Report by Tommy Doleman

Yousri Gharsallah says recent wins have boosted Armadale's confidence. Photo by Armadale SC Facebook

The second half of the NPLWA - Men’s season begins this weekend with in-form Armadale travelling to leaders Stirling Macedonia in a repeat of the season’s opening day fixtures.

John O’Reilly’s side have lost once in nine games in all competitions, and on Tuesday defeated Inglewood 2-0 in the Australia Cup to book a WA Preliminary semi-final against Bayswater City.

That was a third away win on the bounce, following victories at Perth SC and Floreat, which leaves them five points off a finals spot. As a result confidence is high at Alfred Skeet Reserve, according to goalkeeper Yousri Gharsallah.

“The performance against Inglewood was a solid team display coming off the back of some positive recent results. The morale is high within the group and the belief is there for us to start climbing the league table and go as far in the cup as possible,” he said.

“It is a squad game, and our playing roster goes deep with healthy competition for places raising the standards on matchdays and on the training track.

“Earlier in the season, we got undone at times by some individual errors and indiscipline. The coaching staff and playing group have worked hard on team structure and shape in order to get that improvement. We are a team, who aren’t reliant on any individual to make things happen, and are confident in our system both defensively and going forward.

“Playing four games in little over a week of course has its demands. If things were different, we were losing football matches and confidence was low, I’m sure the niggles and fatigue would be felt a little more, but when you are playing well and getting results you just can’t wait for the next one.”

Armadale coach O’Reilly echoed those sentiments.

“We look back at the first game against Stirling and it was a tight game,” the 2018 State Cup winning coach said.

“We lost 2-1 and their goalkeeper had a blinder – fair play to him, he kept us at bay. But we walked away saying we should have won, and that’s been part of the driving force where we’ve been waiting 11 games to go out and prove that we were capable of picking up something in that game.

“This is an opportunity to test ourselves and see if we really did deserve something. We’ve moved on, turned the corner and this is a big challenge. The essence of the game is they’re a big club in the scheme of things this season and we can’t wait for the weekend.”

This is a particularly important year for Armadale, with the club set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in next weekend’s home fixture with Sorrento. Gharsallah added that it was a factor which was motivating the playing group.

“Armadale is a proud club with some fantastic individuals making things happen off the park. All of the boys understand nobody is bigger than the club, and we all want to win football matches for each other and everyone one involved from top to bottom,” he said.

“Fifty years is a big milestone and I am sure we would all love to make something special happen this year on the pitch, and I believe we have all the tools to do so. The support we get from the stands is second to none in the NPLWA and it feels like a 12th man.

“When things aren’t quite happening for us or when we need to find that little extra, as players we feed off their energy and it lifts us to find that extra gear. They are part of the furniture at the club, and we not only go out to perform for each other but also to repay the continued support they offer.”

And from O’Reilly’s perspective, he hopes the club can ride the momentum they’ve built, as they launch an assault on multiple competitions in the second half of the season.

“In the world of football, we always talk about one game at a time, but for a club like Armadale where success isn’t always at our fingertips, when we are doing well I tell everyone to enjoy it,” he said.

“In terms of preparation, we look a game ahead because injuries, suspensions, players working or on holiday, things can change within a week. But everything’s good and everyone’s happy, so let’s enjoy it and keep the party atmosphere going.

“And even if we lose a game, then as long as we competed from start to finish then we can pat ourselves on the back, say the better team won, and go again next week with the same performance.

“Regarding the 50th anniversary, this is my sixth year here and I believe I understand a lot about the people, where the club’s come from, and where we want to go to. The fact we’re a community-based club, the people make it what it is, and when we do have success it’s a big deal.

“To be having a good year on our 50th anniversary, it’s massive for the club. Our supporters have travelled for the last three away games and I’m sure they’re going to be there again this weekend, and it’s something to sing and shout about for everyone who has built this club and maintained it.

“As far as looking for that fourth spot, we can dream, we can believe, and we aren’t in the league to avoid relegation anymore, we are in it to upset a few people.”

Also on Saturday, second-place Bayswater will aim to capitalise on any Stirling slip-up when they host Perth Glory.

Three successive wins have put Bayswater a point behind the leaders, and they also advanced in the Australia Cup with a 6-0 midweek win over Western Knights. Glory, meanwhile, are four points off fourth spot, but loom as a potential dark horse for later in the season with players starting to return from A-League duties.

Third-place Perth RedStar lost for the first time in five games last time out at Cockburn and they go to Gwelup Croatia, who are unbeaten in their last two league matches and looking to build on a four-point cushion from the drop zone.

Floreat Athena round out the top four and will also look to bounce back from defeat last weekend against Perth SC, who had a big win over Inglewood.

Inglewood will want to recover from that loss and their Australia Cup exit at home to Balcatta Etna, while Sorrento welcome Cockburn City to Percy Doyle Reserve in a preview of one of the Australia Cup semi-finals.

Round 12 fixtures

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