Football West News

Pictured: Rory Patterson. Photo: Football West News

He is a former teammate of Manchester United’s Jonny Evans and featured in Northern Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifiers. But these days Rory Patterson is right at home in the PS4 NPLWA.

More precisely, Patterson has found himself at Cockburn City, who will be looking to return to winning ways against Perth SC at Dalmatinac Park on Saturday night.

If Patterson’s early appetite for goals is anything to go by, he will be keen for more after scoring five in his first two outings.

Patterson celebrates scoring against Floreat. Photo: Football West News

The former Northern Ireland international, who played for his country alongside the likes of Evans and West Brom’s Chris Brunt, fired home four goals in Cockburn’s 5-1 win over Inglewood United in the opening round of the season.

A week later, he continued his uncanny goalscoring knack with the opening goal in a 3-1 loss to Floreat Athena.

It was Patterson’s imposing presence and eye for goal that earned a Northern Ireland call-up under then manager Nigel Worthington. The striker was in top form for Irish side Coleraine, scoring 42 league and cup goals in a season, when Worthington gave him an opportunity.

“The media and fans were saying the team wasn’t playing well and there was pressure on him to give me a chance,” Patterson said.

The 30-year-old also spent three years with FC United of Manchester, the club formed by Manchester United fans opposed to the club’s owner Malcolm Glazer.

He fondly remembers playing a pre-season friendly in front of thousands of fans in a team including ex-United and City players.

“There was a lot of experience and a lot of character in the team,” Patterson said.

Having travelled far and wide with football, Patterson threw his net even further after three seasons with League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City by heading to WA.

His brother, Brian, plays for Ashfield in the All Flags State League Division One and Patterson decided also to make the switch to Perth.

“I knew a few people over here and I was looking for a change of lifestyle and a change of weather,” he said.

A niggling back problem prevented him from having a major impact on the Night Series but his four goals against Inglewood announced his arrival.

“We’ve got good players and I knew the chances would come,” he said. “I knew the service would be good… I’ve just got to put it in the net.

“There are good players in the league here and technically we’ve got some good players at Cockburn. The young lads are really fit lads. There’s a hectic pace in training, which kind of caught me by surprise, and you can’t fault the work rate.”

ROUND THREE FIXTURES

Saturday, April 11
Floreat Athena v Armadale (E&D Litis Stadium, 3pm)
ECU Joondalup v Balcatta (ECU Sports Stadium, 3pm)
Bayswater City v Inglewood United (Frank Drago Reserve, 3pm)
Perth Glory v Stirling Lions (Inglewood Stadium, 3pm)
Subiaco v Sorrento (WA Athletics Stadium, 3pm)
Cockburn City v Perth SC (Dalmatinac Park, 7pm)