30.4.2004

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

There are a number of intriguing match-ups when Round Three of the Premier League is played out on Saturday. The big game takes place in the Swan Valley where traditional rivals Swan I.C. and Perth S.C. square off. Bayswater City face another difficult test when they meet joint leader Western Knights at Frank Drago Reserve. Fremantle City, who scored eleven goals over two games last weekend, will be confident going into their home clash with E.C.U. Joondalup. Bassendean Caledonian travel to the National Stadium for the clash with Inglewood United. Stirling Lions welcome Cockburn City to Macedonia Park, while Floreat Athena have home ground advantage over Sorrento.

First Division leader Armadale are tipped to score a sizeable victory over home team Morley Windmills. Canning City should add another three points to their season when they host strugglers Rockingham City. High flying Wanneroo City take on northern neighbours Kingsway Olympic at Kingsway Sporting Complex. Ashfield and Gosnells City collected full points last weekend and both will be gunning for a repeat performance when they meet at Ashfield Reserve. Queens Park are home to Leeming Strikers, Dianella White Eagles welcome Mandurah City, and Balcatta make the short journey to Stirling Suns. South West Phoenix are out of action due to the bye.

30.4.2004

WARD JOINS LIONS

Australian youth international Nick Ward has agreed loan terms with Stirling Lions. The creative midfielder, who made his debut for Australia at Under-20 level just three weeks ago, will make his first appearance for the Lions in this weekend's Premier League clash with Cockburn City at Macedonia Park. Following time with E.C.U. Joondalup and Future Glory, Ward spent last year at the Australian Institute of Sport and was part of Perth Glory's double winning National Soccer League squad. The addition of Ward could not have come at a better time for the club whose depth has been tested with injury claiming Rob Milevski and Rob Monterosso. The Lions stocks received an additional boost this week with the return of lethal goalscorer Eugene Singeorzan from Romania.

30.4.2004

FUNDING HOLDS UP INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

West Australian will miss out on hosting an annual international football tournament unless it finds financial backing for the venture. The men behind the tournament, Steve Stacey and Mike Anderton, said English clubs Blackburn Rovers and Everton along with Racing Santander and Seville from Spain have agreed to play in a competition provisionally scheduled for July. But without an injection of more than $1 million the tournament was unlikely to get off the ground.

Stacey, a former State team captain, said International Soccer Tournament had sponsorship interest worth between $1.5 million and $2 million but without government assistance or a major commercial backer, the tournament would not go ahead this year. "I cannot see why anybody would not embrace this," he said. "If we don't get it up this year, we'll start planning for next year." IST had discussed the matter with EventsCorp, the State Government's major events agency, and presented the organisation with a business plan for the tournament. But EventsCorp says they are yet to receive a formal funding request.

IST, which has been assisted by London-based Global Sports Management, believes the tournament would be a massive boost to the local economy, tourism and the development of soccer in West Australia. The tournament would be played at Members Equity Stadium with the final at a larger venue such as Subiaco Oval. It would coincide with a soccer convention focusing on sports management, psychology, injury management and coaching and training techniques. Stacey believes Perth to be an ideal pre-season base for European clubs because the climate is milder than Asia, which is frequently visited by clubs. "We can set this up as a major pre-season destination for English clubs," Stacey said.

29.4.2004

TARKA REVEALS HEART SCARE

Nottingham Forest defender David Tarka has suffered a setback to his plans to play for Australia at the 2004 Olympic Games in little over three months time. Speaking with the official Forest website, the former Perth Glory player revealed that he'd picked up a virus which affected the rhythm of his heart while on international duty with Australia last month. "I picked up a virus which caused an abnormal impulse on an ECG reading that I had to take after dropping out of training in Greece one day," Tarka explained. "It was pretty scary at the time, particularly as I found myself in a Greek hospital wired up to a machine that was at least 50 years old." The solidly built defender says he is now working his way back to full fitness, although strenuous training is off the menu for the time being. "I had another scan recently which showed that everything is back to normal. The impulses are all fine but I've been told I can't jump straight back into training because there's a slight possibility it could come back. I've just got to build up my training workload over the next couple of weeks but I've been told it won't be a long-term problem."

29.4.2004

GLORY TO GO HOMELESS?

Perth Glory may be on the lookout for a new home. The National Soccer League champion yesterday threatened to walk out of Members Equity Stadium if the Town of Vincent did not agree to alter the terms of its management contract for the ground. Glory chief executive officer Jeff Dennis said the club and its subsidiary, Allia Holdings, would refuse to pay nearly $200,000 the council claims it owes. He added that if the matter was not settled in a fortnight, Glory would be forced to search for a new home.

The long-running dispute over a heads of agreement the two parties signed on 13th July last year now seems set for another showdown. Both ToV mayor Nick Catania and chief executive officer John Giorgi stood firm yesterday, saying they would not be compromised on the $192,788.20 they claimed Glory and Allia owed. Glory have committed to paying $6,988 for part of the construction work on the redeveloped East Perth stadium, while Dennis said the full amount would be paid if the council agreed to alter the terms of the management contract.

Dennis said such demands by the council would "utterly compromise the commercial viability of the stadium and the future of Perth Glory." He went on to add that Glory and Allia would pay the outstanding money immediately if the council agreed to the management concessions. "We now have to look at the option of pulling out of the whole deal because we will not put the commercial interests of Perth Glory and Allia shareholders in jeopardy." The ToV have accepted legal advice and will allow another three weeks to resolve the issues before taking any legal action against Glory and Allia.

29.4.2004

OLYMPIC TEAM LOSE TO TUNISIA

The Australian Under-23 side suffered a 0-1 defeat to Tunisia in a friendly played in Monastir, Tunisia, overnight. Despite dominating play and having the majority of scoring chances Australia were unable to convert in front of goal after the hosts took a 13th minute lead. Perth-born goalkeeper Brad Jones and defender Adrian Madaschi both saw out the full 90 minutes of the match as did adopted West Australian Jade North. It was the Olympic teams first loss in nine games as they continue to prepare for the Olympic Games being held in Athens during August and June.

28.4.2004

PERTH PAIR CALLED UP FOR MATILDAS CAMP

National coach Adrian Santrac has called Tal Karp and Lisa De Vanna have made the shortlist of twenty eight players for the Australian Olympic team. The squad will assemble on the weekend for an 18-day training camp which commences in Canberra and concludes with a week on Queensland's Gold Coast. Both Karp and De Vanna were part of the Australian squad which took out the Oceania Olympic Qualifying tournament last month. The Australian Olympic Committee will name an 18-player squad plus four 'alternates' for the Athens Games on 18th June.

28.4.2004

COUNCIL PUT HARD WORD ON GLORY

Perth Glory have been given until the end of the week to repay close to $200,000 to the Town of Vincent or face legal action. Through their lawyer the ToV have asked that Glory and its subsidiary Allia Holdings pay - or at least commit to paying - the $191,788 they are owed for Members Equity Stadium. It is understood the debts include $100,000 in monthly installments for Allia dating back to February for the use of the redeveloped stadium, and $25,000 for lease costs on the venue for the 2002/03 season. "We've delivered the stadium they wanted and now we just want them to get in there and manage it so we can all move forward," said John Giorgi, chief executive officer for the ToV.

27.4.2004

PETKOVIC EYES TOP HONOURS

Australian international Michael Petkovic is enjoying the passion and pressure of football in Europe. The former Spearwood Dalmatinac and South Melbourne goalkeeper is nearing the end of his second season with high flying Turkish club Trabzonspor where he's been a regular fixture of the first eleven. "The fans here create a fantastic atmosphere, it is inspiring to play in front of them, whether there are 10,000 or 50,000 at the game," he said from his home on the Black Sea coast last week. "They demand success and they want to win, to be the best. It's all they want here, football is their life. They love the game and the team, and I love playing here."

When he joined Trabzonspor two years ago Petkovic knew little of the club. But having established himself the 27-year old shot-stopper is more than happy to be part of a club that is going places. In two weeks Petkovic will line up against fellow Socceroo Josip Skoko when Trabzonspor meet Genclerberligi in the Turkish Cup Final. "The pressure was on last season when we also won the Cup, but this year it will be greater. I am looking forward to playing against Jo - he's been here for a season now, and he has been playing very well. It should be a great game and a great atmosphere." It could be a huge year for Trabzonspor who are still in with a chance to win the Turkish championship for the first time in twenty years and secure an automatic place in the group stage of next season's Champions League.

"It's my second season here now and I am really enjoying it," Petkovic said. "I have only missed five or six games and we play against some very good sides, teams that are playing in the Champions League and at a very high standard ... There was a lot of pressure on me to perform straight away. The fans here are pretty demanding, they want the best, they want success, and straight away. At the end of the day, I didn't mind being under a lot of pressure." Turkish soccer has come on in leaps and bounds in recent decades - Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbache always provide stiff opposition for any team that draws them in European competition. On top of that was the national team's remarkable achievement of reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2002.

It comes as no surprise that Petkovic is keen to be selected by national coach Frank Farina for next month's two-game friendly series with Turkey in Sydney and Melbourne. "Technically they are all very good, extremely fast and skillful, quick players," said Petkovic, who is currently third in the pecking order behind Mark Schwarzer and Zeljko Kalac. "I think they will bring an experienced team. They have a new coach, and I also expect him to bring in some new players as some of those older players are starting to step down. Long term, my ambition is to play for the Socceroos in the World Cup. Hopefully Frank and the coaches will feel that I am capable of doing the job for them."

27.4.2004

CORNMELL SHINES ON ASHFIELD RETURN

Andy Cornmell could not have wished for a more sensational return to Ashfield. The 23-year old attacker bagged a sensational hat-trick to inspire Ashfield to a 5-1 mauling of his former club Rockingham City on Saturday. "Andy scored three, missed a penalty and had another goal disallowed," said Ashfield coach Tom Kilkelly of his start striker. "He's a very good player, has settled in very well with the rest of the squad and we're looking forward to some improved results with him playing up-front. Since we lost Mohammad Komaderic over the off-season we've been left lacked in the finishing department. We were making chances but not converting them, so the need for someone with pace and the ability to finish was exactly what we required." Ashfield's stocks received a further boost on the weekend with creative midfielder and former captain Steve Goff playing a full game for the reserves.

27.4.2004

NAVEN BOWS OUT

Former Australian youth international and Perth Glory defender Craig Naven has reportedly bowed quietly out of the game. The 35-year old recently decided to hang up his playing boots at senior level and will now turn his attention to coaching at Bassendean Caledonian where he is assistant to Gerry Wardle. Naven's retirement comes six months after twin brother Gareth played his last game for Perth S.C. A tough-tackling player with a never-say-die attitude, Naven spent the last two years of a long and very successful career as part of the Caledonian backline where his efforts were rewarded with successive Players Player of the Year awards.

Having played junior football with Gosnells City and Bayswater City, Naven took up a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sports after representing Australia at the 1985 World Youth Championship. On his return to the west coast he spent nine seasons with Perth Italia, a period punctuated only by time as captain of the Perth Kangaroos side which won the S-League in 1994. A State regular, Naven was part of the inaugural Glory squad and over the clubs first 18 months made 29 appearances in the national competition before retiring for family reasons. Four additional and successful seasons at Perth preceded his joining Caledonian for the winter of 2002.

27.4.2004

BALCATTA SIGN EXPERIENCED TRIO

The season may have started but Balcatta are still on the recruitment trail. The First Division club last week added to their number with the return of former State player Scott Broadley and the signing of Stirling Lions duo Adam Kostrencic and Danny Carlino. Broadley was Balcatta's star player last season and comes back to the club after spending the past few months with his former team E.C.U. Joondalup. Kostrencic, a reliable defender, arrives at the club following lengthy spells with Western Knights and the Lions. A former player of Kingsway Olympic and Balcatta, Carlino makes his return to the latter following four successful seasons with Lions.

26.4.2004

GLORY STAR TO MAKE INGLEWOOD DEBUT

Bobby Despotovski will make his return to local ranks this weekend. The Perth Glory star, arguably the most recognisable face in West Australian soccer, has agreed terms with Inglewood United for whom he'll play next weekend against Bassendean Caledonian. "I am looking forward to it," said the 32-year old attacker recently. "It has been almost ten years since I played in the Premier League and I am looking forward to seeing the standard." Despotovski's last local outing was during the winter of 1997 when he played for Floreat Athena.

Despotovski is the latest Glory player to turn out in the local competition following the completion of Glory's double winning season. Yougnsters Anthony Danze and Greg Sharland are also on Inglewood's books. Gary Faria has been loaned to Fremantle City, the club that he started out with and who he helped to the Premier League title in 2000. Sorrento have welcomed back to the fray big defender Jamie Harnwell as well as midfielder Brad Hassell. Several other players are currently negotiating with local clubs for the winter season.

26.4.2004

TANA URGES ASA FOR TARGET DATE

Perth Glory owner Nick Tana has urged the Australian Soccer Association to move quickly and confirm dates for the new national league in order for interested clubs to make their own plans. Last week the ASA confirmed that prospective applicants could register their interest in the new national competition over a two week period commencing 3rd May. The association is hopeful that the successful applicants will be confirmed by the end of August, however, there has been no talk about when the new competition will commence. "We need a timetable," Tana said. "We have to address our staff and sponsors and we don't have a target date. This new statement does not advance us very far."

26.4.2004

BORAL CUP, QUARTER-FINALS (Cockburn City vs Bassendean Caledonian by Lennie Bavich; Wanneroo City vs Stirling Lions courtesy Wanneroo City)

Cockburn City were pushed all the way before emerging victorious over Bassendean Caledonian in their Third Round Boral Cup tie at Macedonia Park this afternoon. In an entertaining match Cockburn's dominance in midfield saw them create the lions share of first half chances only to find youngster Vince Matteo in superb form between the posts for the visiting team. Although on the backfoot for much of the period Caledonian made the most of their limited forays into attack when, six minutes from the break, Ian Griffiths streamed down the right win before finding Glen McCormack who rifled through a crowded goalmouth and past Dino Pacella for the games first goal. That lead lasted for all of two minutes, Antonio Naglieri swinging a free-kick into the area from the right which was cleared as far as Shane McNally who blasted in the equaliser from long-range. Midway through the second half Cockburn earned themselves a series of corners which eventually ended with Liam Lilly adding to the hosts tally. Having gone in front Caockburn established dominance and carved numerous opportunities to extend their lead without success. In a desperate attempt to send the match into extra-time Caledonian threw everything forward and came agonisingly close to leveling via Jonathon Mathers whose shot slide just the wrong side of the upright.

Fremantle City toppled Perth S.C. in a thrilling match at Dorrien Gardens which produced eight goals. It was a sign of things to come when, only minutes after kick-off, Anthony Perriera forced a smart response from goalkeeper Robert Scarporolo. In stark contrast it took Perth 18 minutes to mount their first serious attack but Todd Howarth shot wide of the target from Shane Crampton's cross. It surprised no one then that the visitors went in front on 22 minutes when Jeff Bright's far post corner was nodded in by Jason Godfery. Four minutes later Albert Osei-Tutu slotted to Perreira whose hard and low shot flew into the bottom corner to put Fremantle two up. Perth fought back and shortly after were awarded a penalty for a soft foul on Rob Giorgi which Crampton put away to reduce the gap. Within three minutes Fremantle had restored their two-goal cushion, Correia curling a free-kick into the top corner from 18-metres. Fremantle continued their onslaught and with 32 minutes elapsed bagged their fourth via Correia after Peter Lord's well weighted pass from midfield. Perth emerged from the break with some bounce in their step as Crampton and Giorgi went close to scoring. In the 59th minute they were rewarded when in a crowded area Aaron Cole headed in a Howarth free-kick. Six minutes later Perth were back in the match as Dino Djulbic converted from close-range after Koroma spilt a corner. The hosts worked hard to conjure up an equaliser but inevitably left themselves open at the back and after 72 minutes Branimir Mikulic played through to Llewellyn Bake who secured Fremantle a 5-3 victory and a spot in the round of four.

Without several key players and missing coach Gary Marocchi due to work commitments, Swan I.C. overcame the odds to defeat E.C.U. Joondalup 5-4 in a thrilling quarter-final showdown at the Edith Cowan University Campus. It looked as though a walkover would be on the cards when pre-match favourite Joondalup went in front after just 10 seconds through Gareth Phillips. But the visiting side had other ideas and after 5 minutes were back on level terms with David Foster the scorer. The seesawing nature of the game continued as the chances came and went at both ends of the ground before Garin Collins restored Joondalup's lead with 14 minutes gone. Swan, however, would respond in devastating fashion. In a match-defining eight minute period Foster drew the two teams level with a great header, then Elton Holmes struck twice in rapid succession to send the visitors into the break with a 4-2 advantage. Joondalup came out for the second half fired up and six minutes in Andy Brown reduced the deficit. The hosts continued to go on the offensive, earning themselves a series of corners but unable to fine a way past the sharp reflexes of State custodian Cory Hugo. Swan's passage into the last four was secured in the 87th minute when Foster completed a swift counterattacking move by netting for the third time. Dale McCulloch converted a late penalty to give Joondalup a glimmer of hope but by that stage the damage had been done and Swan held out for a memorable win.

Wanneroo City stormed their way into the last four of the Boral Cup by eliminating Stirling Lions in a penalty shoot-out. With the score tied at nil-all after 120 minutes, Wanneroo progressed the to semi-finals 5-4. The match started at a frenetic pace with the first scoring opportunity coming the way of Nigel Aubin whose far post header was palmed away by Gareth Deeg. Wanneroo threatened again soon after when Stewart Collins squared to Phil O'Callaghan whose mis-timed shot flew wide. The visitors almost took the lead seven minutes from half time through Andre Sarpe whose swerving free-kick from distance beat goalkeeper Alan Young only to ricocheting back off the upright. The Lions started the second half in blistering form, forming the host club on the defensive for long periods but unable to break through. The closest they came was when Adam Rains broke through only to be denied by the agility of Young. Wanneroo charged back into the match over the closing stages and looked to have taken the lead through O'Callaghan but his effort was disallowed for offside. The momentum was by this stage with the hosts. Deeg produced a fine save to keep out Scott Bulloch's shot, while substitute Adam Windley twice sent the ball wide of the goal. Thirty minutes of extra-time failed to separate the potential semi-finalists, so the match came down to a penalty shoot-out. With the score tied at four-all and the Lions having taken one spot-kick more, Gerry McEwan tucked converted to give Wanneroo victory.

25.4.2004

MURPHY COLLECTS GLORY AWARD

Shaun Murphy is the runaway winner of "the Sunday Times"/Royal Bar and Brasserie Perth Glory Player of the Year award. The former Australian international polled 51 votes to win the award from goalkeeper Jason Petkovic (40 votes) and Bobby Despotovski (35). "It's a great honour," Murphy told "the Sunday Times". "The individual awards have been shared around a bit. I think Bobby (Despotovski) and Tommy (Pondeljak) have also won a couple. That's prety indicative of the season and the fact we didn't really rely on one particular player."

With the new league unlikely to start until the middle of next year, Murphy is facing a long period out of the game having decided not to play in the local competition. "I don't really want to drop in and play for four to six weeks and take the place of a young player who worked hard to earn his spot," Murphy said. "I've played a lot over the last ten or eleven years so this break will be strange. I can't say I'm looking forward to it but at the same time I can see why they're doing it."

25.4.2004

ON THIS DAY ... 1916

World War One took a massive toll on soccer in Western Australia with close to 300 players and officials enlisting in the Australian Forces. Although all competitions were suspended for the duration of the Great War, one club felt its effects more than any other - Caledonians (aka Bassendean Caledonian). The club, formed in February 1913, had no less than twenty-seven players and officials sign up for the war effort on Europe's mainland.

Eleven players from the Caledonian first team of 1914 and 1915 fought in the war, namely Alec Cowan, James Cowan, Bob Dewar, Jim Durward, David Henry, Richard Leonard, Frank Lyon, Alec Marr, Dave McKinnon, Roger McKinnon and Jamie Simpson. Of the group six players - James Cowan, Henry, Leonard, Lyon, Dave McKinnon and Simpson - would never again set foot on Australian shores, all dying on the battlefields of Turkey and France. In addition Alec Cowan and Durward were wounded in action.

By the end of the Great War the majority of the Caledonians staff had also served the nation. This included another twelve players in James Anderson (wounded), Frank Beisley (wounded), Charlie Braidwood (wounded), Donald Cameron (wounded), James Chalmers, William Chalmers (died), William Earnshaw, James Gourley (wounded), James McFarlane, Alex McPherson (gassed), Charlie Monteath (died) and J.Thompson. Team officials Alec Brown, George Brown, Charles Grieve (wounded) and David Reid also answered the call to arms.

24.4.2004

PREMIER LEAGUE, ROUND TWO (Cockburn City vs Bayswater City by Lennie Bavich; Western Knights vs Swan I.C. courtesy Western Knights; E.C.U. Joondalup vs Sorrento by Kerry Slater; Stirling Lions vs Floreat Athena by Don Evans) City vs Bayswater City by Lennie Bavich)

Bayswater City continued a fairy tale return to the top flight by defeating Cockburn City 2-1 at Dalmatinac Park. The match began at a cracking pace and continued that way for the duration with both sides swapping shots on goal. Boima Karpeh went close after 8 minutes when his shot flashed the wrong side of the right post. Not long after John Mirco tried his luck from 20-metres but goalkeeper Francis Allen looked comfortable in making the save. Cockburn suffered a body blow on the half hour when influential midfielder Michael Mirco was forced from the field with injury after blocking a strong shot by Ross Barnes. The remainder of the half produced little which troubled the respective goalkeepers although there were a couple of long-range efforts from Antonio Naglieri but, as earlier, Allen really wasn't troubled. The hosts began the second half determined to go in front and after nine minutes they did exactly that. Under pressure from Jason Dos Santos, Allen muffed an attempted clearance from a backpass that presented Peter Petkovich with a simple tap-in. Bayswater spurned a couple of chances before Kevin Henderson played through to Karpeh who broke the offside trap and round the on-coming Dino Pacella to equalise with just over fifteen minutes remaining. The deciding goal came nine minutes later when Scottish import Ross Barnes robbed Liam Lilly of possession and forced Pacella off his line before chipping the goalkeeper.

Mark Lee was the architect of Western Knights comfortable 4-0 win over Swan I.C. at Nash Field. The former Swan midfielder opened the scoring after 16 minutes to set the scene for the Knights who dominated for much of the match. Having pretty much taken up camp in their opponents half, the home side in complete control across the middle of the park while defensively Claus Nielsen superbly played the anchoring role. Four minutes from the break Daniel Trim created confusion in the Swan ranks before pouncing on some sloppy defensive work by Cory Hugo and Carlo Scali to tuck the ball into an empty net. The second half started with Swan pushing forward with more vigour, usually through the flanks, to create a number of half chances only to find Tommi Tomich rock solid between the posts. Having soaked up the pressure the home team re-asserted themselves with the introduction of Carl Medica who didn't wait long before getting on the scoresheet with the Knights third after 81 minutes. The goal laid Swans hopes of snatching a point to rest and in the final minute of regulation time Stuart Montgomery completed the scoreline with a fantastic half-volley that gave Cory Hugo no chance as it flew into the far corner of his goal. The polished performance by the Knights sent them to equal top of the table to the completion of the round.

E.C.U. Joondalup came from behind to rob northern suburbs rival Sorrento off all three points at the Edith Cowan University Campus. Gulls goalkeeper Phil Straker was called into action twice in the opening few minutes, keeping out shots from Darren Broxton and John Higgins, while Jamie Kuzmanovich crashed a shot into the crossbar. The complexion of the game changed after 10 minutes as Brad Hassell's shot was blocked by Peter Stewart, the loose ball to came back to Hassell who laid it off to Todd Harnwell and he made no mistake in stroking into an empty net. Chances flowed at both ends but with neither side able to find the net it was Sorrento that went into the break in front. Early in the second half Sorrento laid siege to their opponents goal as Harnwell and Jared Love went close to adding to the tally. Sorrento were able to increase their lead after 79 minutes when Hassell's quickly free-kick caught Joondalup on the hop and Harnwell cleverly made his way past Stewart before making it two-nil. Joondalup started their amazing comeback with five minutes remaining, an error by Straker putting the ball at the feet of Garin Collins whose shot was blocked by the goalkeeper and Gareth Phillips put away the rebound. Three minutes later Collins' far post corner was headed in by Kuzmanovich to equalise. As regulation time expired Joondalup played a the free-kick deep and this time it was Andy Brown that rose highest to nod in what would be the deciding goal.

Fremantle City recovered from conceding an early goal to steam-roll Bassendean Caledonian 6-2 when they met at Jubilee Reserve. The match evenly poised when Caledonian nudged ahead after 14 minutes via Glen McCormick who headed past Bobson Koroma after the goalkeeper had parried a close-range shot from Graeme Matthews. The two teams traded attacks before Fremantle got back on level terms in the 28th minute when McCormick had the misfortune of turning a low Branimir Mikulic cross into the area past his own goalkeeper. Fremantle were unlucky not to go into the break with a healthy lead but debutant goalkeeper Vince Matteo kept out efforts by Kevin Corriea and Mikulic, while Luke Croxall cleared a Peter Lord volley off the line. The visitors won a succession of corners early in the second half before meeting with success as Mikulic headed in after Matteo made a great reflex save to deny Gary Faria from 8-metres. Correia made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute by racing on to a ball played over a stagnant defence and slotting past a badly exposed goalkeeper. Caledonian reeled in the lead with a controversial Craig Wells goal which was allowed to stand despite the raised flag of the referee's assistant. This only fired Fremantle up with Mikulic hitting the post and Anthony Perriera shooting narrowly wide before the former found the gap between 'keeper and post to restore the sides two goal buffer. Correia added Fremantle's fifth three minutes from the end, and in stoppage time Jeff Bright blasted in to complete a resounding win for the port side.

Perth S.C. suffered a rare home defeat when Inglewood United ventured to Dorrien Gardens. Coach Eddy Hodgkinson made several changes to the Inglewood line-up which last weekend went down at home to Western Knights, the addition of Louis Parkinson and Greg Sharland to the starting eleven retaining their very strong attacking flavour. But it was the home side that carved out the better of first half chances only to find that they'd left their goalscoring boots at home. While the central midfield combination of Mark Pottier, Rob Giorgi and David Micevski were able to determine the flow of play, some rusty finishing thwarted Perth up front. The first - and ultimately only - goal of the match arrived three minutes from half time when Anthony Danze's blistering shot gave goalkeeper Robert Scarparolo absolutely no chance. The pattern of the first half continued into the second with Perth continually forcing their opponents onto the back foot. For their part Inglewood went forward only occasionally, mostly on the counterattack, and rarely looked like adding to their tally. Following the game Hodgkinson admitted that his side had ridden their luck against the reigning Premier League champions, "We had a bit of luck ... they had lots of chances to be fair and will be right up there at the end of the season."

Hot, humid conditions greeted arch rivals Stirling Lions and Floreat Athena as they made their way out for the game at Macedonia Park. Missing regulars Anthony Jones, Adrian Sutton, Andreas Oliveria and Josip Magdic, Athena were always going to be in for a tough time on foreign soil. The vocal crowd lifted the Lions for whom Andre Sarpe was in sensational form with several weaving runs into attack. Led by the experienced head of Troy Bernard, Athena were under pressure at the back as Sarpe, Rob Milevski and Mohammed Komaderic bombarded their opponents goal. The breakthrough came after 29 minutes when a corner was headed into a packed goalmouth by Komaderic and Milevski cleverly chested the ball into the roof of the net. After a much deserved half-time break Athena forced their way back onto the contest. A cracking goalbound shot by Peter Coci after 65 minutes forced a miraculous save from Gareth Deeg. Against the flow of play the Lions increased their lead when an dreadful error by the Athena goalkeeper gifted Komaderic his first top flight goal as he side-footed into an empty net. Athena refused to give up hope, however, and with twelve minutes left on the clock were awarded a contentious penalty which Deeg brilliantly saved from Peter Coci. But referee Steve Muldoon spotted an infringement and ordered the spot-kick be retaken and on this occasion Coci made no mistake. Athena tried desperately to level but it wasn't to be and the Lions claimed maximum points by a 2-1 scoreline.

24.4.2004

FIRST DIVISION, ROUND FOUR (Armdale vs Queens Park courtesy Armadale; Balcatta vs South West Phoenix courtesy Balcatta; Mandurah City vs Canning City by Phil Unsworth; Rockingham City vs Ashfield courtesy Ashfield; Gosnells City vs Stirling Suns courtesy Gosnells City)

Armadale showed they will be a force to contend with this season with an amazing 8-2 victory over traditional rivals Queens Park at Alfred Skeet Oval. After a slow start the Reds romped home with a great team effort in which forwardsDean Gartside and Jason Goodwin, who scoredseven goals between them, were the star performers. But it had all looked so different in the early stages as the visitors raced to a two goal lead within 18 minutes as Dean Dalby and Grant Learmont found the net. Armadale gradually began to assert themselves and after several missed opportunities Gartside finally pulled one back ten minutes before half-time. Sixty seconds later Luke Morris won his side a corner from which Gartside struck his second. Armadale were now on fire and Gartside completed his hat-trick inside nine minutes with a header. The home team ran amok in the second half. Gartside, Goodwin and Morris linked up superbly to cause all sorts of problems for Queens Park. With 59 minutes gone Gartside scored bagged his fourth, and Goodwin raced to his hat-trick with goals in the 63rd, 73rd and 79th minutes. Dennis Lee completed the rout moments from full-time. Armadale have now beaten two fellow top-four contenders in as many weeks, and with a 100% win recordso far it's looking like they will be difficult to beat. To complete a good day for the club, the Reserves won 5-0, and the Under-18's were held to a 2-2 draw..

Two goals either side of the half-hour mark set Balcatta up for a 3-1 victory over South West Phoenix at Graham Burkett Reserve. Balcatta opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Adrian Zonato tapped in from close-range after some excellent work down the right by David Moschilla. Moschilla was involved in Balcatta's second goal three minutes later, crossing to the unmarked Mark Wilson who directed a header into the top right hand corner of the net. But it was not all one-way traffic for Balcatta. Phoenix, who came into the game on top of the ladder having conceded just once, pulled a goal back in 35 minutes after the Balcatta defence failed to clear the danger and James Bergin pounced. Five minutes later Dabid Rodger's rasping shot hit the post with the rebound falling to the feet of Gary Mayers who skied over the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy. Phoenix continued to press after the break and in the 63rd minute Mayers struck the crossbar. Following this the hosts took control of the match with Zonato and Moschilla both having good shots saved by the goalkeeper. The visitors were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Bergin after 75 minutes, and shortly after Balcatta's new signing Danny Carlino secured victory by driving into the net from just outside the penalty area. To complete a miserable day for Phoenix captain Hayes was red carded with five minutes left on the clock.

Canning City continued their away fixture odyssey with a 3-1 fourth round defeat of Mandurah City. The opening twenty minutes belonged to Mandurah who went in front after 10 minutes when Adam Boone got in behind the defence to cross to Christian Paschkewitz who drilled a low shot into Canning's goal. The hosts continued to press and almost added a second through Neil Connor whose shot from 8-metres was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Robby Meyer. This seemed to be a turning point for Canning who now began to work their way into the game and force Mandurah on to the back foot. Midway though the half Canning's hard work paid off when awarded a free-kick some 40-metres from goal which Paul Oliver floated deep and over goalkeeper Mike Green for an unlikely equaliser. With their spirits lifted, Canning upped the work rate and in the 36th minute later took the lead through David Mahon who netted from 12-metres. Just before the interval Mandurah could have levelled the match from the penalty spot but Jordan Rhodes' effort skimmed off the crossbar. Seventeen minutes into the second half Oliver and Steve Adams were red carded after Canning were awarded a penalty which Brian O'Regan had saved. The score became 3-1 in stoppage time when confusion between Green and Damian Condo saw Mandurah conceded an own goal. The final drama to unfold was the dismissal of Stuart Francis for a second yellow card just minutes later.

Wanneroo City continue to shape up as a serious power in the First Division. The northern suburbs side made the trip to Leeming Strikers and came home with all three points to move into third place on the standings. The match started with the Strikers doing the attacking but for all their enterprise they could find few holes in a well-composed Wanneroo backline marshaled by the experienced heads of Gerry McEwan and Nick Edwards. Having weathered the early onslaught Wanneroo slowly took control of proceedings through some fine movement both on and off the ball. For the first time this season Wanneroo were the first team on the scoresheet when Phil O'Callaghan finished a flowing cross-field move that had the Strikers defence chasing shadows. Early in the second half veteran striker Nigel Aubin increased the margin with a superb diving header following Scott Bullock's cross from the left. The home side tried everything to force their way back into the match but it was all to no avail as Wanneroo held firm at the back. The result was put beyond late in the piece by Scott Wyeth with a well placed shot from 12-metres. Both the earlier games were taken out by the Strikers, 4-2 in the Reserves and 4-0 in the Under-18's.

Kingsway Olympic and Dianella White Eagles fought out a seven goal thriller at Kingsway Spoting Complex where the visitors went home with the points. Following an even opening period in which the two sides sized eachother up and proded forward with caution, the match exploded into life with a flurry of goals. In the 28th minute Sota Iwasaki found the back of the net but Olympic's lead lasted all of two minutes before powerful striker Dragan Njegic equaliser. However, the hosts were far from happy with the situation and launched a series of attacking raids which resulted in further goals from Iwasaki and Nigel Comito in the minutes leading into the break. Some determined play from Dianella saw them reduce the margin early in the second half through Mario Lucic. The visiting side continued to press forward but were unable to open up a passage to goal as Olympic's backline stood firm. Down the opposite end some good opportunities to add to the tally were squandered by the Olympic forwards. As the clock ticked down Dianella threw caution to the wind and mounted wave after wave of attack. This approach paid off after 82 minutes as Miladin Gugoroski drew the two sides level, and six minutes later David Mrdja popped up to score the deciding goal in Dianella's 4-3 win.

Ashfield finally opened their season account with a 5-1 thrashing of Rockingham City at Dowling Street Reserve. The visitors came out firing on all cylinders and took a deserved lead after 9 minutes when Dion Florias went past two players before pulling it back to David Mayers who fired the ball into the net. Two minutes later Rockingham found themselves two goal down as Ben Kelly's brilliant cross was fumbled by the home goalkeeper and Wayne Culverwell was on hand to tuck away from close-range. A great run into the area by Alex Crookes resulted in a penalty to Ashfield which new signing Andy Cornmell crashed into the base of the upright much to Rockingham's relief. Ten minutes later Culverwell's cross to the far post found Cornmell who made amends for his earlier miss with a well placed headed that made it three-nil. Fired up by a half-time address from coach Tom Kilkelly, Ashfield attacked from the opening kick and in the 55th minute Cornmell headed in at close-range from a Joel Powell cross. Cornmell looked to have scored his hat-trick when he nodded in Brad Pochroj's cross but the referee disallowed the goal for offside. Not long after Cornmell did score his third of the day, Joe Kendall winning possession at the back and relaying the ball to Daniel Taylor who set-up the striker. To their credit Rockingham they didn't give up the chase and late in the piece Glen Hallums bagged a consolation goal with a superb shot from 18-metres.

At Walter Padbury Reserve, Gosnells City took maximum points from their meeting with Stirling Suns. The home side took the game by the scruff of the neck from the opening kick with some hard tackling and quick movement both on and off the ball. Nine minutes into the half the Suns were slow to respond as the ball bobbled around inside the 18-yard box and in the confusion an attempted clearance struck Andrew Daffin and ricocheted into the net. With Suns defender Victor Iloski receiving treatment on the sideline, Gosnells went in search of a second goal but were unable to make the most of the numerical advantage. With just over half an hour played Gosnells did increase their lead as Jamie Grindley sliced open the opposing defence and Brian Cairney powered the ball into the net from the edge of the area. The second half became a battle of the midfields as the Suns finally produced the skills that had seen them win their two previous games. The final twenty minutes saw tempers begin to fray as several badly timed challenges went unpunished by the referee which only increased the players' frustration levels. The final whistle was greeted with hoots of delight from the home fans whose took all three points by a 2-0 scoreline.

24.4.2004

DAVIES RELEASED BY BANTAMS

Bryan Robson, manager of financially troubled Bradford City, has released Perth-born goalkeeper Clint Davies from his contract. Davies, Ben Muirhead and Michael Standing were told they would be leaving the Valley Parade come seasons' end after the Bantams were relegated from the First Division last week. Davies joined Bradford last year from Birmingham City and was immediately loaned out to Halifax Town for whom he made 8 senior appearances before being recalled. Since Christmas he turned out twice for Bradford as well as making numerous appearances on the bench.

24.4.2004

GLORY PLAYERS CONSIDER COURT ACTION

A number of Perth Glory players are considering legal action over the unpaid portion of their contracts which have been deemed dull and void as of the end of June. It is understood that the group are upset at the prospect of being unemployed and without pay as of 30th June, this despite having up to two years to run on their existing contract. With the new Australian league not due to start until the middle of next year, although a shortened competition is planned for early in 2005, all National Soccer League players have been cut from their clubs' payroll. It is believed the players will target the NSL rather than Glory in any claims.

23.4.2004

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

The first of the years big derbies takes place in the northern suburbs where E.C.U. Joondalup have home ground advantage over Sorrento in Round Two of the Premier League season. It should be a great tussle between two old foes when Perth S.C. welcome Inglewood United to Dorrien Gardens. Bayswater City will be put to the sword when they travel to play Cockburn City, while Stirling Lions will find the going tough against a focused Floreat Athena line-up. Western Knights are expected to prove too strong for Swan I.C. at Nash Field. Bassendean Caledonian come up against a Fremantle City side still hurting from last weeks mauling.

Joint First Division leaders South West Phoenix and Armadale will need to be on their guard when they take on Balcatta and Queens Park respectively. Mandurah City are tipped for maximum points at the expense of Canning City, likewise Wanneroo City who are away to Leeming Strikers. Kingsway Olympic and Dianella White Eagles, two clubs whose glory days are now but a distant memory, clash at Kingsway Sporting Complex. Rockingham City and Ashfield are out to arrest their poor starts to the year when they face off at Dowling Street Reserve, while Gosnells City are home to Stirling Suns.

Completing a long-week of football action are the quarter-finals of the Boral Cup on Monday. The pick of the action takes place at Kingsway Sporting Complex where First Division outfit Wanneroo City are pitted against the top flights Stirling Lions. Perth S.C. are favoured over Fremantle City when they meet at Dorrien Gardens, while home team Cockburn City are expected to progress at the expense of Bassendean Caledonian. To the best of our knowledge (and we have been unable to confirm this with Soccer West Coast) E.C.U. Joondalup host Cup holder Swan I.C. in the northern suburbs.

23.4.2004

WINDMILLS TAKE ON AMERICAN NAVY

Morley Windmills may have a bye this weekend but that doesn't mean they'll be sitting around with nothing to do. In the absence of a First Division match coach James Herbet has organised a friendly against a team from the USS Kitty Hawk which is currently docked in Fremantle. "All spectators are welcome," said Herbert, "It's an opportunity for all the single woman out there to feast their eyes on a team of professionally coached, highly skilled, good looking, athletic, sexy, rampant males - and that's just the Morley team!" The first of two games gets underway at 1.00pm with the main match scheduled for a 3.00pm kick-off at Wotton Reserve.

22.4.2004

CLUBS SPLIT OVER GLORY ISSUE

The return to local ranks of several National Soccer League players, in particular those from double winning Perth Glory, has divided the West Australian soccer community. Last weekend Gary Faria, Anthony Danze and Brad Hassell represented Fremantle City, Inglewood United and Sorrento respectively in the opening round of the season, Over coming weeks a number of other Glory players, amongst them Bobby Despotovski, Jamie Harnwell and Tom Pondeljak, are expected to pull on their boots in the Premier League. The issue as to whether NSL players should be permitted in the local competition has evenly split the clubs with those in favour arguing NSL players will strengthen the league, while those against claim they'll do more harm than good.

Long-serving secretary of Sorrento, Kerry Slater, supports the clubs who wish to recruit players from the NSL. "Glory players, and for that matter any other players, should be able to play in the Soccer West Coast leagues now or at anytime as long as the FIFA transfer or loan criteria are correctly met and followed," he stated. "But it is important that clubs think about which players they sign with careful consideration given to players fitting in to the club at all levels. It's not just their on-field performance that needs to be looked at but also their attitude and leadership qualities, the effect on team harmony, their attendance at training and other club functions and the like. With this in mind Sorrento have taken Brad Hassell on loan to boost a midfield weakness and Jamie Harnwell, who is out of contract, will join us shortly on a permanent transfer."

Western Knights president Basil Zuvela holds the strong belief that clubs should be allowed to determine their own destiny. "It's a clubs right to secure any players that are available," he said. "All around the world clubs are able to purchase or loan players, so why in WA are we trying to go against that? If players can lift the profile of soccer in WA then why not - they'll have a positive influence at training, increasing the overall standard of soccer played and hopefully encourage more people to attend our games. I think the positives of having NSL players in the local game by far out weight the negatives. If a club is prepared to invest their money and sign these players then that is their choice, and if in the long run it costs them then that is the risk you take."

Graham Normanton, coach of the State's most successful coach Perth S.C., sees both the pros and the cons to the issue. "There are benefits for the league in bringing in NSL players but maybe a draft, like that in the AFL, should apply," Normanton commented, stressing this was his opinion and not necessarily that held by his club. "If the weaker clubs were given first choice of the players, up to a maximum of three per club, then this would go a long way to making the league more competitive and that can only be good for the game. It would also give the local competition a higher profile which, hopefully, would attract more people to the games. I have always maintained that the local league was in need of some quality players in it but, in all honesty, I'm not sure bringing players in for a short period is what is required. I'd be very hesitant to add Glory players to my squad as I'd have to drop one of my regulars to make way for them and that's not fair on players that have shown loyalty to the club and the ability to perform."

"The divestment of NSL players, and that includes those from Glory, is a concern at the local level across all of Australia," said Stirling Lions president Don Evans. "If these players come into our leagues it should be as ambassadors that are there to teach and develop our younger players, rather than come in and fill their own pockets at the expense of clubs whose vision is short-term and opportunistic. There have been some positive steps in youth development and wage rationalisation implemented by the clubs in WA and my concerns centre around undoing what we have achieved in these areas. This Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and evenly contested in years with the majority of clubs having a renewed enthusiasm for the future of our game. My belief is Glory players coming into the local leagues won't necessarily have a positive impact on the game. I have no ill will to the Glory players or the clubs that sign them, only the lack of direction from our Australian body on this changeover period."

E.C.U. Joondalup coach Paul Simmons also sees potential pitfalls for clubs. "The decision to tempt any NSL players is the prerogative of the individual clubs, but those that do sign two or three players may end up causing themselves problems in the long run. The addition of Glory players at training will send an initial buzz around the squad and the intensity at training will pick up. But the problems will kick in when players who've been at a club for a few seasons and have been getting regular selection find they are suddenly on the bench or in the reserves, a situation which will only cause unrest. I also think that any club that signs Glory players could be left in the lurch when those players are recalled at the end of June. In regards to Joondalup, I'm happy with the squad I have assembled and believe they can do well this season, so I won't be going out looking to pick up any of the N.S.L. players."

21.4.2004

LAZARIDIS COMMITS TO SOCCEROOS

Stan Lazaridis has declared himself available for Australia's two-game series with Turkey next month. The Birmingham City player looked doubtful following a recent groin injury but has recovered well and could feature as early as next week when Birmingham City meet English Premier League leader Arsenal. "I thought the muscle had come off the bone and that my season was over," Lazaridis said yesterday. "But it wasn't as bad as initially thought. It turned out to be a grade-one strain on the middle abductor muscle."

Although told he needs to take a full month off football by Birmingham manager Steve Bruce, Lazaridis has left no doubt that he will be available for the Turkey series as well as the Oceania Nations Cup campaign which follows. "I'm fully committed. I'm coming back (to Australia) and it's not a token gesture. I won't just pick and choose games, I'm going back for all games," Lazaridis said. "It's up to Frank, but my understanding is that it's going to be a sizeable squad and that he will mix the players around."

Lazaridis, who will reach 50 'A' internationals should he play in both games against Turkey, is excited about coming back to play in front of a home crowds in Australia. "I am really looking forward to it," he commented. "I think its terrific for the public as well that they can finally see the best players come back to play in front of a home crowd ... We've played a lot of games away and had a lot of good results and it's a shame we haven't capitalised on that by returning home sooner and playing games. So this is a good opportunity for us to come back and obviously attract more people to come and watch the games."

21.4.2004

JONES AND MADASCHI TO FACE TUNISIA

Perth-born Brad Jones and Adrian Madaschi, along with adopted West Australian Jade North, have been called up for next Wednesday's Under-23 friendly between Australia and Tunisia. "The Tunisians will provide us with a different style of play to some of the other countries we have faced at this level," said coach Frank Farina. "They has already qualified for the Olympic Games, so I will be really looking forward to how we measure up against them." Former Perth Glory defender David Tarka was not considered for the 19-player squad on injury grounds.

The Australian Under-23 squad to meet Tunisia is Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (Aarhus GF), Fred Agius (Adelaide United), Gareth Edds (Bradford City), Dylan MacAllister (SK Brann), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City), Patrick Kisnorbo (Hearts), Carl Valeri (Inter Milan), Alex Brosque, Nick Carle, Michael Thwaite (Marconi), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Scott McDonald (Motherwell), Jonathon McKain (National Bucuresti), Ryan Griffiths (Newcastle United), Ahmad Elrich (Parramatta Power), Adrian Madaschi (Partick Thistle), Jade North (Perth Glory), Spase Dilevski (Rot-Weiss Essen) and Eugen Galekovic (South Melbourne).

20.4.2004

FANS WANT NEW APPROACH TO CUP FOOTBALL

West Australian soccer administrators take note - the local community want an all-encompassing knock-out Cup competition. That is the overwhelming response to the latest www.soccerwa.com poll which asked "Should WA have an FA Cup style competition involving both Soccer West Coast and WAASSA teams?" Just 28 votes of the 289 cast were against the idea, meaning the affirmative garnered a massive 90.3% of the count. It's now up to those in charge of the game in this state to work together and meet the needs of the those who support and play the local game.

19.4.2004

LOCAL YOUNGSTERS STAKE NATIONAL CLAIM

There were mixed results for the Young Socceroos on their European tour which wound up today. The Australian Under-20 squad, which included local products Nick Ward and Liam Lilly, spent two-weeks in France where they played four games in the first steps to qualifying for the 2005 World Youth Championships. The tour began with Blagoja Celeski giving Australia an early lead over French Fourth Division side Armentieres who responded with two second half goals to win 2-1. Lilly played a full game as part of the Australian defence while midfielder Ward was replaced at half-time.

Two days later the Young Socceroos outplayed UNFP Belgium, a select team of out of contract professionals, only to go down 0-1 despite dominating over their far more experienced opponent. Lilly saw out the full 90 minutes with Ward again substituted after 45 minutes. The national youth squad registered their first win of the tour by defeating RC Lens Reserves 2-0 with Kristian Sarkies and Keegan Wolfenden the scorers. Ward featured in the opening half while Lilly was rested. The trip ended with a 2-1 win over the Paris St Germain reserve team, goals from Celeski and Mark Bridge enough to see off their celebrated opponents. Both WA representatives started on the bench for the final tour match, Ward coming on after 67 minutes and Lilly five minutes later.

18.4.2004

BOBBY DAZZLES ONE MORE TIME

Bobby Despotovski went home from Perth Glory's annual awards night on Saturday with the clubs two top honours. The 32-year old striker added a third Most Glorious Player award to his resume, complementing those won in 1999/2000 and 2001/2002, as well as taking out the Supporters' Player of the Year. Despotovski recently announced his retirement from the National Soccer League and will spend the coming winter with Inglewood United. But Glory chairman Nick Tana is understood to be working hard on luring the former Australian international to return when the new national league kicks of in 2005.

The Players' Player of the Year went to midfield ace Tom Pondeljak who also took out the Mel Moffat Medal which is decided on media votes at home games. Off-season signing from Newcastle United Matt Bingley won the Coaches Player of the Year Award. Nick Mrdja, who scored 14 times over the summer months including the Grand Final winner against Parramatta Power, was the worthy recipient of the Clubman Award. There was also a special presentation made to Glory's inaugural captain Gareth Naven who received life membership of the club.

18.4.2004

DUTCH TREAT FOR LIONS/KINGS ACADEMY

The Stirling Lions/Kings Academy Under-15 squad have commenced the second leg of their European tour to moving on to the Netherlands. The traveling party began their time in the lowlands with a visit to the Amsterdam Arena, home of world famous Ajax. Having watched the Ajax first team be put through their paces by Dutch legend Ronald Koeman, the party were whisked away on a guided tour of the enormous space-age stadium. There were photo opportunities at every turn for the Lions/Kings party as the youngsters clicked off shots on the pitch, from the stands, in the press box and even from the control tower. And while all this was going on former Holland captain Johann Cruyff was being interviewed for television nearby!

This was followed by the Lions/Kings first meeting with Dutch opposition in the firm of F.C. Pumerand, a side placed at the top of the their league. Pumped up by their experience of early in the day, the West Australian side played some superb football and took a deserved lead through Dean Evan who rose above the defence to head in the opening goal. Several further chances went begging as the Lions/Kings side strung together their passes to leave their opponents chasing shadows. Stung at being behind, Pumerand made a number of changes to their line-up at the break and turned in a much stronger second half performance which resulted in the equalising late in the piece.

18.4.2004

WAASSA, ROUND TWO

Murdoch University jumped to the top of the WAASSA Premier Division table on Sunday, after a strong 3-0 win at home to Kwinana United. Spearwood Dalmatinac joined Murdoch as the only club with a 100% record after their 3-2 win in a thriller over Perth Azzurri. Newly promoted Stirling Panthers were too good for Shamrock Rovers in a 2-1 victory, while Forrestfield United and Fremanlte United played out a goal-less draw. The big derby game between traditional rivals, Colo Colo and CN Canning International had plenty of goals, with the teams sharing the points in a 3-3 draw. The Hamersley Rovers vs University of WA fixture is currently unknown.

17.4.2004

PREMIER LEAGUE, ROUND ONE (Swan I.C. vs Cockburn City by Lennie Bavich; Bayswater City vs Stirling Lions by Adam Rucci; Sorrento vs Bassendean Caledonian by Bill McAlister)

Perth S.C. began the defence of their Premier League title with a commanding 5-1 opening round defeat of Fremantle City at Ken Allen Reserve. Played in breezy conditions, Fremantle attacked from the outset and had the ball in the net after 4 minutes when Kevin Corriea headed in Gary Faria's cross from the right only to have the goal ruled out for offside following a lengthy consultation between referee and assistant. Stung into action the Blues opened their account through teenager Daniel Micevski who headed in after 11 minutes following some hesitant Fremantle defending. Three minutes later David Onoforo increased the lead when he tapped into an empty net following a mix-up between Shane Nunes and goalkeeper Michael Basilio. Fremantle looked to have reduced the margin when Faria converted Anthony Pereira's quickly taken free-kick, but having signaled a goal referee Derek Minet again consulted his assistant on the line and reversed his decision much to the disapproval of the home fans. Early in the second half Robbie Puca made it three-nil by knocking a superb cross from Mark Pottier. To their credit Fremantle refused to concede that all was lost and carved out numerous promising passages only to find no way past a rock solid backline. Eventually through the host side rewarded when Peter Lord's great weaving run took him past three opponents before netting. But Perth were having none of it and Puca grabbed his second of the day before David Micevski joined his brother on the scoresheet to complete the final four-goal margin. Another positive for Perth coach Graham Normanton was the return to senior ranks of long-serving defender Perry Ielati who appears to gave made a full recovery from an off-season ankle operation.

Cockburn City traveled to the Swan Valley on Saturday and came home with all three points from their clash with Swan I.C. courtesy of a 3-2 scoreline. There was an early scare for the visitors who fell a goal behind when Brendan Knox' cross from the left was met by Tom Shepheard who fired past Dino Pacella after 18 minutes. However, Swan's lead was short lived with Anthony Naglieri restoring the balance eight minutes later from the penalty spot after a surging run from the halfway line by Jason Dos Santos ended with the midfielder being knocked off his feet by a defender. There were scattered chances on goal over the rest of the half but with neither side able to find the target they went into the break at one-all. Four minutes into the second half Cockburn launched an all-out assault on the opposing goal, three shots in quick succession being blocked before Simon Jonas pounced to slam the ball into the back of the net and put the visitors in front. David Foster spurned a good chances to put Swan back on a level footing twice in the space of four minutes but on both occasions placed his shot wide of the target. The home side searched continually for a second goal and in the 82nd minute it arrived via Tom Shepheard who rose high above the defence to head past Pacella. But any hopes Swan had on stealing a point from the game were put to rest just three minutes later when Shane McNally and Dos Santos combined to open up the defence and Naglieri was on hand to knock in the deciding goal.

A young Western Knights side commenced the new season with a 2-1 victory over Inglewood United at the National Stadium. The game was 6 minutes old Greg Montenegro's clever flick set-up Stuart Montgomery who drilled his first time shot across goalkeeper Nick Stone and into the far top corner of the goal. But the lead last all of four minutes with Ryan Newhill equalising from the spot after Michael Baczynski was judged to have been impeded by Tommi Tomich. There were few clear cut chances over the remainder of the half as needless errors saw the ball turned over with alarming regularity. Inglewood midfielder Scott Campbell forced a great close-range save from Tomich after 31 minutes, and shortly before the break Montgomery side-stepped the 'keeper only to shoot wide from a narrowing angle. Early in the second half Josh Kamasz looked certain to restore the visitors lead but scooped over the crossbar when well placed. Inglewood applied the pressure but were twice thwarted by Tomich who plucked a cross off the head of Baczynski and, seven minutes later, saved at close-range from Anthony Danze. Montgomery showed his class with a wonder goal after 71 minutes, receiving a pass from Seb Trim and in one fluid movement turning his marker and blasting into the net from the top of the 18-yard box. The closing stages belonged to Inglewood who were held at bay by Tomich in a man-of-the-match performance. The Knights 'keeper battered away shots from Danze and Jason Colli, while in a goalmouth scramble Jason Williams showed tremendous commitment in blocking Farrell Hedges' powerful strike close to the final whistle.

Three players received their marching orders in the scrappy 1-1 draw between Floreat Athena and E.C.U. Joondalup at Litis Stadium. Although missing Costa Socratous, Adrian Sutton and Andreas Oliviera it was Athena that created the majority of chances over the opening half in which both teams stroked the ball around confidently but rarely called either goalkeeper into action. However, Joondalup should have gone into the break a goal the better but midfielder Keith Brown somehow headed wide from point blank range in the best chance of the period. Athena upped their workrate after the break with Peter Coci and Anthony Jones coming into the game more. In the 66th minute James Afkos was sent clear only to be hauled down inside the area by Peter Roberts, who was subsequently red carded, and Coci tucked away the penalty for a 1-0 lead. Joondalup responded with a barrage of attacks and won several corners from which two great chances to level went begging, Jamie Kuzmanovich and Andy Brown the guilty parties. Midway through the half the northerners determination was rewarded as Garin Collins floated another corner into the far top corner to equalise. With the match in the balance Joondalup went down to nine players with the dismissal of Keith Brown following a challenge on Coci. Two minutes later an innocuous tussle between Jones and Andy Brown resulted in the Athena midfielder shown a straight red card, much to the disbelief of both teams. Following this the game drifted from end to end with neither side able to add to their tally.

Bayswater City celebrated their first top flight outing in three years with a 5-0 thrashing of Stirling Lions at Frank Drago Reserve. With light rain falling the host club were quick to assert their authority and force the Lions into performing primarily defensive duties. Boima Karpeh tried his luck from 30-metres to which goalkeeper Gareth Deeg responded with a fine save. From an Andy O'Neill corner Kevin Henderson tested the Lions 'keeper only to have Deeg once again come out on top. For their part the Lions found it difficult to break down their opponents defence with only the lively Andre Sarpe showing the creativity needed. Bayswater continued to pressure and were rewarded four minutes from the break when Karpeh darted down the left to deliver an inch perfect cross to Scottish import Ross Barnes who found the back of the net on debut. With their confidence boosted by the goal Bayswater went on with the job in the second half as Gareth Healy, Kevin Henderson and Cormac Dawson hit their stride. Healy won possession in midfield and slipped the ball through to Karpeh who beat his marker to score, and not long after Henderson converted after a good exchange between Karpeh and Barnes. Cormac Dawson got in on the act two late goals, the first a stunning long-range drive which was is an early contender for the goal of the season, and the second taking a deflection off Bobby Klenkoski on its way into the net.

Sorrento were quick to apply the pressure to Bassendean Caledonian when they met at Percy Doyle Reserve. Visiting goalkeeper Steve Grant was called upon to make a couple of early saves while a header from Dejan Gurovski flashed wide and Brad Hassell's close-range shot also ended the wrong side of the upright. Sorrento's persistence eventually paid off when Hassell pushed forward from the halfway line, crashing his way between two defenders on top of the area before smacking the ball past Grant after 20 minutes. Caledonian were by no means out of the contest and responded through a series of promising raids on goal of their own. On the half hour Glen McCormick's cross into the area was cleared only as far as Kevin Griffiths but he was unable to make the most of a great opportunity to equalise. A powerful shot by Craig Wells was deflected for a corner, and not long after Kevin Griffiths and Jonathon Mathers combined but Xavier's effort was cut out by Steve McDonald. Sorrento immediately went on the counter-attack with Jared Love heading wide a cross from Todd Harnwell. On the stroke of half-time Love turned the ball over in midfield and found Harnwell whose volley from 10-metres went over the crossbar. Midway through the second period Sorrento increased their lead through McDonald who rose high to a Matt Donlevy corner and send a bullet-like header past Grant. The visitors refused to give up with McCormick having a fine shot kept out by Phil Straker, but six minutes from the end Hassell secured the points and a 3-0 victory for the Gulls.

17.4.2004

FIRST DIVISION, ROUND THREE (Wanneroo City vs Armadale courtesy Armadale; Ashfield vs Mandurah City courtesy Mandurah City; Kinsgway Olympic vs Canning City by Phil Unsworth; Stirling Suns vs Rockingham City courtesy Stirling Suns)

Armadale maintained their 100% win record with a hard-fought 4-3 away win over Wanneroo City in Round Three of the First Division. Having thrashed their opponents just a week earlier in the Boral Cup, Wanneroo went into the game as red-hot favourite. However it was the Reds who started the better with some great use of the ball down the flanks which was rewarded after 17 minutes when Luke Morris' cross from the right was headed on by Dean Gartside and Jason Goodwin stroked the ball into the net. This spurred Wanneroo into life and following a prolonged period in attack the hosts did get back on level terms through Phil O'Callaghan who converted from close-range. Armadale's response was swift, Dennis Lee going past four defenders on a diagonal run into attack before slotting to Morris who placed his shot beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. After the break Armadale increased their advantage as Gartside edged past his marker to find the net, and when Goodwin added the sides fourth the game looked over. With little option but to attack Wanneroo threw everything forward and pegged back the margin gap via veteran Nigel Aubin after 69 minutes. The home side continued to press and when Andy Taylor found target there was still a glimmer of hope that they'd snatch a point. But time was not on their side and shortly after the final whistle signalled an Armadale victory.

South West Phoenix continued their magnificent start to the season with a 2-1 home defeat of Gosnells City. In an entertaining match it was Gosnells that started the brighter, penning the hosts club in their final third of the park for long periods. Fifteen minutes in Darren Ingham started and finished a sweeping move through the middle of the park to put Gosnells in front. The visitors continued to dominate for the remainder of the half with Ingham, Adam Bremner and Brian Kierney keeping the Phoenix backline busy. A half-time blast from coach Jimmy Mayers resulted in Phoenix leveling within minutes of the re-start, Steve Suttie combining with David Rodgers who made no mistake with his finish. Shortly after Rodgers came close to adding his second when he burst a free-kick through the defensive wall but some sharp defending saw the danger cleared. As the rain began to fall Phoenix were well on top. The introduction of substitute David Mayers proved a masterstroke for Phoenix, the attacker chasing down a through ball from Andy Cowley which he then played into the area where Rodgers rammed his shot in from 10-metres with 86 minutes gone. In a frantic last few minutes Gosnells were unable to convert a handful of half-chance as Phoenix claimed their third successive win.

An injury riddled Mandurah City made the trip to Ashfield and went home with maximum points from a physical encounter. Missing Steve Rhodes, Andrew Rennie and Mike Green due to injury, the visitors got off to the worst possible start when club captain Gary Collins was red carded after just 2 minutes for an off the ball incident. Within minutes Mandurah were dealt a further blow with goalkeeper Paul Dixon forced from the field by injury, the spot between the posts taken by 16-year old Nathan Hodgkinson. Although a man down, Mandurah had the better of possession in the first half but were unable to convert their chances into goals. With half-time approaching Ashfield also went down to ten with the dismissal of Ben Harris. Mandurah began the second half with a flurry of opportunities as Michael Bobridge, Christian Paschewitz and Jordan Rhodes all went close. The deadlock was finally broken after 69 minutes when Neil Connors caught goalkeeper Adam Ashworth off his line with a looping header. Four minutes later Mandurah secured maximum points when Ashworth, under pressure from Bobridge, hesitated to claim a Fitzmaurice cross and the ball crept over the line at the far post. Mandurah took out both the earlier games also, 4-0 in the Reserves and 8-1 in the Under-18's.

Queens Park may have ended up running out comfortable winners over Morley Windmills but it wasn't all clear sailing at Coker Park. The opening period brought some good opportunities at both ends of the park with perhaps the better coming the way of the home side, but with neither side able to convert the first half looked destined to finished scoreless. All that changed however after 40 minutes when Glenn Noblet stuck a fantastic shot from 25-metres which went on off the upright to put Queens Park in the driving seat. After the break Queens Park dominated play and in a stunning fifteen minutes period the host club conjured up three goals. Brian Robertson doubled the lead after 63 minutes, Noblet added his second not long after and when Robertson put away his second of the day the a competitive game had turned into an easy win. On the day there were solid performances from Queens Park's defensive combination of Paul Baczynski and Nathan Watkins, while Paul Dundo and Grant Learmont won the battle for midfield. Damian Feszur, Ray Rose and attacker Rydeen Botha worked tirelessly for Windmills. The win, Queens Park's first of the season, completed a good day at the office for the club who won the Reserves 3-1 and the Under-18's 3-0 on forfeit.

Although missing three key players through injury and suspension Leeming Strikers came back from the dead to snatch a share of the points from their home meeting with Dianella White Eagles on Saturday. Settling the quicker, the visitors made all the early running and after 18 minutes took the lead when Zelko Savic snuck away from his marker to net. Bot content to ease off the pace and hold their lead, Dianella went continually forward and added a couple more goals via Dragan Njegic who scored in the 25th and 37th minutes. Some tactical changes coupled with the introduction of Gordon Hind and Leroy Goodwin saw the Strikers rebound from a dreadful first forty-five minutes. The hosts seized control of the game and reduced the gap when pressure on a Dianella defender saw him turn the ball past his own goalkeeper on the hour. Six minutes from the end the score became 3-2 as Michael Vaz' free-kick found the back of the net, and in the final minute Phil Bell delivered a cross into the heart of the 18-yard box which was met sweetly by Dale Wingell who leveled the game. Deep in injury time Dean Goodfellow failed to convert from close-range on a day when honours were even at 3-3.

Canning City registered their second successive win by accounting for Kingsway Olympic 2-1. Four minutes after kick-off Canning gave the home team an early wake-up call when Jeremy Herbert rattled the frame of the goal with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty box. However, Canning weren't rewarded for their majority possession until almost half-time when a Julio Barrendilla shot cannoned off of goalkeeper Matt Battigelli and David Mahon drilled the rebound into the net. A minute earlier Olympic almost took the lead as the Canning defence frantically blocked several attempts on goal before Jix Loong headed off the goalline to release the pressure. Two minutes into the second half Canning went further ahead when a long throw-in from Mick Van Dongen found defender Stephen Cole who scored from the edge of 18-yard box. Midway through the half Olympic reduced the deficit with Nigel Comito heading in after some good work down the right wing by Sota Iwasaki. The remaining twenty minutes was a nervous and at times acrimonious affair for Canning as the host's pressured to equalise. However, Canning held on to take out the points and moved to fourth on the table. In all it was a good day for Canning who won the Reserves and Under-18 games 2-0 and 2-1 respectively.

Rockingham City proved no match for Stirling Suns who ran out comfortable winners by 3-0 at Robinson Reserve. With much talked about goalkeeper Jason Razmovski absent due to illness, Franky Ternel took his place between the posts for a Suns side looking for their first win of the season. Both teams started confidently, showing no shyness in pushing forward but unable to get the breakthrough. Following a stern half-time talk the home side emerged for the second period a completely different proposition and proceeded to outplay Rockingham. The opening goal arrived five minutes after the re-start with Billi Ristevski the scorer, and some ten more minutes had elapsed before Ristevski increased the gap by pouncing on a defensive error from which he made no mistake. Shortly after a foul on Desimir Tosevski resulted in a penalty which the Suns attacker disappointingly sprayed wide of the target. Rockingham threw everything into getting back into the match but couldn't find a way past Ternel and the home defence. Ristevski looked to have completed his hat-trick only for teammate Sveto Njirich to finish off the move by blasting in from close-range seven minutes from the final whistle. There was more success for Rockingham in the earlier games, taking out the Reserves 6-4 and the Under-18's 5-0.

17.4.2004

GLORY FLOAT STOCK IDEA (courtesy www.tribalfootball.com)

Perth Glory have actively begun plans to list the club on the Australian Stock Exchange. A questionnaire has gone out to 1000 club members seeking their views on the radical step, which is seen as a way to attract further investment ahead of the new Australian domestic competition. "We are examining a number a different options," chief executive officer Jeff Dennis told the "West Australian" newspaper. "This is one. This is an exercise in seeking I ways of fundraising so we can make the club bigger and better." Glory owner Nick Tana added, "At this stage all we are doing is putting it out among our own people. We want to talk to our fans, our sponsors etc." The new Australian Soccer Association has not yet issued criteria for clubs to join the new league, which is planned to start by July 2005 after a shortened competition, probably from January to March.

17.4.2004

WEEKEND IN SUMMARY

Bayswater City marked their return to the top flight by thrashing Stirling Lions 5-0 in the opening round of the 2004 Premier League season. Reigning champions Perth S.C. were also big winners, hitting Fremantle City 5-1 at Ken Allen Field. Cockburn City dug deep to get past Swan I.C. by 3-2. A Stuart Montgomery double gave Western Knights victory at Inglewood United where it ended 2-1. Aided by two goal from Brad Hassell, Sorrento took maximum points over Bassendean Caledonian by 3-0. And at Litis Stadium Floreat Athena drew 1-1 with E.C.U. Joondalup.

South West Phoenix and Armadale continue to go neck and neck at the head of the First Division table. Phoenix won 2-1 at home over Gosnells City to stay top on goal difference over Armadale who defeated Wanneroo City 4-3. Ashfield went down 0-2 at home to Mandurah City, while Canning City shocked Kingsway Olympic by 2-1. Queens Park thumped Morley Windmills 4-0, Stirling Suns had a comfortable 3-0 win over Rockingham City, and the points were shared between Leeming Strikers and Dianella White Eagles where it ended 3-3.

16.4.2004

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

The 2004 First Division season finally gets underway on Saturday with a full round of fixtures. In possibly the game of the weekend a free-scoring Fremantle City side meet Night Series winners Perth S.C. at Ken Allen Field. Inglewood United host Western Knights in what is sure to be a tight encounter, likewise Floreat Athena verses E.C.U. Joondalup at Litis Stadium. Bayswater City's return to the top flight commences with a home clash with Stirling Lions. Swan I.C. are expected to go down to a strong Cockburn City line-up, and at Percy Doyle Reserve its Sorrento against Bassendean Caledonian.

After a two week recess the First Division gets back in full swing with Wanneroo City taking on Armadale at Kingsway Sporting Complex in the match of the round. Another tempting proposition comes from Ashfield Reserve where a young Ashfield line-up squares off against Mandurah City. South West Phoenix should continue their fantastic start to the season by gaining maximum points from their home meeting with Gosnells City. Canning City have home ground advantage over Kingsway Olympic, and Queens Park welcome Morley Windmills to Coker Park. Leeming Strikers come up against Dianella White Eagles, Stirling Suns host Rockingham City, and Balcatta are out of action due to the bye.

16.4.2004

INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL ... PART TWO

In the past decade no less than eight different clubs have raised the Premier League trophy come seasons' end. The forty-fourth season of professional football in Western Australia sees Perth S.C. gunning for a hat-trick of championships, but there are plenty of sides waiting to trip them up and topple the pre-season favourite. On the eve of the new season we take a critical look at the top flight, assess each clubs strengths and weaknesses, and go out on a limb with a few predictions as to how we see season 2004 panning out ...

15.4.2004

BETTER NEWS FOR LAZARIDIS

The season of Birmingham City's Stan Lazaridis may not be over after all. The Australian international was carried off in the Blues 1-2 loss to Manchester United on the weekend amid fears his season had been ended by a groin injury. "Stan is due to have all sorts of tests on his injury but the indications are that it's not as bad as we feared," said Birmingham manager Steve Bruce. "There are five games to go and with any luck, he could be back before the end of the season." That's good news also for Socceroos coach Frank Farina ahead of a two-match friendly series on home soil against Turkey next month.

15.4.2004

BIG FUTURE TIPPED FOR SUNS 'KEEPER

Jason Razmovski is fast emerging as a goalkeeper of great potential. The 18-year old shot-stopper has made a sensational start to his first season at senior level for Stirling Suns, leading coach Rodney Njrich to speculate on just how far Razmovski can go in the game. "He's dedicated and certainly has the talent, I think that with a bit of hard work he could well turn out to be one of the best goalkeepers in the state," said the Suns coach. "His reflexes are razor sharp and no matter what distance the shot comes in from he always gets in good position to make the save."

"At training Jason is like most 'keepers," added Njrich. "When it comes to hard running and sprinting with the rest of the squad he finds the going tough, but when I tell Jason to get his gloves he switches on immediately and does not disappoint. As soon as he gets between the posts he's like a man possessed, his hands are like glue - he'll make the save when the ball is driven in, pluck shots and crosses out of the air seemingly with ease, and at ground level he's down in a flash."

"We're fortunate enough to have five good goalkeepers this season," added the Suns coach. "Franky Ternel, whose just turned 19, joined us over the off-season and has already proved an invaluable back-up. Jason missed the Mandurah City game through injury and Franky stepped up by playing an absolute blinder, Mandurah throwing everything at us but only able to get one past us." The other members of the Suns goalkeeping fraternity are Aleksandar Jandrioski (21), Dylan Prunster (17) and Dennis Mitrevski (16).

14.4.2004

CLUBS COME SNIFFING FOR MADASCHI

Australian Olympic hopeful Adrian Madaschi has come to the attention of Scottish Premier League side Dundee. It is understood Dundee boss Jim Duffy recently watched Madaschi turn out for the Partick Thistle Under-21 side and has subsequently expressed an interest in the defender. Further to this are strong rumours that Motherwell manager Terry Butcher is also keeping tabs on the former Perth S.C. junior. The news comes less than a fortnight after Madaschi agreed terms on a new 12-month contract with the Jags, and a few days after he played a starring role in the clubs 1-0 defeat of Hearts.

14.4.2004

REFORM UPDATE FOR APRIL

The reform of soccer throughout Australia is progressing well. Robin Graham, project manager for the Australian Soccer Association, is said to be delighted with the progress being made in Western Australia. The Constitution for the new controlling body, tentatively named the Soccer Western Australia Limited, along with its By-Laws have been drafted and made publicly available via the Soccer Restructure section of the Department of Sport and Recreation website since January.

WA project manager Kevin Watts recently invited all current associations to provide representatives to form a working party whose task it will be to address all of the issues and logistics involved in transferring their operations to the new association. It is anticipated that the chairman of the Soccer Western Australia board will be appointed by early May 2004. The other director positions will follow once the chairman has been confirmed.

To date three associations - Soccer Canberra, the Queensland Soccer Federation and Soccer Tasmania - have adopted new constitutions in accordance with ASA guidelines. Discussions are continuing between the two New South Wales associations and the ASA, while the new constitution was a key element of a recently review of soccer in the Northern Territory. The Victorian Soccer Federation are addressing issues relating to the structure of its current membership, and in South Australia a new company is in the process of being formed to manage soccer.

13.4.2004

LIONS/KINGS START EUROPEAN TRIP WITH WIN

The Stirling Lions/Kings Academy Under-15 squad have started their European adventure on the right note by defeating German youth team TSV Erding. But before pulling on their playing boots the travelling party visited Munich's Olympic Stadium where they were amongst an enthusiastic crowd of 63,000 who watched Bayern Munich down FC Schalke 2-1. The following day the Lions/Kings pulled on their playing boots and came out on top over Erding by 3-1. The tourists were slow to settle but once they found their rhythm surprised the Germans with some excellent movement of the ball. Having forced the home goalkeeper into a couple of good saves and hit the upright once, the deadlock was finally broken by Scott Patterson who rocketed the ball into the roof of the net from 17-metres.

The German side reorganised themselves for the second half only to find few avenues to goal against a well-organised Lions/Kings defence. Defender Damien Houston prodded the ball cross the line following a corner to increase the tourists lead, but Erding replied almost immediately with an explosive shot that gave goalkeeper Lee Mackie little chance of saving. The match was settled two minutes from the end through a sweeping move started by Dean Evans who switched play to Jerome Vallet and Lewis Teagle drilled the resulting cross past the goalkeeper. "Having know this team for three seasons I can honestly say I have never seen a more determined display from the lads," said tour organiser Mitch Doherty. "After 15 minutes of allowing Erding to play we put them on the backfoot and they certainly did not enjoy the pressure."

12.4.2004

GRIFFITHS TRAVELS TO AMERICA WITH BLACKBURN

West Australian teenager Rostyn Griffiths was part of Blackburn Rovers' Academy squad which competed in the 25th Dallas Cup in the United States last week. The 16-year old midfielder is widely regarded as one of the state's brightest prospects and has had his progress closely monitored by the English club over the past twelve months. Rovers began the group phase of the Under-19 tournament with a 1-0 win over the Costa Rican Under-20 side which was followed by a 3-0 loss to Mexican side Tigres. Needing to win to advance to the semi-finals, Rovers knocked Dallas Texans with a 4-1 victory. In the round of four they suffered a 0-1 loss to eventual winners Clube Atletico Paranaense (Brazil), and two days later they went down 0-4 to Tigres in the play-off for third place.

11.4.2004

MADASCHI SUPERB IN RARE PARTICK WIN (courtesy www.tribalfootball.com)

Adrian Madaschi returned to Partick Thistle's starting line-up yesterday and helped the Jags to their first win in two months over Hearts at Firhill. "It was a fantastic performance by the lads," Madaschi told tribalfootball.com. "It wasn't a matter of us nicking a goal and holding on, we really had a go at Hearts and deserved the win. I was delighted to get back into the starting XI after a couple of weeks out and Derek (Whyte) and Gerry (Britton) was pleased with how I played. It was one the best performances we've put in this season and for once, we actually got the result we deserved. Hearts are the third best team in Scotland, there's no doubt about that, so this victory just gives our supporters something to look forward to next season."

11.4.2004

LOCAL ACADEMY HEAD TO EUROPE FOR PRE-SEASON

The football tour of a lifetime took flight late last week for the Stirling Lions/Kings Academy Under-15 squad. Leaving Perth airport on Friday night, the travelling party headed to Europe for a 17-day tour in which they'll be based in three of Europe's biggest football markets - Munich, Amsterdam and Manchester. While abroad the youngsters are scheduled to watch some of the world's best club teams in match action in addition to playing six games of their own against local youth academy teams. The 16-player squad consists of Lee Mackie, Troy Tobin, Damien Houston, Sam Doherty, Sean O'Neill, Matt Italiano, Chris Rutherford, Ramon Armogando, Dean Evans, Lewis Teagle, Adam Luc, Scott Patterson, Kieron Glenn, Jerome Vallet and Chris Pugh.

10.4.2004

BORAL CUP, ROUND TWO (Bassendean Caledonian vs Western Knights courtesy Western Knights; Cockburn City vs Inglewood United by Lennie Bavich; Kingsway Olympic vs Fremantle City courtesy Fremantle City; Stirling Lions vs Sorrento by Kerry Slater; Swan I.C. vs Queens Park courtesy Swan I.C.)

Wanneroo City are the only First Division side to make the last eight of the Boral Cup after Round Two of the knock-out competition this afternoon. Despite going behind early on, Wanneroo proved too strong for Armadale by 5-1 when they met at Alfred Skeet Oval. The Reds home supporters were given some early cheer when a partially cleared corner was backed back into the dangerzone where Dean Gartside tapped in after 20 minutes. Following the goal Wanneroo kicked up a gear and took control of the game. A great exchange between Scott Bulloch and Sam Miller sent Stuart Collins down the wing to deliver an inch-perfect cross into the area where Bulloch headed in the equaliser from 6-metres. A minute from half-time the visitors took the lead when Bulloch's cracking shot was parried by the goalkeeper as far as Stuart Collins who make no mistake from close range. The second half was only five minutes old when Wanneroo struck again, this time Phil O'Callaghan doing the hard work before playing through to Bulloch who made the most of a one-on-one with the advancing goalkeeper. Ten minutes later Sam Miller combined with Bulloch who raced down the left before crossing into the area for Jason Hope to knock in Wanneroo's fourth of the afternoon. Their final goal came midway through the half as Bulloch danced past a defender only to be brought down inside the box, the midfielder picking himself up to complete his hat-trick and a 5-1 scoreline from the spot.

The big surprise result of the round came from Jubilee Reserve where Western Knights were delivered a knock-out blow by Bassendean Caledonian. The Knights' worst performance of the season was in stark contrast to a determined and hard-working Caledonian outfit who were justified in booking a place in the quarter-finals. Carl Medica should have given the visitors the lead early on but volleyed wide from 8-metres with just the goalkeeper to beat. Caledonian grew in confidence as the match progressed, testing Tommi Tomich on several occasions and unlucky not to go in front through a tremendous strike from Kevin Griffiths which beat the goalkeeper only to cannon back off the crossbar. Much of their attacking drive came from midfielder Daniel Harrop who worked tirelessly for the duration. It was more of the same after the break with Caledonian quick to get numbers behind the ball and attacking quickly when the chance arose, while the Knights struggled to exert any influence over proceedings. The match didn't open up until midway through the second half when Craig Wells robbed Leon Russell of possession to advance on goal and send his shot past Tomich. Realising time was running out, the Knights launched several attacking raids with teenager Seb Trim coming closest to leveling with a header that was cleared off the line in the final stages.

Three first half goals set Cockburn City up for a comfortable 3-1 win over Inglewood United at Dalmatinac Park. The home side waited just 7 minutes before opening their account through Simon Jonas who, unmarked and just 3 metres from goal, made no mistake with John Mirco's pass. Seven more minutes has elapsed before John Mirco stripped possession from an Inglewood defender and before goalkeeper Nick Stone could react the nippy attacker had drilled his shot from the edge of the penalty area into the back of the net. Inglewood went in search of a goal of their own but could find no way through as the home side defended as a unit and allowed them little time or space to maneuver. On the half hour Cockburn launched a swift counter-attack in which Peter Petkovich was sent clear with only Stone to beat, the Inglewood 'keeper blocking his first attempt but unable to prevent Petkovich from increasing the margin with his second opportunity. Inglewood went close to reducing the ledger after the break with substitute Bryan Hedges shooting past Dino Pacella but just wide of the upright. It took the visitors until three minutes in stoppage time to get on the scoreboard as Michael Baczinsky raced onto a long ball over the defence to place a low shot past the advancing 'keeper.

For the second successive week Fremantle City have had little trouble in finding the net, this time sweeping aside First Division opponent Kingsway Olympic 6-2 at Kingsway Sporting Complex. The port side dominated from the outset through crisp movement of the ball and an overall greater workrate. A stunning strike from 18-metres by Anthony Pereira put Fremantle in the box seat with just 11 minutes gone. Four minutes later Pereira played a neat one-two with Branimir Mikulic on edge of box to go past the defence and slot in his sides second from 9-metres. Fremantle added their third after 38 minutes when a miscued clearance came the way of Kevin Correia who showed great skill in bringing down a high ball before sending the ball past 16-year old goalkeeper Matt Battigelli. Seven minutes after the interval the visitors were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Jeff Bright for challenge from behind. But that didn't stop a rampant Fremantle line-up and a surging run from the back by Dean Aplegren ended with his cross into the area being forced over the line by Correia. Midway through the half Olympic struck back, firstly through Nigel Comito who stabbed home in a goalmouth scramble and three minutes later Steve Bretti headed in to make it 4-2. Correia completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute when he put away a fine pass from Shane Nunes, and three minutes later Jordan Andrews picked out Mikulic who weaved past three defenders to score.

Perth S.C. were rarely threatened in their meeting with Morley Windmills at Wotton Reserve. The Blues were quick to stamp their authority over proceedings and went in front after 10 minutes when Dino Djulbic rose unchallenged at the back post to head in a corner from David Micevski. Eleven minutes later Robbie Puca's superb in-swinging corner from the right found the far top corner of the goal to increase Perth's advantage. The score at half time could have been much greater as Perth piled on the pressure. A glancing header from David Onoforo grazed the outside of the post, John Nicolaou had a close-range shot cleared off the line by a defender, and Onoforo was denied by the sharp reflexes of goalkeeper Matt Darling. It was more of the same after the break with Darling denying Onoforo and Nicolaou in quick succession. An inch-perfect cross by Paul Natale picked out Nicolaou whose header crashed into the upright after 72 minutes. Ben Rogers weaved some magic inside the penalty area to tee-up Onoforo but his goalbound effort was brilliantly blocked by Ryan Martins. Windmills only genuine chance of the match came when Naeim Rhazi beat Robert Scaraparolo to a long ball into attack but his toe-poke past the advancing 'keeper found only the side-netting. With twelve minutes to go Rob Giorgi completed the 3-0 scoreline by drilling his shot from the top of the area past Darling's reach.

Warm sunny conditions greeted Sorrento and Stirling Lions as they made their way on to the playing arena at Percy Doyle Reserve. Settling quickly, the visitors wasted no time in attacking and after 7 minutes found themselves in the lead as Alen Zilic's cross to the back post was met by Adam Rains whose volley flew into the back of the Gulls net. Sorrento's first opening came after 18 minutes when Glen Thomas few a pass to Jared Love who fired from just inside the 18-yard box only to have Gareth Deeg keep out the effort with his legs. Three minutes later Jeans was again well placed but hesitated just long enough to have the ball taken off his boot be Riste Stefoski. With his back to goal Todd Harnwell skillfully flicked the ball over his head and the 'keeper but could only watch on as Rob Monterosso cleared the danger off the line. After the break Harnwell and James Morgan tested Deeg before the hosts chances nose dived with the dismissals of Andrew Bowyer, after 62 minutes, and not long after Morgan, both for second bookable offences. From here on the Lions dominated what had deteriorated into a scrappy affair but it wasn't until the 85th minute that they secured their safe passage into the next round via a penalty converted by Rob Crerar. Throwing everything forward, Sorrento bagged a consolation goal through Steve McDonald in the final minutes of play.

Swan I.C. progressed to the quarter final stage of the Cup with a 4-2 win over Queens Park at the Swan Italian Club. The opening twenty minutes was an even affair in which both sides made moved cautiously into attack while sizing up their opponent. Slowly but surely the home side gained the ascendancy, forcing Queens park goalkeeper Darren Williams into a number of good saves which kept the ledger even. However, with 30 minutes gone, Swan broke through via a free-kick from Tony Cumace which was ht beyond the outstretched arms of the 'keeper much to the delight of the home crowd. The second half began a much more confident approach displayed by Queens Park who called Corey Hugo into action on several occasions before Paul Dundo equalised following a corner. The pendulum had now swung in Queens Park's favour and shortly after they took a deserved lead when Dundo found the back of the net for a second time. Staring defeat in the face, Swan pushed forward at every opportunity and on the hour Tom Shepheard's great cross from the right found youngster Brendan Knox who leveled from close-range. Shortly after Dave Foster put Swan in front for the second time today, and when new signing Renato Rechichi knocked in their fourth the match was effectively over as a contest.

10.4.2004

WEEKEND IN SUMMARY

Bassendean Caledonian have pulled off a major upset in eliminating Western Knights 1-0 in Round Two of the Boral Cup. The only goal of a classic end-to-end Cup tie came close to the end via Caldonian midfielder Craig Wells. Cockburn City advanced to the last eight with a 3-1 win over Inglewood United, while Sorrento crashed out of the Cup 1-2 at home to Stirling Lions. Kevin Correia (3), Anthony Perriea (2) and Branimir Mikulic were the scorers in Fremantle City's 6-2 away win over Kingsway Olympic. Wanneroo City remain as the only First Division still in the knock-out competition courtesy of a 5-1 mauling of Armadale. A defensive Morley Windmills proved no match in going down 0-3 at home to Perth S.C., and Swan I.C. overpowered Queens Park by 4-2.

9.4.2004

WEEKEND IN PREVIEW

The field will be slimmed to eight following the completion of Round Two of the Boral Cup on Saturday afternoon. Inglewood United will need to make the most of their chances ion front of goal if they expect to get past Cockburn City when they square off at Dalmatinac Park. Whoever settles the quicker between Sorrento and Stirling Lions will be the one that advances to the quarter-finals from the match at Percy Doyle Reserve. The pick of the action takes place at Alfred Skeet Oval where Armadale and Wanneroo City, arguably the First Divisions strongest sides, battle out what should be a classic Cup encounter.

Bassendean Caledonian face the very daunting task of welcoming Western Knights to Jubilee Reserve. Queens Park will be looking to produce their second 'Cupset' in as many weeks when they travel to Swan I.C. who were anything but convincing in Round One. Although they have home ground advantage, Kingsway Olympic will be put to the test by a Fremantle City side for whom Branimir Mikulic and Kevin Correia shared eight goals last weekend. And the odds are firmly stacked against Morley Windmills who welcome Night Series winners Perth S.C. to Wotton Reserve.

9.4.2004

CACERAS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE (courtesy tribalfootball.com)

Perth Glory midfielder Adrian Caceras is one of a handful of players from the national scene taking part in fitness tests at the Australian Institute of Sport under the watchful eye of national team coach Frank Farina. Fellow newcomers Fred Agius (Adelaide United), Iain Fyfe (Sydney Olympic) and Scott Tunbridge (South Melbourne) have also been invited to the trials in which Farina ran the rule over Australia-based players under consideration for the Athens Olympic Game squad.

7.4.2004

HUGE WELCOME FOR DOUBLE WINNERS

A crowd estimated at close to 3,000 packed Forrest Place in the centre of Perth to welcome the double winners home this afternoon. In a mass showing of support, the likes of which have never been seen or heard in Western Australia before, Glory's loyal supporters sang and cheered the Glory squad which only days earlier became just the fourth in National Soccer League history to win the Premiership/Championship double. In confirming that the club's name and colours would not be changed, chairman Nick Tana announced that Glory would commence preparations for the new national competition, dubbed the Australian Premier League, as early as September.

7.4.2004

UNCERTAINTY FOR GLORY COACH

He may have lead Perth Glory to back-to back-championships but Mich d'Avray admits he may not be around to lead the club into next year's revamped national competition. "There are no guarantees in life," the South African born coach told the "West Australian". "I think what's got to happen now is I sit down with the chairman, directors, with the board, and find out what their objectives are for the next season. What are the goals? What are the plans? What does Perth Glory want to achieve next year and the year after?" D'Avray, named National Soccer League Coach of the Year just last week, has a verbal agreement with chairman and majority shareholder Nick Tana to lead Glory for another season. However, it is understood Tana has concerns over d'Avray's reluctance to warm to corporate circles and promote junior development.

6.4.2004

MADASCHI THRILLED WITH NATIONAL RETURN

Partick Thistle defender Adrian Madaschi is delighted to be back in the frame for Australia's Olympic squad. Madaschi was outstanding in the Under-23's scoreless draw with Greece last week and told the "Evening Times" that a place in the squad for Athens would be a dream come true. "I would love to be involved in the Olympic Games," he said. "It's the pinnacle of everyone's career and I would love to be a part of it. But we will have to wait and see if the coach has me involved in the final countdown."

6.4.2004

DESPOTOVSKI MAY PLAY ON

Bobby Despotovski's National Soccer League may not be over after all. Following Perth Glory's grand final win over Parramatta Power the star striker has hinted he may make himself available for the new national competition when its launched next year. "I will see how I feel in the morning," Despotovski commented. "We'll see in the next couple of months what lies ahead. I will decide if I'm going to come back in the next couple of months." Just two weeks ago Despotovski announced plans to retired from the national league at the end of the 2003/04 campaign.

5.4.2004

GLORY REFLECT ON GRAND FINAL SUCCESS

Perth Glory became only the fourth club in seventeen years to win the premiership and championship double when they defeated Parramatta Power at a waterlogged Parramatta Stadium on the weekend. With the match scoreless at the end of ninety minutes, it took a brilliant strike from Nick Mrdja to separate the teams nine minutes into extra-time. "It's probably the biggest buzz I've ever had in my career so far," commented the 25-year old. "We came in as underdogs and came away winning it ... you can't ask for much more than that."

An exhausted Despotovski, who made way for Mrdja after 82 minutes, said he would never forget the words of coach Mich d'Avray as he was called from the field. "I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life. Mich said 'we are going to win this, we are going to win this - Mrdja coming on'," said tyher Glory stalwart. "He's a good finisher and has a good left-foot ... we expected great things from Nicky and today he delivered for us once again."

"Sunday's win was possibly a sweeter victory than last seasons at Subiaco Oval," commented Jamie Harnwell. "The Sydney media had all but written us off but we showed them that to be a championship winning team you need character and determination. After we missed some great chances I started wondering whether it would be our day. Then Nicky unleashed an absolute bullet and it took a second or two after it went in before I realised that was it - we had won. By then I was already sprinting down with the other players to congratulate him and start the celebrations."

Without a doubt one of the teams stand-out players in the grand final, central defender and team captain Shaun Murphy rejected claims that the rain washed away Power's title aspirations. "I hope we are not going to parade all the excuses that it [the weather] was a great leveller of the teams," he stated. "I thought we were more determined today. We copped a lot of stick over the past few weeks and it's a tribute to this side to be one of only four teams in the National Soccer League to win the League and then the Championship ... it's a fantastic job."

D'Avray said his players had responded brilliantly to claim back-to-back championships. "We were written off by a lot of people this season and we were criticised - and I think unjustly so because the players did ever so well all season," said the coach. "Even this week we were underdogs and no one gave us much of a chance outside Western Australia. I thought the players showed a lot of determination and a lot of commitment today. Not only did we win the game, but I thought we deserved to win the game."

5.4.2004

GASPAR RIFLES SABAH TO TOP

Sabah have moved to the head of the Malaysian Super League standings thanks to Robbie Gaspar. Called up to the starting eleven for the first time season, Gaspar didn't let his coach down by playing a key midfield role for the Rhino's who ran out 2-1 winners over Kedah. The match started disappointingly for the former Perth S.C. midfielder who had a penalty saved after 24 minutes. Within a minute Kedah went in front through Akmal Rizal Rakhli, but the Rhinos hit back almost immediately with Mazinho heading in Gaspar's free-kick. The deciding goal arrived eleven minutes into the second half when Gaspar made amends for his earlier miss by firing a free-kick past the opposing goalkeeper.

4.4.2004

MRDJA MAGIC!

Not for the first time this season, Nick Mrdja has come off the bench to score for Perth Glory. The difference this time, however, is that the 25-year old with the lethal left-foot not only won the game but also the National Soccer League grand final. With the scores tied at nil-all after regulation time, Mrdja struck nine minutes into extra-time to earn Glory a 1-0 win over title favorite Parramatta Power at a rain-sodden at Parramatta Stadium this afternoon.

The game was only three minutes old when the heavens opened up, flooding the pitch in no time and leaving large pools of water scattered across the playing surface. Pre-match plans and tactics were instantly made irrelevant as players on both teams struggled to predict the bounce and run of the ball. The games' first opening came after 14 minutes when Bobby Despotovski delivered a low cross into the 6-yard box where Damian Mori edged in front of Paul O'Grady but goalkeeper Clint Bolton parried the effort. Nine minutes later Jason Petkovic spilled an Ahmad Elrich cross from the right and the ball fell to the feet of Ante Milicic who failed to connect and Shaun Murphy cleared the danger.

Chances were limited at either end but Glory were unlucky not to net in a furious goalmouth scramble after 29 minutes. Bobby Despotovski fired a free-kick into the heart of the 18-yard box where Adrian Caceras' shot was halted close to the goal line and in ensuing scramble Power were awarded a free kick. In the 45th minute Milicic attempted a long-range chip of Petkovic who back-tracked to catch the ball at the far post. And in stoppage time Caceras got clear of Andre Gumprecht and, despite losing his footing, forced Bolton into saving down low.

Conditions improved after the break and the players responded accordingly. Simon Colosimo was beginning to assert his influence on midfield as Power started confidently. The hosts were the first to threaten as Milicic's powerful header went agonisingly wide of the far post from an brilliant Elrich cross. Ten minutes in and Tom Pondeljak played a low cross to Caceras but the ball span away from him and to Damian Mori who, amazingly, ballooned his shot over the crossbar from 5-metres and with only Bolton to beat. Pondeljak won possession from Peter Zorbas in the middle of the park and send a speculative long-range shot goalward and into the waiting arms of Bolton.

Midway through the half an elegant pass from Zorbas found Saso Petrovski who weaving his way past Jade North and into the area only to flash his low shot across the face of goal. Bolton was lucky not to be booked after 79 minutes for flattening Mori just outside the area after the Glory striker had made his way past the last defencder, but referee Mark Shield waved play on. The closing stages saw the respective defences hold firm in the difficult conditions, forcing the opposing attackers into trying their luck from distance. But neither side were able to break the deadlock before the end of 90 minutes and the match went into extra-time.

The match should have been over five minutes into the golden-goal period. From wide on the left Nick Mrdja played an innocuous cross to the top of the 18-yard box where Zorba lost his footing in the mud and the ball came to Mori but, despite having time to pick his spot, the striker blazed wide and high. Three minutes later Mrdja settled the match with the last-ever goal in the National Soccer League. The big striker started and finished the move, passing to Mori who rode the challenge of Michael Beauchamp and as he cut back past another defender the ball rolled invitingly to Mrdja who lashed it into the from 14-metres.

"We beat a very good team today, there is no about it, but I also think we are also a very good team," commented Glory coach Mich d'Avray before lavishing hero of the moment Mrdja. "I said to him 'go win it for us' because he had a habit of doing that for us this season, coming off the bench and scoring vital goals. I tell you, there was no sweeter moment than the ball hitting the net." The Marston Medal, awarded to the best player in the grand final was taken out by Elrich, although it could just as well gone to Glory captain Shaun Murphy who worked tirelessly in the centre of defence all afternoon.

Perth Glory : Jason Petkovic, Jade North, Shaun Murphy, Jamie Harnwell, Mark Byrnes, Jamie Coyne Brad Hassell 95), Adrian Caceras, Mathew Bingley, Bobby Despotovski (Nick Mrdja 82), Damian Mori
Parramatta Power : Clint Bolton, Alvin Ceccoli, Paul O'Grady, Michael Beauchamp, Ahmad Elrich, Travis Dodd, Peter Zorbas (Matthew Thompson 97), Simon Colosimo, Andre Gumprecht, Ante Milicic (Fernando Rech 68), Sasho Petrovski
Cautions : Byrnes (62), Gumprecht (86)
Dismissals : None
Referee : Mark Shield
Attendance : 9,630

4.4.2004

SWEET VICTORY FOR TANA

"Sugar is sweet, honey is sweet, but this is much sweeter," beamed chairman Nick Tana minutes after Perth Glory won their second National Soccer League championship in as many years. Eight years after entering the national league and with two Grand Final victories as well as three regular season titles to their credit, Tana said the club had by far exceeded what he though they would achieve in such a short time. "It's beyond our expectations, it's been an absolute glory ride - pardon the pun - all the way though."

"Eight years ago we came in, we set the benchmark and we're going out of the national league as the benchmark again," he added. For Glory and Tana, the driving force behind the club since their inception, the future is bright with promises of further success. "We're moving forward as fast as we can. We're in the process of getting ready to re-energise ourselves and re-launch everything. We'll stick with the name and stick with the colours but only do it much stronger and much better than we are now."

4.4.2004

WAASSA, ROUND ONE

Newly promoted Colo Colo caused shock waves in the opening round of the WAASSA Premier Division on Sunday, as they thumped Fremantle United 12-0. Forrestfield United, who are strong favourites to take out the title this season, were held to a 0-0 away draw to Kwinana United. The surprise results kept on coming, with University of WA losing 4-1 to Murdoch University and Hamersley Rovers going down in a 5-4 classic away to Spearwood Dalmatinc. While Shamrock Rovers defeated Perth Azzurri 3-1, as did CN Canning International over the Stirling Panthers.

3.4.2004

BORAL CUP, ROUND ONE (Sorrento vs Ashfield by Kerry Slater; Mandurah City vs Bassendean Caledonian courtesy Mandurah City; South West Phoenix vs E.C.U. Joondalup courtesy E.C.U. Joondalup; Stirling Lions vs Leeming Strikers by Don Evans; Western Knights vs Canning City courtesy Western Knights)

On a day when the conditions were better suited to cricket rather than soccer, Ashfield played host to Sorrento in the First Round of the 2004 Boral Cup. The visitors attacked from the outset and took a deserved lead after 10 minutes through Scott McIlroy whop finished a great move following a crisp one-two with Todd Harnwell which opened up the Ashfield defence. Alex Crookes called Gulls goalkeeper Phil Straker into action after 23 minutes, but nine minutes later all eyes were on the opposite end where Jared Love picked out McIlroy who crashed the ball into the roof of the net. By this stage Sorrento were on top and shortly before the break they were able to add a third goal via Todd Harnwell. Ashfield started the new half strongly but, just as they looked to be getting on top, Sorrento struck again as McIlroy found Love who calmly rounded goalkeeper Adam Ashworth before netting. Crookes reeled in the gap after 62 minutes by steering in Peter Noizsewski's cross, but not long after Love restored his teams three-goal buffer with a jinxing run past a couple of defenders and the goalkeeper. Eight minutes from the end Crookes pounced on some hesitant defending to complete a 5-2 scoreline.

First Division side Queens Park progressed to the next stage of the Boral Cup at the expense of Bayswater City at Frank Drago. Going into the match as underdogs, few gave Queens Park much hope of defeating their top flight opponent, but the visiting team had other thoughts on the matter. Queen Park started positively and were rewarded after 11 minutes when Grant Learmont put Brian Robertson through and the attacker coolly slotted past Francis Allan for what would be the games only goal. Going behind had a settling effect on Bayswater who only now began to create some good chances of their own. In quick succession Bayswater they hit the frame of the goal on three occasions as Cormac Dawson, Gareth Healy and Bobby Klenkoski applied the pressure. But with veteran Darren Williams in brilliant form between the posts it was going to take something pretty special to level the match. The second half was a mirror image of the first with Bayswater pressing forward only to be caught short on the counter-attack as Paul Dundo, Glenn Noblett, Learmont and Shiraz Sasikumar all came close to adding to Queens Park's tally before the referee called an end to the game. Bayswater took out both the earlier games, the Reserves 7-5 in a penalty shoot-out and the Under-18's 4-2 courtesy of a hat-trick from Luke O'Neill.

The biggest surprise of the round took place at Litis Stadium where an under-strength Kingsway Olympic defeated Premier League outfit Floreat Athena 1-0. Olympic had a youthful look to themselves for the match and were without the regular defensive combination of Alan Nanini and Jason Stern (both injured) along with suspended midfielder Danny Trandos. From the opening kick it was the visitors that looked the committed side with some probing attacks down both flanks. And it didn't take long for Olympic to benefit as Sota Iwasaki darting between the defenders to deliver a pinpoint cross to Nigel Comito who confidently made it one-nil. Although Jamie Trandos worked tirelessly in midfield, Athena could find few avenues to goal over the opening period and went in at the break wondering where a goal would come from. Lacking penetration, Athena's frustrations only grew upon the resumption of play as Olympic grew in stature. Liam Moorhouse, Steve Bretti and Iwasaki could each have secured the match during the second half but were unable to make the most of their opportunities. Olympic also claimed victory in the Reserves meeting which ended 3-1, while the Under-18 match was won 4-2 by Athena.

A stunning five-goal haul from State striker Branimir Mikulic fired Fremantle City into the Second Round with a 9-0 mauling of Dianella White Eagles at Ken Allen Reserve Field. Amazingly, it was Dianella that started the better of the sides and in truth were unlucky no to go in front with a well hit shot that flew narrowly wide. Ten minutes in Kevin Correia broke through by heading in a cross from the right, and a minute later Mikulic drilled home the first of his match-winning quintet. With Fremantle running rampant Mikulic again found the target midway through the half, then Correia completed his hat-trick with strikes after 33 and 38 minutes. With half-time approaching the margin blew out to six goals with off-season Jason Godfrey recruit bagging his first goal at senior level. To their credit Dianella came out for the new half in a positive frame of mind only to be overwhelmed by a far more composed opponent. Although they eased off to a degree, Fremantle added another three to their tally with Mikulic netting in the 47th, 52nd and 71st minutes. "To win nine-nil is very pleasing," coach Greg Kazmer said. "After a reasonable night series, this performance was a morale booster for the team." The was the perfect end to a memorable day for Fremantle who took out the reserves 5-0 and the Under-18's 8-0.

Only the brilliance of goalkeeper Jason Razmovski prevented Inglewood United from hitting double figures against Stirling Suns at the National Stadium. Quick to assert their dominance, Ryan Newhill and Michael Baczynski both made the most of some hesitant defending to open up a two-goal buffer after just 4 minutes. Relief came six minutes later for the Suns when Billy Ristevski ghosted in behind the defence to cleverly flick Sveto Velkovski's probing free-kick past a stunned Nick Stone. Razmovski single-handedly kept his side in the match by turning away a torrent of shots as Inglewood peppered the goal. But there was only so much the young 'keeper could do and in the 27th minute his defences were breached by Baczynski who headed in a corner from Jason Colli. Inglewood's onslaught continued after the break with a succession of shots denied by either Razmovski or the frame of his goal. With 67 minutes expired Billi Ristevski opted for route one to goal and superbly played the ball into the path of Jamie Divjkovski who darted past the last defender and rolled his shot past Stone from 16-metres to make it 3-2. A minute later the pressure on Inglewood intensified with the harsh dismissal of Shaun Kilkelly dissent. Following a period of readjustment in which Razmovski thwarted Farrell Hedges twice in as many minutes, Colli sealed victory in the final minute by side-stepping a defender before threading his shot between 'keeper and post from a narrow angle.

The City of Mandurah was treated to a footballing spectacle when Bassendean Caledonian ventured south to take on local heroes Mandurah City. Some fantastic movement of the ball saw the hosts go close to taking an early lead with Michael Bobridge hitting the upright and opposing goalkeeper Steve Grant making a number of impressive saves. However, it was Caledonian who would get on the scoresheet first with Graeme Matthews benefitting from a defensive error to score the match opener on the half hour. Mandurah were quickly back on level terms with Adam Parmenter finishing well from just inside the 18-yard box. The second half began with Caledonian in devastating touch, racing to a 3-1 lead as Graeme Matthews and Daniel Harrop found the target in quick succession. With the clock fast ticking down Mandurah produced a remarkable comeback to resuscitate their Cup dream. Jordan Rhodes drilled a vicious corner to the far post where Christian Paschewitz out-jumped the defence to power the ball into the back of the net. Minutes later Mandurah drew level via another corner with Paschewicz again the scorer. Four minutes into extra-time Michael Green deflected wide a shot from Matthews, and from the resultant Peter Vukmirovic netted in a goalmouth scramble to give Caledonian victory by 4-3. Goals from Gary Attrill, Adam Boone and Mikel Sesma gave Mandurah's reserves a 3-0 win, while the Under-18 game ended 0-3 in favour of Caledonian for whom James Warner, Josh Waterhouse and Corey Bessant were the scorers.

Despite taking an early lead, Balcatta proved no match for the silky skills of traditional rival Perth S.C. who ran out 7-1 winners in a match switched to Percy Doyle Reserve without explanation. It was a dream start for Balcatta with Victor Bogus playing the ball over the opposing defence for David Moschilla who out ran his marker and chipped the advancing goalkeeper on the quarter hour. It took Perth just two minutes to find an equaliser via John Nicolaou, and not long after Robbie Puca added a second at close-range to put them in front. Aleandro Di Nuzzo came agonisingly close to putting Balcatta back on level terms but his free-kick from 18-metres crashed into the crossbar. Perth's advantage was increased as David Onoforo headed in a superb cross from Daniel Micevski. Balcatta showed their never-say-die attitude by continually applying the pressure to Perth's rearguard as the half came to a close but they must have sensed it just wasn't going to be their day when Adrian Caloiero beat the 'keepe