced a new system to the squad, a methodology and targets/requirements,” he said. “It’s the knowledge and professionalism combined with a little bit of naivety that has cost us which ultimately comes down to concentration. With the standard of some of the individual players in this league you’ll get punished. I am confident that after 22 games played the ladder will speak for itself and on reflection it will be a good season on and off the pitch for The Force.”

16.5.2013

EVANS HOPEFUL WIN CAN GIVE MELVILLE SOME MOMENTUM

It took a long time for the smile to fade from Danny Evans’ face following Melville City’s weekend over Subiaco AFC. Evans’ team have battled their way through the opening rounds of the season only to have nothing to show for their efforts. However, that changed on Saturday when finishes by Lucas Pickering, Sasa Slavujevic and Ben Steele plus and own goal gave Melville their first win of the Division Two campaign. “It was a relief to get the win but only time will tell if we’re good enough to compete week in week out,” said Evans. “Spirits are high and, hopefully, we use this win to give us some momentum.”

Evans points to a lengthy injury list as the main reason behind his team’s poor start. “If you look at our side that played in the Night Series, nine of the first eleven aren’t playing at the moment … it’s hard to sustain that many forced changes,” he explained. “Saying that, I don’t feel we have been as poor as results suggest. We are capable of playing an attractive brand of football, can control possession and have players who can be a threat on goal. Unfortunately, we have given away poor goals and when you give only 45 or 60 minute performances you aren’t going to win many.”

Melville entered the season as one of the title favourites and although they trail early leaders Maddington White City by ten points Evans isn’t about to give up the chase. “We are in a Division where teams take points of each other every week so, I don’t know that there is a clear favourite just yet,” the Melville coach said. “We know we need to improve and we’re just focusing on our performances at the moment. In terms of our goals for the season nothing has changed – we go out and try and win every game just the same as everyone else.”

Next up for Melville is Saturday’s trip to mid-table Kingsway Olympic, who have lost three from three on the turf this year. And while spirits are high in the Melville camp leading into the game Evans says his team will not be underestimating their opponents. “Ian Cowan’s teams are always competitive so I’m expecting a good contest. But rather than analyse where they are at as a team, we just need to focus on our own game,” he commented. “We know that we need to perform, anything other than a full 90 minute performance and we won’t get the points … I’m really looking forward to it.”

15.5.2013

GOSNELLS BEST IS YET TO COME: GODFREY

Division One club Gosnells City have a lot more to offer than their lowly position suggests according to defender Jason Godfrey. A flat run of form has resulted in Gosnells claiming a single win from their opening five games to leave the club sitting joint bottom of the table alongside UWA-Nedlands and Rockingham City. And Godfrey, who joined the eastern corridor club over the summer, is adamant there are much brighter days ahead. “The playing group knows that we can play a lot better – as we saw in the Night Series – and it’s only going to take a win to get the ball rolling again,” Godfrey commented.

On their day Gosnells can match it with the best the league has to offer, however, they need look no further than last weekend’s capitulation to Shamrock Rovers for what happens when they don’t tune in. “That was our worst performance,” commented Godfrey of the 7-1 loss. “The team knows we let each other down as well as the club and sponsors. But team spirit and commitment is strong and everyone showing up at training to work harder to make sure we don’t play like that again. We’ve learnt the lessons as to what we did wrong, have put the past behind us and moved forward.”

Godfrey, a one-time State Under-19 representative, parted company with Cockburn City in pre-season in search of regular first team football. “It was a hard choice to leave Cockburn, I played many seasons there through bad times as well as the good. But with Cockburn having a large squad this year it was hard to see a starting position,” he explained. “Gosnells is only a short drive away from home and I got a call from Alan Dunlop, who I played with at Cockburn, and he said I should come down and check it out. The players were welcoming, the training was of a high standard and felt like a good fit.”

With over a decades’ experience in the top flight through spells with Cockburn, Inglewood United and Mandurah City, Godfrey is enjoying his new role at Walter Padbury Reserve. “I’m enjoying playing in Division One as I can past on some of the knowledge I have to the younger players. Gosnells has some good youngster in their teams, and in the long-term this will result in success in their future,” said Godfrey, before conceding he’d he’s not ruled out returning to the Premier Division one day. “I feel I still have what it takes to play in the Premier and would like to play there again.”

Gosnells head out on the road this weekend to take on fellow strugglers Mandurah City. “Given our bad start to the season, this game is our Cup final and we must win to get our season back on track,” commented Godfrey, who is confident Gosnells can halt their three-game losing streak in the league. “The team is up for the challenge and we are going to give it our all. All we need to get our season back on track is a bit of confidence. No one at the club has dropped their head as we know how good we can play … when we play our game and we can beat any team.”

14.5.2013

GILL INSTALLED AS MATILDAS CAPTAIN

Perth Glory Women striker Kate Gill admits to being surprised with her promotion to joint captain of the Matildas alongside Brisbane Roar’s Clare Polkinghorne. Gill, 28, has played professionally in Australia, Denmark and Sweden but this marks the first time she has been honoured with the captain’s armband. “To be named captain of your country is something really special and I will be doing everything I can to lead the team in the best way possible,” Gill told footballwest.com.au. “I’m still taken aback by it all … it’s something I didn’t ever expect, but I’m humbled by it all and proud to have the support of the players and coaching staff.”

National team coach Hesterine De Reus said Gill, who has 72 caps to her credit, will captain the Matilda’s in next months’ two-game friendly series against New Zealand. “Kate will wear the armband onto the field whenever possible, but both will take on captaincy duties off the field as required,” said national De Reus. “The reason that I have elected to have co-captains is that I like to share the load between the two players, although I expect all players to take leadership roles and responsibility on the pitch.” After facing off with the Silver Ferns, Australia head to Europe for games with the Netherlands, France and club side Ado Den Haag.

14.5.2013

ARNOLD KEEN FOR SAINSBURY TO STAY

Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold has urged future Socceroos Trent Sainsbury to consider all options before continuing his career abroad. Sainsbury, 21, is coming off a stellar season with Central Coast where his talents have caught the eye of a number of European clubs, amongst them English sides Bolton Wanderers and Southampton plus FC Basel of Switzerland. Arnold, whose included time in the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, and Australia, has no doubt the young defender has what it takes to play professionally overseas but questions if the time is right for him to make the move.

With such strong interest coming from Europe, Arnold has stressed the importance of Sainsbury finding the club which is best for him. “He’s had a fantastic season and has been rewarded by winning the Mariners Medal and getting called up to the Socceroos,” said Arnold. “I always had a lot of faith in Trent, I’ve seen over the two years he was with us what he can do. I don’t think one more season in the A-League would hurt him, but if he gets the right offer from overseas with a good club where he’s going to develop further it would obviously be a good move for him.”

12.5.2013

STOKE SNAP UP FORMER JOONDALUP JUNIOR GRANT

English Premier League outfit Stoke City have moved quickly to sign out of contract defender Alex Grant. English-born Grant, a product of ECU Joondalup’s successful youth system, has agreed terms on a two-year deal with the Potter after catching the eye of manager Tony Pulis while on loan to non-league side Havant and Waterlooville. The 19-year old returned to England in mid-2010 to join Portsmouth where he progressed through reserve and academy football to make his professional debut against Plymouth Argyle last August. He was subsequently loaned to Eastleigh and earlier this year moved to Havant and Waterlooville, where he gained 18 first team appearances.

12.5.2013

FANS INVITED TO FFA FORUM

Football Federation Australian boss David Gallop will listen to the views of the games constituents in a public forum this month. Gallop and A-League chief Damien de Bohun are also scheduled to meet Football West, Perth Glory and State Government officials to discuss a range of topics including the long-muted ‘Home of Football’ and the possibility of bringing the Socceroos to Perth. The fan forum will be held at Dorrien Gardens next Monday, 20th May, and will also feature Perth Glory coach Alistair Edwards, club owner Tony Sage and Football West chief executive Peter Hugg.

Hugg says Gallop’s presence in the west is a big boost for the local game. “We’re looking forward to briefing David on a number of issues confronting our sport in this State as well as updating him on a number of our initiatives, including the current status of our ‘Home of Football’ campaign,” Hugg told the ‘West Australian’ newspaper. “The fan forum is a wonderful initiative, which has proved to be very popular in a number of other cities, and it’s pleasing for us that FFA has seen fit to include Perth.”

11.5.2013

SECOND TAKEN BY STIRLING (with Ryan Platten, Football West)

Stirling Lions claimed outright second of the Premier Division by seeing off Sorrento 3-2 in a tense meeting at Percy Doyle Reserve. Young gun Moses Kalau helped himself to a double to compliment Rory Grant’s early finish and cancel out an own goal and Jamie Harnwell’s late tap-in. “We’re very happy with the result, to get a win on the road against a strong Sorrento team who are unbeaten in their last nine games is a massive achievement,” said Stirling captain Andy Brown. “It was backs to the wall stuff from our boys late but we battled and hung on for three deserved points.”

Just three minutes had passed when Stirling took the lead, Phil Arnold whipping a cross to the far post where an unmarked Grant powered his header into Curtis Aspden’s net. Sorrento moved on quickly from an uncharacteristically poor start and as the half progressed their share of possession increased and began to ask questions of opposing defence. Steve McDonald came agonisingly close to putting the team’s level by heading into the crossbar from a 42nd minute corner. There was only one way for Stirling to respond and that was with a second goal, Evans rising to meet a corner which Kalau touched past Aspden.

Sorrento came out from the break swinging, Craig Robson lifting just high of the crossbar before Chris Lynch was thwarted from close-in by Aleks Vrteski. The goal they sought arrived in the 68th minute when Todd Harnwell slid in to meet a low cross that was turned in by a Stirling defender. Kalau stepped up three minutes later to restore Stirling’s two-goal buffer, the attacker unleashing a precision strike from the corner of the box which flew inside the junction of bar and post. Jamie Harnwell entered the action with ten minutes to go and soon after prodded in from only a few metres after Gavin Knight’s free-kick hit both posts without crossing the line.

11.5.2013

ARMADALE FEND OFF JOONDALUP FIGHT BACK

Armadale returned to the winners circle for the first time in over a month by downing a spirited ECU Joondalup outfit 4-3 at Alfred Skeet Oval. The home team held a four-goal advantage at the break thanks to Louie Bake, Mitch Castrilli, Mark Peers and Dannie Richman. Jon Stynes scored twice and Tommy Amphlett once in the minutes after the break to put Joondalup back in the game but despite a concerted late push they were unable to conjure an equaliser. “We should never have been as uncomfortable as we were in the last five minutes,” Armadale boss Lee Bamber told footballwest.com.au “This provides important experience for the team to ensure a similar scenario won’t happen again.”

There was a lot of to and fro early on as the two sets of players attempted to assert themselves on the game. Although slow to get going, Armadale gained the upper hand in the 27th minute when Trevor Laure’s centring pass was met by Bake’s superb first time shot into from 16-metres. Castrilli punished some poor defending at a corner seven minutes later by heading in the Reds second goal, and when Peers’ free-kick evaded all inside the area to sneak inside the far post Joondalup must have been wondering what had hit them. There was worse to come as, on the stroke of half-time, Richman nodded in at close-range after the visitors failed to respond to a loose ball.

Joondalup heeded the words of their coaching staff and five minutes after the restart Stynes headed in from a Tony Taylor corner. Stynes then further reduced the gap with another headed, this one at the back post on the end of a Shaun Timmins free-kick. An hour was on the lock when Matt Italiano found the feet of Amphlett, who darted across the 18-yard box and rifled into the far corner of Ellis Hawksworth’s net. Amphlett twice found himself in positions to complete the visitor’s revival but on each occasion the attacker was unable to capitalise. The win jumps Armadale into fourth on a congested Premier Division table, whereas Joondalup slip down to seventh.

11.5.2013

INGLEWOOD, COCKBURN SHARE THE SPOILS

Cockburn City was left to rue missed opportunities as Inglewood United held on for a 0-0 draw from an entertaining encounter at Intiga Stadium. The visitors stepped up the pace after an even first half but some wayward finishing meant they’d have to be content with a single point. “We had chances to win it (and) if anyone was to win it would have been us,” said new Cockburn coach Marc Anthony, who was surprised neither team was able to find the net over the 90 minutes. “There’s plenty of goals in their team and plenty of goals in our team, so if you’d asked me before the game I’d have said there would definitely be goals in this game.”

A snappy opening to proceedings had Inglewood on the front foot but neither Andrija Jukic nor Ryan Clarke was able to benefit from early chances. Cockburn responded by tightening things up at the back and, with Inglewood similarly impregnable, the next twenty minutes or so were played out between the boxes. It wasn’t until the 31st minute that the home defence was finally prised open, Paul Lloyd played in behind but Luke Martino was quick to negate the move. Eamon McNelis threatened soon after with a vicious shot on the run which was deflected off the boot for a corner. As half-time neared Dejan Aleksic came to the rescue at the other end with a couple of brilliant saves to keep out successive shots by Jukic and Daniel Thomson.

Cockburn returned to the field fired up only to have their best moves repelled by a backline under the command of Shaun Kilkelly and Craig Simpson. That began to change on the hour when Lloyd pulled wide of the target and, two minutes later, Antonio Naglieri nodded past the post. Rikki Smith’s terrific last gasp tackle on Jack Eades denied the attacker a clear shot on goal as Cockburn heaped pressure on their opponents. Inglewood was looking dangerous on the counterattack but solid work by Kieron Stallard and Euan Grant meant Aleksic had little to do. Conor Kavanagh was within inches of snatching a dramatic winner when his second to last minute strike from 16-metres rippled the top netting after substitute David Onoforo linked well in the lead-up with Lloyd.

11.5.2013

PRITCHARD TO THE RESCUE (with Kelechi Osunwa, Football West)

Floreat Athena’s climb up the Premier Division standings gained momentum with this afternoon’s 3-1 defeat of Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve. A late brace by captain Mark Pritchard secured all the points for the away team after Benny Kouakou’s first half opener was cancelled out soon after the interval by Olari Perlin. “Overall I didn’t think we played particularly well but our luck is changing,” said Floreat coach Chris Barbas. “We’ve got that fighting spirit, we never wanted to give up and that is the quality that we had last year that is coming on this year too.” Floreat’s second win in eight days moves them to within two points of the top four.

All the early running was with Balcatta who would have opened up a sizeable lead if not for a series of outstanding saves by Brad Eiffe. So it was against the run of play at the visitors went one-nil up after 23 minutes, Kouakou showing great composure in beating the last defender to slot into Alex Dunn’s net. Parity was restored eleven minutes into the second half with Perlin finally finding a way past Eiffe after Roberto Lujan stole the ball from Pritchard. Floreat regained the upper hand when Pritchard applied a tidy finish after being found by Ludovic Boi following an 87th minute counterattack. Pritchard made the game safe two minutes into stoppage time by tucking in a penalty awarded for a foul on substitute Adrian Caceres.

With the sounding of the final whistle Saul Contera, coach of Balcatta, found it hard to contain his frustration. “We’re not ruthless in front of goal and if you don’t take your chances you’re not going to win games,” said Contera, whose team came away empty handed despite enjoying the majority share of possession for the second week in a row. “We tried to go a little bit more attacking to try and win the game but we lost our defensive discipline and got punished with two good counter attacks”. Despite suffering back-to-back losses, Balcatta remain in fifth position but need to look back a month since last taking maximum points.

11.5.2013

BOLAND GETS PERTH THREE MUCH-NEEDED POINTS

A couple of first half goals by from Liam Boland laid the foundations for Perth SC’s 3-1 defeat of bottom-of-the-table Bunbury Forum Force at Dorrien Gardens. Boland netted twice in the opening half hour with English import Ayodeji Omoboye taking the difference to three goals before Chris Blackburn grabbed Bunbury’s solitary reply. “I’ve scored three goals in the last three games now and I could have had more today,” Boland told footballwest.com.au “I’m happy that we have got a win at home and hopefully we can build from here … the league is out of reach but we definitely want and need to finish in the top five, which is a minimum for this club.”

Perth were out of the block fast with Boland, Omoboye and Adam Luca all testing Ryan Montgomery. Their dominance was rewarded in the 19th minute when Luca’s searching ball allowed Boland to beat the offside and curl in from 11-metres. Boland doubled the hosts lead twelve minutes later, the striker punishing poor defending by lashing in from the edge of the 18-yard box. Perth continued to dictate terms when Omoboye outpaced the defence and slid the ball underneath the advancing ‘keeper that game looked to be over. But Blackburn gave the visitors a glimmer of hope in stoppage time with a low finish after being picked out by Jayden Prosser’s cross from the right.

With a goal to their name and urged on by new coach Matt Holland, Bunbury returned to the field focused on further reducing the difference. However, in order to do that they would have to prise open a well-organised backline that was in no mood to concede again. In wasn’t until the 73rd minute that the visitors fashioned a genuine opening via Prosser whose thumping left-footed effort fizzled just wide of the near post. Three minutes later substitute Aaron Brittain drew an instinctive save from Jason Saldaris, who somehow managed to deny his opponent what had seemed a certain goal at close-range. Boland had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick late on but Montgomery proved up to the task.

11.5.2013

BAYSWATER LEAVE IT LATE AGAINST DOMINANT NTC

The National Training Centre’s failure to convert chances into goals has resulted in a 4-2 loss to Premier Division leaders Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve. The development squad totally dominated the first half and had they had strapped on their scoring boots then the game could have been over at the break. “We should have been dead and buried at half-time,” Bayswater coach Chris Coyne told footballwest.com.au “The NTC acquitted themselves really well, they moved the ball around well and made it hard for us … it wasn’t a good day at the office for us (but) we’ll take the points.”

Bayswater settled the bettered but as the half progressed it was the NTC that took over. Storm Roux was twice denied the breakthrough goal by Devon Spence, who spectacularly touched both of the defender’s shots onto the woodwork. Darcy Cosgrove who should have done better than blaze high when sent through with only Spence to beat. Bayswater began to flicker and five minutes from the break Steve Burton side-footed in at the far post from Gustavo Catarcione’s delivery. The NTC kept coming and had it not been for a sensational double save by Spence then either Cosgrove or Roux would have brought the teams’ level.

It took the visiting side just eight second half minutes to achieve that objective, Sahr Musa netting from close-range after meeting Borbor Sambindi’s centre. Bayswater replied on 72 minutes, Brian Farrell and Gustavo Giron-Marulanda combining with the former finishing low past Jordan Franken. That lead last just seven minutes before substitute Ndumba Makeche found the back of the net after fending off Trent Kay. A curling Giron-Marulanda free-kick snuck inside Franken’s near post to put Bayswater back in front with seven minutes to go. The result was made safe in stoppage time when Kay firing in from a few metres after good work down the right by Patrick Quinn.

11.5.2013

FIVE FOR DIANELLA

A commanding second 45 minutes has gained joint Division One leaders Dianella White Eagles a resounding 5-1 defeat of UWA-Nedlands at Dianella Reserve. Finishes by Robbie Phelan, Michael Salsano, Abdul Sesay and a couple of own goals stretched Dianella’s winning start to the season to five games. There were few signs of the onslaught which was to come during an entertaining but even first half. The home side were first on the scoreboard when a defender deflected in the rebound from a Phelan shot which crashed into the upright. Kyle King restored parity by getting o the end of an Aaron Barnett pass and bettering goalkeeper Tom Dixon.

The second half was one-way thanks to the combined efforts of Thomas Gooding and Sean Browne. Phelan put Dianella back in front with an easy tap-in after Sesay opened up the defence with a driving run down the right. The pick of the goals arrived next, Salsano taming the ball just outside the 18-yard box before hitting an unstoppable half-volley into the bottom corner. The hosts fourth goal came via Sesay, who finished into the net after goalkeeper Duncan Elliott parried a Phelan shot. The game was close to an end when a UWA defender had the misfortune of turning into his own net after Salsano’s shot came back off the post.

11.5.2013

CANNING GRIND OUT WIN AT SWAN

Canning City kept pace at the top of Division One by out-shooting home side Swan United 2-0. Daniel Neiderberger and Paul Van Dongen had Canning in front by the break after which the black and whites piled on the pressure in search for a way back in. A positive start by the home team paid dividends when Neiderberger converted from the penalty spot after a defender was ruled to have handled Sam Carrello’s cross. Player-coach Van Dongen then doubled his team’s advantage by heading a pinpoint Josh Findlater cross past oncoming goalkeeper Simon Madaschi. The momentum shifted after the break but despite a enjoying the bulk of possession and creating some good openings, Swan were unable to find the goal they sought.

11.5.2013

THREE IN A ROW FOR MORLEY

Morley Windmills took maximum points for the third successive week by out-shooting Ashfield 2-1 in sunny conditions at Ashfield Reserve. Chris Bradley and Thierry Bernard found the net in the second half to move Morley into fifth position, much to the delight of coach Jason Van Rooy. “Compared to where we were last year to where we are this year, (the win) means everything. We are all about progressing, but at the same time we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves,” Van Rooy told footballwest.com.au “We knew if we could come in at half-time nil-all then we were right in this game (and) we had to make sure we took our chances.”

The game commenced at breakneck speed with both teams creating some promising openings. But the closest either would come to scoring in the first half was Alex Stamatiadis’ long-range strike which crashed into the crossbar. The all-important go-ahead goal arrived ten minutes after the turnaround when Bradley threaded past goalkeeper John Perkins to send Morley’s supporters into raptures. And when Bernard latched onto a loose ball and lashed into the top corner from distance the game looked to the over. However, that wasn’t a script Ashfield were reading from although Tom Kennedy found the net with three minutes to go it was too little too late.

11.5.2013

MANDURAH SCORE FIRST WIN

Despite the absence of five key players, Mandurah City returned home happy from Nash Field after carving out a 4-3 win over Western Knights. The home team may have had all the early play but it was at the Mandurah end that the opening goal arrived on the quarter hour, Craig Tone finishing with ease into the bottom corner following a sublime through ball by Monty Grigo. Just ten minutes passed before the visitors posted another goal with Grigo heading in from Robbie Hamm’s driven ball into the 18-yard box. The remainder of the half was dominated by Mandurah and just before half-time Matt Stares combined with Grigo to tee-up Tone whose angled strike went in via the woodwork.

The Knights stepped up the pace after the break and Brendan Craig put them back in the hunt by converting from the penalty spot after a handball decision went against Danny Dyson. Mandurah were now playing on the break and with 65 minute gone Grigo surged forward to release Liam Hurst, who made no mistake from 9-metres. Although stunned, the Knights refused to give up and eight minutes later an unmarked Johny Mirco rocketed into the top corner from 17-metres. And with five minutes remaining David Caine stole possession from Hamm and crossed for Craig to nod in at close-range. The closing stages were tense as the Knights sought to equalise only to be held out by a resilient Mandurah defence.

11.5.2013

WANNEROO CATCH ROCKINGHAM ON THE HOP

Wanneroo City breathed new life into their season by running rampant over Rockingham City 6-2 at Lark Hill Sportsplex. Guy McDonald scored twice alongside Chris Pugh, Danny Milne, Rowdy Yates and Josh Booysen to earn Wanneroo their first win in over a month. Veteran attacker Stuart Montgomery laid on the opening goal scored by delivering a free-kick into the 18-yard box where Pugh steered his header beyond the reach of goalkeeper Bobson Koroma. Milne double Wanneroo’s advantage with a tidy finish from 8-metres after the defence failed to deal with another ball in by Montgomery. Yates chipped over the advancing ‘keeper for goal number three, and not long before half-time McDonald fired through a crowded area and into the bottom corner to tighten Wanneroo’s hold on the game.

Danny Macklin gave Rockingham just the start they needed to the second half when he blasted into the bottom corner from 18-metres, punishing the opposition’s inability to properly clear from a corner. A crisp exchange of passes led to the restoration of Wanneroo’s four-goal buffer, David Calder, Montgomery and Yates combining for Booysen to head in at the back post. An enthusiastic display off the bench by teenager Ryan Haslett was rewarded with an opportunistic finish into the net for the hosts’ second goal. Rockingham then suffered a blow with a miss-timed tackle earning Darren Lawler a second yellow card and an early shower. McDonald had the final say soon after by heading in unmarked from 7-metres from a Montgomery cross after his initial run was halted by the defence.

11.5.2013

BYRNE HAS SHAMROCK IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

Gosnells City was given a lesson in finishing as Shamrock Rovers ran out 7-1 victors from their meeting at Walter Padbury Reserve. Three goals to Ciaran Byrne and a double from Alan O’Mahoney paved the way for an away victory on an afternoon when Paul Concannon and Will Pender also found the back of the net. The flow of goals commenced after only 2 minutes, O’Mahoney prodding in after goalkeeper Struan Herd had difficulty claiming a free-kick. Byrne opened his account on the quarter hour by tucking in on the end of a well-worked move. A tidy exchange of passes in the 38th minutes led to Ben Howe crossing for Sean Taylor to head in for Gosnells. Almost immediately Concannon returned fire with a curling shot for a three-one half-time lead.

When the teams returned to the park it was Gosnells that hungry for goals only to have their better moves countered by Shamrock’s rearguard. But the host’s hopes of a comeback were snuffed out on the hour by Byrne, who neatly slipped his second goal into the net after combining with Mark O’Brien and following a defensive slip-up. Pender added himself to the scoresheet in the 72nd minute with a crisp half-volley which deflected off a defender. Shamrock was now brimming with confidence and it came as no surprise when Byrne hooked the ball in to complete his hat-trick. A towering header by O’Mahoney put the icing on the cake in the final minute of regulation time.

11.5.2013

UNDERMANNED FREMANTLE EDGE OUT QUINNS (with Kalon Harrison, Football West)

Fletcher Tracy celebrate his first start of the season by scoring the deciding goal in Fremantle United’s 1-0 win over Quinns at Hilton Reserve. With nine players unavailable coach Jason Smith brought Tracy, who normally plays for Fremantle’s Metropolitan League Division One side, into his line-up to terrific effect. “Going off today’s performance he could be ready for the step up,” commented Smith, who was pleased with his players efforts in a tight game. “We missed those easy chances but the boys didn’t drop their heads, against a good Quinns side it’s a good result.”

First half chances were few and far between with Quinns fashioning the better. Brian Cairney was unable to redirect John McNeil’s cross to the near post into the net while Aaran Maplestone lifted high after a diagonal run through the defence. Fremantle were more involved after the turnaround and Sam Smith really should have hit the target from only a few metres in the 51st minute. That miss was forgotten fifteen minutes later when Andrew Ambrogio picked out the run of Tracy, who slotted across goalkeeper Anthony Cochrane. Substitute Josh Shtole had a glorious opportunity to seal the win on 77 minutes but Cochrane made the save in a one-on-one.

Quinns coach John Evans lamented his player’s inability to follow instructions. “First half we’ve done well defensively against the wind, in the second half I told the boys to keep it short but we kept playing the long ball. I said to keep playing to their strengths, and they didn’t,” said Evans, whose pre-match plans were thrown into disarray. “We had a disappointing phone call at quarter past two, one of our best players – Jake Benson-Cooper – phoned in and said he couldn’t turn up. I think that really disrupted us from the off, we had to change our plan and change the line-up.”

11.5.2013

FOUR-GOAL FIRST HALF GETS MADDINGTON THE POINTS

Maddington White City maintained a steady course at the top of Division Two by downing Kingsway Olympic 4-2 at Kingsway Reserve. The home side made a dream start with in-form striker Kevin White putting them one-nil up after 11 minutes. Tate Comley waited just a couple of minutes before punishing some poor defending by lashing into the roof of the net. Maddington edge in front shorlty after the quarter hour with Comley’s spectacular long-range strike dropping over goalkeeper Anthony Salpietro. Stevan Sibincic put away Maddington’s third goal after 25 minutes with Paolo Pacitti increasing their lead to three goals not long before the break.

After copping a roasting from coach Ian Cowan, Kingsway returned to the field determined to make amends. Some slick movement nine minutes in led to Josh Rolls being taken down inside the 18-yard box, up stepped White who made no mistake in reducing the deficit. The home side pressed on with White and Rolls getting a number of shots on target but every single time they were met by the safe hands of Peter Wile, who also came out on top of several one-on-ones. With ten minutes to go Danny Clapham put the result beyond doubt by sending the ball past Salpietro for the fifth and final time.

11.5.2013

RUBRUDGE STARS AS JOONDALUP HIT SIX

Joondalup City jumped back into the winners circle with a 6-1 thrashing of Forrestfield United at Iluka Sports Complex. The home team needed just 5 minutes to make their mark with Mark Thornton placing into the net after getting on the end of a cross by captain Danny Beattie. A good start soon got better thanks to some nice play through the middle by Alex Connor, whose through ball was converted by stand-in striker Jason Rubidge. Forrestfield pulled a goal back after 35 minutes when Abraham Cheng applied a tidy finish. Half-time was on the horizon when Thornton clipped over the defence for Rubidge, who skipped around the goalkeeper to angle in for a three-one lead.

The second half started much like the first, Danny Allen delivering an inviting cross which Thornton headed in from close-range in the 50th minute. Rubidge was able to do no wrong and when the opportunity came for his hat-trick he complied, heading in from 5-metres a centring ball by Connor. There was clearly no way back for Forrestfield but that wasn’t about to prevent their hosts from going in search of further goals. Connor capped a tireless display in the middle of the park by poking in from a few metres to punish some sloppy defending at a corner. The big win moves Joondalup up to fourth and provides the perfect preparation for next week’s clash with Division Two leaders Maddington White City.

11.5.2013

FIRST HALF ONSLAUGHT SETS UP MELVILLE VICTORY

There were smiles all round at Len Shearer Reserve after Melville City finally opened their season account with a 4-1 defeat of Subiaco AFC. Lucas Pickering, Sasa Slavujevic, debutant Ben Steele and an own goal all in the first half secured Melville their first win of the campaign, much to the delight of coach Danny Evans. “We were a constant threat going forward, especially in the first half when all the damage was done,” said Evans, who saw plenty of positives in his team’s performance. “We moved the ball around, seemed to have more composure and took our chances.” Despite picking up the win Melville remain rooted to the foot of Division Two but just three points adrift of fifth place.

Subiaco made a bright start with Ger Fitzgerald posting the opening goal, however, that was as good as it got for the home team. Steele provided the equaliser by curling an inviting ball to the far post where Pickering nodded past goalkeeper Tom Barrett. With the game in the balance Slavujveic outpaced the defence to calmly chip Barrett, who was beaten again when Steele finished at close-range following good work down the right by Pickering. The difference blew out to three goals not long out from half-time when Barrett fumbled a long Danny Brown throw into his net. Subiaco had their chances to get back in the game after the turnaround but were constantly denied by Elliot Duncan.