Report by Matt Storer

The National Premier Leagues WA is bracing for a spirited round of football in this season’s second Rivalry Round.

CLICK ON BLUE LINKS BELOW FOR MATCH PREVIEWS
 
There will be a “feisty” fixture with scores to settle between Cockburn City and Armadale, as well as Sorrento and ECU Joondalup.

Bayswater and Perth SC will meet in a clash rich with history, as will Floreat Athena and Stirling Lions, while fresh rivals Perth Glory and Subiaco and Inglewood and Balcatta will seek to establish their dominance early.

Pictured: NPL WA players ham it up during a recent photo shoot. Photo: 3P Photography.
 
Armadale will reach for redemption after losing controversially in their last encounter with Cockburn City.
 
ECU Joondalup will chase a similar brand of vengeance after their loss to Sorrento in the previous rivalry round.

The historic clash between Floreat Athena and Stirling Lions will represent a chance for Floreat to gain some ground on fifth-placed Stirling and retribution for two previous defeats.

Newcomers Perth Glory and Subiaco will be sure to build the tension of their fledgling rivalry after Glory’s stunning comeback victory in the reverse fixture.

The stakes may be higher in the league’s other emerging rivalry, as Inglewood bangs on to hope of finals football and Balcatta looks to close the four-point gap behind league leaders Bayswater.

Bayswater will strive to grow that lead when they encounter long-time rivals Perth SC, in a game that Perth will need to win to remain serious contenders in the league’s title race.