Archived News : July-August 2007

31.8.2007

MRDJA STARS IN MARINERS WIN

Nik Mrdja played the starring role in Central Coast Mariners 3-0 defeat of A-League newcomer Wellington Phoenix this evening. The former Perth Glory striker scored twice and set-up the teams’ third to maintain the Mariners perfect start to the new season. “It’s been a long time and it’s great to be back and great to be scoring goals,” said Mrdja. “It’s sensational - we’ve got two good results but it’s not finished yet and hopefully we can go on from here.”

The ball had been in motion just 7 minutes when Mrdja received a cross from Dean Heffernan, beat two defenders and buried his shot in the net of Glen Moss. Six minutes later Mrdja laid on a superb pass to Adam Kwasnik who lashed in a vicious shot. The Mariners third came just after the half hour when Kwasnik turned the ball into the path of Mrdja to batter it home. Mrdja should have completed his hat-trick after the break when he danced the ball to the top of the 6-yard box only to sky his shot over the bar.

31.8.2007

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

Floreat Athena can secure the Premier League title with a home win against Sorrento on Saturday. The www.footballwa.net Match of the Week takes place just down the road at Dorrien Gardens where Perth S.C. take on long-time rivals Western Knights. E.C.U. Joondalup have home ground advantage against Cockburn City in what shapes as a cracker of a game. Stirling Lions can remain in the top four with a home win over Armadale. Inglewood United are home to a Swan I.C. outfit for whom not a great deal has gone to plan this year. The WA Spanish Club is the venue for Fremantle Spirit against Wanneroo City.

First Division champion-in-waiting Mandurah City are expected to pick up all three points from their derby meeting with Rockingham City at Peelwood Parade. Seven points adrift the leaders are Ashfield who will be seeking to extend their seven game winning run away at Queens Park. South West Phoenix have been on the seasons big surprises and a win at Morley Windmills will keep them on course for their best ever end of season placing. Dianella White Eagles face a difficult home clash with a Gosnells City side coming off three successive wins. Canning City will out to arrest a slow slide down the table when they host Balcatta. Bayswater City play Forrestfield United at Frank Drago Reserve.

31.8.2007

MEMORABILIA FAIR APPROACHES

The Football Programme and Memorabilia Fair (pdf, 66kb) rolls in to Kiev Sport Ground, home of Inglewood United, on Sunday 16th September. It's the third fair in eighteen months and organisers are bracing themselves for another big turnout. "The feedback on last years two fairs was positive and I'm hoping next months event will build on that interest," said Bob Brown, the driving force behind the concept.

The fair will present WA's biggest range of local, national and international programmes, books, videos, DVDs, framed photographs, badges, trading cards and a variety of other football-related memorabilia. The Football Programme and Memorabilia Fair takes place between 10.30am and 1.00pm on Sunday 16th September at Kiev Sport Ground, Hamer Parade in Inglewood. Entry is free!

30.8.2007

VRTESKI DEPARTS

Goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski will pursue playing options in Europe after agreeing by mutual consent with Perth Glory to terminate his contract. The 19-year old departed on Wednesday evening for Macedonia where hes hopeful of landing a deal with First Division side FK Pobeda. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport, Vrteski joined Glory in March 2006 and played eight games during the season which followed. Vrteski has played locally for Sorrento, Stirling Lions, Wanneroo City and, most recently, E.C.U. Joondalup.

Coach Ron Smith said it was a difficult decision to let the talented youngster go but did so in the best interests of the player. “Aleks has a lot of potential and he felt he could progress more quickly if he was getting regular first team football,” Smith said. “He would have definitely played a role for us at various stages throughout the season however we are in a fortunate position to have a number of talented ‘keepers and it’s difficult for them all to get significant game time, so I understand his position.

30.8.2007

A-LEAGUE DEBUT DAWNS FOR DANZE

Anthony Danze is expected to step on to the A-League arena on Saturday evening when Perth Glory takes on Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome. A strong week on the training track has shown coach Ron Smith that Danze is well and truly over the ankle injury suffered in the pre-season Cup clash with Newcastle United six weeks ago. The attacking midfielder played eleven games with Glory in the previous national competition before spending two seasons in England at Crystal Palace and Milton Keynes Dons.

Smith has also added versatile big man Jamie Harnwell and Australian youth international David Micevski to the squad for tomorrow's game. Harnwell gives the side flexibility at both ends of the ground, while Micevski adds some bite to central midfield and could open the door for captain Simon Colosimo to play a more defensive role against the reigning champions. The only exclusion from last weekend's scoreless draw with Newcastle United is injured defender David Tarka.

30.8.2007

COLOSIMO IN SOCCEROOS SQUAD

Perth Glory captain Simon Colosimo is set to pull on the green and gold against world superpower Argentina. Colosimo is one of five A-League players to be included in the squad to face the South American giants at the MCG on Tuesday 11th September. "Playing for Australia is always a huge thrill and personally I set myself to be part of this big game so I'm really happy to be included," said Colosimo, has been rewarded for his outstanding recent form. "I feel as though my best years are to come and I want to be a key member of the Socceroos squad going forward. No matter how many times you stand on the pitch and hear the national anthem it sends a shiver through your spine and I can’t wait to be part of it next month."

The Australia squad to play Argentina is Scott McDonald (Celtic), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven), Nick Carle (Genclerbirligi), Carl Valeri (Grosseto), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen), Michael Beauchamp, Josh Kennedy (Nuremburg), Mark Bresciano (Palermo), Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory), David Carney (Sheffield United), Clint Bolton, Alex Brosque (Sydney FC), Vincenzo Grella (Torino), Luke Wilkshire (FC Twente), Lucas Neill (West Ham United), Josip Skoko (Wigan Athletic) and Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow),

29.8.2007

MUSEUM QUEST CONTINUES (courtesy Hall of Fame committee)

The push for a museum to showcase the history of the game in Western Australia is still high on the agenda of the Hall of Fame committee. Chairman Louis Prospero and committee members Bob Brown and John O’Connell recently met with Football West chief executive Garry Chandler to discuss a range of subjects, including the possibility of establishing a museum.

Chandler was supportive of the project and informed the trio that Football West was pressing the State government on the matter. “Football West have a lot of memorabilia, cups, trophies and other items in storage and are very conscious of the need to find some place in which to put these important pieces of history on show,’ said Prospero.

Members of the Football Fame of Fame committee, along with Football West chairman Kevin Campbell, met Minister for Sport John Kobelke last December to put forward a case for the need to establish a football museum in Perth. Kobelke acknowledged that there was a great deal of passion among the committee with regards to the project, but said no decision regarding a possible museum could be taken until the Government’s task force had concluded its report into major stadiums.

The committee’s preferred location for a museum is Members Equity Stadium, however, no decision has been made as to whether further development of the venue will be undertaken. Campbell raised the matter of establishing a football museum with Kobelke recently but was told a decision was some way off. “A home for the Hall of Fame is on the agenda every time we meet the Government,” Campbell commented. “We will continue to keep pushing the issue.”

Brown recently returned from a trip to Europe where he visited a number of football museums, including the impressive set up at Nou Camp Stadium, home of Spanish giants Barcelona. “It was a wonderful experience and visiting the museum included a film show and a tour of the ground,” he said. “And I certainly came away with some great ideas for exhibiting our memorabilia in Perth.”

While abroad Brown also visited the Coventry City stadium and the English National Museum at Preston North End’s ground. “The one at Preston is superb with areas where the public can participate in things like virtual reality concepts and make use of headphones that relate stories of legendry players and famous incidents. It’s laid over three floors - and the third floor of the building is Preston North End’s own museum. ”

28.8.2007

LAZARIDIS VOWS TO CLEAR HIS NAME

Suspended Perth Glory midfielder Stan Lazaridis will fight to clear his name completely after being slapped with a twelve-month ban for a failed drug test. Speaking publicly for the first time about his nightmare year, Lazaridis described the past nine months as the most difficult of his life. "This has probably been the most difficult time in my life, for myself and my family, and I want to thank Perth Glory, the PFA, all my friends and everyone that has supported me," Lazaridis said in a prepared statement.

Lazaridis expressed his relief that the Football Federation Australia inquiry didn't label him a drug cheat. "I have always prided myself on being a fair player and have never once tried to gain an unfair advantage in any way," he added. "The FFA Anti Doping Tribunal stated in their verdict that I'm not a drug cheat. I always had a fear that people would perceive it that way but I want to make it clear that I am strongly opposed to anyone using performance enhancing substances."

The FFA inquiry found red tape within Australian sporting administration forced Lazaridis to stop taking medication which he'd previously been given approval for in England. Lazaridis applied twice for a Therapeutic Use Exemption for the medication in Australia before returning a positive test last November. He was subsequently granted approval to use finasteride in January.

Having had his career effectively on hold for the past nine months, Lazaridis says he is now focused on regaining his fitness and preparing to play his part in the final third of the A-league season. "My main aim now is to concentrate on getting fit and representing my club, Perth Glory, and hopefully coming back in a couple of months or earlier if that is possible through the appeal process," he said.

Privately furious at the treatment of their marquee player, Glory put on a diplomatic face today. "It is by no means an easy case, and it is the best possible result - under the code - that we could have hoped for," chief executive Scott Gooch said. "It has taken some time, but it is not an easy case. There is an appeal to see if Stan is allowed to train with the club, and there is also a possible avenue to get some retroactive approval to use the therapeutic drug."

28.8.2007

CRUEL END TO TARKA’S SEASON

Perth Glory defender David Tarka will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing a tendon in his right hamstring. The 24-year old will require surgery to fully repair the problem suffered just 15 minutes into Glory’s opening game of the A-League season with Newcastle United on Sunday. While a time frame has not been put on his return, it is expected to be several months before Tarka is able to take part in full training and considerably longer before he’s ready for match action.

It’s a bitter set-back for Tarka who was joint winner of the club’s Most Glorious Player award last season. “I’m extremely disappointed that I won’t be able to be out there with my team mates, I was looking forward to playing a big role for the club this season, unfortunately it’s not to be,” he said. “The positive thing for me is that once the surgery is complete it’ll give me a clean slate to start from and my hamstring problems will be in the past. The doctors have said my right hammy will be as good as new.”

Tarka is wasting no time and will go under the knife this Friday. He’ll spend several weeks on crutches during which the defender plans to combine his rehabilitation with an off-field role at the club. “The club is heading in the right direction and I want to be a part of it, even though that won’t be on the pitch for a while,” Tarka said. “I’ll definitely be giving my full support from the sidelines and I’m committed to getting back to playing as soon as I can.”

28.8.2007

GLORY WON’T BE MOVING TO NEW STADIUM

Perth Glory co-owner Tony Sage used his first pre-match function to tell fans the club would not be prepared to play in the Governments proposed multi-purpose stadium. “There’s no way we would play at a 60,000-seat stadium for two reasons,” said Sage, who took over the club with fellow investors John Spence and Brett McKeon in March. “One, aesthetically it would look stupid getting 15,000 people, which is what we hope we’ll have at our games in a year or so, in a 60,000 stadium. And financially we wouldn’t be able to afford the rental at a new stadium.”

The new owners’ ambitious plans to revitalise Glory got off to a steady start on Sunday when 8,508 spectators braved the wind and the rain for the club’s first game of the 2007/08 A-League campaign. Sage admitted the club had wanted in excess of 12,000 for the first game but he was optimistic that the numbers would improve. Glory averaged 7,671 to their ten home games last season. “Given the conditions, we were quite happy, but our expectations were for 12 or 13,000,” Sage said. “The weather detracted from what was on the pitch, as well as influencing people coming to the ground.”

27.8.2007

LAZARIDIS SLAPPED WITH ONE-YEAR SUSPENSION

Former Australian international Stan Lazaridis has been suspended for a year after testing positive to a banned substance. Football Federation Australia this evening confirmed the twelve-month ban for Lazaridis, 35, but said it would be backdated to the date of his positive test. That means the suspension will finish on 27th November, ruling him out for most of the A-League season until Round 15. However Lazaridis last donned Glory colours on 14th December 2006, throwing his retrospective year-long ban into confusion.

Lazaridis tested positive for finasteride, a hair loss drug on the list of banned substances as a possible masking agent for other drugs. The veteran midfielder is understood to have previously been granted permission to use the drug for therapeutic purposes while playing for English club Birmingham City, but that exemption had not been renewed when he was tested in Australia. Lazaridis currently has an appeal underway for a retrospective granting of permission to use the drug after an initial plea was rejected.

FFA haven been aware of Lazaridis’ impending suspension since 6th August but waited three weeks to announce it to allow for any further appeals. “The tribunal made certain express findings regarding Stan’s good character which FFA welcomes,” said Ben Buckley, chief executive of FFA. “In particular it found that Stan had not taken the prohibited substance to mask a performance enhancing drug but for legitimate therapeutic purposes as prescribed by his doctor.”

Scott Gooch, Glory’s chief executive, said Lazaridis was a person of high integrity whose dedication to the development of Australian football is second to none. “He deserves and will get the whole hearted support of everyone at Perth Glory,” said Gooch. “I’d imagine that former team mates and football fans around the world that have had the pleasure of being associated with Stan will be right behind him also.”

Glory has supported Lazaridis throughout the process and will continue to stand by their marquee player, who’ll be back on deck for the final months of the season. “We will give Stan every chance to see out his decorated career on the pitch,” explained Gooch. “Stan is a quality person and a player of the highest order and we are confident that he will return and have an impact for Perth Glory as we enter the business end of this season.”

Gooch said the club was content that the findings of the FFA anti-doping tribunal expressly indicate that Lazaridis’s use of finasteride was for a legitimate therapeutic use. “The findings recognise that Stan has a legitimate medical condition and any suggestion to the contrary is completely off the mark,” Gooch commented. The Australian Professional Footballers’ Association will continue acting on Lazaridis’ behalf for the retrospective approval of his Therapeutic Use Exemption as well as the midfielders’ right to train with Glory while under suspension.

27.8.2007

BIRIGHITTI CAUGHT OFF-GUARD BY JOEYS CALL-UP

Teenager Mark Birighitti is the latest in a long line of impressive goalkeepers from the west coast to make it on to the international stage. The Servite College student was stunned when he was called up to represent Australia’s Under-17s at a recent tournament in Japan against the host nation, South Korea and the United States. And the promising shot-stopper now has his sights on higher goals.

Birighitti was taking part in a National Training Centre challenge in Canberra in July when his national call-up came out of the blue. “One night we were in our rooms and the NTC coach (Paul Wozny) came in and asked me if I had a current passport because I’d been picked to play for the Australian Under-17 team,” Birighitti said. “I was shocked and almost in tears. I rang my parents to tell them news and they were crying.”

There may be a few more tears of joy to come for the Birighitti family if the 16-year old continues to live up to his potential. Australia’s goalkeeping coach, Tony Franken, feels Birighitti has a bright future ahead of him. “He’s got a presence about him even though he’s only 16,” Franken said. “And he’s got the added advantage of playing a handful of reserve grade games for Perth before he went into the NTC program.”

Another to have noticed a sharp rise in Birighitti’s skills is Glenn Giudici, goalkeeping coach with Premier League club Perth. “His attitude and dedication is very good,” Giudici said. “He’s got very good technique, a good pair of hands and he’s got good distribution. He’s always shown potential but in the last two or three years he’s really taken off.”

West Australia’s has a strong track record of producing quality goalkeepers. Tony Franken, Robert Zabica, Jason Petkovic and Michael Petkovic have all represented Australia at senior level, while Tando Velaphi and Aleks Vrteski have gained youth international honours. The next stop for Birighitti could be a place at the Australian Institute of Sport whose coaches are sure to keep a close eye on his development.

27.8.2007

GARCIA EARNS HULL FIRST WIN

Richard Garcia’s second goal in seven days earned Hull City their first win of the 2007/08 Championship season. Hull dominated Norwich City for large parts of the game, but it looked as through the sides would share the spoils when substitute Dion Dublin cancelled out Dean Windass’ opener early in the second half. Garcia settled the contest with thirteen minutes remaining by converting a pinpoint cross from the left by Windass.

Although Garcia was the goalscoring hero he deflected the praise on to his attacking team-mates Windass and Michael Bridges. “Deano always keeps surprising us,” said Garcia of the 38-year old. “Not only is he scoring goals but he’s providing them as well as he showed out there against Norwich … his ball for the winner was fantastic. Michael Bridges was again involved in the set-up play as he was in the first. Michael played really well out there. His hold-up play was fantastic and he looked to get in behind the play.”

Saturday’s win represented the Tigers most polished performance to date and Garcia believes there is a lot more to come as new players begin to find their feet. “We’ve been champing at the bit for our first win,” he said. “Things will take time - it’s about understanding each others game and getting that togetherness as a team. Slowly but surely, we’re learning about that. It was a great result and good that it was at home as well - hopefully the fans will have enjoyed it because the players certainly did.”

26.8.2007

GLORY RUE MISSED CHANCES

Perth Glory started the new A-League season with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Newcastle United in wet and windy conditions at Members Equity Stadium. Both teams took time to adjust to the swirling wind with the hosts settling the better. Billy Celeski created the first opportunity by slipping a pass through to Nikita Rukavytsya whose well-struck drive was parried by Ante Covic. Glory continued to dominate in terms of possession and territory only to suffer a major blow on 16 minutes when defender David Tarka limped out of the game after injuring his hamstring.

However, the loss failed to stem Glory’s attacking instinct and Covic’s reflex save kept out a goal bound flick by Mate Dragicevic in the 22nd minute. Dragicevic returned the compliment by laying the ball back to Naum Sekulovski whose crisp effort whistled inches wide of the Covic’s left post. Newcastle should have gone ahead right on the stroke of half-time when Jobe Wheelhouse’s searching cross-field pass released Joel Griffiths who pulled the ball back for Brazilian import Denni who scuffed the best chance of the period wide.

Glory were straight into attack upon the resumption of play with Rukavytsya volleying wide from Celeski’s delivery to the far post. However, the home side were almost caught out in the 56th minute when Joel Griffiths’ low cross was met by a sliding Mark Bridge who failed to keep his shot down. Rukavytsya was causing all sorts of problems for the Newcastle defence but, after driving into attack, the youngster was unable to find a way past Covic. Newcastle then wasted arguably the best chance of the game as Bridge lifted his shot high when the better option would have been to square to free team mates Joel Griffiths and Denni.

The close call woke up Glory who forced the visitors on to the back foot for the final quarter hour. Substitute Nick Rizzo caused the Newcastle defence plenty of problems down the left and in the 75th minute his cross flashed across the face of goal with neither Dragicevic nor Rukavytsya able to get a decisive touch on the ball. The game turned a little ragged as full-time approached and the home side was unable to capitalise on a series of corners. The last chance fell to Nikolai Topor-Stanley whose late effort was blocked by Jade North.

25.8.2007

PREMIER LEAGUE, ROUND EIGHTEEN (Sorrento v Inglewood United by Kerry Slater)

Floreat Athena remain on the cusp of their first championship in a decade after brushing aside nearest rival Cockburn City 2-0 in the top of the table clash at Dalmatinac Park. It took Floreat only 7 minutes to take the lead when Adam Bachillor’s cross wasn’t sufficiently dealt with by the defence allowing Garin Collins to lash the ball under goalkeeper Dino Pacella. Although stunned, Cockburn wasted little time in fashioning a response through Kamasz whose low shot was well saved by Vas Vujacic. The home side weren’t going down without a fight but Adam Surjan’s cross into the area was punched clear by the goalkeeper with several team mates lining up. Vas Vujacic was Cockburn’s foil again in the 28th minute when he tipped Aaron Dos Santos’ curling effort on to the post. Floreat almost snuck a second goal after Julian Madaschi’s long ball sent Paul Vatistas through on goal but Pacella was quick to narrow the angle and block the shot. The second half opened with a fierce low drive by Kamasz pushed wide by the diving ‘keeper. The corner was worked to Dom De Felice whose deep cross was nodded disappointingly high by Liam Lilly from 5-metres. In the 68th minute Ante Kovacevic launched a Floreat counterattack which gave Boima Karpeh a clear run on goal until Shane Nunes emerged from nowhere to apply a tremendous blocking tackle. The visitors lost captain Bajo Savic not long after to a knee injury suffered when contesting possession with Michael Mirco in the middle of the park. A well-crafted short corner routine saw substitute Miki Vujacic curl in a cross to Karpeh whose glancing header forced Pacella into a fabulous save from point blank range with Nunes clearing off the line. Floreat secured victory in the final minute when Pacella made a brilliantly parried a close-range volley by Karpeh who quickly latched onto the loose ball and turned Nunes before blasting into the net.

Perth S.C. moved back into second place courtesy of Andreas Oliviera’s double that saw off a brave Swan I.C. 3-1 at the Swan Italian Club. Robbie Puca made his presence known early with a blistering drive that forced a smart response from Daniel Agudelo who, minutes later, acrobatically tipped Antonio Naglieri’s long-range strike over the crossbar. Perth took the lead from the resulting corner as Naglieri’s header was brilliantly blocked by Agudelo who was helpless as the Oliveira fired in the follow-up at close-range. The traffic was one-way as Puca combined with Naglieri whose shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Cole. Swan flickered to life long enough for David Perich to chance his luck from distance but the shot didn’t trouble Gareth Deeg. Puca was running the show from midfield and on the half hour his long-range strike whistle just past the post. Agudelo made sure there would be no addition to the score before half-time with a fingertip save to deny Oliveira. Swan gave a better account of themselves after the break with Damien Catalano’s snap on goal pushed wide by Deeg. The teams were level in the 58th minute when referee Steve Muldoon awarded a penalty for Michael Ord’s infringement on Tom Shepheard, and Anthony McStea confidently stroked in from the spot. Dom Ando fired just wide as the home side sought to capitalise, then appeals for another penalty were dismissed when Michael Tronchin went down inside the 18-yard box under Todd Howarth. Perth’s response was to immediately race upfield where Costa Socratous delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post which Naglieri slotted past Agudelo with 66 minutes played. A couple more minutes went by before Naglieri turned supplier with a free-kick that Oliviera fired into the net by sneaking in between David McNally and Agudelo. Michael Icanovski could have added a fourth to Perth;s tally when sent clear by Oliviera but the defenders shot cannoned back of the bar.

Andy Brown’s second goal of the season earned Stirling Lions a 1-0 win against a strong-finishing Western Knights at Nash Field. A positive start from both teams may have produced some entertaining midfield tussle but in terms of chances on goal there were relatively few. In fact the first genuine opening didn’t arrive until the 25th minute when Phil Arnold headed wide from an Andy Brown. A few minutes later Boi unleashed a stinging shot from distance which was parried by Kevin Miller who thwarted Andy Brown at the follow-up. Andrija Jukic featured prominently for the home team and a neat one-two with Aaron Bahadori allowed the young attacker to rattle off a powerful shot which Phil Straker palmed away. Both teams lifted the tempo for the second half which was six minutes in when Phil Arnold’s long throw-in was flicked on by both Keith Brown and Richman to Andy Brown who tucked the ball in from close-range. Stirling were denied a second by Miller who tipped a looping Keith Brown header high, while Richman’s shot on the turn crashed into the crossbar. A terrific exchange between Scott Bushby and Jukic put the latter through but with Straker to beat he rolled his shot wide of the target. With the clock ticking down Ronnie Campbell brought teenagers Andrew Jennings, Anthony Skorich and Ivan Gavranich off the bench to spark new life in his side. The attack-minded trio had immediate impact and only minutes after his introduction Jennings was denied an equaliser by Straker. Not long after Jennings again got himself into position but this time blazed high when it seemed easier to hit the target. The Knights surged forward right up to the final whistle but a well disciplined Stirling side held out to register their tenth win of the winter.

E.C.U. Joondalup came back from a goal down to inflict a 4-2 defeat on Wanneroo City at Kingsway Reserve. The win stretched Joondalup’s unbeaten run to eight games and positions them well to complete the season with a top five placing. The visiting team dominated the early exchanges in which Tom Amphlett and Jon Higgins asserted their presence on the game. Wanneroo always looked threatening on the counter attack and in the 30th minute Craig Cheeseman charged out of midfield and from 18-metres unleashed a rocket that gave veteran goalkeeper Andy Petterson no chance. Although shaken, Joondalup kept their composure and ten minutes later Mark Lee equalised with a delightful chip over Jordan Conti following good work in the lead-up by teenager Howard Fondyke. Possession was evenly distributed throughout the remainder of the half but with no further addition to the scoreline the teams went into the break at one apiece. The second half commenced with Joondalup focused on getting the all-important next goal. Much of the visitors’ attacks stemmed from the left where Lee, Amphlett and Higgins were combining with terrific effect. A foul on Lee resulted in a Joondalup free-kick on the top corner of the 18-yard box which Marc Anthony clipped into the area for Ian McMurray to head into the net. The match looked to be settled when Fondyke put away his teams’ third from close-range in the 57th minute. However, Wanneroo were in no mood to surrender and three minutes later Craig Bowman breathed new life into the contest by bringing the gap back to a single goal. Victory was secured for Joondalup with just minutes remaining by debutant Cesar Meylan who fired in from close-range only minutes after coming off the bench.

Honours were shared at Percy Doyle Reserve where Sorrento and Inglewood United played out an uninspired scoreless draw. The visitors started brightly with Matt Wardle angling a low cross in from the left which flashed across the face of goal and past the far post much to Neil Young's relief. Unfortunately that would be the only clear cut opportunity fopr a good half hour as both teams lacked the creativity to break down the opposing defence. The crowd was awakened from their slumbers in the 36th minute when Dean Apelgren chased the ball down the right to deliver a sharp cross which Albert Osei-Tutu headed straight at Young. The Gulls goalkeeper immediately launched a counterattack that ended with a Cameron Yorke heading narrowly high of Oliver Taseski's crossbar. With this Sorrento sparked into life and not long after Todd Harnwell headed wide after meeting a Gary Lynn cross. A terrific cross-field pass by Glen Thomas put the ball at the feet of Chris Boyle whose shot was beyond the far post. Steve McDonald helped the ball on to Harnwell who was denied by a diving 'keeper. Inglewood almost grabbed a stoppage time lead through Michael Baczynski whose effort was stopped by Young. The next chance didn't presented itself until the 62nd minute when Young held a close-range strike by Kevin Griffiths. Nine minutes later Stuart Banks raced down the left to slip a pass through to Boyle who stepped inside his marker only to fire high. Sorrento almost brought about their own destruction when Yorke's attempted clearance ricocheted goalward off Osei-Tutu and only the sharp reflexes of Young kept the teams level. With twelve minutes remaining the home side went down a man as James Morgan received his marching orders for a second caution. But while Inglewood had the better of late possession the closest they came to snatching victory was through an Apelgren free-kick which crashed against the crossbar.

Fremantle Spirit's 1-0 win at Armadale was over-shadowed by a post-match scuffle that is sure to come under close investigation by Football West. Vas Kalogeracos’ first goal for the port side was all that separated the teams on a day when Fremantle had Tom Straker and Simon Elton-Bott red carded. Further details of this game were not forthcoming from either of the two participating clubs.

25.8.2007

FIRST DIVISION, ROUND EIGHTEEN (Forrestfield United v Mandurah City courtesy Mandurah City; Rockingham City v Ashfield courtesy Ashfield; South West Phoenix v Canning City courtesy South West Phoenix)

Mandurah City recovered from being two-goal behind to defeat a young and enthusiastic Forrestfield United 5-2 at Hartfield Park. Forrestfield took advantage of sloppy defending at a corner to go ahead on 12th minute when Matt Harold poked the ball in from close-range. It looked as though an upset was on the cards when Craig Ruthven doubled the margin not long after. However, Mandurah forced their way back into the game and continually applied pressure to their opponents defence for little reward as Forrestfield maintained focus to take a handy two-goal buffer into the break. After a rousing half-time talk, Mandurah opened positively with Jeff Bright’s cross flicking on by Jordan Rhodes into the path of Jake Loreto who forced his way past the goalkeeper, and the ball into an unguarded net. The visitors produced an equaliser midway through the period when Christian Paschkewitz headed in after Michael Bobridges nodded down Scott Halpin’s long free-kick into the area. It was only in the final ten minutes that Mandurah ran away with the game by ramming in three goals without reply. Captain Andy Brown provided the ammunition for Jake Loreto and Bright to get on the scoresheet, while Graham Matthews’ cross in the closing minutes was turned in by Forrestfield defender.

Second-placed Ashfield accounted for cellar dweller Rockingham City 3-1 at Dowling Street Reserve. Slick passing by the visiting side gave them the advantage after 3 minutes as Rydeen Botha stroked in an Andy O’Neill cross to the far post. Ashfield deservedly increased their lead when good approach work by Julian Piromalli ended with a scorching 30-metre volley from Martin Kelly which beating the goalkeeper. The same pattern continued after the break as Rockingham continually found themselves chasing the ball but remained in the game as Ashfield failed to capitalise on their dominance. Martin Kelly squandered a guilt-edged opportunity from directly in front, and Botha forgot to stretch his leg with an open goal at his mercy. The home side were handed a lifeline in the form of a 80th minute penalty which Michael Vaz calmly slotted in to reduce the deficit. This re-energised Rockingham who stepped up the pace and went close to levelling on several occasions. But the game was put beyond their reach when Ashfield demonstrated their superiority and Micheal D’Silva scored their third of the afternoon with only a few minutes left on the clock.

South West Phoenix moved into third place after thrashing Canning City 4-0 at the Soccerdrome. All the early enterprise came from the visiting side who maintained possession for long periods and created several good chances which included Mick Van Dongen’s shot from 15-metres that hit the post. Phoenix hit the front completely against the run of play when Steve Suttie delivered a far post cross which David Murphy neatly laid back for Gary Mayers to tuck inside the bottom corner. Going a goal down certainly surprised Canning but they were far from disheartened as Daniel Trevisol, Ross Posthuma and Dave Mickler continually speared them into attack in search of what would have been a deserved equaliser. The second half was a completely different story with Phoenix piling on a trio of unanswered goals. Greg Hayes provided the ammunition in the 50th minute via a low ball through the area which Suttie turned in from 7-metres. The game was ended as a contest eight minutes later when Hayes delivered a cross to Mayers whose header rebounded off the crossbar and Suttie who made no mistake with the follow-up. The icing on the cake arrived with fifteen minutes to play as Ryan Risdon squirted a pass to Murphy who transferred possession to Suttie who brilliantly evaded his marker to fire in from 10-metres.

Dianella White Eagles were made to work hard for their 3-1 win against Queens Park at Coker Park. The visitors created the first good opportunity when Jon Greenwood played in Mladin Gligorski who cross was fired narrowly wide by captain Dragan Njegic. A golden chance to put Queens Park ahead went begging in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Pedro Pavez spilled the ball and debutant Carlos Jogee placed high from 5-metres. Both sides had further chances but good ‘keeping and the frame of the goal meant they’d go into the half-time break scoreless. Three minutes after the re-start Njegic opened their scoring by expertly turning his marker and crashing a superb shot inside the upright, giving ‘keeper Brendan Symonds no chance. A handball decision in the 63rd minute resulted in a Dianella penalty with which Greenwood send Symonds the wrong way to increase the difference. The game was ended as a contest twelve minutes later when Njegic unselfishly squared to Greenwood who tapped in his 27th goal of the campaign from 3-metres. Greenwood was unfortunate not to secure a hat-trick when played in behind the defence only to shoot wide. Queens Park earned a late consolation when awarded a spot kick of their own which captain Ian McKean sent into the bottom corner.

Bayswater City returned from Graham Burkett Reserve with all three points after out-shooting Balcatta 3-0 in a tight game. Rob Grant, Sal Marrapodi and Damir Kuduzovic were the scorers for Bayswater. Gosnells City extended their winning run to three games by toppling Morley Windmills 3-0 at Walter Padbury Reserve. Jim Capewell, Brian Cairney and Ian Maguire each found the net before Morley were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Adrian McCann. Further details of these two games were not forthcoming from any of the four participating clubs.

25.8.2007

SAGE UNIMPRESSED BY FFA

On the eve of the new season Perth Glory co-owner Tony Sage has lashed out at Football Federation Australia, accusing it of starving clubs of funds, mishandling the pre-season schedule and dragging out the Stan Lazaridis drug case. Sage is particularly out-raged by the treatment of Lazaridis, a veteran of four World Cup campaigns, who tested positive to a medicine used to treat baldness which, unfortunately, also contained the masking steroid finasteride.

The tribunal hearing into Lazaridis’ case, for a positive test returned last November, was held in March. “We still don’t know the outcome and the season is about to kick-off,” Sage said. “He is our marquee player and he still is not allowed to train with us. The FFA knew the medication he was on, as he had been using it in the Premier League in England for five years, but have not done anything once the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) tested him.”

A gruelling pre-season schedule in which Glory played five successive Cup games on the road was also of major concern to Sage. “We didn’t play one home game during the pre-season fixtures and how is that supposed to help us with building membership and home-game attendances?” said Sage, who took control of the club in March after a year under the control of FFA.

Sage was highly critical of the way FFA managed and marketed Glory through season 2006/07. “The FFA only spent $1.4m out of the $1.8m salary cap last year, so you have to wonder why the full amount wasn’t spent,” he pondered. “Also, they only sold three corporate boxes out at Members Equity Stadium last season and we have already sold 30 out of a possible 33 for the first game.”

There’s plenty of hard work ahead of Glory to counter balance the cost-cutting measures of last season. “There are a lot of costs we have had to outlay to get this club back to a professional level, including finding and hiring a CEO, fitness coach, full-time trainer and administrative personnel,” commented Sage, who is committed to Glory’s long-term success. “We have budgeted to lose $3.5m in the first two years and are hoping to get it back in years three, four and five.”

24.8.2007

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

The www.footballwa.net Match of the Week is the top of the table clash between Cockburn City and Floreat Athena at Dalmatinac Park. The pair have sat at the top of the Premier League table since the opening round of competition and, with only a handful of games to be played, this meeting could well settle the title race. The equation is quite simple - anything other than a Cockburn tomorrow will effectively hand Floreat their first championship since now-coach Michael Roki spearheaded them to victory in 1997.

The fact Cockburn have not lost at home this year is certainly in their favour, however, last weeks stumble at Inglewood certainly did them no favours. Fresh in the memory for the home side will be the Cup win against Floreat last month, and should the likes of Josh Kamasz, Michael Mirco and Dom De Felice be firing on all cylinders they may just revive their titles hopes. Floreat are unbeaten in seventeen games, posses the league's tightest defence and, given even the slight opportunity, the likes of Adam Bachillor, Josip Magdic, Boima Karpeh will inflict maximum damage.

The ‘Spring in the Valley’ Cup is up for grabs when traditional rivals Swan I.C. and Perth S.C. square off at the Swan Italian Club. Western Knights and Stirling Lions can consolidate their place in the top four with victory at Nash Field. Relegation-bound Wanneroo City has a tough home game against an E.C.U. Joondalup side leader from midfield by star import Marc Anthony. Last years’ champions Sorrento will be out to restore some lost pride when they host Inglewood United in the northern suburbs. Alfred Skeet Oval hosts the match between ninth-placed Armadale and eighth-placed Fremantle Spirit.

Promotion to the top flight is a mere formality for Mandurah City who made the trip to Forrestfield United on Saturday. Even so, an Ashfield win at Rockingham City will keep the pressure on the leaders and keep them on track for a second successive second placing. Third place goes on the line when South West Phoenix welcome Canning City to the Soccerdrome in Bunbury. A strong last week has boosted the confidence of Gosnells City who host a Morley Windmills side aiming to re-establish themselves in the top four. Dianella White Eagles are tipped to take the points from their game at Queens Park. There’s little riding on the outcome of the mid-table clash between Balcatta and Bayswater City at Graham Burkett Reserve.

24.8.2007

KOVACEVIC IS YOUR NO.1 DEFENDER

The readers of footballwa.net have installed Floreat Athena hard man Ante Kovacevic as the Premier League’s best defender. A former national league player, Kovacevic topped this weeks’ website poll by accumulating 22% of the vote to edge out E.C.U. Joondalup’s English import David Abel (20%). Liam Lilly (12%) of Cockburn City was a distant third and followed closely by Armadale’s Darryl Platten (11%) and Swan I.C. backman Aaron Cole (10%). Gianfranco Circati of Perth S.C. and Stirling Lions’ Darko Ilmanoski finished level with 9%, while Inglewood United’s Shane Pryce (7%) completed the field. 381 votes were cast in the week-long poll.

24.8.2007

DJULBIC EXCITED ABOUT STEPPING ON TO NATIONAL STAGE

There’ll be several new faces in the Perth Glory line-up which takes on Newcastle United Jets this Sunday, but you’d be hard pressed to find anyone more excited than Dino Djulbic. The imposing centre-half will realise a dream eight years in the making when he steps on to Members Equity Stadium as a Glory player for the first time. “When I arrived in Australia eight years ago I immediately started to follow Glory,” said the defender. “I set myself to one day play for the club and this weekend it’ll become a reality - Sunday can’t come quick enough.”