Football West News

Subiaco coach Ian McMurray is confident his side will turn the corner as the 2018 National Premier Leagues WA season nears the halfway mark.

Subiaco have won just twice so far and are at home to Floreat Athena on Saturday with both sides sitting on 10 points and in the relegation zone.

Three teams are set to go down at the end of the season as the NPL WA is reduced to 12 clubs. Joondalup United, with one point from 11 matches, look to have booked one spot but the fight to avoid the other two promises to go down to the wire.

"It's not good being down there and it's a bit stressful but there are probably four or five coaches who are feeling the same way," McMurray said. "Teams like ourselves, Floreat, Sorrento, Armadale, Forrestfield ... we're all in a similar position.

"It's very tight at the moment but two wins could take you up to ninth or eighth.

"With three going down it's made it more interesting but I can see there being a few twists yet. There's no need to panic and hopefully as the season goes on we'll get stronger."

Subiaco drew 0-0 against Forrestfield in midweek, while Floreat suffered two 4-0 home defeats in the space of five days.

Those losses stalled any momentum garnered from back-to-back wins over league leaders Bayswater City and coach Howard Tweats admits there will be plenty at stake this weekend.

"It's certainly winner takes all," he said.

Tweats said successive midweek matches had taken their toll on his squad but hoped the return of experienced goalscorer Ludovic Boi would give his team a boost.

"There are still 45 points to play for and we'd rather look up than down," Tweats added.

"When all of our players are fit we should be good enough to collect enough points. But we've still got 11 players on the pitch and they are expected to achieve a certain level."

Armadale and Sorrento are two other teams who will feel more comfortable after a win. They meet at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

Leaders Bayswater go to Forrestfield while second-place Cockburn City host Perth Glory in what could be the match of the round.

ECU Joondalup will be out to avoid a third home loss in eight days when they take on Perth SC, Stirling Lions are at home to Balcatta while improving Inglewood United visit Joondalup United.

FIXTURES
Armadale v Sorrento (Alfred Skeet Reserve, 3pm)
Cockburn City v Perth Glory (Dalmatinac Park, 3pm)
ECU Joondalup v Perth SC (ECU Joondalup Football Stadium, 3pm)
Stirling Lions v Balcatta (Macedonia Park, 3pm)
Subiaco v Floreat Athena (Rosalie Park, 3pm)
Joondalup United v Inglewood United (Percy Doyle Reserve, 5pm)
Forrestfield United v Bayswater City (Wildlife Safari Stadium, 7pm)