Under 13’s Division One

Mandurah City (4) vs. (0) Bunbury Forum Force

Mandurah City Football Clubs U13′s Division One team made sure today that they had acres between themselves and whoever ends up in second place. After sealing the League Title last week and assuring automatic promotion to the Premier League for next seasons under 14’s squad, they were clinical and composed in their demolition of a Bunbury team who had improved dramatically according to their second half season scores. This form accounted for nothing when the ‘champions’ went on another rampage of excellent team play, showing the large crowd their ability and skills.

We had our regulatory horrendous ‘how the goodness did he not score’ misses right in front of goals as always, but by mid first half we were on the scoreboard and playing some very good triangles throughout the park. The boys were well in control for the whole game and easily ran out winners on the day, which was punctuated by goals from Cohen, Josh Mac and of course Joe who popped up with another two conversions. It was another fine team performance to finish off the final league fixture and the day was completed by a free sausage sizzle and drink for our Bunbury guests and all theirs and our spectators too.

It turned out to be a fitting follow up from the previous day’s wonderful wind up celebrations, where a season of hard work was rewarded for the following players in particular.

Joe Obrien and Jed Butterfield tied for the ‘Fairest and Best’ award, way out in front of any other players as was chosen by independent selectors.

Joe Obrien was the unanimous choice for ‘Players Player’.

James Oldfield was the recipient of the ‘Coaches Award’.

Sunday 29th August 2010

Report by Langley Britchford

MANDURAH BROUGHT BACK DOWN TO EARTH WITH A BUMP

Mandurah’s magnificent display at Perth Saints on Tuesday night seemed a long time ago as Inglewood flexed their muscles and showed why they will be crowned league champions for 2010, serving a mighty warning of what could be in store in the Master’s Cup Final.

A weakened Mandurah side could not have imagined the beating they were about to cop as they warmed up before the game. Missing the midfield dynamo Beanie, the rock solid Sicknote, and the influential Rusty, not to mention the suspended gobby scouser, Mandurah were further weakened by the tinkerman. The Duck was moved to centre back, with the Barber and Jack Russell up front. Thankfully Haggis had offered to help out, and was Mandurah’s only replacement.

Mandurah WAGs in attendance were Cherrie, Nat, and “My Mitchell” Anne.

Inglewood started the game well, playing a high pressure game and using the ball intelligently when they won possession. Carl and Bobby were leading the front line well, and Trim was making his customary surging runs. Indeed, he could have scored a first half hat-trick but for his poor finishing, prompting calls from the Despot of “you couldn’t score in a Bovril” (or something like that).

Despite Inglewood’s midfield dominance in Beanie’s absence, Mandurah were holding on with a combination of tough tackling and Inglewood’s poor finishing. But when Bobby the Despot struck a tame shot from 20 yards, it looked like he may have bribed Turtle with promises of free goalkeeping gear from Bobby10 Football World as Turtle inexplicably let the ball slip through his normally Teflon grip. A gift of a goal that reeked of the Pakistan cricket team scandal!

A rare Mandurah attack led to a rather fortunate equaliser, when Steptoe spooned the ball in to the net to dumbfound Ronnie, and they were back in the hunt.

With the game finely balanced, Haggis came on up front to replace Jack Russell up front. With Mandurah struggling in central midfield it was decided that One Liner would be better employed in a central position, leaving Mandurah toothless on the left.

However, soon after the equaliser, a through ball down the centre was missed by Duck and Carl accepted the second gift of a goal with aplomb.

Before Mandurah could get their breath back, Inglewood scored two more through poor defending and the half ended 4-1.

Rhino yet again limped off, on this occasion at half time, so with nothing to lose but pride they switched to 3 at the back, 5 in midfield, and 2 up front.

With the confidence of 4 first half goals, Inglewood continued to press and scored a further three goals as Mandurah wilted. The game on Tuesday plus the injuries could not have helped. Inglewood’s sixth goal was obviously offside, and Rusty the linesman duly flagged, but the Inglewood player partisan ref chose to ignore the flag despite being far from the play.

Nicky Dyer showed his true colours, making himself as popular as ever by taunting “you can’t cheat here Mandurah” despite the fact that the blatant cheating was being done by Inglewood’s ref. Bobby the Despot summed him up beautifully when he shouted “Dyer, you are a useless fat ‘person’”. Nuff said.

Final Score: Inglewood 7, MCFC 1.

The true spirit and camaraderie of Mandurah players was shown after the game when they stopped at The Queens for a great laugh and some cold crownies.

The equation was simple for Stirling Lions, they needed three points to take the Minor Premiership.

As the match headed into injury-time, the scores were locked at 1-1 and when David Micevski set up Stuart Montgomery to finish from close range, the title looked like it was sealed for the Knights.

But the drama was far from over as Boi scored a contender for the PerthNow Goal of the Season just a minute later to level the scores and give the Stirling faithful some hope yet.

The last play of the day saw Lions defender Scott Muirhead shoot powerfully from the edge of the box, but Knights goalkeeper Frazer Siddall made a last-ditch save to deny Stirling top spot.

The first half was fairly quiet with chances few and far between.

David Price registered the first clear-cut chance 20 minutes into the title-deciding match, after he pinched the ball and went on a fantastic run inside the box to position himself in front of the target, but his shot was blasted well over the crossbar.

At the other end, Mario Marcinko let a golden opportunity to grab the opener slip as he also shot way off the mark.

Both teams were also failing to capitalise on any half chances and the frustration was evident when Knights striker Anthony Campbell greedily shot from a near-impossible angle, when he should have passed to a well positioned Daniel Micevski.

The latter was also involved in a great chance of the cusp of half time for the Knights, when his fantastic back heel to Montgomery was let down after the striker shot just wide of the goal.

Stirling and the Knights headed into the change rooms at half time with the scores deadlocked at 0-0 and both came out firing in the second stanza.

A great Price ball to Montgomery was let down after the striker fluffed his shot early in the second half, in what was a fantastic chance to grab the opener.

As the Lions rallied hard at the other end of the field, their persistence paid off when a well-placed Shane Robinson corner was perfectly delivered for Stef Frost, who somehow missed his attempted header which surely would have been a goal had he made contact.

The packed grandstand then erupted when Boi’s great trickery bamboozled the Knights defence and then the Lions livewire fed Marcinko through on goal who calmly finished past Siddall to grab the much-needed opener.

The Stirling players and fans alike were already thinking of holding the Minor Premiership plate at the restart and Price made them pay when he scored under a minute later after working his way past the lacklustre Lions defence and slot past James Turvill.

After regrouping, the Lions continued to press in the final 20 minutes and had several chances to retake the lead, but they were continually denied by the outstanding Siddall.

Montgomery’s side-foot finish in the 91st minute seemed to win it for Western Knights before Boi’s 30-yard strike with the outside of his boot just a minute later landed in the top corner of the net.

But it wasn’t enough as the Knights withheld Stirling’s late pressure to hold onto the draw and win the Minor Premiership with a two-point gap over their opponents.

The Stirling Reserves won 3-2 while the 18′s finished the year in style with a 5-1 win.

Western Knights will now enjoy a week’s break as reward for finishing top for the second successive year and Stirling Lions will host Perth SC next Saturday afternoon at Macedonia Park kick off 2pm.

Report by Chris Correia

Scoring Summary

Stirling Lions 2 Western Knights 2

Marcinko 69′ Price 70′

Boi 90+2′ Montgomery 90+1′

Match Information

Date: Saturday September 4

Ground: Macedonia Park

Attendance: 800

Match Time: 3pm

Official: Michael Tolmie

Yellow Cards

Nil Nil

Red Cards

Nil Nil

Mile Sterjovski had given the Glory the lead in the 5th minute, and Fowler doubled their advantage on the hour, and although Ben Sigmund pulled one back for the visitors the Glory hung on to move level on points and goal difference with Adelaide at the top of the table.

Both sides made two changes to their starting line up from last week, the home side brought back Jamie Harnwell and Sterjovski, to replace the injured Josh Mitchell and Brank Jelic, who dropped to the bench. The Phoenix brought in Brazilian midfielder Daniel and Troy Hearfield, to replace Manny Muscat, who was international duty with Malta, and Leo Bertos, who dropped to the bench, meaning new midfielder Nick Ward also had to settle for a spot on the bench.

It was a great start for the Glory and they were ahead on five minutes. Steven McGarry won the ball in the middle of the park and found Fowler. The former Liverpool striker picked out Todd Howarth on the left and he crossed to Sterjovski who fired home from 6-yards.

Perth Glory's Adriano Pellegrino

Glory continued to press and had the ball in the net again on nine minutes, Naum Sekulovski’s shot deflected off Howarth, and Scott Neville received the ball and fired home, but the flag was up for offside.

Wellington’s best effort came on 17 minutes. Vince Lia and Dylan MaCallister combined down the left, the later’s cross was punched clear by Tando Velaphi, but only as far as Paul Ifill, whose first time shot was cleared off the line by the alert Sekulovski.

Both sides went close as the game opened up. First on 29 minutes Ifill’s long-range shot deflected off Jacob Burns and the ball fell to Chris Greenacre, but Velaphi was out quick to save at the striker’s feet. Three minutes later Sterjovski and Fowler combined to find Adriano Pellegrino, and his lob from the edge of the box drifted inches past the far post.

The home side ended the half the better and on 40 minutes Mark Paston was alert to push Sterjovski’s shot around the post from 18-yards, and the keeper did better four minutes later stopping Jacob Burns’ thunderbolt, as the Glory looked to add a second before the break.

Then in first half stoppage-time Pellegrino cross found Fowler in the six-yard box, but his header drifted wide and it was 1-0 at the break to the Glory.

Ricki Herbert made a change at the break bringing on new signing Nick Ward for his debut for the Phoenix, but it was still the Glory who were dictating terms and they doubled their lead just after the hour. Howarth ball over the top of a flat Phoenix back line sent Sterjovski clear down the left. The former Socceroos midfielder’s inch perfect cross found Fowler in the penalty area and he headed home from 6-yards, much to the delighted of the Glory faithful.

Former Glory midfielder Bertos replaced Daniel on 67 minutes and he had an immediate impact, causing problems down the flanks, and after he won a corner on the left on 72 minutes the Phoenix pulled one back. Ifill’s corner picked out Sigmund at the back post, and he rose above Harnwell to head home powerfully from 6-yards.

It was game on, but the home side wasted a golden opportunity to regain their two goal cushion on 75 minutes, when Anthony Skorich, who had replaced Fowler, was sent clear by Sterjovski. But with only Paston to beat the youngster’s lob drifted inches wide of the far post.

Perth Glory's Jacob Burns

The visitors were convinced they should have had a penalty on 79 minutes when Greenache’s cross seemed to hit McGarry on the arm, but the referee waved away their protests.

It was end-to-end as the game entered the last five minutes and when Pellegrino found Howarth on the left, there looked little danger, but Howarth cut inside and his shot from the edge of the box was superbly saved by Paston.

Moments later it was Wellington’s turn to go close. Bertos again was the supply, his cross from the left found Greenache, whose first time shot was well saved by Velaphi, and Sekulovksi cleared the rebound.

The crowd of 10,844 were calling for the final whistle and after three minutes of stoppage-time referee Ben Williams brought the game to an end and The Glory continued their unbeaten start to the season and Coach David Mitchell was happy with the win. “We made it hard for ourselves I think,” admitted Mitchell after the game.

“We created quite a few chances, but we didn’t capitalise on them and Wellington always had a lot of threat in their side and as soon as they got the goal back it was like, sit on your seat and hold on because they threw a lot of balls into the box and they could have bounced anywhere.”

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert felt a couple of poor moments let his side down. “We probably had a lot more of the ball today than we’ve ever had in Perth,” Herbert said.

“We had some chances but we coughed up a couple of silly mistakes and (were) not tight enough in a couple of areas, but I thought possession wise, we were kind of better on the road than probably what we have been for a wee while.”

Hyundai A-League Round 5

Perth Glory 2-1 Wellington Phoenix 1

Sunday, 5 September nib Stadium, Perth

Local kick-off: 3.00pm (5.00pm AEST)

Referee: Ben Williams

Attendance: 10,844

Perth Glory: GK Tando VELAPHI, 3 Jamie COYNE, 5 Jamie HARNWELL (4 Andy TODD 87’), 7 Jacob BURNS (C), 9 Robbie FOWLER (22 Anthony SKORICH 76’), 12 Scott NEVILLE, 14 Steven McGARRY, 16 Adriano PELLEGRINO (11 Branko JELIC 88’), 17 Todd HOWARTH, 19 Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21 Mile STERJOVSKI

Substitutes not used: RGK Aleks VRTESKI,

Yellow Cards: Sterjovski 25’

Wellington Phoenix: GK Mark PASTON, 3 Tony LOCHHEAD, 6 Tim BROWN (14 Mirjan PAVLOVIC 46’), 8 Paul IFILL, 9 Chris GREENACRE, 11 DANIEL (7 Leo BERTOS 67’), 13 Troy HEARFIELD, 17 Vince LIA, 18 Ben SIGMUND, 22 Andrew DURANTE (c), 23 Dylan MACALLISTER (4 Nick WARD 46’)

Substitutes not used: RGK Danny VUKOVIC

Yellow Cards: Daniel 45’, Sigmund 80’, Hearfield 81’

Mitchell opted to make two changes from the side that drew at Melbourne Heart last time out, Jamie Harnwell and Sterjovski returning at the expense of Josh Mitchell and Branko Jelic respectively, with Andy Todd making a welcome first appearance of the campaign on the bench.

“We made it hard for ourselves because we created enough chances but didn’t capitalise on them.

“Credit to Wellington, they through everyone up front and got an equaliser from a corner which made it a tight finish,” Glory coach Dave Mitchell said.

As so often this season, Glory were swiftly into their stride and within five minutes found themselves a goal to the good. Steve McGarry showed great tenacity to regain possession on the edge of his own box before picking out Robbie Fowler on the half-way line. The former Liverpool legend promptly brought his touch of class to bear, lofting a sublime, defence-splitting pass into the path of the onrushing Todd Howarth who calmly drew Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston before squaring unselfishly for Mile Sterjovski to round off a superb 90 metre move by side-footing home from just inside the box.

Moments later Glory thought that they had doubled their advantage, only for Naum Sekulovski’s effort to be ruled out for off-side and at that stage the home side were threatening to run away with it.

To their credit, however, the visitors steadied the ship and gradually gained a foothold in the game. Daniel and Paul Ifill began to ask some questions of Glory’s back four and it was the Brazilian who called Tando Velaphi into action for the first time on 17 minutes, forcing the home goalkeeper to fist his low cross away before Ifill saw his follow-up blocked close to the goal-line by the perfectly-positioned Sekulovski.

While Ricki Herbert’s men were arguably retaining the ball better, it was Glory who continued to look the more dangerous going forward, with Sterjovski clearly relishing his advanced role alongside Fowler and Howarth menacing to great effect down the left flank. The visitors’ high-defensive line had initially worked well, catching Glory’s frontmen off-side on several occasions, but it began to break down as half-time approached and the hosts came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage three times in the space of two minutes. Firstly Fowler miscued after fine approach work from Sterjovski, then Jacob Burns forced a fine one-handed save from Paston after Phoenix failed to clear their lines and finally Sekulovksi glanced a header wide having got in front of his marker to meet a teasing cross from Adriano Pellegrino.

Half-time

Perth Glory 1-0 Wellington Phoenix

Herbert went to his bench at the start of the second-half, throwing Mirjan Pavlovic and former Glory man Nick Ward into the fray and switching to a 4-3-3 formation, but it was Glory who continued to look more dangerous and Phoenix were grateful that the ubiquitous Daniel was on hand to head a Sterjovski corner off the line on 54 minutes.

Great interplay between Sterjovski and Fowler then created another fine chance for the home side on the hour-mark, with Sekulovksi firing just over from the edge of the box, but Wellington’s latest reprieve was to last less than a minute. Once again the effervescent Sterjovski was the architect, floating an inch-perfect cross into the box which Fowler headed powerfully past the helpless Paston.

As they had at times in the first-half, the visitors looked all bout out of the contest, but to their credit they continued to battle away and grabbed a lifeline on 72 minutes as Ifill’s corner evaded Velaphi and defender Ben Sigmund gleefully headed into the roof of the net.

Dave Mitchell’s response was to introduce Anthony Skorich in place of Fowler and the young striker almost added a third for Glory with is first touch. Again McGarry’s persistence earned possession for Glory in midfield and allowed Sterjovski to split the Phoenix defence with a through ball, but Paston stood up well as Skorich raced in on goal and managed to tip his shot wide.

The chances kept flowing thick and fast at both ends, with Paston producing another superb save to deny Howarth on 79 minutes after Pellegrino’s slaloming run had teed up his fellow midfielder, before Velaphi matched his Kiwi counterpart with a smart low block to keep out Chris Greenacre’s close range effort.

The home fans may have been anticipating a nerve-jangling end to the game, but in fact Glory showed great resolve to comfortably see out the final moments and indeed almost added a third as Howarth came close to grabbing the goal that his fine performance deserved.

Perth Glory: 2 (STERJOVSKI 5’, FOWLER 61’)

Wellington Phoenix: 1 (SIGMUND 72’)

Sunday, 5 September 2010

nib Stadium, Perth

Referee: Ben Williams

Crowd: 10,844

Perth Glory: 1. Tando VELAPHI, 3. Jamie COYNE, 5. Jamie HARNWELL (4. Andy TODD 86’), 7. Jacob BURNS (C), 9.Robbie FOWLER (22. Anthony SKORICH 75’), 12. Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO (11. Branko JELIC 88’), 17. Todd HOWARTH, 19. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI

Substitutes not used: 20. Aleks VRTESKI,

Yellow Cards: Sterjovski 25’

Red cards: Nil

Wellington Phoenix:1. Mark PASTON (gk), 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 6. Tim BROWN (14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC 45’), 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 11. DANIEL (7. Leo BERTOS 67’), 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER (4. Nick WARD 45’)

Substitutes not used: 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk)

Scorers:

Yellow Cards: Daniel 44’, Sigmund 79’, Hearfield 80’

Red cards: Nil

ECU Joondalup forced their way into the ‘All Flags’ Top five series after thrashing Floreat Athena 5-1 in the final round of the APB Premier Division at the E&D Litis Stadium on Saturday.

The northern suburbs side needed to win the game and hope Sorrento would slip up against Inglewood United, and they did. Goals from Jamie Watt 2, Scott Blackmore, Phil O’Callaghan and John Thornley overpowered the home side, whose consolation goal came late on from Branimir Mikulic.

It was a huge round of football in the league with top five and relegation spots still up for grabs and ECU made three changes to the side that beat Sorrento last week with Chris Whylie back in the side, while skipper Dale McCulloch and defender Charlie Comyn-Platt returned from suspension. They replaced Andy Brown, Josh Brooks and Dan Allen, who all dropped to the bench.

The home side went in with the same side that beat Balcatta 4-0 last week, meaning new French signing Emmanuel Rivera could only find a spot on the bench.

It was ECU who began the game the better and went close on nine minutes. Ross Anderson’s cross from the right was only cleared to Thornley, who played in Watt, his shot from 12-yards was saved low by Alex Dunn.

The home side were struggling to cope with the three pronged ECU forward line, and on 15 minutes the visitors hit the front. Good approach work on the left by John Higgins ended with a ball into O’Callaghan who laid a perfect ball into the path of Blackmore who fired home from the edge of the box.

They continued to take the game to their hosts and went close again four minutes later. A cross from the right by Watt found Higgins at the back post, his volley from 8-yards was well saved by Dunn.

The first chance for the home side didn’t arrive until the 24th minute; Daniel Neiderberger’s shot from long-range was blocked by Comyn-Platt, the rebound falling kindly to Johny Mirco whose shot from 10-yards was pushed around the post by Andy Petterson.

ECU then blew the game wide open with two goals in three minutes. First on 29 minutes a great through ball by Whylie sent O’Callaghan clear down the left and the striker cut into the box and finished clinically past Dunn to make it 2-0.

Then on 32 minutes a quick break from ECU caught the Floreat back four square, and O’Callaghan and Thornley combined to send Watt clear and the Scottish striker fired home from 10-yards, to make it 3-0 at the break for ECU.

Floreat opened the second half well and they went close in the 47 minutes. Mirco’s shot from 6-yards beat Petterson, but Comyn-Platt came to his keepers rescue, clearing the ball off the line. Then moments later John Migas’ shot from 12-yards was saved at the second attempt by Petterson.

Their missed chances came back to haunt them four minutes later when ECU made it 4-0. A great move started by Comyn-Platt found Higgins down the left, and his cross was turned home by Watt at the near post.

Floreat were stunned, and with their top two chances gone they continued to push forward looking for a consolation, and two minutes later Neiderberger’s long-range shot was well saved by Petterson, and Migas’ follow up shot sailed over the top.

The home side still pressed forward, and on the hour Mirco’s cross from the left was laid off by Mikulic and second half substitute Rivera’s snap shot flashed wide. Then ten minutes later Adam Bachiller’s low shot went inches past the far post

With Floreat pressing forward they left themselves open at the back, and were caught out again on 83 minutes when ECU made it 5-0. A great ball over the top by defender Mark Tebbutt sent Thornley clear, and the former Altona Magic striker in VPL, finished low past Dunn.

It was a huge blow for Floreat, who will meet ECU again in next week’s Elimination Final, but they managed a consolation goal with two minutes remaining. Mirco found Migas on the left, and his cross was fired home by Mikulic from close-range, the goal being the 100th goal scored in league games involving ECU this season.

In injury time ECU almost made it 6-1, when substitute Jake Benson-Cooper’s shot from the edge of the box crashed off the crossbar, but at the final whistle it was ECU celebrating a great victory and Coach Syd Amphlett was delighted with their performance. “We had a plan today and fortunately it came off for us and we totally deserved the win today, I’m delighted,” Amphlett said.

His plan to go in with three strikers worked a treat and he believes he has the best three strikers in the league. “The three lads played great today, and I’ve said all season that the club has the three best strikers in the league and today showed why.

“It’s been frustrating for me this season; we play well against the top sides, but have lost points against the bottom sides. But saying that we are peaking right for the finals and it’s the best finish for our club for a while, so we look forward to next week’s elimination final back here against Floreat.”

APB Premier Division – Round 22

Floreat Athena 1 (Mikulic 88)

ECU Joondalup 5 (Blackmore 15, O’Callaghan 29, Watt 33, 52, Thornley 83)

@ E&D Litis Stadium

Referee – Joe Fusari

Assistants – Stephen Knight and Stuart Muldoon

Attendance – 200

FLOREAT ATHENA: GK Alex DUNN, 2 Jarrad SMITH, 4 Julian MADASCHI, 8 Adam BACHILLER, 9 Daniel NEIDERBERGER, 11 Johny MIRCO, 12 Branimir MIKULIC, 13 John MIGAS, 14 Moe ATAK, 16 Jovo PAVLOVIC, 17 Ante KOVACEVIC

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Jakub CHUDY, 6 Miki VUJACIC, 10 Jason BARRERA, 15 Paul VATISTAS, 22 Emmanuel RIVERA

ECU JOONDALUP: GK Andy PETTERSON, 3 Chris WHYLIE, 4 Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5 Ross ANDERSON, 6 Mark TEBBUTT, 7 John HIGGINS, 8 Scott BLACKMORE, 9 Jamie WATT, 10 Phil O’CALLAGHAN, 12 John THORNLEY, 18 Dale MCCULLOCH

SUBS NOT USED: RGK. Andy BANKS, 2 Dan ALLEN, 6 Josh BROOKS, 13Jake BENSON-COOPER 15 Andy BROWN.

Floreat Athena 1 (Mikulic 88) ECU Joondalup 5 (Blackmore 15, O’Callaghan 29, Watt 33, 52, Thornley 83); Armadale 0 Perth SC 1 (McMurray 5); Sorrento 1 (Love 80) Inglewood United 2 (Stoitis 43, Caceres 67); Stirling Lions 2 (Marcinko 69, Boi 90+2) Western Knights 2 (Price 70, Montgomery 90); Swan United 0 Balcatta 0; Cockburn City 2 (Pereira 31, Feely 90+4) Mandurah City 0.

Minor Premiers: Western Knights

Top Five: Western Knights, Stirling Lions, Perth SC, Floreat Athena and ECU Joondalup

Relegated: Swan United

Reserves

Floreat Athena 0 ECU Joondalup 1; Armadale 2 Perth SC 8; Sorrento 2 Inglewood United 3; Stirling Lions 3 Western Knights 2; Swan United 2 Balcatta 1; Cockburn City 3 Mandurah City 1.

Under 18’s

Floreat Athena 4 ECU Joondalup 0; Armadale 1 Perth SC 3; Sorrento 6 Inglewood United 1; Stirling Lions 5 Western Knights 1; Swan United 6 Balcatta 7; Cockburn City 1 Mandurah City 0.

Division 1 (full time)

Bayswater City 6 (Karpeh 9, 19, 55, 58, 73, Catalano 13) Fremantle Spirit 1 (Loveless 79); Queens Park 1 (Feather 59) Wanneroo City 5 (Booysen 14, 57, 69, 83, Herety 88); Forrestfield United 6 (Harold 27, Hart 33, Burns 39, 56, 83, Costley 47) Morley-Windmills 0; Gosnells City 4 (Walters 37, Rothwell 43, McBride 46, Maguire 57) Dianella White Eagles 0; Canning City 2 (Patterson 6, Rickman 68) Ashfield 2 (Culverwell 3, Harmon 28); Bunbury Forum Force 6 (Quinn 4, 31, Kavanagh 26, Binnie 34, Rodgers 81, Rispen 84) Rockingham City 0.

Reserves

Bayswater City 2 Fremantle Spirit 4; Queens Park 0 Wanneroo City 3; Forrestfield United 5 Morley-Windmills 2; Gosnells City 0 Dianella White Eagles 4; Canning City 2 Ashfield 2; Bunbury Forum Force 14 Rockingham City 2.

Under 18’s

Bayswater City 4 Fremantle Spirit 2; Queens Park 3 Wanneroo City 2; Forrestfield United 3 Morley-Windmills 0; Gosnells City 3 Dianella White Eagles 0; Canning City 3 Ashfield 0; Bunbury Forum Force 4 Rockingham City 0.

It starts on Saturday when they entertain Fremantle Spirit at Frank Drago Reserve, and Coach Mauro Marchione knows his side can’t take the Spirit lightly or all their hard work this season will be for nothing. “By experience I know that every game is hard, every game is like a final and particularly now is even harder because for the first time all season we are top and we have a real possibility to be promoted,” Marchione said.

A win against The Spirit could give City the title if Bunbury slip up, but Marchione has drilled into his side, Saturday’s game will be no party celebration. “We’ve chased Bunbury since the start of the season and we know how strong they are; we know they will never give up their hopes so that we have to pay attention to play the next two games with the right attitude as nothing is done yet,” Marchione explained.

“We know we have a job to do and we will do everything necessary to be promoted, because we know that we deserve it for the quality of the football and the consistency of our results during the all year. But we also know that Bunbury deserve the same as us and we respect that and whatever the final outcome is, we will accept it because we consider them a great team exactly at the same level as ourselves.”

The Italian Coach, who has coached at Swan IC, Inglewood United and Queens Park, knows The Spirit coach Alan Pottier well and knows the 5-1 win at Wauhop Park in round nine will not have an effect on Saturday game. “I have a lot of respect for them and for their coach. Alan is a good friend of mine and I know how much he knows this game; it’s going to be hard for us and the result of the previous game against them counts for nothing at 3pm on Saturday. They are a different team now, they know each other much better and they have more confidence in themselves. Alan has done a great job in just a few months and he also has got a good few results and in the last four games, including the draw against Wanneroo,” Marchione said.

“They are scoring goals, and they can be dangerous, so we will have to be determination and confidence to get the right result, especially in front of our supporters.”