Football West News

Photo: Vince Caratozzolo

Subiaco coach Gerry McEwan happily acknowledges that Saturday’s clash with Armadale at Rosalie Park looms as one of the most important of the season.

With Armadale yet to win a match and Subiaco with only one victory this campaign, the straight-talking Scot says there has been no need to emphasise the significance of the match to his players.

“At the start of the season most people were tipping us or Armadale to finish bottom and we’re still down there and they are still down there,” McEwan said. “It was a big game last year when there was no relegation just because no-one wanted to finish bottom, so this is a massive game for both teams.”

The last-placed senior first team in 2015 could be relegated from the competition depending on the All Flags State League in position for promotion meeting NPLWA criteria.

Armadale coach Peter Lord registered himself to play recently and was involved in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Stirling. The move had been motivated by an inability to sign experienced players during the recent Player Points System window.

“I’m still young enough to train with the lads so I decided to get involved,” Lord said. “I couldn’t believe how tense it was out there. We’ve got some decent players it’s just about getting some experience in and helping the younger lads to relax in games.”

Lord was encouraged by much of what he saw from his players against Cockburn recently when they held a 2-0 lead before being overrun to lose 3-2.

“We’ve played well at times and even against Stirling I thought we were the better side before they scored,” he said. “After the goal it just changed in a heartbeat.

“People are saying the Subi game is a massive game but every game is massive for teams near the bottom when there’s relegation. If they win they’ll go six points ahead of us, so it’ll be interesting.”

Although Subiaco have just one league win this season – a 3-1 victory over Perth Glory on the club’s return to its spiritual home of Rosalie Park – McEwan has been pleased with his side’s performances, which include a Westfield FFA Cup victory over Balcatta.

“The only team that’s beaten us by more than one goal is Bayswater,” said McEwan, whose team also faces Perth SC on June 1 in a sixth-round Westfield FFA Cup clash.

Subiaco will go into the game without striker Rory Feely, who injured his groin in last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Floreat Athena. McEwan will also assess Danny Milne’s fitness as he continues to cope with a knee problem.

Subiaco’s recent return to Rosalie Park, after playing home games at the WA Athletics Stadium last season, has been a big boost, according to McEwan.

“Rosalie is one of the best playing surfaces I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I’d like to think it’s going to be a good place for us to play and we’ll turn it into a bit of a fortress.”

Meanwhile, Inglewood United, who trail 10th-placed Subiaco on goal difference, will be looking to climb out of the bottom rungs of the ladder when they take on Perth Glory at Inglewood Stadium.

Balcatta will target a hearty response after last weekend’s loss to Perth when they face another club with ties to the Italian community in champion Bayswater City at Grindleford Reserve.

Floreat Athena, who trail leaders Bayswater on goal difference, take on ECU Joondalup at E&D Litis Stadium with a slightly later kick-off of 3.15pm.

In other games, Stirling Lions and Cockburn City clash at Macedonia Park and Sorrento take on Perth SC at Percy Doyle Reserve.

AT A GLANCE
Saturday, May 9
Balcatta v Bayswater City (3pm, Grindleford Reserve)
Perth Glory v Inglewood United (3pm, Inglewood Stadium)
Stirling Lions v Cockburn City (3pm, Macedonia Park)
Sorrento v Perth SC (3pm, Percy Doyle Reserve)
Subiaco v Armadale (3pm, Rosalie Park)
Floreat Athena v ECU Joondalup (3.15pm, Litis Stadium)