30.4.2002

SHARLAND AGREES NEW WOLVES DEAL (reproduced with permission from www.tribalfootball.com)

Exciting Wollongong Wolves striker Greg Sharland has agreed terms on a new, two-year deal. The 19-year old signed the contract, which has the option of a further 12 months, before Sunday's northern division youth Grand Final. "I'm happy to re-sign with the club," Sharland told the "Illawara Mercury". "They've been very good to me and have given me an opportunity to play at the highest level. The coaching staff have helped my game immensely and I now look forward to becoming a regular first grade player for the club next season." Unable to prevent Parramatta Power from taking out the trophy on the weekend, Sharland has since returned to Perth and joined the Future W.A. squad ahead of their trip to France next month.

29.4.2002

HONOURS SHARED BETWEEN UNDER-19'S AND GLORY

The State Under-19 side, Future W.A., played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with a Perth Glory combination at Litis Stadium tonight. With a less than ideal preparation for next months' trip to France, State team dominated the opening stanza of this match and were unfortunate not to take an early lead. A few minutes into the game Josh Kamasz and Andreas Oliveria combined on the right with the former's shot over the crossbar. And not long after Miki Vujacic showed great skill to evade his opponent and open up a path to goal for himself only to find Vince Matassa positioned to save.

Fielding no less than five players with international experience in the starting line-up, Glory fought back strongly and in the 12th minute Nick Mrdja should have done much better when he ran onto a defence splitting pass but, opting for power over accuracy, blasted wide. Three minutes later Dion Valle's long cross-field ball picked out Mrdja, he turned past Admir Mehic but shot straight into the arms of Oliver Taseski. It was only down to some stubborn defending by Mehic, Ivan Zuvela and Dino Djulbic that Glory didn't take the lead, the trio forcing Glory into shooting from distance for much of the half. The best scoring opportunities came the way of Glory's youngsters, Sam Miller clipping the wrong side of the bar from 15-metres and Mileta Miletic pulling his shot across the face of goal close to half-time.

It wasn't until thirteen minutes after the interval that the deadlock was broken. Nick Ward made a good run down the right flank before squaring to Oliveira who skilfully threw off his marker to hit a low shot which Matassa got a glove to but was unable to prevent from crossing the line. Glory responded almost immediately, Peter Lord's powerful shot was parried by Taseki and three defenders combined to thwart Mrdja's follow-up attempt. The State side looked to have sewn up the friendly on the hour mark when Oliviera netted for the second time this evening, only for the goal to be disallowed and a free-kick awarded to the State team in what was a genuinely bewildering decision.

Tiredness crept into the match over the closing twenty minutes, not surprising considering for most players it was their second game in three days. And with twelve minutes remaining Glory pulled level - Gareth Naven going on a long run out of defence, playing a neat one-two with Kostadin Manolev and, with the defence retreating, hit a scorching drive which gave Gianni Papalia had no chance. Glory were lead from the back by Deans and Valle who both showed a willingness to push forward when the opportunity arose, while teenager Daniel Arias chimed in with an important defensive contribution. State coach Gary Marocchi would have been pleased with his sides performance tonight, especially considering it was only their second competitive match following a 6-1 win over a youthful Ashfield line-up several weeks ago. Playing wide on the right, Daniel Stoitis proved a constant danger for the Glory backline, and in the centre of midfield Shaun Kilkelly enhanced his growing reputation.

Glory Combination : Vince Matassa, Gareth Naven, Dion Valle (Robert Cibesku 74), Craig Deans, Daniel Arias, Robert Cibesku (Brad North 40), Alistair Edwards, Sam Miller (Peter Lord 40), Michael Garcia, Mileta Miletic (Kostadin Manolev 40) Nick Mrdja
Future W.A. : Oliver Taseski (Gianni Papalia 60), Ivan Zuvela, Dino Djulibic, Admir Mehic, Miki Vujacic, Daniel Stoitis, Mark Ristofski, David Foster, Shaun Kilkelly, Andreas Oliveira (Josh Kamasz 63), Josh Kamasz (Nick Ward 49)

29.4.2002

WE WERE LUCKY SAYS GLORY'S PETKOVIC

Subiaco Oval will be the venue of the 2001/02 National Soccer League Grand Final on 12th May, this despite Perth Glory's stunning 0-2 away loss to Newcastle United on Friday night. "We were caught off-guard a bit, players weren't just up for the challenge in the first half and we got caught out. Two goals and we were a bit lucky not to concede a few more," goalkeeper Jason Petkovic said on his return to Perth. Glory nonetheless earned the right to host the season decider by taking out the two-legged play-off 4-3. Then will play the winner of this weekend's Preliminary Final between Newcastle and Olympic Sharks in the Grand Final.

28.4.2002

AMATEURS ROUND-UP

The University of W.A. cruised to a convincing 10-1 home victory over Rockingham City in the First Round of the Mitre Cup on Sunday. University scored four times in the opening ten minutes and went in 7-0 up at half time after some simple but clinical finishing. The second half was predictably a quieter affair with University scoring another three goals to Rockingham's one, although the home side squandered many chances to further extend the margin. Tom Muirhead and Teemu Sihvola were the hat-trick heroes, while Adam Brett, Robert Benkovic, Mark Dascanio and Gareth Briggs also got on the scorecard for University, Simon Nichols the lone scorer for Rockingham. University reserves chalked up a similar result, winning 6-0 after Max Percy, Tim Grose(2) and Dave Holley (3) found the net.

Balga progressed to the next round after downing Floreat Athena 3-2 through goals from Gary Shorto, Gary James and Scott Wilson. Morley Windmills went down 0-3 to the visitors from Perth Azzuri, Shamrock Rovers overcame a stubborn South Perth United outfit 2-1, and Fremantle United knocked out Joondalup United by the same score. C.N. Canning International lost 1-2 at home to Premier League leaders Hamersley Rovers, while Murdoch University had little trouble against Calcio Rebels where the final score was 6-2. The visitors from Kwinana United scored nine without reply against Willetton. Second Division side Stirling Panthers pulled off a surprise by defeating the top flight's Subiaco United 1-0.

North Perth United thrashed Morley United 10-1, while in another all First Division clash Carlisle downed North Beach 2-0. Cockburn City beat Leeming Strikers 4-3 away from home, Ballajura recorded a 6-1 win over Colo Colo, and Cloverdale Chindits proved no match for Bunbury United where the game ended 0-4. W.A. Maccabi were shock losers at home to Gosnells City 0-1. There were big wins for Forrestfield United and Maddington Eagles who defeated Yanchep (4-0) and Beldon (6-0) respectively. B.B. United knocked off Kingsley 3-2, Curtin University got over the line against Perth International 4-3, Beechboro White Eagles won 4-2 in front of a big crowd over Gwelup Croatia, and Condors advanced to the next stage at the expense of Burswood United 3-2.

The results of the Collie-Suburbs United, and Australind-Busselton games are currently unknown. Forrestfield United, Kelmscott Roos, Spearwood Dalmatinac, Belmont Villa, Southern Spirit, Lynwood Colts, Perth Royals, E.C.U. Joondalup and Armadale all had a bye into the Second Round of competition.

27.4.2002

PREMIER LEAGUE, ROUND ONE (Cockburn City vs Fremantle City by Lennie Bavich; Western Knights vs Sorrento by Kerry Slater; Bassendean Caledonian vs Future Glory by Bill McAllister)

Swan I.C. headed into their opening match of the 2002 Premier League season at Floreat Athena without several key players from their pre-season. Club captain Justin Everley and teenage striker Tom Shepheard were absent through injury, while Night Series regulars Damian Scali and Darren Blankley had to be content with a spot on the bench after turning out in the reserves. As if matters couldn't get any worse, State goalkeeper Corey Hugo required lengthy treatment after colliding with Robin Dyers when contesting a high ball just 6 minutes into the match, medico's working frantically to stop the flow of blood from a cut under the 'keeper's eye.

The opening half was all way one traffic in Athena's favour but, while they dominated possession, scoring opportunities were few and far between in open play with their best chances coming through dead ball situations. Hugo made a superb diving save to keep out Doug Ithier's 16th minute free-kick and Lucas Gobbi reacted quickest to the loose ball but nodded it high from close-range. Just after the half-hour another Ithier bomb ended inches over the bar, and shortly after an in-swinging Ithier free-kick was headed down by Robyn Dyers and into the path of Gobbi whose desperate lunge went wide of the target. The breakthrough finally came three minutes into stoppage time, Troy Bernard's curling free-kick into the area caught the defence ball-watching and Ithier snuck in to toe-poke the ball past an exposed 'keeper at the far post.

Gobbi sent Andreas Pantelis through on goal three minutes into the new half but his close range effort curled the wrong side of the up-right. Then, in the space of three minutes, Costa Socratous' shot on the run rose over the bar, and Kosta Kalavrouziotis saw his effort tipped wide by Corey Hugo after a good build-up. The pendulum swung Swan's way for the next ten minutes as midfielders Adrian McBride and Eddie Mura fought valiantly to get their side back in the game. There were a few hopeful long-range attempts on goal, but by the large the visitors today found the well-drilled Athena defence impossible to break down meaning John Xigas was left waiting to make his first save of the afternoon.

Athena delivered a killer one-two punch just after the hour mark. Breaking on the counter attack after defending a corner, Kalavrouziotis ran at the defence before sending Gobbi through with only the 'keeper to beat, the South American import calmly side-stepping Corey Hugo to slot into an open goal. The match was all but over when, in the 67th minute, Pantelis sped clear down the left before centring to Dyers whose first time shot crashed into the back of the net to make it three-nil. Minutes later Socratous should have added Athena's fourth but, with the 'keeper well out of position, the midfielder found the base of the up-right with the goal at his mercy.

The closing stages were a scrappy affair as errors crept into the game. Athena continued to ply the pressure in their search to put another goal past an already demoralised opponent only to be thwarted time and time again by a Swan backline lead by Christian Marocchi. Substitute Ryan Newhill finished a brilliant flowing move by sweeping the ball into the arms of an expectant Corey Hugo after 85 minutes, but two minutes later made amends for the miss when he stooped to head Socratous' cross from the right past a flat-footed 'keeper. The final four-nil scoreline was a fair reflection of a match in which Swan failed to get out of first gear and were duly out-played for the duration. Swan sweeper Marrochi showed a great deal of composure when working under pressure, while man-of-the-match Corey Hugo prevented the margin from becoming an embarrassment. For Athena, Gobbi's pace meant he was a constant menace in attack, out wide on the left Pantelis provided a lot of the attacking impetus and Jamie Trandos was rarely out of the action in the centre of the park.

Floreat Athena : John Xigas, Troy Bernard, Hugh Miller, Doug Ithier (Anthony Jones 72), Adrian Sutton, Andreas Pantelis, Costa Socratous, Kosta Kalavrouziotis (Peter Coci 78), Jamie Trandos, Lucas Gobbi, Robyn Dyers (Ryan Newhill 76)
Swan I.C. : Corey Hugo, Christian Marocchi, Jamie Bell, Darren Freeman, Carlo Scali, Adrian McBride, Trevor Hatton, Justin Hugo, Steve Sauzier (Damian Scali 66), Eddie Mura, Brian Robertson
Referee : Wayne Oldham
Cautions : Trandos (21), J.Hugo (35), Freeman (45+)
Dismissals : None
Attendance : 150 (approx.)

Home side Inglewood United had a poor first half against E.C.U. Joondalup in which defensive errors enabled Andy Mason and Richard Watson to give the northern suburbs side a 2-0 lead at the break. Five minutes into the second half 15-year old debutant Tom Jones, who partnered Mason in attack, went through the centre to round Oliver Taseski and extend Joondalup's margin. Inglewood substitute Michael Bacszynski raced clear in the 68th minute only to be brought down by visiting goalkeeper Peter Stewart who was promptly red-carded, and Andy Cornmell made no mistake from the penalty spot. Joondalup immediately struck back with a penalty of their own after Scott Bulloch was up-ended inside the box, but Taseski moved smartly to keep out the teenagers spot-kick. Inglewood at last came alive and Bacszynski headed home a Paul Lincoln cross in stoppage time but, despite having the extra man, Inglewood could not gain an equaliser before the final whistle was blown. "I though it was a very harsh call to send off Peter Stewart for what the referee deemed was a professional foul, their forward milked the situation," said Paul 'Geordie' Simmons after the game. "The highlight of the day was our first half display which was silken and aggressive, the debut of Tom Jones and the appearance for the final ten minutes of another 15-year old John Higgins."

Cockburn City took an early lead at Dalmatinac Park, scoring after 12 minutes against Fremantle City whose defence failed to clear the ball inside the 6-yard box and Domenic De Felice seized the opportunity to give former Socceroo goalkeeper Robert Zabica no chance. Three minutes latter De Felice made a good run into the penalty area where he met Christian Paschkewitz' pass to score his and his teams second of the match. 24 minutes into the half and an injury to Bozo Erakovic forced the home side to bring on substitute Stuart Francis which tested Cockburn's depth, Gary Numan absent through injury while Branimir Mikulic and Dean Wallace out suspended. Paschkewitz took on Fremantle's defence from the half way line and chipped an advancing Zabica to increase Cockburn's lead. Fremantle scored a consolation goal late in the game through a good striker by Llewellyn Bake.

Ashfield found themselves under the hammer from the opening kick of their home fixture with title favourites Perth S.C. The visitors started well, midfield trio Robbie Gaspar, Rob Giorgi and Jamie Coyne directing play and Perth made the most of their dominance to create a handy five goal half-time lead with goals from Mark Pottier, Coyne (2), Peter Vukmirovic and Rhys Graham. But Ashfield clawed their way back into the game after the break, Darren Yates scoring early on and goalkeeper Phil Jackson converting a penalty not long after. Steve Gillibrand made it 3-5 before Graham finally put the game out of Ashfield's reach. While his side won big, Perth coach Graham Normanton was no happy with their second half performance. "We were like world champs in the first half and world chumps in the second. We thought we were just too good to go out for the second half. We allowed them to get back into the game with two sloppy goals and a penalty. It was really frustrating that we didn't press home the advantage. It was totally deflating."

It was history in the making at Jubilee Reserve where Craig and Gareth Naven were on opposing sides for the first time in the careers as Bassendean Caledonian hosted Future Glory. The home side found themselves on the ropes within the opening minute after Chris Riston's centring ball was tucked away by Shaun Kikelly. Robert Cibesku seized upon a defensive error minutes later to extend the lead, and when Dion Valle put Mileta Miletic through to score Caledonian were 3-0 down with only ten minutes elapsed. A neat exchange between Glen McCormick and Paul Strudwick opened up the defence with the former McCormick finding the net to give the home side hope going into the break. Caledonian came out for the second half with all guns ablaze, winning five corners in quick succession only to be denied but the experience of goalkeeper Tony Franken and a strong backline. Against the run of play, Miki Vujacic added to Future's tally after 61 minutes, and Peter Lord completed the route with a stoppage time goal to make the final score 5-1. Alan Weir, Caledonian coach, said his side were let down a their poor start. "That was a wake up call to some of our players whose heads were still in the dressing room for the first ten minutes. It isn't possible to give a team of Future's calibre a three-goal start. We made and missed some chances, and are much better than that score line." Future coach Frank Arok was happy with his sides performance. "I was very pleased with the cohesion and combination moves of my team. Of the games we have played to date this is the best they have been. Caledonians are a strong lot and when we do not have the seniors after the eighth round that will be the test for us."

Two of the title contenders in Western Knights and Sorrento battled out a close encounter at Nash Field with the home side getting over the line 2-1. Fortune didn't favor the Gulls in the 2nd minute when a late tackle on Ryan Jeans was punished only with a free-kick when many judged it to be a penalty offence, the resultant shot by Shaun Fallon striking the defensive wall and rebounding to safety. Jared Love opened up the Knight's rearguard with his pace after 16 minutes, but his cut back from the line was blasted over by David Foster. Twelve minutes later Foster made amends in bizarre circumstances - Tommi Tomich raced out to collect a through ball only to find himself outside the 18-yard box as he leant over to pick the ball up, Foster having little difficulty in stabbing it home much to the delight of the visiting supporters. It wasn't until the 31st minute that the Knights created their first scoring opportunity, Stuart Montgomery's shot hitting the outside of Gareth Deeg's right post, and a few minutes later the 'keeper was at his best to batter away a Carl Medica thunderbolt. Nine minutes into the new half Lee Burns almost doubled Sorrento's lead but his powerful header flashed over the bar. The Knights launched a quick counter attack that saw Medica go effortlessly past two defenders before slotting pass the advancing Deeg to equalise. The home team stepped up the tempo and in the 61st minute Eugene Singeorzan, who had a quiet match due to the close attention of debutant Shaun Mooney, shook his marker only to put his header wide of the far post following John Nicolaou's cross from the right. Three minutes later Nicolaou did it all himself, firing the ball in off the right post to put the Knights two-one up. Sorrento strived to even the tally but not even the changes rung in by coach Steve Neville could find the goal that would enable them a share of the championship points.

27.4.2002

RESERVES AND UNDER-18'S ROUND-UP

There were a couple of big wins on the opening weekend of competition in the Premier League reserves. Bassendean Caledonian hit Future Glory 5-1, and goals from Simon Jonas (2), Michael Vaz and Lui Oliveira saw Fremantle City thumped home side Cockburn City 4-0. Inglewood United scored three but a Gary Murray double and singles to Garin Collins and Craig Cheesman saw E.C.U. Joondalup go home with maximum points. Ashfield lost 1-2 to Perth S.C., and Floreat Athena fell over the line 1-0 over Swan I.C. courtesy of a strike by Tai Lahav early in the second half.

At Nash Field, poor finishing and two mistakes in defence cost Sorrento three points. Western Knights took the lead after 21 minutes following a foul on Joe Reale, Eric Kuzmar firing the spot kick past Neil Young. Fifteen minutes later Steven Sulenta was allowed time to advance on a hesitant defence and made his way around Young before putting the ball into the unguarded net. Brian Hedges reduced the deficit two minutes before the break when he headed in a David Colegate cross. The second half belonged to Sorrento but missed opportunities would cost them dearly and a broken wrist suffered by Gareth Phillips, who fell awkwardly and was taken to hospital, only rubbing salt to the visitors wound.

Fremantle City scored a convincing 5-0 win over Cockburn City in the Under-18's, Mark Sim bagging a hat-trick. Future Glory also won well as both Wesley Ryder and Ben Rogers netted twice in the 4-1 result over Bassendean Caledonian, while Ashfield bowed 1-2 to Perth S.C. Inglewood United lost 1-2 at home to E.C.U. Joondalup for whom Ross Griffiths and Dan Hendley scored, while goals to Sam Galati and Nick Haralambakis saw Floreat Athena over-power Swan I.C. 2-0.

Sorrento notched up a 3-1 away win over Western Knights. The visitors suffered an early setback when an 8th minute defensive error was pounced upon by Delio Teixie who scored the games opener for the Knights. But the lead lasted only five minutes when Andrew Brand's shot was parried by Robert Pedri and Daniel Cagorski was on hand to knock in the loose ball. In the 51st minute Sorrento took the lead through an Andrew Brand header, and ten minutes later they went down to ten men with the red carding of Liam Hill. The home team were also reduced by one when substitute Falvio Pehta was dismissed, and Sorrento sealed their win four minutes from the end when Robbie McCann's cross from the right was tapped in by Farrell Hedges.

27.4.2002

FIRST DIVISION WRAP (South West Phoenix vs Armadale by Michael Di Pietro)

Mandurah City continued on their winning way despite with a tight match at Dianella White Eagles. Depleted once again by injury, Mandurah faced a very big and strong home side in a match played a great pace. The visitors defence of Peter Knight, Gary Collins and Neil Patten-Williams proved to be the catalyst behind Mandurah's attacks, constantly stopping the opposition dead in their tracks before releasing the ball into midfield. The first half saw neither side concede much ground at the back with only scattered chances. Zelko Savic beat the 'keeper but shot high from a tight angle, while down the other end a bullet-like Sean Kearns shot from 35-metres hit the wrong side of the upright. Dianella came close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half but a desperate goal line clearance by Gary Collins keep the scorers untroubled. Veselin Zmukic had the best chance of the half for the home side, put through one-on-one with the 'keeper only to send the ball wide. Shortly after the visitors were denied a goal when Michael Bobridge saw his initial shot blocked by the 'keeper, and the follow-up saved. Some good defending by Collins saw him lay the ball off to Kearns whose cross-field ball saw Andrew Rennie outstrip the defence before beating the 'keeper at the near post to give Mandurah a one- nil advantage. Dianella sought desperately for an equaliser, but a solid performance by the Mandurah backline enabled the visitors to remain undefeated in their inaugural Soccer West Coast season. Earlier in the day Mandurah took the lead 25 minutes into the reserves clash through new-signing Carlos Almieda with a superb individual goal, but two goals either side of the break gave Dianella a handy lead with most of the match elapsed. The visitors fought back strongly and Mikel Sesma equalised with a scorching volley, Almieda then scored his second, and Sesma did likewise to give their side a 4-2 win. In the Under-18's, first half goals by Jack Kearns and Andrew Bell gave Mandurah a 2-0 half-time lead, but by the 63rd minute break that advantage had been erased as Dianella pulled level. Kearns re-stored the visitors buffer with a header shortly after, and three further goals saw Mandurah run out 6-2 winners.

It was an early rise for Armadale's road trip to Bunbury where they faced South West Phoenix in what promised to be an exciting match. Phoenix had lost a few players over the summer period, but they maintained a nucleus of players which were going to test the visitors. The Reds found the back of the net in the 20th minute when an in-swinging corner by Jason Hardie drifted to the far post and was scrambled over the line by Craig Anderson. Five minutes later Lawrence Bruce made a deft run towards goal and shot past the 'keeper only to find the ball rebounding off the post, but luckily Jason Goodwin was there to tuck the ball away to extend the gap. Even without solid defender Nick Twyman and striker Dennis Lee, the Reds were in total control of the game over the first 45 minute period. Phoenix came out for the second half fired up but it took until the 72nd minute for the home side to peg back a goal, and a further eight minutes to level the scores and give visiting coach Billy Russell palpitations. But, in the 84th minute, Bruce found the back of the net to make sure Armadale continued their best start to a season in years, sitting in second place after five rounds. It was a long-awaited first win for Byron Wood's reserves when they played earlier in the day with Armadale's goals coming from Chris Brown, Nick McLean and Joe Clarke. But things weren't so chirpy for the Under-18's who crashed 8-1 to Phoenix who scored six times in the second half.

Morley Windmills continued their fine start to the season with a 3-1 away win over Rockingham City, a result which moves them into equal second place on the First Division table. Although Windmills coach James Herbert made several changes to the line-up, the visitors played some of their best football of the season which culminated in first half goals from Steve Keady and Ian Ballantyne before Rockingham pulled a goal back from the penalty spot just before the interval. Drew Carruthers scored a stunning long-range goal to make it 3-1 to Windmills after which the experience of Martin Woodall, Ali Bertivic, Simon Messenger, Ballantyne and Carruthers shone through, while youngsters Leighton Smith and Michael Monterosso also contributed to the away result.

Stirling Lions became the First Division's top scoring side with 12 goals after defeating Canning City 3-0. A youthful Canning outfit put up a great challenge against their stronger opponents whose experience would count for a lot at the end of the day. Both sides were guilty of sloppy finishing in a free flowing opening 20minute period before the Lions took the lead through a dubious penalty which neither coach could understand, Keegan Ashley calmly slotting away the spot kick. Canning were unlucky not to pull level before the break after a couple of one-on-one situations with goalkeeper Rob Pucovski. The Lions came out on top with an much-improved second half showing that produced two excellent goals from Rob Milevski and Bobbi Klenkovski. It was only down to some good 'keeping by Pucovski that prevented Canning from getting on the board. In other games, Lions won the reserves 8-1 with hat-tricks to Adam Rains and Mark Di Carlo, while the Under-18's went 5-1 in favour of Canning.

Down at Frank Drago Reserve, Bayswater City took a lucky lead over Wanneroo City after 36 minutes when Kevin Henderson's shot struck teammate Jamie Kumkar and deflected past the visiting goalkeeper. With no further addition to the scoreline in the first half, Bayswater doubled their lead midway through the second period, Sal Marapodi surging into attack and crossing to Nikola Stojanovski who smashed the ball home from 18-yards. Events took a turn for the worse for Bayswater shortly after with club captain Henderson send off and Jamie Kumkar limped out of the game with what appears to be a bad knee injury. With the clock fast ticking down, Wanneroo found a way back into the match via a Greg Bird rocket from 25-metres but the home side held on to record a vital 2-1 win. In the reserves, Pasquale Marapodi got the all-important goal in Bayswater's 1-0 win, while Tony Casella netted twice as Bayswater notched up a 2-0 result.

A dull first half between Stirling Suns and Balcatta at Brian Burke Reserve was punctuated only by Michael Laguna's goal after 37 minutes to give the visitors a half-time lead. Balcatta maintained the pressure after the break and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Laguna netted his second of the day. Midway through the half the game swung back in the Suns favour, pulling a goal back with twenty minutes remaining then snatching a share of the points with an 85th minute equaliser. In other First Division games, Queens Park moved into joint second place after defeating Kingsway Olympic 1-0, which was the same score when Southside United took maximum points from their game with Leeming Strikers at home. Perth City had the bye this week.

26.4.2002

COACH PRAISES MONTGOMERY

Striker Stuart Montgomery could be instrumental in Western Knights' Premier League title aspirations according to coach Ronnie Campbell. Having played much of last season with Kingsway Olympic, as well as a short spell on loan to E.C.U. Joondalup, 23-year old Montgomery joined the Knights during the off-season and has slotted into the side with a minimum of fuss. "He's doing really well at the minute," Campbell told Jonathon Cook of the "West Australian". "He's been scoring goals and he's been making goals, which has been great for us." With five Night Series goals to his credit, Campbell expects Montgomery's influence to be a big help to his side as they aim to beat Perth S.C. to the regular season title. "Perth would be the favourites and I think ourselves and Sorrento will be up there challenging," added Campbell.

26.4.2002

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

The 2002 Premier League season kicks-off this weekend with the match of the round undoubtedly taking place at Nash Field where a strong Western Knights side squares off against reigning Premier League champions Sorrento. There won't be much between Inglewood United and E.C.U. Joondalup when they go head-to-head at the National Stadium, while just down the road Floreat Athena will be looking to put their off-field problems behind them when they take on Swan I.C. At Dalmatinac Park, Cockburn City play Fremantle City for the second time in three days. Ashfield will find the going tough when they host an in-form Perth S.C., and it will be a similar situation at Jubilee Reserve where Bassendean Caledonian play Future Glory.

Saturday sees the fourth round of fixtures in the First Division, and Armadale this week have the arduous task of travelling to Bunbury where they play South West Phoenix. League leaders Mandurah City are on the road to Dianella White Eagles, Stirling Lions should have little trouble in accounting for Canning City's youngsters, and Stirling Suns are at home to Balcatta. Wanneroo City will be looking for their first points of the season when they play Bayswater City at Frank Drago Reserve, and Rockingham City host a confident Morley Windmills who are fresh from a 5-1 victory last week. Southside United take on Leeming Strikers, Queens Park play Kingsway Olympic, and Perth City have the bye.

26.4.2002

FREMANTLE MAKE LATE SIGNINGS

Fremantle City coach Greg Kazmer has added some much needed experience to his young squad courtesy of some late recruiting. Former Australian youth international Marc Wingell has joined brother Dale at the club, while veteran defender Alex Cummings (right) leaves Inglewood United to link up with the port side. Also arriving at the club in recent times are midfielders Jason Faria and David Rodgers, who spent last season with Cockburn City and South West Phoenix respectively. In other club news, Fremantle will unveil their new playing strip - fluorescent green shirt and shorts with black socks - on the weekend when they try to overturn Thursday's Centenary Challenge Cup loss to local rivals Cockburn.

26.4.2002

GLORY ON HIGH ALERT SAYS PETKOVIC

Goalkeeper Jason Petkovic has assured Perth Glory's fans that there will be no complacency when the side play Newcastle United in tonight's National Soccer League Major Semi-Final second leg on away soil. Glory go into the match with a 4-1 lead after last weekend's win at Subiaco Oval, but that's no guarantee of victory. "I think we have to be on our toes," Petkovic told Jonathon Cook of the "West Australian". "We can't think that we've done the job until after the game." The 29-year old was between the posts when Glory lost the 1999/2000 Grand Final in a penalty shoot-out despite holding a 3-0 at half-time over Wollongong Wolves.

Glory's defence has conceded an average of less than one goal per game this season, and Petkovic has been a big part of that success at the back. Nominated this week for his third Goalkeeper of the Year award, Petkovic admitted his disappointment at not being sounded out by national coach Frank Farina for next months Oceania Nations Cup. "It does (disappoint me) considering we've had a good season and defensively we've been quite strong," he said. "But it's not my place to choose the team. I didn't set out this season to get in the national squad. I set out to win a championship and so far we're in the process of doing that. My priority is to finish off what we set out to achieve."

25.4.2002

WHY THE CENTENARY CHALLENGE CUP?

Manager of Edith Cowan University Sports, David Ernst, explained why his university chose to sponsor the Centenary Challenge Cup which kicked-off on Anzac Day. "As part of the university's one hundredth year celebrations we wanted to be involved in supporting some sort of sport in Western Australia. And since a lot of our students play soccer, and we have a Premier League club at Joondalup it was natural that we chose to sponsor soccer," Ernst told Access 31's "W.A. Soccer" segment tonight.

Ernst also discussed the continued support shown to Premier League club E.C.U. Joondalup and it's importance to the university. "We've very supportive of the team on the campus, they're a fantastic team to be playing for us. It's been a very positive experience, we've had them here for four years now. A great many of our students come down and watch the games, we've got some students that play in the teams and it's all part of Edith Cowan University's goal to forge links with the community and having a Premier League soccer team in very important."

25.4.2002

CENTENARY CHALLENGE CUP, ROUND ONE

The majority of the opening round fixtures in the Edith Cowan University sponsored Centenary Challenge Cup went according to plan today. Future Glory took to the field against First Division opponents Wanneroo City without any members of the Glory senior squad and came away with a hard fought 4-3 victory, the goals coming from Shaun Kilkelly, Peter Lord and Stephan Beretovac (2). A John Nicolaou double and singles by Eugene Singeorzan and Stuart Montgomery saw Western Knights thump Swan I.C. 4-1, young striker Tom Shepheard bagging the black and whites lone goal.

Home side E.C.U. Joondalup became the rounds only surprise casualty when they went down 4-2 to an under-strength Bassendean Caledonian who were without the services of Craig Naven, Paul Strudwick and Dean Gartside. With the scores locked at 1-1, Joondalup should have taken the lead after Alan Dunlop conceded a penalty but the goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving the resulting spot-kick. Joondalup ended the match with eight men after Dale McCulloch, Jamie Kuzmanovich and Abdul Kamara were dismissed. Scorers on the day were Ilia Manolev (2), Ian Griffiths and Graeme Matthews for Caledonian, with Abdul Kamara and Andy Brown netting for Joondlaup.

The day at Macedonia Park got off on the wrong foot as Sorrento were awarded a 3-0 result over Leeming Strikers on forfeit. Stirling Lions hit six without reply against Queens Park. Floreat Athena had no troubles in rolling a young Dianella White Eagles line-up by 5-0. In a match that failed to get out of first gear, Robin Dyers bagged a double with Lucas Gobbi and Ryan Newhill also finding the net for the Premier League side.

Cockburn City pulled off a 1-0 win over local rivals Fremantle City in what was a largely uninspiring match at Dalmatinac Park. With both sides playing nine men behind the ball for much of the afternoon, teenager Jeff Bright was the scorer of the games only goal mid-way through the second half. With five minutes remaining, referee Michael Klaver sent off Cockburn's Branimir Mikulic for striking, and very soon after teammate Dean Wallace was unfairly dismissed as he attempted to bring calm to a heated situation.

25.4.2002

BORAL CUP, ROUND ONE : PERTH GO THROUGH

Perth S.C. commenced their defence of the Boral Cup with a 1-0 win over South West Phoenix in Bunbury today. State defender Aaron Cole continued his habit of scoring in important games by netting the afternoon only goal. The reserves ended 9-0 in favour of Perth, while penalties were needed to decide the Under-18 clash with the visitors again triumphant. Perth will meet Western Knights in the Second Round of the competition as a date yet to be decided.

25.4.2002

SHARLAND WOLVES' ROOKIE

Highly-rated Wollongong Wolves attacker Greg Sharland was named his club's Rookie of the Year over the weekend after an inspirational debut season in the National Soccer League. There are rumours that the former Inglewood United player has trials lined up in Europe over the Australian close-season. Sharland is part of the 16-player Future W.A. squad announced recently to compete in next month's Tournai De Croix in Lille, France.

25.4.2002

NO PREMIERSHIP RETURN FOR PETTERSON (reproduced with permission from www.tribalfootball.com)

Veteran Australian goalkeeper Andy Petterson has been released from his short-term deal with West Bromwich Albion. The former Portsmouth and Charlton shot-stopper signed for the Baggies before the March transfer deadline as cover for regular custodian Russell Hoult, but with Gary Megson's charges avoiding the Division One play-offs and winning direct promotion last weekend, the decision was made to cut short Petterson's deal. "Andy came on a short-term contract with the agreement that he would move on at the end," said Megson.

24.4.2002

CLUBS GET ON THE WEB!

The number of local soccer websites on the internet has slowly been on the rise over the past few years with at last count there being over thirty on-line sources of information on the game in W.A. This week we look at the four Soccer West Coast clubs - Bassendean Caledonian, Bayswater City, Ashfield and Canning City - who are currently on-line.

Bassendean's (http://www.geocities.com/caleys2002/index4.html) site is still very much in it's infancy administrator Bill McAllister makes sure it's updated several times a week to include the latest club news. "We will have match reports plus results from every level at our club as soon as possible," he said this week. "Hopefully we'll also run interviews with players like Paul Strudwick and Craig Naven when the opportunity arises, and as the season progresses our social calendar will be updated. There may be a few other features added once the season gets going properly."

First Division club Canning City (http://www.geocities.com/canningcitysoccer/) is another with an on-line presence. "Just last week I revamped the site. We have just the most important things on the site - general information, the club location, contact details, etc. We also have the occasional news item and a few photos on-line but that's about it … our club is represented on the net, we are on-line!" said former club secretary and current website administrator Herma Meyer.

Ashfield (http://www4.tpgi.com.au/vs56lt/) have been on-line in one form or another for the past few years and underwent a major revamp over the summer with the end product launched back in February. Club news, match details, squad listings, fixtures and results, coaches comments, photographs, and a 'Wally of the Week' section are all featured on their new-look site.

The most recent club to go live is Bayswater City (http://www.rollaboyz.org.au/adam/bayswater_city_soccer_club_websi.html) whose simple but informative site provides visitors with club news, squad details, fixtures, match reports, weekend previews, League tables and much more. It is believed the site will grow as the 2002 season progresses.

A more complete listing of the known local soccer sites - be they professional, amateur, junior, club or administrative - can be found on-line in our links section.

24.4.2002

STATE AMATEURS IN TRAINING

The West Australian State amateur squad is currently in training for the national Amateur Championship which is being staged at Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood, New South Wales early in June. "I've tentatively named 15 players and I've got another four from which I'll be choosing the one position left. I'm very pleased with all the players and their commitment shown," said State coach David Coward this week. But exactly who the State side will face over Sydney's long weekend in June is still unclear. "Five teams were initially nominated - South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory and us - but about two weeks ago the Northern Territory pulled out so we're now back to the four. We're hearing some concerns about Victoria at the moment as well, so hopefully by the end of this week we'll know where we are going."

24.4.2002

LONG WINTER LOOMS FOR ATHENA

It's going to be a very long season for those at Floreat Athena where Taki Lambetsis has taken over the reigns to become their third coach in six weeks. The appointment of Lambetsis, a former youth team coach with the club, comes hot on the heels of John Hunter's departure in March and last weeks decision by Peter Koulizos to resign from the coaching position. While a mass walk-out by the players has been averted, morale is low at the club who two months ago were being tipped to be serious contenders for the championship.

On the playing front, it's nothing but good news for Athena with Troy Bernard (knee), Jason Smith (hamstring) and Ryan Newhill (right) all returning to the training track after recent injury and coming into contention for a place in the starting line-up this weekend. South American forward Lucas Gobbi, who spent the Night Series with Inglewood United, has been training with the club while the off-season recruitment of Jamie Trandos and Kosta Kalavroutziotis will add to the options in attack.

23.4.2002

SCHRANDT ANSWERS CRITICS

Soccer West Coast president David Schrandt has responded to claims that local coaches are being over-looked for the State position, saying the ineligibility of those currently coaching was a decision made by the organisation's board several years ago. "I wasn't there at the time, it was six or seven years ago, but it was a decision of the board that they would not appoint any coach of a Premier League or First Division club to the position of State coach. They wanted to have someone as independent as possible and we've worked along those line ever since," Schrandt said on 990AM's International Football Show this week. "When you look at the scenario, a coach who is incumbent in a job will see his own players every week whereas a coach who is without conflict, if you wish, can see all the sides within the period of a few weeks. It gives them that little bit more flexibility as well and I think that's one of the reasons behind it."

With the State Under-19 team heading to France in little over four weeks, Schrandt also made clear the reasons behind the Future W.A. moniker. "The reason for the name Future W.A., and that is what it is in real terms, the players are all 17, 18 and 19-year olds, is that we do live in a commercial world in which it's very difficult to raise funds. It's difficult to go out and say give me 30 or 40 grand, I want to take a team away. We did structure a deal with Perth Glory who have gone about raising funds for the trip and they have agreed to underwrite it to a certain extent. We've still got to raise an enormous amount of money ourselves, but it does make our task a little bit easier. I can't see a real problem naming the side Future W.A. because it was simply a commercial deal, and if somebody else wants to come along and give us another 20 grand or so then we'll happily name it something else."

Soccer West Coast have recently been heavily criticised for the lack of information which comes out of the organisation in regards to up-coming games and decisions made by the board. Schrandt said this was an identified problem that was currently being addressed and which he hoped would be resolved within the next fortnight. "We are at the moment having some discussions and holding interviews to make the appointment of a media officer. It's a part-time position, but there will be work for the media officer to do maybe four to six hours a week to assist the media and everybody else in what is happening at Soccer West Coast." The president added that S.W.C. were also looking at revamping their website in the near future.

23.4.2002

FIXTURES RETURN

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Soccer West Coast has given their permission for the Western Australian Soccer Website to reproduce the Premier League and First Division fixtures for the 2002 season. These fixtures are now back on-line at our Fixtures and Results section.

22.4.2002

MURPHY INKS NEW DEAL, PLANS TO END CAREER IN PERTH

Sheffield United defender Shaun Murphy has been removed from the transfer list after agreeing to a new contract to keep him at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2004. The Australian international looked to be on his way out of the club following a wage dispute but, after a two-month loan at Crystal Palace, forced his way back into the Blades side and was rewarded with a contract extension last Friday. Shortly after signing his new deal, Murphy confirmed that he is planning to wind down his career by returning to playing in Australia. "Perth is my home and that's where I'll eventually settle. Hopefully, I can put in a couple of years with Perth Glory."

22.4.2002

FIVE VIE FOR TOP AWARDS

West Australia has five nominees in the National Soccer League's end-of-season awards as announced by Soccer Australia today. Perth Glory's Bobby Despotovski is one of five players in the running for the Players' Player of the Year award - the Warren Medal - where he's up against Glory teammate Damian Mori, Troy Halpin (Olympic Sharks), Joel Porter (Melbourne Knights) and Fernando Rech (Brisbane Strikers). Jason (Glory) and Michael Petkovic (South Melbourne) have been nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year along with Olympic Sharks custodian Clint Bolton. With 18 goals for the Australian Institute of Sport, Anthony Danze is up for the South Division Youth Player of the Year, while Eddie Lennie is one of three contesting the Referee of the Year.

21.4.2002

LENNIE BACK FROM INJURY

Less than a month after breaking a bone in his shoulder, referee Eddie Lennie was back doing what he enjoy most - officiating Saturday's National Soccer League finals clash between Perth Glory and Newcastle United at Subiaco Oval. Scottish-born Lennie broke a clavicle while taking part in a scratch match between the local referees and the media last month when he fell awkwardly under a tackle, the injury requiring a plate and screw to be inserted in the joint. After missing two N.S.L. matches, Lennie declared himself hit to take charge of the Major Semi-Final which Glory won 4-1.

"I thought it was a very high standard game, the first half was better than the second but it was a good game. The goals were well taken and there were very good build-ups to all five goals," said Lennie when interviewed by John O'Connell and Mo Kaplin after the game on 990AM's International Football Show. One thing about the match that really stuck in the mind of Lennie, who refereed in the 1998 World Cup Finals, was the incredible atmosphere at Subiaco. "There were 32,000 there tonight and the roar when the two teams came out to start the match, I actually had goose bumps on my arms."

When it comes to finals football, Lennie says it's no different to any other game for him. "I prepare the same for any game. There's obviously a bit more at stake in finals games but I just do my usual thing … it's just another working day for me." He also stressed the importance of the other match day officials whose efforts usually go largely unnoticed. "It's a team effort out there, although I'm in the middle of the field there are four of us out there - the two assistants and the fourth official - and we work as a team. There are three teams on the park, the two competing for the game and the referee's team. We know each other, we know what we want and expect from each other."

21.4.2002

AMATEURS ROUND-UP

The University of W.A. maintained their bright start to their W.A.A.S.S.A. Premier League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Perth Azzurri at McGillivray Oval. The game started well for University, Tom Muirhead scoring his first goal for the club in the 6th minute from a curving free-kick which gave the ‘keeper no chance. Although they had several opportunities to add to their tally, University slowly drifted out of the game as Azzurri upped the pressure in midfield and won themselves a succession of corners which culminated in a scrambled goal for Mario Giangiulio to send the teams in level at half-time. The second half saw University make a tactical change and again the wily Tom Muirhead outsmarted the ‘keeper on the near post for early goal. Marc Dascanio impressed with some non-stop running in the second half and crossed for David Berg to score with a well positioned header across the goalkeeper. The win puts University level on points at the top of the table with Hamersley Rovers. Post-match, coach Kevin Burton said “We are enjoying the competitive nature of the Premier league and whilst it is exciting for the club to get off to such a positive start we are under no illusions that to match the standard of sides like Hamersley, Murdoch and Forrestfield we have to learn from every game and put it into practice on the training ground.” University reserves defeated Azzuri Reserves 5-2 to go top of the table through goals from Dave Holley (3), Tim Grose and Lee Stickells, Dimi Patikopoulos and Dom Femia were the scorers scored for Azzurri.

Balga crashed to their third successive losses when they went down 4-2 at home to E.C.U. Joondalup. Striker Gary James made sure the sides went into the break at one-all by levelling for the home side. Shortly after the re-start Joondalup stamped their authority on the match with two goals to re-store their lead. James then converted a soft penalty to bring Balga back into the match, but a defensive error close to the end allowed the visitors to net a simple goal which consigned Balga to bottom place on the Premier League table. Hopes, however, remain high at Balga who are still without six first team regulars in Anthony Banham, Steve Hill and Matt Brown, all out through injury, along with suspended trio Justin Jensen, Ross Kelly and goal genius William Lyall.

Hamersley maintain their 100% win record with a 4-2 demolition of Fremantle United on Sunday. Shamrock Rovers lost 2-0 at home to Forrestfield United, and Murdoch University went down by the same score to Spearwood Dalmatinac. Subiaco United collected their first point of 2002 when they drew 2-2 with Kwinana United.

20.4.2002

BORAL CUP, ROUND TWO (Inglewood United vs Cockburn City by Lennie Bavich)

In the Second Round of the Boral Cup on Saturday, Inglewood United defeated Cockburn City courtesy of an extra-time golden-goal from the penalty spot after the home side clawed their way to a 2-2 draw in regulation time at the National Stadium. Cockburn took an early led when Christian Paschkewitz headed in a cross from teenager Jeff Bright, and their second soon followed after Branimir Mikulic chipped the Inglewood defence to put Bright clear and he made no mistake in making it 2-0. In total control of play, Cockburn were brought back to earth with a thud late in the half when Andy Cornmell (right) sprung a well-rehearsed off-side trap to slip the ball past the advancing Dino Pacella. The second half was dominated by some superb performances by both goalkeepers, Inglewood’s Oliver Taseski put up a impregnable barrier while down the other end Pacella rescued his defence on several occasions as the home team sought to equalise. And with two minutes remaining Inglewood did just that, young substitute Michael Baczynski sending the game into extra-time. Poor refereeing saw Inglewood awarded a penalty after Paul Lincoln’s dive in the area, and the spot-kick was duly converted by Cornmell to give the home side a hollow 3-2 win. “The hot weather may have taken it’s toll,” said Cockburn coach Mark Jackson after the game. “We were excellent in the first half an hour but we faded in the second half.”

E.C.U. Joondalup proved to be no match for Ashfield when the two sides met in the northern suburbs on Saturday. It took the home side just 18 minutes to open the scoring, Mark Benbow netting with a move straight from the training track when he cut in from the right and his arrowing drive flew into the Ashfield net. A few minutes later the margin was doubled when Benbow’s deep cross was met with an unstoppable volley at the back post by teenager Scott Bulloch. Joondalup were by this stage well in control of proceedings with their opponents yet to test Joondalup goalkeeper Peter Stewart. Joondalup started the second half with an elegant display of two-touch football with which they created numerous scoring opportunities, Dale McCulloch rattled the up-right and Andy Mason the crossbar while two other shots were cleared off the goal line. To their credit Ashfield refused to concede the match and in the 75th minute pulled a goal back through Karl Atley who the made the most of some very sloppy defending. Sniffing they could upset their more fancied opponents Ashfield pushed hard for an equalised only to be denied by a solid home back line. Joondalup’s two-goal buffer was restored when Lee Stratford’s chip over the defence flicked the head of a defender and Abdul Kamara was on hand to knock the ball past the ‘keeper. Ashfield were thrown a late lifeline when referee Wayne Oldham awarded them a dubious penalty, ruling Andy Brown to have fouled Atley inside the area, and goalkeeper Phil Jackson expertly tucked it away to set up a tense last few minutes. In a match that never really reached any great heights, Kamara, Paddy Rooney and Richard Watson inflicted the most damaged for Joondalup while Ashfield were lead by David Mayers, Atley and Jamie D’Arcy.

At Coker Park, Queens Park were over powered by a confident Fremantle City side 3-0 courtesy of two goals from new signing David Rodgers, their third coming from the boot of teenager Josh Kamasz.

20.4.2002

RESERVES AND UNDER-18’S ROUND-UP

Fremantle City won an entertaining battle with Bassendean Caledonian 2-0 in the reserves Boral Cup, while Inglewood United proved too strong for Cockburn City 3-2. In the Under18’s competition, Fremantle thrashed Bassendean 12-0 with defender Marc Sim opening the floodgates after just 6 seconds! John Migas ended the game with four goals, Mo Atak and Sim bagged hat-tricks and Paul Oliver netted twice. Goalkeeper Luke Hennessey was the hero for Inglewood when he saved three penalties in the shoot-out with Cockburn to see his side go through 4-2, the scores were tied at 1-1 after regulation time. And E.C.U. Joondalup progressed to the next stage courtesy of a 4-0 drubbing of Ashfield.

20.4.2002

FIRST DIVISION WRAP (Armadale vs Perth City report by Michael Di Pietro; Stirling Lions vs Southside United by Don Evans)

Playing in front of a large crowd for the first full fixture at Peelwood Parade Reserve, the clash between Mandurah City and Bayswater City produced a great game as both teams strived all afternoon to gain the upper hand. Depleted by injury over the past few weeks, Mandurah’s youth policy that has been driven by coach Paul O’Brien is certainly paying dividends as the young brigade showed that they are up to the rigours of first team football. The first half was barren of chances for both sides with the best one being created by the home side, wily veteran Neil Patten-Williams releasing Andrew Rennie who looked certain to open the scoring only to hit a soft shot straight at the ‘keeper who breathed a sigh of relief. The second stanza started in much the same vane as the first, then in the 56th minute an Alan Fitzmaurice throughball was intercepted by the Bayswater midfield, and with the home defence caught flat footed Nikola Stojanovski finished off to give Bayswater the lead. This sparked the game to life and saw Mandurah take the game to Bayswater, winning a corner almost immediately when a stinging shot from Steve Choate was deflected on to the crossbar and out for a corner. The resulting cross saw Cliff Kearns rise high above everyone to rifle a header passed the outstretched Bayswater ‘keeper to level the score. Mikel Sesma almost added Mandurah’s second but his shot narrowly missed the target. Minutes later Sesma again found himself in a goal scoring position but this time he unselfishly crossed to Damian Condo who shot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal for his second goal in as many weeks. A tactical change by Bayswater coach Salv Todora saw new-signing Sal Marapodi come off the bench to inspired a late fight back. A great ball by Gareth Healey saw him release Jamie Kumkar who was fouled by goalkeeper Mike Green, the referee pointed to the spot much to the jeers of a big home crowd and Kevin Henderson calmly slotted it into the bottom corner. The visitors could have stolen the game with a minute left, a corner floated into the area was powerfully headed on target but Green produced a superb save to ensure the points were shared. In the reserve, Mandurah gained their first points of this years’ campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over Bayswater, all four goals coming in the opening 15 minutes through Steve Rhodes, Barry Neylon (2) and an own goal. It was the similar story in the Under-18’s with a Matt O’Brien double giving the home side a 2-0 result.

After a bye in round two, Armadale hosted their first home match for the season on the weekend. Their visitors Perth City are also challengers for the First Division title according to local soccer pundits, but the Reds had a full strength squad to pick from and looked solid from the kick-off. The home crowd had reason to celebrate after 24 minutes when Lawrence Bruce gave them the lead. Play continued to be quite entertaining for most of the half, Perth had their opportunities to get back on level terms but found Armadale goalkeeper Craig Olenjeki in superb form. Paul Caulkin put the game beyond doubt in the 75th minute when he received a cross from the wing from Jason Goodwin. Five minutes later it was Goodwin’s turn to be on the end of a cross when he made it 3-0. At the completion of the round the Reds find themselves nicely placed in third position on the table, one point behind Kingsway Olympic and newcomers Mandurah City, but having played one game less than the leaders. Armadale’s reserves took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes through Joe Clarke, but immediately after the re-start their opponents equalised. Perth stretched the lead out to 3-1 before striker Chris Brown gave the Reds a chance to sneak a point from the match, but to no avail. Under-18’s coaches Jim Loveless and David McKean were forced to re-shuffle their squad after losing several players to the reserves and injury. Against a strong Perth side, Armadale took the lead through Oliver Crockford and were looking good after half an hour, but were unable to maintain control for the full 90 minutes to go down 4-2. A bright point for the home side was the effort by Under-16 ‘keeper Cameron Richens who made his debut.

Macedonia Park was the venue for a seven-goal thriller on the weekend that put Stirling Lions title aspirations back on track. With five new faces in the team due to a rash of red cards handed out the previous week, the Lions came out with all guns blazing against Southside United. And they took the lead after just 8 minutes when a perfect cross from Adam Raines found Rob Milevski unmarked in the box and he headed in from close range. After a string of missed opportunities, the margin was doubled in the 23rd minute after Basil Lenzo darted down the centre and laid off a neat one-two with Milevski before unleashing a smashing drive for what was certainly the goal of the day. Despite being two goals down, Southside never gave up the chase and from a simple free-kick in the middle of the ground the visitors bagged their first goal of the afternoon. Fourteen minutes after half-time a fine exchange of passes between Keegan Ashley, Tomo Nishizawa and Andy Wright saw the latter hammer it past the visiting ‘keeper to restore the Lions two-goal lead. The dominate home side continued to drive into attack but were thwarted in their attempts to further extend the margin by the frame of the goal and some desperate goalkeeping. Southside mounted a late comeback which saw stand-in striker Paul Street find the back of the net twice to tee-up an entertaining last fifteen minutes. Not to be outdone, the home side continued to pressure and with six minutes left on the clock new signing Michael Vassiliou popped up to secure maximum points with the Lions fourth goal from a tight angle.

Morley Windmills thumped five past Dianella White Eagles to record a 5-1 home victory at Wooton Reserve. Perhaps inspired by Windmills reserves winning their third game on the trot, the home side took an early lead when Ray Rose bagged his third goal of the campaign. Dianella struck back not long after and should have gone ahead on the half-hour mark when awarded a penalty which was well saved. With Simon Messenger switched to right back at the break, Windmills came out for the second half firing on all cylinders. They went 2-1 up when Dianella’s last defender hauled down Steve Keady inside the area to earn himself a red card, Ian Ballantine successful from the penalty spot. From there Windmills never looked back as Ballantine netted twice more for his first hat-trick of the season while Michael Monterosso found himself in the right place at the right time to also get on the scorecard.

In other games, Kingsway Olympic went down 0-2 at home to Stirling Suns, while South West Phoenix’ 3-1 win over Wanneroo City consigned them to their third loss from as many starts. Balcatta notched up their first win of the season by defeating Canning City 2-1, and Leeming Strikers knocked off Rockingham City 2-0.

19.4.2002

COONEY LOOKS TO IRELAND

Australia could lose another young talent with teenager Sean Cooney facing a potential tug of war between the country of his birth and his parents’ homeland of Ireland. The Perth teenager has been with English club Coventry City for the past two years and has recently forced his way into the reserves where he’s caught the eye of Ireland’s youth management. “He’s a big centre half, he’s reasonably solid at the back and good in the air. If he improves and gets near Coventry’s first team in the next year, he could be a show for our under 21’s,” said Ireland’s Under-19 coach Brian Kerr recently. “But if he was selected by Australia I wouldn’t have a problem with him going to Australia.”

After playing locally for Inglewood United, the then 16-year old Cooney travelled to England in mid-2000 and within three weeks was signed up on a three-year contract by the Sky Blues. And while Cooney admits he has “improved heaps” during his time in England, he said he was unsure which way he would turn if international calls came for him from both Australia and Ireland. “I’m not too sure, whoever really came in first, I’d choose,” he said. “It would be easier to play for Ireland because it’s just across the water, but I’d like to play for Australia. I’ve talked to the Irish Under-19 coach and he said they were interested in calling me up.”

It wasn’t until recently that the 18-year old was contacted by Soccer Australia, who has since indicated the defender may be called into its youth training camp later in the year. “I don’t even think they knew I was over here until just recently,” he said. “They’ve taken my details and I’m sending them my resume. I’m hoping I’ll be called up for the Under-20s for their training camp in the summer.” Cooney’s parents, Tom and Anne, migrated to Perth as newly weds 28 years ago and have left their son to decide where his loyalties lie. “That’s going to have to be up to him, whatever he wants, as long as he’s happy and doing well,” Mrs Cooney said. “We’re Irish and we’d love him to play for Ireland but we love Australia too. But it probably won’t be his choice, it’s whoever gives him the chance first I suppose.”

19.4.2002

NEW CUP STARTS ON ANZAC DAY

The opening round of the Edith Cowan University sponsored Centenary Cup kicks-off on Thursday 25th April with a couple of triple-headers in the northern suburbs. At the Edith Cowan University ground in Joondalup, First Division side Perth City go head-to-head with Future Glory (11.15am), E.C.U. Joondalup take on Bassendean Caledonian (1.00pm) and Night Series runners-up Western Knights play Swan I.C. (3.00pm). Down the road at Macedonia Park, Leeming Strikers come up against Sorrento (11.15am), Stirling Lions have the home ground advantage against Queens Park (1.00pm), and Floreat Athena face a young Dianella White Eagles outfit (3.00pm). The days other fixture pits Cockburn City against Fremantle City at Dalmatinac Park (3.00pm). The remaining match between Inglewood United and Perth S.C. takes place under lights at the National Stadium on Wednesday 29th May.

19.4.2002

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

The National Soccer League Major Semi-Final between Perth Glory and Newcastle United takes centre stage this Saturday night at Subiaco Oval. On the local front there’s a host of action with part one of the Second Round of the Boral Cup taking place, all matches kicking-off at 2.15pm. At the National Stadium Inglewood United host Cockburn City, E.C.U. Joondalup are at home to Ashfield, and Queens Park host Fremantle City at Coker Park. The postponed First Round Cup match between South West Phoenix and Perth S.C. will be played on Thursday 25th April in Bunbury.

Round Three of the First Division season also takes place on Saturday with leaders Mandurah City hosting Bayswater City at Peelwood Parade. Armadale return to the park with a home fixture against Perth City, a depleted Stirling Lions play Southside United, and Morley Windmills face Dianella White Eagles. Visitors to Kingsway Sporting Complex have the option of watching Kingsway Olympic and Stirling Suns, or Wanneroo City verses South West Phoenix. Balcatta are at home to Canning City and Leeming Strikers host Rockingham City.

19.4.2002

FUTURE W.A. SQUAD NAMED

The Future W.A. squad has been announced for next month's visit to Lille, France, where the Under-19 side will participate in the Tournai De Croix. The 16-player squad is Anthony Danze, Shaun Kilkelly, Admir Mehic, Antonio Naglieri, Miki Vujacic (Future/Perth Glory), Oliver Taseski (Inglewood United), Scott Bulloch, Mark Ristofski (E.C.U. Joondalup), Dino Djulbic, Todd Howarth, Andreas Oliveira, Gianni Papalia (Perth S.C.), David Foster, Daniel Stoitis (Sorrento), Ivan Zuvela (Western Knights) and Greg Sharland (Wollongong Wolves). On stand-by are Nick Ward (E.C.U. Joondalup) and Australian Under-16 representative Josh Kamasz (Fremantle City). Coached by Gary Marocchi and with Frank Arok going along as technical director, the other officials are David Schrandt (tour leader), Barry Tate (trainer) and Barry Greenwood (property officer).

Speaking with Jonathan Cook of the "West Australian", Marocchi said it had not been an easy task to select the squad as they'd had two of the last three friendlies cancelled. "It's been pretty hard. We've had to cancel a couple of games but the squad had to be picked," the coach said. "We will really need the clubs to cooperate so we can get the players together as much as we can before we leave for France. They've got to start playing together. It's a good squad of players but they haven't had a game together yet." The Under-19 side face a tough schedule in France where they've been grouped with defending champions Birmingham City and the United States Under-19 national team.

19.4.2002

BROXTON RELEASED, TRIALS WITH LEYTON

Australian Under-17 representative Darren Broxton has been released after completing the second year of his scholarship with English club Southampton. The former E.C.U. Joondalup midfielder has since gone on trial with London side Leyton Orient, playing a full match for the reserves in mid-week when they defeated Peterborough United 1-0.

19.4.2002

HILL KICKS ON IN SINGAPORE

Danny Hill is enjoying life in Singapore where he’s one of six former Sorrento players with Sengkang Marine. “Things are fine in Singapore,” said the big defender this week. “It’s a lot different up here than in Perth, things are much busier. I miss the laid back lifestyle of Perth and I’ve got a lot of good friends there … I’m also missing the beaches! But I’m starting to get used to the weather now, the first few weeks were very difficult as I was getting head spins and dizzy spells due to dehydration.”

Marine, traditionally one of the S-League’s whipping boys, began their 2002 campaign in blistering form which saw the club nominated for “the Straits Times” Team Of The Month award. “The start of the current season was obviously very good for us and also a shock to everyone up here. Unbeaten in five games was a great record.” After such a great start, the club has recently had a reversal of fortunes with three losses on the trot. “The defeats have been very depressing, missed chances and bad refereeing decisions have cost us dearly.”

Hill, who was recently nominated for “the Straits Times” Footballer of the Month for March, has been featuring prominently in the headlines in Singapore. He scored a 95th minute equaliser in the 2-2 away draw with Tampines Rovers when he picked up the man-of-the-match award, and a week later repeated the feat by collecting the same award for his performance in the 1-1 draw with Jurong F.C. Unfortunately Hill missed his clubs most recent outing due to injury. “I’ve got a knee injury that’s keeping me out at the moment,” said the optimistic defender, “But all in all I’m having a great time in Singapore and will continue to do so until I return to Perth and Sorrento later in the year.”

18.4.2002

GULLS NEWS

Sorrento kick-off the new Edith Cowan University sponsored League Cup competition with a 3.00pm Anzac Day showdown with Leeming Strikers at Macedonia Park. A few days later they start their quest for back-to-back Premier League titles at Nash Field where they are away to Western Knights on Saturday 27th April. The Under-18’s get underway from 11.15am, reserves at 1.00pm and the first team from 3.00pm.

The northern suburbs club is also looking to fill a couple of gaps in their junior ranks. Sorrento are seeking two players who are eleven years of age, and another two that are twelve for the coming season. There is also a position available for a 13-year old goalkeeper at the club. Interested parties are asked to contact Jasmine Albon on 9409 8458.

18.4.2002

LOCAL GAME IN TV SPOTLIGHT

Western Australian soccer has hit the airwaves as the sport’s revival captures the imagination of a new generation of supporters. Access 31’s “The Locker Room” program will devote half an hour to the local soccer scene every Thursday night from 7.45pm in the form of the West Coast Soccer segment which looks at everything from juniors through to the Premier League.

Commentator and presenter Bob Figg said the return of local soccer to television screens was a good sign for the game. “There are some 20,000 youngsters playing soccer in W.A., the Perth Glory has enjoyed a tremendous year and the Future Glory concept has been very popular,” he said. “It seemed a natural step to take the local game back to television. It was also a natural fit with Access 31, which is gaining hugely in popularity with Western Australians looking for a local alternative. The Locker Room is proof of that, having been a massive hit with W.A. sports fans during the summer season, where an N.S.L. segment focussing on Perth Glory has proven popular.”

“Governing body Soccer West Coast has been very supportive of the new shows and there has been tremendous corporate backing from the likes of Midland Brick, Western QBE and Pride Plumbing, with other companies also looking at coming on board. Such support underlines the tremendous potential soccer has when the product is right. The Midland Brick and Western Q.B.E.’s West Coast Soccer will feature some match highlights, interviews and a junior club profile in a panel setting. It will be fun, light-hearted and about the people who make the game tick, but with enough analysis thrown in to satisfy the more serious supporters.”

18.4.2002

CACERAS A FREE ANGENT

Although he scored in the reserves’ 3-1 win against Macclesfield Town, former Perth S.C. striker Adrian Caceres became the fourth player to be made a free agent by Hull City this week. The 20-year old joined the Third Division club on a short-term contract a month ago after making a big impression by scoring twice as a trialist on his reserves debut. But Caceras was unable to carry that form into the first team, making just one starting appearance as well as three off the bench.

After rising up through the ranks of the local competition with Perth, Caceras signed with English Premier League club Southampton in August 2000. A change of management saw him fall out of favour and he started the 2001/02 season on loan to Brentford where it was hoped he’d gain some valuable first team exposure. After five games for the Bee’s he returned to Southampton and, unable to break into the senior side, Caceras was handed a free transfer in mid-March.

17.4.2002

INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL …

On the eve of the 52nd season of professional soccer in Western Australia, we take a look at how the top flight is shaping up for the winter season ahead by reviewing each of the Soccer West Coast clubs. Over the past seven years seven different clubs - Stirling Macedonia (nee Lions), Inglewood Falcons (nee United), Floreat Athena, Western Knights, E.C.U. Joondalup, Fremantle City and Sorrento - have lifted the Premier League championship … but who will do the job in 2002?

16.4.2002

LOCAL COACHES NEED RECOGNITION SAYS NORMANTON

Speaking with John O’Connell on 990AM’s International Football Show this week, Perth S.C. coach Graham Normanton voiced his concerns that local Premier League coaches are being over-looked for positions with the State team. “I’m disappointed that we’re not even considered because coaches need career paths as much as players and being selected to coach the State squad could be considered recognition in the same way that players get recognised by playing for the State team.”

One of the reasons given for local coaches to be over-looked is a supposed conflict of interest between clubs and State duties. But that’s something Normanton disagrees with strongly. “The question of a conflict of interest is questioning a coaches integrity in a lot of ways. If I was given the job my integrity would come first and foremost - you’ve got to be honest with yourself and know that you’ve done the right thing even when you’re coaching at club level. You’ve got to know that your players are as good as, if not better than the others if you’re going to pick them. I think most coaches have got integrity and I don’t think you could be biased towards your club.”

“It would be nice to get a little bit of recognition with regards to the State job. But in the last three or four years we’ve been given no opportunity to get involved in the State program whatsoever, and that’s a little disappointing” said the coach who took Perth to three trophies in 2001 as well as the Night Series title last weekend. “The thing that really bothers me is that we are not even considered, which is sad seeing we put a lot of work into soccer,” Normanton added. “The job must be advertised otherwise it smacks of hypocrisy, it’s a closed shop. We don’t even get the opportunity to apply for these jobs as we don’t even know the jobs available before it’s given. We get told that there’s an Under-19 team and there’s a coach and he’s going to ring you … it’s very frustrating from our point of view.”

15.4.2002

FRIENDLY FIRE

At Perth Oval on Saturday morning a young E.C.U. Joondalup side were shown how the game is played at the top level in this country when they were taken apart by Perth Glory. The National Soccer League’s leading scorer Damian Mori bagged six goals in the 10-0 win, Scott Miller, Brad Maloney, Michael Garcia and Nick Mrdja also getting their names on the scoresheet. “To be honest, I thought in the first half we could’ve been even more ruthless in front of goal. In saying that, 10 goals against anybody is all right, isn’t it?,” said Glory’s hard to please assistant coach Alan Vest post-match.

A double by former Perth Glory midfielder Paul Strudwick helped Bassendean Caledonian defeat Inglewood United 2-1 when the two sides met at Jubilee Reserve on Saturday. According to sources, Strudwick’s second was an absolute stunner, rising into the top right hand corner and giving the visiting ‘keeper no chance. Caledonian’s reserves won their encounter 3-1 while a very young Under-18’s line-up went down 0-3.

A Branimir Mikulic hat-trick and two goals to Christian Paschewitz saw Cockburn City defeat Swan I.C. 5-2 on Saturday. Cockburn took out the reserves clash 5-1 where the scorers were Micheal Jennings (3) Denis Stojanovic and Domenic De Felice, while the Under-18’s finished 2-2 courtesy of two goals from Jason Dos Santos.

Also on Saturday, Future Glory’s Under-18 side travelled to Ashfield Reserve where they met the home side. Ashfield took an early lead when Dinko Ahmetanovic netted, but that was cancelled out shortly after by Ben Rogers. With the game becoming very physical, Future defender Jonathon Mathers was carried off following a late tackle and took no further part in the match. With chances at both ends, Future crept in front just before the break courtesy of a Sebastian Trim goal. Early in the new half Ashfield were back on level terms through Ben Kelly but Future responded with the next three goals, two splendid long-range strikes by Michael Park and Alex Crookes and a well taken fifth by Goce Dilevski giving the visitors a 5-2 lead. Ashfield came back and late goals by Adam Quinn and Dion Floias made the final score 5-4 in Future’s favour.

14.4.2002

NIGHT SERIES FINAL : PERTH TAKE OUT THRILLER (Future Glory vs Sorrento by Kerry Slater)

Perth S.C. made it back-to-back Night Series titles when they came from behind to defeat favourites Western Knights 3-2 in a thrilling Final at Litis Stadium on Sunday evening. Graham Normanton went into the match without injured trio Vince Tana, Tony Cumace and Todd Howarth, while Robbie Puca, Mark Pottier and Peter Vukmirovic were included in the squad despite having missed training in the days leading up to the game. Their opponents on the other hand were at near full-capacity, their only absentee being the suspended Ray Marinovic after club captain Scott Devine passed a late test on a twisted ankle.

The Knights started strongly and came very close to taking the lead after just 6 minutes, a well-planned free-kick being rolled to Leon Russell whose thundering drive crashed into the underside of the bar, bounced on the goal line and came back into play. With the respective midfield’s fighting hard to steer control of the game their way in an action-packed game, very few scoring opportunities presented themselves over a tight opening 20 minutes. Perth goalkeeper Robert Scarparolo produced a brilliant diving save in the 13th minute to keep out a powerful shot from 9-metres by Carl Medica, and six minutes later Andreas Oliveira’s header flashed wide after some good lead-up work on the right by Rob Giorgi.

Goalkeeper Tommi Tomich caused more than a few nervous moments for the Knights coaching staff when he nonchalantly took on and beat Oliveira, then hit his clearance just beyond the reach of Pottier. Growing in confidence, the Knights took the lead after 27 minutes when Dino Djulbic mis-timed a clearance and Stuart Montgomery made the most of his opportunity by threading the ball between Scarparolo and his near post from an acute angle. Six minutes later it was very nearly 2-0 but Russell lifted the ball over the bar from the top corner of the 18-yard box. And shortly after Perth were lucky not to have Pottier sent off for a savage foul on Devine than had the Knights supporters baying for vengeance. Perth kept on plugging away and four minutes from the break Tomich spectacularly tipped Jamie Coyne’s blistering drive over the bar to earn the admiration of both sets of fans. The resulting Robbie Gaspar corner was played short to Oliveira, he turned his defender and centred low for Coyne who bundled the ball over the line from close range for the equaliser.

The second half started slowly with Perth enjoying the better of play but unable to convert their possession on the scoreboard. But 14 minutes in the period the Knights re-gained their lead with a superb piece of individual skill by Medica. Taking control of the ball close to the halfway line, Medica skilfully made his way past three opponents before slamming a low shot beyond the reach of Scarparolo from just inside the area. Knowing they had nothing to lose, Perth threw men forward in the search for their second goal. A quick counter-attacking move put teenager Rhys Graham through with only Tomich to beat, but the ‘keeper raced off his line and made a superb smothering save at the wingbacks’ feet. Minutes later Tomich pulled off another fine save, this one to keep out a superb shot from Coyne after he and Oliveira created space with a neat one-two movement.

The Knights defence did well to repel their opponents time and time again, but two fine Perth moves in the space of four minutes would be their undoing. Robbie Puca slipped away down the left in the 64th minute to clip ball into the area, Pottier beat his man to the low cross and steered it past Tomich and inside the far post to level the scores. Minutes later Gaspar relayed the ball to Coyne on the right, he swung it into the dangerzone and Pottier was on hand again to nod it past Tomich’s out-stretched hands to give Perth the lead for the first time tonight. With confidence now sky-high, Perth went in search of a fourth goal. Gaspar’s stunning long-range free-kick crashed into the underside of the bar and bounced on the line, and with Tomich out of position Giorgi was unable to tuck away the loose ball. And in the 79th minute Gaspar threw off an opponent only to see his low shot saved by Tomich.

With time very much against them the Knights never gave up hope and had their opponents’ defence under the hammer over the five minutes of stoppage time played by referee Jeremy Oliphant, whose final whistle signalled the start of some wild scenes in the Perth camp. Man-of-the-match Coyne played a key part in the victory with his constant drive from midfield, Gaspar chimed in with another sparkling performance and Pottier’s two goals in the end proved the all-important difference. Tomich was superb between the posts, making numerous crucial saves while wide on the right Nielsen impressed with a non-stop contribution for the Knights.

Perth S.C. : Robert Scarparolo, Dino Djulbic, Stephen Willey, Aaron Cole, Rhys Graham (Peter Vukmirovic 73), Robbie Puca, Jamie Coyne, Rob Giorgi, Robbie Gaspar, Mark Pottier, Andreas Oliveira
Western Knights : Tommi Tomich, Ivan Zuvela, David Annall, Evan Wallace, Claus Nielsen, Leon Russell, Alex Christie, Scott Devine (Joseph Reale 73), Paul McVittie, Carl Medica (Eugene Singeorzan 59), Stuart Montgomery
Referee : Jeremy Oliphant
Cautions : McVittie (8), Montgomery (22), Gaspar (54), Medica (59), Wallace (72), Christie (75)
Dismissals : None
Attendance : 1,400 (approx.)

Sorrento received a surprising lesson about the art of finishing as they were well beaten by 6-1 by the feet of Future Glory in the hastily arranged play-off for third and fourth place. Without regulars Sean Fallon, David Foster and Shaun Bowyer through injury, Stuart Banks holidaying in the United States and Lee Burns out suspended, Sorrento coach Steve Neville handed starting places to Gareth Phillips, Brian Hedges, David Colegate, Peter Butler and Ross Greer. There was no indication of the goal avalanche to come as the match started cautiously. Hedges created the first opportunity after 5 minutes when he crossed from the right to Phillips who let fly with a volley from 25-metres, but the shot was straight into goalkeeper Vince Matasa. Sorrento continued the pressure and it paid off on 15 minutes, Hedges put a long ball over the top for Jared Love who outpaced Dion Valle before beating Matassa to open the scoring. Sorrento’s lead only lasted two minutes, Shaun Kilkelly getting onto a poor clearance and firing the ball into the bottom left corner pass the despairing Gareth Deeg. Lively up front, Phillips set-up Ryan Jeans in the 24th minute but his blast was well held by the ‘keeper.

Future took the lead after 30 minutes by virtue of a stunning strike by Peter Lord who turned and volleyed into the top left corner from inside the area. Further pain was inflicted on Sorrento who conceded two goals in the final minutes of the half. Lord’s push on Iain Deans went unnoticed by the referee and he used the time gained to place the ball wide of Deeg’s right for Future’s third. And midfielder Miki Vujacic created an opening of his own when he tricked his way into the area and the blasted in from an angle on the left for the goal of the match. With a lot of catching to do, Sorrento made the mountain even higher twelve minutes into the new half. A goal mouth scramble saw Daniel Stoitis cleared it off the line and in the defensive confusion that followed Vujacic powered the loose ball into the top right corner from an acute angle. Now 5-1 down, Sorrento struggled to keep up with a very confident Future side and the final nail was hammered in with three minutes remaining when an embarrassing collision between Deans and Deeg allowed the ball to run to Antonio Naglieri who had the simplest of tap-ins.

14.4.2002

AMATEURS ROUND-UP

The University of Western Australia avenged last years’ Cup semi-final loss at the hands of Spearwood Dalmatinac with a character-filled 2-1 away win in the W.A.A.S.S.A. Premier League on Sunday. In a very competitive game, University took the lead after sweeper Adam Brett sent the tireless Robert Benkovich away on a solo run from the half way line which saw him beat the ‘keeper at the near post. After hitting the up-right then the bar in an evenly contested half, Dalmatinac finally found an equaliser through Darren Pesich who converted a good cross. The second half continued with end-to-end action, Dalmatinac throwing everything at the opposing defence and again hitting the frame of the goal, while down the other end University launched a series of raids which saw Robert Benkovich going very close to netting. In the last minute of the match Benkovich broke forward only to be taken down by the ‘keeper, leaving the referee with little opportunity but send off the ‘keeper and to award a penalty which Brett despatched into the back of the net. U.W.A. reserves also recorded a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals by Mike Ford and Tom Banyard, M.Forzatti was Dalmatinac’s scoring.

Reigning Premier League champions Hamersley Rovers found themselves two goals down after 15 minutes against Balga but fought back strongly to maintain their 100% win record with a convincing 6-2 away triumph which saw them go top of the table on goal difference. Murdoch University are second after a 4-1 road win over Fremantle United, with U.W.A. third. Runaway winners of the First Division last season, Subiaco United’s top flight initiation took a turn for the worse when thrashed 8-1 at Forrestfield United. Perth Azzurri went down 2-1 at home to Shamrock Rovers, and E.C.U. Joondalup defeated Kwinana United 3-2.

13.4.2002

FIRST DIVISION WRAP

Mandurah City moved to the top of the First Division table after their 3-2 away victory over South West Phoenix. The competitions only two non-metropolitan based clubs fought out an entertaining match with Phoenix grabbing the upper hand after 15 minutes after Mandurah’s Michael Green saved a penalty but was unable to keep out the follow-up shot. Mandurah pushed forward in their search for an equaliser but were held at bay by a determined home defence until five minutes from half-time. A superb Sean Kearns’ through ball found Mikel Sesma whose shot beat the ‘keeper but was cleared off the line and Andrew Rennie was on hand to curl the loose ball into the top corner of the net. Phoenix started the second half desperate to re-store their lead and a defensive error by Cliff Kearns allowed the home side to net with a fantastic curling shot from 30-metres. Paul O’Brien, coach of Mandurah, made some astute tactical changes which had immediate effect, Cliff Kearns superb long ball finding Damian Condo on the edge of the area, from where he scored a classy equaliser. With both sides seemingly content to settle with a share of the points, Mandurah’s Neil Patten-Williams innocuous cross into the penalty area saw substitute Michael Charlesworth pressure a defender to head the ball past his own ‘keeper and give Mandurah a hard-earned 3-2 win. The two earlier games were both taken out by Phoenix with the reserves winning 3-1, Clint Forsyth the scored for Mandurah, and the Under-18’s 3-0.

A very young Rockingham City side caused the seasons first major upset by knocking off a luckless Stirling Lions outfit 4-2 on Saturday. In a match dominated by poor refereeing, Rockingham got off to a flying start by finding the target after 20 minutes. Despite being reduced to ten men, the Lions pressed for an equaliser only to be denied by the sharp reflexes of the Rockingham goalkeeper and the frame of the goal. The second half was less than a minute old when Rockingham doubled their lead. With the match turning physical and some unsavoury challenges allowed to go unpunished by the referee, the visitors saw red when Danny Carlino and Toby Wright were sent off for dissent. A gallant display by veteran defender Andy Wright saw the Lions come back into the match, only for his side to go three down on the counter-attack. The Lions responded immediately with a goal of their own through Adam Rains who shortly after bagged his second to make it 3-2. With 15 minutes remaining Keegan Ashley squandered a spot-kick which would have levelled the scores, Bobbi Klenkovski became the fourth Lions player sent off before Rockingham made it 4-2 two minutes from full-time. “Something must be done about the referees,” said a furious Lions coach Basil Lenzo post-match. “When blatant tackles on players go unpunished, and players are not given the opportunity to air their views, then the game is always going to get out of hand. The referees have to understand that they are not bigger than the game, and that they can only earn respect through good decision making.”

At Frank Drago Reserve, the match between Bayswater City and Morley Windmills was abandoned by the referee in the 50th minute after a Windmills player was struck on the back of the head by a spectator. Bayswater dominated the opening period and took a deserved early lead when Jamie Kumkar’s precise lob cleared the ‘keeper. Spurred into activity, the visitors then came back into the match and got back on level terms through Michael Monterosso. The turning point came when Bayswater were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of influential midfielder Alan MacKenzie, and just minutes later Windmills made it 2-1 when Raymond Rose converted. The second half began with Windmills making the most of their numerical advantage before the game was called off with players from both camps citing the referees’ lack of control as the underlying reason for the unrest.

Dianella White Eagles notched up their first win of the new campaign with a 3-1 home result over Leeming Strikers. After controlling for opening half hour, Dianella finally took the lead when Peter Mrdja’s shot came back off the bar and Zelko Savic was on hand to head it over the line. Five minutes later some sloppy defending allowed the visitors to make it one-all, which is how things stayed going in to the break. A more aggressive Dianella side emerged for the second half and they soon found themselves back in front after Zoran Barovic’s free-kick was parried by the ‘keeper and Savic found himself in the right place at the right time to make it 2-1. Dianella wrapped up the three points when a scorching shot by Bojan Bolta restored his sides’ two-goal advantage.

Stirling Suns took a 1-0 lead in the break in their home fixture with Queens Park who mounted a very late fight back to steal maximum points. The visitors equalised with only minutes remaining to set up and exciting finish in which the Suns had a goal disallowed for off-side before Queens Park netted the winner deep in injury time. The result, which lifts Queens Park into second place on the table, would have no doubt please recently appointed coach Allan Pottier. In other games, Perth City defeated Wanneroo City 3-l in the derby match at Kingsway Sporting Complex, Canning City were held 1-1 at home by Kingsway Olympic, and Southside United and Balcatta played out a scoreless draw. Armadale had the bye.

13.4.2002

MORGAN’S TARGET A TOP SIX FINISH IN SINGAPORE

Eight games into the S-League season and Sengkang Marine, who are coached by former Sorrento boss Trevor Morgan, sit in sixth place and looking at achieving their best ever season in the competition. Having collected 11 points so far - almost half of the what they chalked up in the whole of last season - Marine were recently rewarded for their efforts by being named “the Straits Times” Team Of The Month for March. Morgan has set Marine a target of 50 points for 2001, “That would give us our best finish yet and likely a finish in a respectable top-six position,” he said this week. Since joining the S-League in 1998 Marine has never experienced a top ten finish.

Marine started the season undefeated after five games but that form has dropped off in recent outings with three consecutive losses, not that that bothers the coach. “We won the matches we should have won and our losses have come against sides we were expected to lose - against Home United, Woodlands Wellington and Sembawang Rangers, which are in the top four,” Morgan told “the Straits Times” this week. “The good thing is that the matches have all been close.” Also at Marine with Morgan are former Sorrento players Tony Carbone, who is club captain for the second year running, Danny Hill, Simon Harland and youth team player James Morgan. Todd Harnwell has completed his loan spell with the club and will return to Perth shortly.

13.4.2002

COACH TIPS TOMICH FOR N.S.L.

Beaten just once in six outings, it would be fair to label Western Knights goalkeeper Tommi Tomich the safest pair of hands in the current Night Series competition. The 22-year old, who spent two years as an apprentice with Perth Glory before returning to the Knights camp, has improved greatly since he last played for the club in 1999 according to coach Ronnie Campbell. “I’ve been delighted with him,” Campbell told Jonathon Cook of the “West Australian”. “His attitude and performances have been outstanding since he came back. I think he’s probably learnt a lot from the Glory. He’s a much better goalkeeper now.”

Tomich returned to the Knights camp this year after successive seasons with Cockburn City and Bassendean Caledonian, and Campbell is tipping a return to National Soccer League level for the young custodian who trialed with Melbourne Knights last September. Tomich himself agrees he has improved and says he wants to step up to the national competition. “I’d love to be playing at the next level,” he said. “You see what the Glory are doing and you just wish you were there.” That opportunity may come soon for Tomich if he continues the form he’s shown so far in this year.

12.4.2002

NIGHT SERIES FINAL PREVIEW

The state's top two clubs fight it out at Litis Stadium on Sunday night for ownership rights of 2002 Night Series trophy. Many are tipping Perth S.C. and Western Knights to fight it out for the Premier League championship this year, and going on pre-season form it's hard to disagree. To date, neither side has lost in the Night Series, but that will change this weekend for one of them.

Perth coach Graham Normanton has more than a few injury concerns ahead of Sunday's decider. He will be without Vince Tana (knee) and Todd Howarth (groin), while Robbie Puca (groin), Peter Vukmirovic (hamstring) and Mark Pottier (flu) all missed training on Thursday night and will undergo late fitness tests. But Perth was bouyed last week with the return of Jamie Coyne who effortlessly slipped into the midfield alongside Gaspar, Robbie Gaspar and Rob Giorgi. Dino Djulic, Steve Willey and Aaron Cole were solid at the back against Sorrento, but that formation may change with Michael Icanovski set to return to the eleven with Willey pushing out to the wing. And while Andreas Oliveira is yet to get on the scoresheet this season, Perth can boast that they are the highest scoring side in the competition with 15 goals shared between no less than nine different players.

The Knights go into the Final at near full-strength after downing Future Glory last Sunday. The only player in doubt is captain Scott Devine (ankle) although Ray Marinovic will be missing after being red carded last weekend. The off-season recruitment of Stuart Montgomery and Evan Wallace has certainly added depth, quality and character to Ronnie Campbell's squad. In goal Tommi Tomich has been sensational, conceding just a solitary goal in six outings, teenager sweeper Ivan Zuvela looks set to become a regular in the first team this season, while the midfield muscle is provided by Alex Christie, Devine and Paul McVittie. With the likes of Wallace, Eugene Singeorzan and John Nicoloau on the bench last week, Campbell obviously has an abundance of wealth to choose his starting line-up against Perth from.

12.4.2002

OTHER WEEKEND ACTION

Saturday sees Round Two of the new First Division season with a number of derbies on the cards. Perth City take on Wanneroo City at Kingsway Sporting Complex, Bayswater City play long-time rivals Morley Windmills at Frank Drago Reserve, and South West Phoenix are in action for the first time when they host a Mandurah City in Bunbury. The young Canning City side will be at home to Kingsway Olympic, Dianella White Eagles play Leeming Strikers, and Southside United are up against Balcatta. In other games Rockingham City will find the going tough when they host Stirling Lions, while at Brian Burke Reserve Stirling Suns play Queens Park. Armadale have the bye.

With the Premier League season due to get underway next Saturday, a number of clubs are having their final pre-season hit-outs this weekend. E.C.U. Joondalup take on Perth Glory, recently crowned National Soccer League champions, at Perth Oval on Saturday with proceedings getting underway from 10.30am. Later in the afternoon Joondalup are back in action, this time playing Fremantle City at all three levels. At Jubilee Reserve Bassendean Caledonian go head-to-head with Inglewood United, while Swan I.C. meet Cockburn City in all grades from 11.15am. Cockburn's Under-18 and 21 sides will also be in action next Tuesday (16th April) when they take on Perth S.C. at Beale Park from 6.30pm.

11.4.2002

"FOR THE FANS" SAYS LAZARIDIS

Socceroo Stan Lazaridis has underlined the determination of the players at Birmingham City to win promotion to England's top flight in honour of the club's supporters. "We have to make sure that we do it for the fans this season after what has happened in the past. I feel with the squad we have got we can really press on this time and make that final step." With two League games remaining, the Blues sit in fourth place and looking good to make the play-offs for the fourth successive year. But having had to endure the agony and frustration of being beaten in the semi-finals of the play-offs for the past three years, Lazaridis would like nothing better than to end this season on a high.

11.4.2002

FIXTURE UP-DATE

A big thank you to all those that expressed their dismay at the forced removal of the Premier League and First Division fixtures for the coming season from this website late last week. We have since sought written permission from Soccer West Coast to reproduce their fixtures on-line this year and understand it is being taken to the Board meeting on Monday night.

10.4.2002

DAVIES ENJOYING LIFE WITH BIRMINGHAM

Young goalkeeper Clint Davies has made a sterling comeback after breaking his arm on training track for Birmingham City late last year with several appearances on the bench for the Blues first team. And with a new contract in the offering, the one-time State junior representative has recently gone out on loan in an effort to further his exposure to senior football. "I've gone to Halesowen Two (Dr Marten's League) for a few games, the first being the 0-0 draw with Cinderford Town on the weekend."

"But the last few weeks have been really good, especially the two first team call-ups," Davies said this week. "The first was against Bradford City away which we won 3-1 and the second was against Norwich City away which we scraped a 1-0 victory. The experience was brilliant, Norwich was an overnight stay so that was even better. It gave me a chance to see what first team football is all about, everything is about the result. I also played for the reserves against Burnley which we won 2-0 at home, away at Preston North End when we lost 0-1, and then when we won 1-0 away at Sheffield United. It was great to have the chance to play in these games as hopefully that is what I'll be pushing for next year."

10.4.2002

ERGIC EYES SWISS CHAMPIONSHIP

With just six games remaining in Switzerland's play-off series, 21-year old Ivan Ergic is on the cusp of helping F.C. Basel to their first championship since 1979/80, and their ninth since formation in 1907. Having played a leading role in Basel topping the home-and-away table when they finished 5-points clear of F.C. Lugano, the former West Australian junior representative has been a regular for his club as they've lost once in eight play-off outings to lead second-placed Grasshoppers by 7-points.

Now firmly established as a favourite with the fans at the club, Ergic marked his 51st appearance for the club on Sunday by scoring on the stroke of half-time in their 3-2 win over Servette. But it's been a long and at times difficult journey for the youngster who left Perth in mid-2000. With just one season in Australia's National Soccer League under his belt, Ergic arrived in Switzerland as a green 19-year old who not only had to become accustomed to his new club's intensive training schedule and tactics, but also the Swiss climate.

"The Ivan Ergic of today is another player to the Ivan Ergic that arrived in the summer of 2000," coach Christian Gross told the "Basler Zeitung" newspaper recently. After making 19 appearances and scoring once in his debut season, Ergic has rarely been out of the starting side in 2001/02 when he's found the net six times in 33 games. "I've learnt what professional football is," the midfielder said. With strong rumours circulating that he may spend next season in Italy with Juventus, Ergic is only focused on achieving finals' success with his current club. "I missed that chance with Perth Glory, now I want the chance to hold the trophy with Basel."

Croatian-born Ergic came to Australia in early 1997 with his parents who settled in Carnarvon. Within months the midfielder found himself in the Western Australian Under-16 side, and a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport followed. After time in Canberra Ergic joined Glory where he came to the attention of Juventus, signed a 4-year deal with the Serie A club and was immediately loaned out to Basel. Despite playing for the Young Socceroos while still at the A.I.S. and being short-listed for both the Australian Olympic and senior national teams during 2000, the midfielder committed himself to an international future with Yugoslavia last year.

9.4.2002

MURPHY WANTS TO STAY A BLADE

Having just returned to Sheffield United after a two month loan at Crystal Palace, defender Shaun Murphy has announced that he would like to stay on at Brammall Lane once his current contract expires at the end of this season. "I think Neil Warnock would like to keep me and hopefully we'll be able to sort something out," said Murphy, who was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up for the Blades' 3-0 win over Watford last weekend. Warnock, United's manager, is believed to be keen to hold on to Murphy.

However, Palace coach Terry Bullivant has made it clear that the Eagles may make a play to lure to Australian back to London. "Shaun did very well but we're looking at all our options for next season because it doesn't look like we'll get into the play-offs. There will be a lot of players available in the summer and he might be one of them. The deal is not dead because we rate him highly and we might go back in for him."

8.4.2002

FRIENDLY FIRE

Fremantle City recorded a hat-trick of wins over Premier League rivals Floreat Athena when the two clubs met in a series of friendlies at Hilton reserve on Sunday. Goals were the order of the day as the Under-18's hit four without reply, the reserves whallopped their opponents 8-1, while the first team match ended 2-1 in favour of the port side.

Bassendean Caledonian recorded a 4-2 win over Cockburn City on Saturday. Jimmy Merkouris ,Glen McCormick , Devid Vitale and Paul Strudwick were the scorers for Caledonian while Branimir Mikulic and Roberto Colallilo replied for Cockburn. Goals from Colin Copperwaite (2) and Michael Jennings saw Cockburn's reserves win 3-2, while in the Under-18's the southerners were victorious 7-2.

7.4.2002

NIGHT SERIES SEMI-FINALS (Perth S.C. vs Sorrento by Kerry Slater)

The opening semi-final of Sunday's Night Series pitted the undefeated Western Knights against a Future Glory line-up boasting five senior Glory players - Vince Matassa, Jamie Harnwell, Antonio Naglieri, Gary Faria and Nick Mrdja - in the starting eleven. But all that experience counted for little when, in just the 3rd minute of play, Ray Marinovic floated a corner into the dangerzone and Alex Christie did the rest, his glancing header nestling in the back of the net before the opposition knew what had hit them. For much of the following twenty minutes the two teams tried desperately to assert some control over proceedings, the result being a tightly contested game which took place between the two penalty boxes and with few scoring chances at either end.

It wasn't until mid-way through the half that Future mounted their first serious attack when Miki Vujacic clipped the ball over the Knights backline to send Faria through, but an alert Tommi Tomich raced off his line and smothered at the midfielder's feet. Just after the half-hour Faria was presented with a golden opportunity to level the scores when a deep corner cleared a crowded area, but he volleyed well wide of the target. Future were awarded a penalty after 32 minutes when Christie brought him Faria inside the box, Mrdja stepped up to take the kick and, diving the right way, Tomich produced a fine save to keep his side in front. With Carl Medica and Ray Marinovic playing in attack and regular forward Stuart Montgomery just behind the pair, the Knights strung together some promising moves of their own. Their best attack came two minutes from the interval when Matassa's reflexes had to be at their sharpest to turn away a close-range Medica rocket.

Two minutes after the re-start the Knights went down to ten men when Marinovic was given an instant red card for lashing out at Admir Mehic. But the dismissal didn't deter a Knights side hell-bent on winning and in the 45th minute they doubled the deficit. Sprinting away down the left, Montgomery cut inside to take the ball across the top of the 18-yard box before slamming it low shot beyond the reach of Matassa to make it 2-0. With their backs now firmly to the wall, Future would have to dig deep to get back in this game and they would need strikers Mrdja and Mileta Miletic, who had been kept pretty much out of the game by their opponents, to spark that revival. And for the next quarter-hour it looked as though they were dead and buried.

Finally, in the 59th minute Mrdja found himself with some space but hit the ball squarely across the face of goal. Three minutes later Tomich proved his value with another fantastic save, this time diving full-length across the goal mouth to keep out Mehic's header. And not long after Mrdja made the most of some stagnant defending only to slam his shot into the up-right. With the Knights playing mostly on the counter-attack, Claus Nielsen sent a lovely cross into the area where it narrowly evaded the out-stretched leg of substitute Eugene Singeorzan. But when Faria pulled a speculative long-range shot wide despite having plenty of time to line up the target Future knew their Night Series campaign was almost over. Other than Matassa, Future's senior players failed to ignite tonight while youngsters Vujacic and Chris Ritson were impressive in midfield. It was a deserved victory to the Knights for whom goalkeeper Tomich was in sensational form, Paul McVittie and Alex Christie were tirelessly in the middle, and Ivan Zuvela showed an experience beyond his years in his capacity as sweeper.

Future Glory : Vince Matassa, Shaun Kilkelly, Admir Mehic, Jamie Harnwell, Chris Ritson (James Hesketh 65), Kostadin Manolev, Antonio Naglieri, Miki Vujacic, Gary Faria, Mileta Miletic, Nick Mrdja
Western Knights : Tommi Tomich, Ivan Zuvela, Claus Nielsen, David Annall, Leon Russell, Alex Christie, Scott Devine, Paul McVittie, Stuart Montgomery (Evan Wallace 55), Carl Medica (Eugene Singeorzan 65), Ray Marinovic
Referee : Ron Tully
Cautions : Devine (27), Matassa (50)
Dismissals : Marinovic (42)
Attendance : 1,300 (approx.)

Perth S.C. needed an extra-time golden-goal to overcome a determined 10-man Sorrento outfit in an exciting semi-final to go through to the Night Series decider. The sudden death atmosphere was evident from the start where both defences dominated play. It was 15 minutes in before the first opportunity fell to Perth, Vince Tana's cross from the right found Andreas Oliveira but he headed it high from in front. Three minutes later came Sorrento's first opportunity with Shaun Fallon curling a free-kick from 25-metres just over Robert Scarparolo's cross bar. On 17 minutes came the first of a total of nine cautions issued during the course of this match after David Foster was judged to have fouled Robbie Puca.

With Perth enjoying the better of possession, their opponents were more direct going into attack and this approach paid dividends in the 23rd minute when Fallon got away down the left and sent the ball to the far post where Foster nodded it past the 'keeper. Four minutes later Robbie Gaspar shook his marker Shaun Bowyer and unleashed a thunderbolt from 30-metres which saw Deeg at his best to beat away. Sorrento finished the opening half strongly and should have doubled their lead on 32 minutes, Fallon's quality cross from the left picked out Foster at the far post but this time the young striker couldn't keep his header down. Not to be outdone, Oliveira sent Gaspar through found minutes later but the midfielder couldn't find a way past Deeg. And a minute before the break Fallon's free-kick from deep on the left was met by the incoming Jeans whose powerful header shaved the wrong side of the upright.

Two minutes after the break Perth lost experienced defender Steven Willey to injury, and shortly after Fallon succumbed to an ankle injury for Sorrento. Lee Burns was prominent in the Seagulls midfield, creating a string of opportunities for Jared Love who made some decisive runs at the Perth rearguard. Love cut the defence apart with a clever ball to Gareth Phillips but he didn't connect cleanly and Scarparolo gathered. Perth got back on level terms in the 65th minute when Foster was judged to have handballed Gaspar's cross into the area, referee Michael Klaver immediately pointing to the spot from where Mark Pottier made no mistake. Not long after Burns combined with Love whose inch-perfect pass found Jeans, but with only Scarparolo to beat the striker stumbled over the ball allowing the defence time to re-position. Perth had two opportunities to wrap up the match in the final four minutes - Coyne's long ball was controlled Oliveira but he pulled it across the face of goal, and in the final minute a Gaspar cross caught the defence ball-watching only for Oliveira to nudge it wide.

With the scores deadlocked after 80 minutes, the match entered the golden-goal period. 48 seconds into extra-time a deep Gaspar cross found Pottier whose strong header was pushed away by Deeg. Substitute Jake Harman and Iain Deans had their names added to the referee's list of cautions, while a cynical trip on Phillips when he was sent clear went unpunished. Burns and Dino Djulbic squared up to eachother after tangling in midfield, Klaver over-reacting to the situation by dismissing Burns while Djulbic became the ninth recipient of a yellow card. Perth started the second half of extra-time determined to end the match. Deeg made a brilliant double save, first blocking a stinging Willey drive from 30-metres then recovering in time to keep out Oliveira's effort from the rebound. But in the 94th minute Perth got their winner, a ball pumped in from the right hitting Aaron Cole on the chest and the ball spun between the legs of Deeg and agonisingly over the line.

Played for the better part played in a competitive but by no means fiery spirit, some poor refereeing over-shadowed what was an entertaining semi-final. Sorrento had reason to feel hard done by the match official who booked six of the their players and sent off the influential Burns in extra-time, a decision would be the game's turning point. But to give credit where it's due, Perth fought hard against a strong opposition on an evening that saw very little between the two sides. Gaspar provided the inspiration behind the win, particularly effective whether in midfield or out wide on the right, while for Sorrento it was Deeg that shone with a number of top-draw saves.

Perth S.C. : Robert Scarparolo, Dino Djulic, Steve Willey, Aaron Cole, Rob Giorgi, Vince Tana (Rhys Graham 42), Robbie Puca (Vlado Milasinovic 55), Jamie Coyne, Robbie Gaspar, Mark Pottier, Andreas Oliveira
Sorrento : Gareth Deeg, Iain Deans, Daniel Stoitis, Kevin Murphy, Sean Fallon (Gareth Phillips 43), Jared Love, Lee Burns, David Colegate, Shaun Bowyer (Jake Harman 60), David Foster, Ryan Jeans
Referee : Michael Klaver
Cautions : Foster (17), Bowyer (42), Graham (49), Giorgi (52), Colegate (66), Murphy (67), Harman (84), Deans (86), Djulbic (89)
Dismissals : Burns (89)
Attendance : 800 (approx.)

7.4.2002

AMATEURS ROUND-UP

The University of Western Australia made an excellent start to its W.A.A.S.S.A. Premier League campaign with a last minute 3-2 victory over Fremantle United at McGillivray Oval on Sunday. The first half was a fairly even affair territorially although Fremantle did strike the upright from a wind assisted free-kick. The second half commenced with U.W.A. going one up when sweeper Adam Brett converted a corner. U.W.A. then doubled their lead through a similar goal with Brett again the scorer, and with 25 minutes to go the game looked over. However, Fremantle kept plugging away and got back on level terms courtesy of a converted penalty by David Neeru and a sensational free-kick by Danny Collova. In a dramatic last minute Marc Disconier took the ball from the half way line, drew the defence then slid it into the far corner past a stranded goalkeeper. "It was really a game that at 2-0 up we looked in no danger of walking away with anything but three points. Unfortunately our defensive discipline slipped and allowed Fremantle back into the game," said U.W.A. coach Kevin Burton post-match. "Given that Fremantle only lost six games last season, this was a very good win for us. The support of the crowd was very much appreciated and it was great to see many former players down for the 'legends' game including Malcolm Bailey who established the club in 1949." U.W.A. comfortably beat Fremantle 4-0 in the reserves fixture courtesy of goals from Tim Grose (2), Guy Hattersley and Lewis MacDonald.

In other opening weekend matches, reigning champions Hamersley Rovers accounted for E.C.U. Joondalup 3-0, which was the same result when Kwinana United defeated Forrestfield United. Murdoch University proved too strong for Balga 3-1, Perth Azzurri knocked off newly-promoted Subiaco United 1-0, while Shamrock Rovers and Spearwood Dalmatinac ground out a scoreless draw.

6.4.2002

FIRST DIVISION WRAP (Wanneroo City vs Armadale by Michael Di Pietro)

The 2002 season has finally kicked off with Soccer West Coast once again leaving the organization of the fixtures to the very last minute and with no definite plan as to what will occur in 2003. Armadale traveled north to Wanneroo City feeling confident after a good pre-season workout, and within 15 minutes strike partners Dennis Lee and Greg Newcombe had the Reds two up. A very good free-kick in the 31st minute gave Wanneroo some hope, pegging the score back to 2-1. In the second half coach Billy Russell asked for more short and direct passing from the players. In the 54th minute Newcombe caught the 'keeper in possession and had little problem in sticking the ball in the back of the net. Lee added his second via the penalty spot after 70 minutes, then Newcombe notched up an opening round hat-trick two minutes from full-time when he was put through the middle with only the 'keeper to beat. With a large playing squad at Armadale this year, a strong reserves team dominated for much of the 90 minutes but unfortunately they were unable to put away their chances, the match ending 0-0. The Reds Under-18 side had a commanding victory, outplaying the opposition from the start with Darryl Perrella bagging a hat-trick and singles to Chris Burns, Nick McClean, Peter Taylor and Steve Hanley giving them a 7-2 victory. While the final score could have been three times the actual one, coaches Jim Loveless and David McKean were well pleased with the team's efforts, in particular with young Hanley who worked tirelessly throughout.

Stirling Lions and Dianella White Eagles kicked off the new season at Macedonia Park with a scrappy encounter in which neither side was able to gain the upper hand over the opening half-hour. The visitors were unlucky not to take the lead close to the break when they caught the Lions defence napping and Rob Pukovski made a tremendous reflex save to keep things on an even footing. The Lions picked the tempo up in the second half and in the 53rd minute Bobbi Klenkovski found the net through a crowded goalmouth to give his side the lead. Despite some below par refereeing, the home side dominated for much of the second half which saw them squander a hatful of goalscoring opportunities before a fine cross by Gus Parfumi saw Danny Carlino pipe up for the Lion's second of the afternoon. Dianella sparked into life and it was only through some unlucky finishing and excellent goalkeeping by Pukovski that they didn't score. The Lions came back into the match in the final quarter-hour as their opponents ran out of puff, Klenkovski putting the icing on a 3-0 win with an excellent finish. The Lions won both the reserves and Under-18's matches also, 8-1 and 3-0 respectively.

Frank Drago Reserve was the venue for the evenly contested match between Bayswater City and Leeming Strikers in which both sides created some good scoring opportunities in the first half without success. Just on the hour mark the home team grabbed the lead through a fantastic 25-metre strike from midfielder Gareth Healy. It was very nearly 2-0 almost immediately from the re-start with Willie Herd going through one-on-one with the 'keeper only to find the side netting. From the resulting goal kick Leeming went into attack and equalised with a well-earned goal scored from just inside the area. Proceedings came to a sudden halt when referee Tom Klaver signaled the end of play after 85 minutes, but after consulting with his assistants on the line he called the players back onto the park to see out the game. In a frantic final six minutes, the ball was relayed from one end to the other as both teams searched for a winner. Bayswater secured the three points when substitute Mark Paratore sprinted away down the left and crossed for Nick Stojanovski who tucked the ball away after 89 minutes. "Always good to start the season with a win," said a delighted Bayswater coach Salv Todoro after the game.

The match between Mandurah City and Perth City was postponed until the evening of Tuesday 9th April at Bortolo Park where, in their debut State League outings, the home side went home winners by 3-0 in front of an enthusiastic. In a game played at great pace, Mandurah took the lead after 10 minutes with a well placed strike from Sean Kearns. Shortly before the break the margin was doubled when Alan Fitzmaurice evaded two tackles in his own half before sending a long pass down the right for Steven Choate, he squared it across the top of the 18-yard box and Cliff Kearns fired home. The second half started with Perth working hard to get back on level terms, but Mandurah proved up to the task and did themselves, the club and their supporters proud. The their defence holding firm, Mandurah came back into the match as the half wore on and three minutes from full-time were rewarded with a free-kick from just outside the penalty area which Sean Kearns hammered into the net to seal a memorable victory for Mandurah. "The quality, pace and endeavour of the players in the Perth City squad was excellent they played the game hard but with great spirit and Mandurah City would like to wish them all the best for the season ahead," said Mandurah president John Fitzmaurice after the game. On a sad note, Mandurah captain Steve Adams was taken to Fremantle Hospital after suffering a serious facial injury during the match. The Mandurah squad for their debut State League appearance was Mike Greene, Garry Collins, Neil Patten-Williams, Peter Knight, Damien Condo, Andrew Rennie, Cliff Kearns, Alan Fitzmaurice, Sean Kearns, Steven Choate, Micky Bobridge, Steve Adams, Micky Sesma and Michael Charlesworth.

With eleven of their squad under the age of 19, Canning City were on the road to play an experienced Queens Park outfit on Saturday. After conceding an early goal, Canning fought back to make it 3-3 midway through the second half, but when the visitors were reduced to ten-men their opponents made the most of the opportunity and added to further two goals with the final score 5-3. Elsewhere, Balcatta and Rockingham City played out a scoreless draw, Morley Windmills lost 1-2 at home to Stirling Suns, and Kingsway Olympic downed Southside United 1-0. South West Phoenix had the bye.

6.4.2002

STATE UNDER-19 FRIENDLY CANCELLED

Last night's proposed friendly between Inglewood United and Future W.A. at the National Stadium was cancelled at late notice. According to sources, Soccer West Coast called the match off at 10.30am on Friday morning after those clubs playing in Sunday's Night Series semi-finals - Future Glory, Perth S.C., Sorrento and Western Knights - refused to make their players available for the State Under-19 side. Between them, the four semi-finalists consist of over half the Future W.A. squad.

6.4.2002

WALK OUT AT QUEENS PARK

On the eve of the new First Division season, the bulk of the Queens Park senior squad have walked out citing irreconcilable differences between the club committee and the players union. It is believed that no less than fifteen senior squad members, some with experience in the Premier League, along with the first and youth team coaches announced their intentions to seek others clubs on Thursday night.

5.4.2002

NIGHT SERIES SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW

It's semi-final time in the 2002 Night Series at Litis Stadium on Sunday when Western Knights come up against Future Glory and Perth S.C. play Sorrento. The Knights have proved deadly on the scoring front during the series, their ten goals shared between seven players, and it's from out wide that Ray Marinovic and Claus Neilsen will provide much of the danger. But Future striker Mileta Miletic, the tournament's leading scorer, will be sure to keep the defence on their toes while down the other end teenager Shaun Kilkelly has been a rock in defence. The key to the late match will be who controls the midfield with Perth's Robbie Gaspar and Robbie Puca set to go to battle with Sorrento pair Lee Burns and Jared Love.

5.4.2002

MURPHY BACK TO SHEFFIELD

Australian centre-back Shaun Murphy is back with Sheffield United after a two-month loan at Crystal Palace. With little prospect of the move becoming permanent, the 31-year old opted to curtail his loan spell in which he made eleven appearances for the First Division club.

4.4.2002

SORRY FOLKS

At the 'request' of Soccer West Coast, we regretfully announce the r