Report by Tommy Doleman

Daryl Nicol (No.9) has started the season in fine form with four goals in three games. Photo by FotoEnzo

An early-season clash between the top two headlines Round Four of the NPLWA – Men’s competition as Floreat Athena host leaders Perth RedStar.

Having won last month’s Night Series, Athena have hit the ground running with league victories over Balcatta Etna and Perth Glory, suggesting they have the formula to contend for more honours. Athena sit level on points with Sorrento and Stirling Macedonia, who have also won two from two so far.

RedStar, meanwhile, are one of only two clubs not to have had a game postponed to Covid and have made the most of their fortune with wins over Gwelup Croatia, Bayswater City and Inglewood United.

Striker Daryl Nicol has played a key role in the fast start with four goals in the opening three games to lead the scoring charts.

“You always want to get off to a good start and win the first game, but to win the first three is really good and it’s something that we need to continue to build on now,” he said.

“We’ve got quite a lot of new players and it’s a new club now with a few things changing around, so it’s been important having that consistency on the pitch. We’ve recruited well, brought in some good guys who have improved the team. Kenny (Lowe, RedStar’s head coach) has changed things slightly too and we’re maybe a bit more balanced all around the park.

“I think it’s just a momentum thing and any stretch where you can put wins together it’s great and you’ll take it, but especially in this season with games being called off. To put wins on the board is excellent, but you can easily go and lose the next three, so the next game is always the most important for us.”

Nicol is undoubtedly one of the greats in the NPLWA era as a two-time Gold Medal winner with two different clubs. While the Scot is grateful to have received the individual accolades, team success has so far eluded the 32-year-old.

“It’s something I’m immensely proud of,” Nicol said when asked about being a two-time Fairest & Best winner.

“We’re in football to try and win things but unfortunately during my time in Australia I haven’t won any team trophies yet, so that’s the one thing I really want to check off and it’s what really motivates me at the moment.

“The individual awards are something I look back on fondly, but right now I just want to get my hands on a league title and hopefully a few cups with Perth RedStar.

“I look after myself off the pitch with my job (as a personal trainer) and I really take pride in my fitness levels. I feel as good as ever and don’t feel like I’m slowing down, and I have a real passion for my football too. I take it seriously, it’s a big part of my life and I really look forward to the games at the weekend.

“If someone is to say I’m consistent then that’s probably the best compliment they can give me. It’s something I really strive to do and want to do for as long as possible.”

Saturday’s clash is a repeat of last season’s State Cup Final which Floreat won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kyle Murray. Including that fixture, Vas Vujacic’s side have won the last five meetings between the teams since 2019 and Nicol is looking forward to the challenge this weekend.

“We had some battles with them last year and they’re a bit of a bogey side for us, so we’ll be doing all we can to get the win,” he said.

“Floreat are always there and thereabouts, in and amongst the finals and always near the top. So it’s going to be a tough game, they’re a consistent team with a lot of good players and we’re obviously going to their patch as well.

“But hopefully with the way we’ve started we can keep implementing our game plan, give it our all and see where it takes us. It’s very early in the season but it’s a big game and a good test against a good team. The first three games have been great for us, but now we’re stepping up a different calibre of opposition.”

Elsewhere, Perth SC will hope to have their first home game of the season after two postponements. In-form Sorrento are the visitors, Trevor Morgan’s side winning their opening two matches and scoring seven goals in the process.

Inglewood, the other team to have played all three matches, and Cockburn City meet at Inglewood Stadium. Both sides lost last weekend.

Bayswater, who put four past Cockburn in Round Three, will go into their home tie with winless Gwelup full of confidence, while Stirling will look to extend their 100% start to 2022 when Perth Glory to go Macedonia Park.

There is one game postponed this weekend, with the meeting between Armadale and Balcatta at Alfred Skeet Reserve called off on Thursday. The 20s and 18s matches between the teams are still scheduled to go ahead.

Fixtures

Saturday 3pm: Bayswater City v Gwelup Croatia, Floreat Athena v Perth RedStar, Inglewood United v Cockburn City, Perth SC v Sorrento, Stirling Macedonia v Perth Glory. Postponed: Armadale v Balcatta Etna.