Report by Alasdair Beer

Pictured: ECU Joondalup goalkeeper Jamie Serra. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo

Andy Banks could return from retirement for ECU Joondalup in their PS4 National Premier Leagues WA clash with Balcatta at Grindleford reserve on Saturday.

Banks, who made the decision to hang up his boots last season, is in line to replace ECU keeper Jamie Serra, who faces suspension following his red card in last week’s 2-1 loss to Bayswater City.

ECU coach Dale McCulloch said the club was reviewing the incident but would call on Banks if Serra’s suspension stood.

“He went onto the list in the last window just in case anything happened, so it’s quite lucky we did that,” McCulloch said.

ECU conceded in the final minute against league leaders Bayswater, and McCulloch said he was proud of his players despite the disappointing loss.

“I’ve got to try and keep morale as high as I can even though the boys are a bit deflated after that (the loss),” he said.

“I keep saying to them, to push teams like (Bayswater) that far, we were quite unlucky not to come away with a point.”

McCulloch said luck, as well as more clinical finishing in front of goal would be the key to an improved second half of the season for his side.

“We’re got to take our chances at critical moments, which we haven’t been doing but we’re very close to at the moment,” he said.

“Things can change quite easily in football.”

The ECU boss said his side had great respect for Balcatta and was particularly impressed by their keeper, Clint Davies, who McCulloch played with during his own career.

“He had three or four good saves at nil all against Stirling a couple of weeks back, (and) he keeps them in games for long periods,” he said.

Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon echoed McCulloch’s views on ECU’s missed opportunities.

“I think the have a good strike force, and I think in a good number of games they probably don’t exploit it to the maximum,” he said.

Former Balcatta captain Adam Tong moved to Bayswater in the last transfer period, and scored the winner on his club debut against ECU last week.

Falzon said new captain James Sammut had stepped up following Tong’s departure.  

“James has the qualities of a captain – he’s highly respected by the players and the club, and he’s fitted into the captaincy really well,” he said.

Balcatta were frustrated by their opponent’s tactics in their 1-0 loss to Subiaco last week, but Falzon expects an open and attacking game against ECU.

“Last week Subiaco came out with a plan to defend, and it was effective,” Falzon said.

“When we played ECU in the first round they were quite adventurous in the way they pushed forward.

“With an opponent being a bit more adventurous, it will give us space to attack them into.”

FIXTURES
Saturday, July 11
Armadale v Floreat Athena (3pm, Alfred Skeet Reserve)
Perth SC v Cockburn City (3pm, Dorrien Gardens)
Balcatta v ECU Joondalup (3pm, Grindleford Reserve)
Inglewood United v Bayswater City (3pm, Inglewood Stadium)
Stirling Lions v Perth Glory (3pm, Macedonia Park)
Sorrento v Subiaco (3pm, Percy Doyle Reserve)