Mile Sterjovski put the Glory in front in first half stoppage-time, before Andreas Oliviera levelled for the Western Australia midway through the second half. But late strikes from Reece Vittiglia and Scott Neville gave the Glory the win.

In front of a big crowd, the Glory included Robbie Fowler, for his first start in the pre-season, but it was the WA State side that opened brightly, and from David Micevski’s cross on two minutes, Adrian Webster’s shot from 10-yards was well saved by Aleks Vrteski.

The Glory’s first opportunity came four minutes later, a quick free kick from Fowler sent Sterjovski clear, but his shot flashed wide of the post, and moments later the former Liverpool striker’s lob from the edge of the box was saved by keeper Cyril Sharrock.

It was a good tempo and both sides looked to gain the upper hand, and when Steve McGarry picked out Adriano Pellegrino his long-range shot was saved low by Sharrock.

Glory began to get on top and should have hit the front on the half hour. McGarry sent Sterjovski clear down the left, and his pinpoint cross picked out Fowler on the back post, but he headed wide from close-range.

Moments later Josh Risdon’s good run and cross from the right found Sterjovski on the back post, but the former Socceroos’ shot from six-yards was saved by Sharrock.

The WA state league side ended the half well and Webster sent Micevski clear on 39 minutes, but his shot from 10-yards flew high over the bar. Then sixty seconds later Micevski was the provider, the former Glory midfielder picked out Branimir Mikulic who headed wide.

It looked like it would be even at the break, but in stoppage-time the A-League side hit the front. Neville played in Pellegrino down the right, his cross found Sterjovski at the back post, who headed home from five-yards.

The Glory made four changes at the break, with Jamie Harnwell, Vrteski, Naum Sekulovksi and Fowler making way for Michael Baird, Andrija Jukic, Todd Howarth and Tando Velaphi.

There were chances at both ends at the start of the second half. First on 48 minutes Sterjovski found Jukic, whose first time shot was well saved low by Sharrock. Then two minutes later, a good run down the right by Mikulic ended with his shot saved low by Velaphi.

Glory upped the tempo, but with former Middlesbrough defender Jason Gavin in tremendous form for Western Australia, they were struggling to break the state league side down.

They did go close on the hour, when Neville’s cross from the right was volleyed by Sterjovski, and Sharrock showed great reactions to deny him, and the Armadale SC keeper made an even better save to deny him from the rebound.

Western Australia continued to battle and they were rewarded on 73 minutes, with the equaliser. A great through ball from WA skipper Andy Brown sent Oliveira clear. The Glory defenders looked for offside, but the flag stayed down, and although Velaphi saved the Perth SC striker’s first effort, he could do nothing about the second, Oliveira scoring from close-range.

With time ticking down both sides had chances to win it. First on 87 minutes Todd Howarth burst down the left, his cross found Baird, whose first time shot was superbly saved by second half substitute Phil Straker.

In the last minute the WA state side won a free kick, 20-yards from goal. Former Notts County defender Bobby Wilson’s powerful free kick was deflected off the wall and Velaphi was alert to save low to his left.

It looked like the honours would be even, but the Glory struck in the 92nd minute. A great run and through ball by 18-year-old Risdon, who was outstanding on the night, sent Vittiglia clear and the Glory youngster finished clinically past Straker from 12-yards.

The result was put beyond the WA state side sixty seconds later, when the Glory added a third. Neville was sent clear and he finished spectacularly past Straker from the edge of the box.

A great game in front of 3,121 spectators, and the medal for best on field went to Western Australia defender Jason Gavin, who was excellent all night

Teams

Western Australia – GK Cyril SHARROCK (Phil STRAKER 69’), 2 Danny CAIN (Johnny MIRCO 59’), Shane NUNES, 4 Jason GAVIN, 6 Bobby WILSON, 8 Andy BROWN, 12 Branimir MIKULIC, 14 David MICEVSKI (James ROBINSON 69’), 15 Antonio NAGLIERI (Andreas OLIVEIRA 59’), 16 Shane ROBINSON

Perth Glory – GK Aleks VRTESKI (Tando VELAPHI 46’), 2 Josh MITCHELL (Brent GRIFFITHS 69’), 3 Jamie COYNE, 5 Jamie HARNWELL (Michael BAIRD 46’), 9 Robbie FOWLER (Andrija JUKIC 46’), 12 Scott NEVILLE, 14 Steven MCGARRY, 16 Adriano PELLIGRINNO (Howard FONDYKE 62’), 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI (Todd HOWARTH 46’), 21 Mile STERJOVSKI (Reece VITTIGLIA77’), 25 Josh RISDON

Referee – Mathew Cheeseman

Assistants – Joe Fusari and Josh Mannella

Fourth Official – Josh Mihevc

Attendance – 3,121

Under 13’s Division One

Mandurah (3) vs. (1) East Fremantle

On a fine July day we entertained a determined East Fremantle side who we had battled with in the first round to come back from 4-1 down at half time to win 5-4 and it was evident that they were set on trying to turn the tides on that result. The game was definitely an even affair up until half time, with both sides having opportunities to get ahead and with a fine individual goal from Josh Mac and an equally good strike from the opposition we went into the break at 1-1.

The second half continued on with same intensity with solid tackles being put in by both teams, so intense that a player from each team received a yellow card from the referee. We were also treated to some light entertainment which was provided by the opposing coach…….a very colourful character indeed.

There were a few tense moments after Joe was unable to convert his penalty kick, however it was not long before we had another two goals on the score sheet, firstly with a scrappy goal mouth scramble eventually being put away by Joe and an expertly converted penalty kick from Michael.

Another fine display from the whole squad and in particular from John (in goals), Josh H and Tyler who between them shared the spoils in the Fairest and Best category, which is provided by randomly selected parents (ours and opposition), opposition coaching staff, referees, club members and spectators in general.

Mandurah City U13’s 1st Division team today was – Cohen Aitken, John Anderson, Jed Butterfield (v-captain), Aidan Clark, Tyler Dawson/Davies, Michael DeBellis (captain), Keegan Gillogly, Josh Hudson (v-captain), Josh Mackinder, Joe Obrien, James Oldfield, Kieran Turner and Brandon Weston.

Thanks go to Garry (Josh Mac’s dad) for running the line today…………we appreciate it Garry!

A special mention this week goes to Kirallee (Keegan’s mum) for picking up one of our players who was unable to get there …………thankyou Kirallee!

Final score Mandurah City (3) Vs (1) East Fremantle.

Coach – Tony Butterfield.

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25th July 2010
Don’t you just love early kick off away games?

Victory again for Mandurah today in what was probably our most physical game of the season. The first half, as witnessed so many times this season, was a quiet affair, with Mandurah’s sluggish start failing to trouble the Sutherlands defence at all. The biggest noise of the half came from the Sutherlands parents, somewhat annoyed at a Tyler challenge which, on another day, would have been judged fair and legal. Today, though, must have been Football West’s official “Blow your whistle for everything” day, as no challenge went unpunished.(The eventual winner of loudest “OOOOOOOOOHHHHH !!!” came in the 2nd half with a blatant elbow/Aussie- no Rules challenge on Haydon -  or was it Flynn ?). Credit to the opposition supporters, who turned out to be one of the better behaved teams we’ve witnessed, giving good words of encouragement to their team, and plenty of compliments to ours.

Boycey once again pulled off a couple of fine saves to keep us in it, receiving applause from both sides. The last part of the half saw some Mandurah pressure at last, with a few short corners forcing the keeper into fumbling several times. After a trade mark long shot from Mitch, the keeper failed to clear, and up popped Joe to score a great poachers goal.

The 2nd half kicked off, with Sutherlands deciding that pushing and pulling was the way to go. However, as expected, the ref was having none of it. A Mandurah disallowed goal for off-side seemed to spur the team on, and despite copping shirt tugging, pulling and kicking galore, Tom managed to score. Unfortunately, the ref blew a fraction of a second earlier for one of the challenges on him, and the keeper had to pick the ball from the net and put it on the penalty spot. Up stepped Sean and well, let’s move on!! Well done to Sean for not giving up, and creating chances straight away. The next corner was floated perfectly, and he astutely stooped to head the ball for 2 – nil and player of the day.

Another great performance, (eventually),by everyone today. The reliable back line joined by Tyler and Matthew, played as they were asked, giving us that extra edge and a clean sheet. Flynn also showed some great skill in setting up several chances. Keep it up chaps and we’ll soon be top of the league.

Today’s team:     Liam Boyce; Tyler Archibald; Haydon Munday; Danny Fretwell; Corey Marriner; Matthew Traub; Tom Murdoch; Jack Wild; Sean Malone; Flynn Prall; Robert Button; Joe Rimmer; Mitchell Simmons.

Sorrento F.C (5) v (3) Mandurah City F.C

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE BY MANDURAH AGAINST POWERFUL OPPOSITION

As we meet our opponents for the second time this season, the games from now on really are a measure of how our team has improved. And improved they have, and if not for a couple of basic defensive errors, missed chances, injuries and not having any substitutes, a win could have been achieved today against the powerful Sorrento side.

The boys started well today, passing and moving better all over the pitch. We were having all the possession and dominating the game. Within five minutes we went a goal up as Luis scored after receiving an excellent ball from the midfield. After the ten minute mark, the Sorrento coach made some substitutions and played his biggest players up front. One of which was a clear ft taller than Tom, who is our biggest player.

Immediately our defence struggled with the extra pace and strength of their opponents and it wasn’t long before Sorrento found the equaliser. Then we went behind as one of our defenders had a lapse in concentration and played the Sorrento striker on side. It was the type of basic mistake that we just cannot afford to make and expect to win a game. We were still creating chances at the other end and should have scored a couple of more goals, but poor finishing let us down.

Sorrento were now starting to dominate and scored from an uncontested header from a ball crossed in from the right flank. Soon afterwards we conceded again, when on the break, the 6ft + Sorrento striker broke through our defence and scored once more.

So the whistle blew for half time and we went into the break at 4-1 down. I told the boys that if they had taken their chances, and had not made the two basic errors in defence, that they would have been winning the game and not losing it. Some positional changes were made and the boys were told to get back into the game.

Our boys started the second half well and were passing and keeping the ball well. Callum raised his intensity and was having a good game in the centre of the midfield. And it wasn’t long before the boys were soon rewarded for their hard work as Luis scored his second goal for the day, cutting in from the right side of the box, and putting the ball past the Sorrento keeper.

One more goal from us would have made things interesting, but again we were out paced and Sorrento got their fifth for the day. The Sorrento defence seemed to tire a little and Saber was put up front. As always his tempo never drops during a game and soon afterwards he out ran the Sorrento defenders on the break, and slotted his shot to make the score a more respectable 5-3. To the boys credit they pushed on and in the last ten minutes, worked hard and looked for another goal. Finally the whistle blew and the game came to an end.

Without Sam today, Dan picking up an injury, a sick under par Michael and not having any subs towards the end of the game, the boys did play well today, especially in the second half. Player of the match today goes to Callum. He played with good intensity and had some good possession. Giulio and Luis also played well today.

Report by Coach: Ryan

Sunday 25 July 2010

(full time) Floreat Athena 6 v 0 Armadale .

Saturday 24 July 2010

Stirling Lions 4 (OG 24, Ingram 27, Marcinko 31, Muirhead 42) Swan United 0.

Reserves

Perth SC 1 ECU Joondalup 1 (ECU won on penalties).

Under 18’s

Perth SC 3 Bunbury Forum Force 1.

Division 1 (full time)

Wanneroo City 3 Morley-Windmills 2; Queens Park 1 (Chikombe 25) Bunbury Forum Force 11 (Binnie 3, 55, Prosser 10, 67, Quinn 44, 51, 71, Stewart 70, 75, 83, 85); Gosnells City 2 (Francis 7, Pomfret 81) Bayswater City 4 (Murulanda 6, 65, Diamondstar 84, Andres 86); Ashfield 2 (OG 57, Montorosso 81) Fremantle Spirit 0; Canning City 2 (Onyuku 16, Murgia 86) Forrestfield United 2 (Anderson 23, Burns 60); Dianella White Eagles 2 (Bogunovic 20, 66, Jelen 91) Rockingham City 0.

Reserves

Wanneroo City 7 Morley-Windmills 3; Queens Park 1 Bunbury Forum Force 9; Gosnells City 2 Bayswater City 5; Ashfield 0 Fremantle Spirit 3; Canning City 2 Forrestfield United 2; Dianella White Eagles 9 Rockingham City 0.

Under 18’s

Wanneroo City 2 Morley-Windmills 1; Gosnells City 3 Bayswater City 3; Canning City 0 Forrestfield United 3; Dianella White Eagles 3 Rockingham City 3.

All the damage was done in the first half, with the Lions racing to a four goal lead. An own goal by United keeper Cory Hugo, and further goals from Tom Ingram, Mario Marcinko and super free kick from Scott Muirhead earned the APB Premier Division leaders a spot in the final on the 22nd August.

Both sides were forced into changes for the game, with the host losing Michael Pugliese and Shane Robinson to suspension from the side that drew 2-2 at Sorrento last week; Paul Dickson and Matt Stares replaced them. United lost Brendan Craig, from the side that beat ECU Joondalup last week, with an ankle injury, his spot in the side went to Morgan Dendle.

The visitors opened brightly and went close on seven minutes. James Sammut’s cross from the left found Brendan Knox whose goal bound shot was well blocked by Jason Gavin.

Lions' Scott Muirhead scores from a freekick

United suffered a massive blow moments later when influential defender Michael van Dongen limped off and was replaced by Chris Marshall.

The Lions began to take control and they should have hit the front on 12 minutes. A pinpoint cross from Dickson found the unmarked Ludovic Boi, but his header from five-yards was straight at Cory Hugo. Moments later Ingram tried his luck from the edge of the box, but his curling shot flashed just wide.

United, who are fighting in the relegation places in the APB Premier Division, went close to the opener on 18 minutes, Sammut’s corner from the right was headed inches over by David McNally.

With the game in the balance the Lions hit the front in controversial circumstances on 24 minutes. Muirhead’s cross from the right was claimed by Hugo, but the keeper lost his balance and fell back in the goal. He looked to have pushed the ball away before it crossed the line, but the referee’s assistant Joe Fusari was well placed and the goal stood, much to the displeasure of the United players.

This seemed to rattle the visitors and three minutes later it was 2-0. Bobby Wilson picked out Ingram on the left, he outpaced Dendle before firing past Hugo from eight-yards.

It got worse for Jamie Goodman’s side, when four minutes later it was 3-0. A great through ball from Ingram sent Marcinko clear, and the former Perth Glory Youth striker outpaced United defender McNally before lobbing Hugo from 10-yards.

The home side continued to press and Phil Arnold headed wide from Ingram’s cross on 38 minutes, and Marcinko fired inches over after Boi’s through ball, but they were rewarded on 42 minutes with a fourth.

A free kick was awarded on the edge of the box after Robert Monterosso brought down Ingram. Up stepped Muirhead and curled the ball around the wall and into the net, to give the Lions a 4-0 lead at the break, much to the delight of the big crowd at Macedonia Park.

Mario Marcinko battles Swans David McNally

After the break United received a lifeline, when on 55 minutes they were awarded a penalty by referee Steve Gregory. Sammut’s through ball sent Tommy Shepheard clear, and he was bundled down by keeper James Turvill. Trent Wood stepped up but Turvill guessed correctly to save. It was the fourth penalty United had missed in the last three games.

It wasn’t the visitors’ day, and they were soon in trouble again, when second half substitute Ndumba Makeche sped clear of the United defence and played in Ingram, whose shot was superbly saved low by Hugo.

The result was in the bag for the Lions, but both sides went close as the game opened up. First on 65 minutes United’s second half substitutes combined, when Christian Lopez found Liam Boland on the left, his first time shot whistled just wide.

Then on 78 minutes, Muirhead’s corner from the left found Arnold, the Lions striker headed over from close-range, and moments later Boi’s long-range shot was saved low by Hugo.

It was the home side that ended the better, with Paul Lincoln showing no mercy on his former club. First 83 minutes, a great run by Stef Frost saw him waltz past three United players before picking out Arnold, whose shot was well blocked by Hugo.

Then Arnold was the provider five minutes later, he found Makeche, whose shot from eight-yards was saved low by Hugo.

It was an emphatic victory to the Lions, and Coach Paul Lincoln was happy with the win. “We started a little bit slow today, but once we got the first goal we got the momentum and won the game pretty comfortably,” Lincoln said.

“I was a bit disappointed in Swan today, but I think they’ve got their minds on other things in the league at the moment.”

United Coach Jamie Goodman was extremely disappointed with his side’s performance. “We had a couple of chances in the first ten minutes, but didn’t take them,” Goodman said.

“I’d like to see the replay on the first goal, which turned the game. It looked like Cory had cleared the ball, but after that we lacked a bit of tempo and composure and we got what we deserved today,” Goodman said.

In other semi-final games on the day, Perth SC under 18’s beat Bunbury Forum Force 18’s 3-1, with goals from Chris Rizidis 2, and Gene Magri.

In the 23’s semi-final, ECU Joondalup beat Perth SC 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 at full time. Max Pope had given ECU Joondalup the lead in the first half, before substitute Chris Rizidis equalised in the second half. It went to penalties where ECU keeper Andy Banks was the hero, saving the last two penalties to send them into the final.

State League Cup – Semi-Final

Saturday 24th July 2010

Stirling Lions 4 ((Hugo OG 24’, Ingram 27’, Marcinko 31’, Muirhead 42’)

Swan United 0.

@Macedonia Park

Referee – Steven Gregory

Assistants – Joe Fusari and Michal Jasinski

Fourth Official – Paul Anderson

Attendance – 300

STIRLING LIONS: GK James TURVILL, 3 Scott MUIRHEAD, 4 Jason GAVIN, 6 Paul DICKSON (12 Dennis GALAN 74’), 7 Tom INGRAM (15 Adriano D’ADAMO 82’), 8 Bobby WILSON, 9 Mario MARCINKO (17 Ndumba MAKECHE 58’), 10 Ludovic BOI, 11 Stef FROST, 14 Phil ARNOLD, 16 Matt STARES

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Kevin MILLER, 2 Dave HUNT

Yellow Card – Nil

SWAN UNITED: GK Cory HUGO, 3 Trent WOOD, 8 Michael VAN DONGEN (2 Chris MARSHAL 7’)L, 10 David PERICH, 11 James SAMMUT 12 Brendan KNOX, 15 David McNALLY, 16 Darragh KINNEVEY (18 Christian LOPEZ 61’), 19 Thomas SHEPHEARD (17 Liam BOLAND 61’), 22 Morgan DENDLE, 24 Robert MONTEROSSO

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Daniel AGUDELO, 13 Michael TRONCHIN

Yellow Cards – Monterosso 73’

New striker Michael Baird bagged a double in the last five minutes and it was enough to give victory to David Mitchell’s side.

Serbian striker Branko Jelic got on the score sheet in the first half before Sergi van Dijk scored a stunning equaliser midway through the second half.

The visitors dominated much of the first half playing the ball out of defence well, and former Reds midfielder Adriano Pellegrino was excellent in the middle of the park, and on the quarter hour they hit the front. Baird robbed Daniel Mullen wide on the left, with the right back caught in possession.

Baird cut inside before squaring the ball to team-mate Jelic who coolly turned in the cross past trialling Japanese keeper Takumi Takahashi from six-yards.

Van Dijk looked lively for the Reds, but he squandered their best chance on 25 minutes. The Reds took a free kick quickly and Lucas Pantelis chipped in a cross for van Dijk who miss hit his volley, and Tando Velaphi tipped the ball over the bar, in his only piece of action for the first half.

New Adelaide Coach Rini Coolen was watching his charges in action for the first time, and he brought on new signing Iain Ramsay at half time, and the ex-Sydney winger added pace to their forward line, but Perth continued to look comfortable in the second half, with Jamie Harnwell solid in defence for the Glory, keeping van Dijk in check.

Marcos Flores sliced open Perth’s defence with 20 minutes remaining dinking a lovely ball over the top for Pantelis to run on to and the midfielder whipped in a cross for Ramsay, but he blazed wide from six-yards

Four minutes later, the home side levelled through Van Dijk. The Dutch-born striker’s 25-yard strike gave Velaphi no chance in the Glory goal.

Perth, who had dominated the game for greater period, regained the lead in the 85th minute courtesy of a sweet finish from Baird.

The striker latched onto a delightful through ball from substitute Josh Risdon and fired home into the bottom corner of Takahashi’s goal.

The trialling Japanese keeper had enjoyed an impressive first outing for the Reds, but he conceded a soft third goal right at the death. Baird’s second should have been routine save for the keeper but he let it slip under his body.

The Glory were missing star import Robbie Fowler and Andy Todd, while United were without many of their regular first eleven including Matthew Leckie, who along with reserve keeper Mark Birighitti were away on international duty.

Eugene Galekovic is also sidelined after undergoing minor knee surgery while Travis Dodd isn’t expected to return for at least another month after groin surgery.

They overcame Balcatta in the last round, and will go into the game as strong favourites. Phil Arnold scored the winning spot kick in the cup final, and he has formed a good partnership with Mario Marcinko and they will have to be watched closely by the United defence. Influential midfielder Shane Robinson will miss the game due to suspension, along with defender Michael Pugliese, but Lions coach Paul Lincoln, who left United earlier in the season, will hope Paul Dickson will be available for selection after missing the 2-2 draw against Sorrento last week. “I think the game will be tight as Swan have been playing well, we go in as favourites but as we all know cup games are on the day. I’m well aware of Swans history in Cup games so we know the game will be a real contest,” Lincoln said.

“The Cup is an opportunity to win a trophy and although we don’t get three points on the day we are one game away from a Grand Final. The only pressure is that we are expected to win. We have set some high expectations this season and one of those is winning the Cup.”

United beat first division leaders Bunbury Forum Force in the quarter finals, and with midfielders Darragh Kinnevey and James Sammut performing well, United head into the game in good form, after drawing with Floreat Athena and beating ECU Joondalup in recent weeks. Brendan Craig is in doubt with an ankle injury, while Stuart Long and Alan O’Mahoney are both cup tied, but they do regain the services of teenage striker Liam Boland, who comes up against his former club.

Swans Coach Jamie Goodman is looking forward to the challenge, and coaching against his mate Linc’s. “The boys are looking forward to the clash against Stirling and will rightly be considered underdogs. We are playing a Stirling side that are top of the league and the game is now on their home ground, and we’re playing against a Swans former coach, so it will provide plenty of motivation for us. We have pushed the Lions twice this year and are coming of a great win at ECU. I am quietly confident that we can cause a massive upset, as we have nothing to lose,” Goodman said.

“This game is an opportunity for the guys to play with a lot more freedom and express themselves. We have been playing well and it is good for our guys to keep playing. We are one win away from a cup final and we would love to get there.”

Current holders of the cup, Floreat, beat Sorrento in the quarter finals, but are coming off a loss to the Reds in the league last week. Branimir Mikulic has been on fire in front of goal and currently leads the goal scoring table, and his partnership with Johnny Mirco will be vital for the home side. At the back, Jovo Pavlovic returns from suspension and he will form a tight unit with Julian Madaschi and Ante Kovacivic.

Assistant Coach Taki Nicolaidis will look for an improvement from his side this week. “Armadale’s form has been good recently and come into the game full of confidence after beating us last week. With a grand final at stake I have every confidence that our boys will be up for the challenge in what I expect will be a very tough game,” Nicolaidis said

“I don’t feel there is any pressure on us as cup holders however with both teams one step away from a grand final neither team can afford an off day.”

In team news John Migas will be missing due to a family wedding, while Paul Vatitsas will still be missing with a chest infection.

Armadale beat the odds in the quarter finals, beating Cockburn City 3-2, after coming from 0-1 down in the first half with ten men, and are on a good run of form, including the win against Floreat in the league last week. Strikers James Robinson and Matt Barlow are causing defence’s problems and they have had great service from midfielders Tom Robinson, Lewis Flatt and Marlon Ramirez.

Reds Coach Brad Hassell’s knows it will be a tough game. “After beating them last week it’s going to be tough to do it again. What we’ve found each time we’ve played the same team twice in two weeks is that if you win the first game you lose the 2nd. It comes down to how strong players and teams are mentally prepared, can we step up again knowing that they are going to come at us from the very first whistle, while have to wait and see. We won’t feel the pressure as we are the underdogs in this game, and win or lose it has been good to get this far, a first for our great club,” Hassel said.

In team news John Watson is doubtful, after limping off against Perth Glory, while Steve Porter will have a late fitness test.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed his stint in the state league so far, and is looking forward to the rest of the season in Perth. “The club have been great to me and made me feel really welcome. I’m living with club secretary Kerry Slater, which I’m real grateful for, and he has really helped me settle in really easily since I arrived,” Aspden said.

A phone call from a former coach was the first Aspden knew of the move down under but he’s glad to be here. “I was at Hull City for four years as an apprentice and a professional, and an old coach that I’ve kept in contact with rang me and said that Trevor Morgan was looking for a goalkeeper in Perth, and obviously I was never going to turn the opportunity down,” Aspden said.

The Gulls had been on a three game losing streak; before a hard fought 2-2 draw against league leaders Stirling Lions last week, which Aspden said showed the character in the side. “To be honest we only have a small squad at the club, and a couple of injuries and one or two suspensions really set us back. But with a full team on Saturday we fancy our chances against anybody, and I thought we dug in well right to the end. They were a good team and deservedly are at the top but we as a team are not far behind as you could tell from our performance,” Aspden explained.

Aspden has been a professional footballer over in the UK for a number of years and he has enjoyed every minute. “I was signed by Hull City as an apprentice and then signed a two year professional contract. After that I was sold to Farsley Celtic, in the conference in England, were I spent 18 months before moving to Northwich Victoria. My highlight would be beating Charlton Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup in 2009, for Northwich, which was screened live on TV and made the club a lot of money, the Victoria Stadium was packed,” Aspden said.