Football West News

Sam Mitchinson in action. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo

Sam Mitchinson’s progress with Bayswater City could be the catalyst for him to return to Australian soccer’s elite level.

But for now, the former Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart defender is focusing on helping his WA club go all the way in the PS4 NPL National Finals Series.

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Mitchinson, 23, has played a key role in Bayswater’s impressive season, helping drive the club towards today’s national semi-final clash against Hobart Olympia at Frank Drago Reserve (2.30pm kick-off).

Victory against Olympia will put Bayswater into their first National Grand Final against New South Wales’ Blacktown City, who beat Queensland’s Moreton Bay United 2-1 in a semi-final yesterday.

Bayswater’s early exit in the National Finals Series last season provided motivation for last weekend’s quarter-final away win over West Adelaide. But Mitchinson said even a National Grand Final Success would not satisfy the thirst of a club that has dominated the WA soccer scene in recent years.

“I personally don’t think this is the last piece in the puzzle,” Mitchinson said. “It would be great if we could win it. No-one from WA has done it before.

“But I think we can improve next season as well. If we can win this and get direct qualification to the FFA Cup (round of 32) and go on a bit of a run that’s what we want. We want to keep improving.”

The more often Bayswater feature in NPL National Finals matches and FFA Cup games, the more opportunities there will be for players such as Mitchinson and teammates Danny Dixon, BorBor Sam and Declan Hargreaves to show their value to club officials around the country.

Mitchinson has the advantage of having held his own in the A-League before, featuring for Glory in the 2011-12 season before a switch to Melbourne brought further first-team appearances.

“I’ve just got to play as well as I can for Bayswater and if I’m meant to play at a higher level it will happen,” he said. “If not, I’ve just got to achieve as much as I can. If we can win the NPL (National Finals Series) that would be big and then we can get on the national stage in the FFA Cup.”

After losing in the first round last season, Bayswater scored their first National Finals Series win when they came from behind to beat West Adelaide 2-1 in last weekend’s quarter-final.

The date and venue for the Grand Final will be determined after today’s semi-final.