Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Peter Simcox

Cockburn City maintained fifth spot on the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA table after a 3-1 win against local rivals Armadale, in their Rivalry Round clash at Dalmatinac Park.

Cockburn striker Rory Patterson was in fine form, the former Northern Ireland international striker, scored a double to top a ‘man of the match’ performance, while Conor Kavanagh found the net in first half stoppage time and Armadale’s Darren Francis scored their consolation goal.

The goals took Patterson to 12 for the season and tied at the top of the goal scorer’s list with Floreat’s Ludovic Boi and Bayswater’s Gustavo Giron Marulanda.

But the Irishman said it was a good day at the office.

“We’ve had an indifferent month of football, so it’s good to get to the points and score a few goals,” he said.

“We’ve been a little unlucky in the last few weeks, but we’ve been working hard at training this week, and today the service was great, and it was a good team performance for derby day.”

Cockburn coach Marc Anthony praised his striker and said he has been outstanding over the past month.

“Rory’s link up play and movement off the ball over the past month has been excellent for us,” he said.

“We know he can score goals, and that’s the pedigree he came over with, and he deserved his double today and could have scored a couple more.”

Anthony said they deserved the points, and was pleased the way his chargers went about it.

“We created a lot of opportunities today, and I was really pleased with the attitude of the players,” he said.

“On another day we could have scored six or seven, just a little disappointed to concede a sloppy goal late.

“We now look forward to taking on the league leaders Bayswater City next week.”

Both sides gave first team debuts to young players; Josh Kuser came into the back four for Cockburn, while Shaydon Passalacqua came in for the visitors.

It was an even opening to the rivalry round game and new Armadale signing Anthony Skorich tested Cockburn keeper Curtis Aspden early, before David Araya fired over for the home side.

But on 13 minutes the home side hit the front. A quick throw out from Aspden sent Julian Teles away and he fed Patterson, who rolled off his marker and fired clinically past Luke Radonich.

It should have been 2-0 moments later, as Feisal Zaw sent Patterson clear, but Radonich narrowed the angle and the striker fired wide.

The home side was well on top and Armadale were hanging on. Patterson headed wide at the near post, before Teles shot was well saved by Radonich.

It looked like the Reds had held on until the break, but in stoppage time Cockburn doubled their advantage.

Teles played the ball into the 18-yard-box, Patterson attempting the flick on to beat the keeper but it was Kavanagh who got the final touch, despite Passalacqua’s desperate effort to clear off the line.

The visitors opened brightly after the break, and Aspden had to be alert to deny Skorich early, before Francis’ long-range shot flashed inches over the bar.

But Cockburn settled and on the hour they added a third. A ball over the top by Conor Kavanagh sent Patterson racing into the area. He held off Sam Loveless before finishing with aplomb to get his double.

To their credit Armadale continued to take the game to Cockburn, and Skorich was sent clear by Jesse Fuller, but Aspden stood tall to deny him.

The visitors were back in the game on 79 minutes, as Francis rose highest to head home Loveless’ free kick.

Both sides had late chances. Patterson was a denied his hat-trick on 89 minutes; his shot superbly saved by Radonich, before Aspden saved from Mick Crerand.  

But at the final whistle it was the home side taking the points and the bragging rights, winning their fourth consecutive ‘Rivalry Round’ game against Armadale.  

Cockburn City 3 (Kavanagh 45+1min, Patterson 13min, 60)
Armadale (Francis 79min)
Saturday July 18 2015
Dalmatinac Park, Spearwood
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistants: Walter Ciotti and Eamon McDonnell

Cockburn City: GK Curtis ASPDEN, 2 Josh KUSER, 3 Jonathan CORNESS, 8 David ARAYA (15 Stefan CVIJANOVK 89’), 10 Rory PATTERSON, 11 Devon GIBSON (6 Kenel MOUITHYS 70’), 12 Feisal ZAW, 13 Blake ADAMS (7 Friday ZICO 78’), 14 Conor KAVANAGH, 16 Julian TELES, 17 Eamon MCNELIS
Subs not used: RGK Eric CLITRI, 18 Gabriel KIESWETTER
Yellow Cards: Gibson 26’

ARMADALE: GK Luke RADONICH, 2 Nick CRERAND, 4 SHAYDON PASSALACQUA, 5 Sam LOVELESS, 6 Jake SARDELIC, 9 Darren FRANCIS, 10 Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY, 12 Faustino MACHOCHI (3 Shaun MORRISON 82’), 14 Mitch CASTRILLI, 16 Jesse FULLER, 17 Anthony SKORICH (8 Sam KHANKALILI 64’)
Subs not used: RGK Dylan WILSON
Yellow Cards: Passalacqua 58’