Football West News

Photo by FotoEnzo

The 2019 National Premier Leagues WA fixtures are released today with Inglewood United hosting the season opener against Bayswater City at Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium on Friday, March 15 (7.30pm).

The remainder of the Round One matches take place the following day.

SEE YOUR CLUB’S SEASON FIXTURES HERE

Reigning champions Perth SC face ECU Joondalup at Dorrien Gardens, Rockingham City’s maiden season in the NPL begins with a trip to Balcatta, Sorrento take on Cockburn City at Percy Doyle Reserve while Stirling Lions meet Armadale.

To round off the first weekend last season’s runners-up Perth Glory, now coached by former Socceroo Richard Garcia, are away to Floreat Athena in a 7pm kick-off. The game at E&D Litis Stadium won’t be Glory’s last there this season – they are holding their home league matches for 2019 at Athena’s ground.

Rockingham supporters will have to wait until Round Four before they can watch their side play at home. SafeRad Stadium won’t be available until Cam Lord’s side welcome Stirling on Saturday, April 6.

Perth Glory and Sorrento will again feature in the Regional Cup round, which this year will be held at Busselton’s Barnard Park on Saturday, April 27 at 7pm (Round Seven).

There have been a number interesting transfers during the close season, none more so than All Flags Gold Medal winner Daryl Nicol leaving ECU Joondalup for Bayswater.

The Scot, who was also the NPL’s joint top scorer in 2018, and fellow forward and compatriot Gordon Smith will face their former club in Round Five when Baysie travel to ECU Football Stadium on April 13.

ECU have done a bit of business themselves, including bringing in former Perth Glory A-League player Joe Knowles who had been in Scotland for trials with Greenock Morton.

Chris Jackson, who shared the Golden Boot with Nicol, was also on the move during the summer after swapping Armadale for Inglewood, who now have Trim Morgan as head coach.

Elsewhere Floreat have signed Nick Ambrogio from champions Perth SC, while David Stokoe, an NPL title winner with Bayswater in 2017, has joined Sorrento.

This season the NPL WA reverts to 12 clubs, with one team only at risk of relegation.

Round 22, the final round of the regular season, will be on August 31, while the Top Four Cup final is on September 14.

The Belt Up Cup final will take place on July 20.

The NPL Night Series continues this weekend with matches at Frank Drago Reserve and Percy Doyle Reserve on Friday night and at E&D Litis Stadium on Sunday night.