Report by Peter Simcox

Armadale will aim for their first Rivalry Round win against Cockburn City when they travel to Dalmatinac Park on July 18.

Armadale’s’ English striker Danny Hodgson, and Cockburn City’s Irish midfielder Conor Kavanagh are both looking forward to the big game and said they can compare it to local derby’s they played in the UK.

Hodgson played all his football at Carlisle United in the north of England, before heading to WA, and he said their rivals were Workington. However the club has not featured in the football league since 1977.

He said whenever they played Preston North End it was always a fiercely fought game.

“Carlisle was about an hour from Preston, and whenever we played them it was always a great atmosphere and the game were very willing,” he said.

“But it’s one I enjoyed playing in and Saturday will be my first ‘Rivalry Round’ game for Armadale and we will be looking to continue our recent form.”

The striker has scored six goals in his eight games for the club and hopes to continue it next Saturday.

“I’ve watched Cockburn play a few games and they have a quality side,” he said.

“I missed the first game against them this season but on all reports we were unlucky not to take anything from the game.

We are improving each week since Paul (Price) and Tony (Castiello) arrived, and to beat Cockburn for the first time in the rivalry round would be massive for the club.”

Kavanagh joined English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers in 2006, but moved on to Clitheroe FC in the Northern Premier League in 2009, and he said while at the club he played in a tough local derby.

“Our closest rivals were a team called Bamber Bridge, and there was never much football played just a physical battle,” Kavanagh said.

“I remember the games well, the first game you looked for on the fixture list was that one and we couldn’t wait for them games to come around.”

The midfielder said Armadale always fire up for these games and he is expecting the same on Saturday.

“They (Armadale) are always fired up when we met each other, and you can look at our last meeting for the evidence of that,” he said.

“They raced to a two-goal lead and we were struggling, but thankfully we ended up with the points.

“No player likes losing against your local rivals, there is bragging rights and the fact there is three points up for grabs we will be approaching the game like every other one, to get the win and put in a good performance.”

Match details
Cockburn City v Armadale
Saturday, July 18
Kickoff: 3pm
Dalmatinac Park