Cockburn look to take next step
Football West News
Cockburn's Jesse Lazzaro is all smiles after converting from the penalty spot against Gwelup on Saturday. Photo by FotoEnzo
Cockburn City will look to build on their winning start to Phase Two of the NPLWA Men’s competition when they host Armadale on Wednesday night.
The Cockerels enjoyed a terrific 3-2 victory over Gwelup Croatia in Round One of the top six mini league, a five-round format to determine the 2020 champions.
If City can follow it up against a side which shipped six on the weekend then that will set them up for a real crack at the title.
However, Cockburn head coach Scott Miller says he will not read too much in to Armadale’s 6-0 loss at ECU Joondalup.
“We’ll ignore what happened to Armadale on Saturday, where they had a lot of injuries. We’ll be preparing to face a full-strength side,” he said.
Armadale and the other teams vying to become champions won’t be ignoring Cockburn’s opening result, where they came from behind to defeat a Gwelup side who showed glimpses of why many have tipped them to win the league.
“Gwelup were fantastic for the first 20 minutes, we didn’t get much of a kick,” Miller said. “We got a goal right on half-time, which is always great, going in having just scored.
“The second half, both teams had a crack and we probably just edged it.”
Cockburn’s run to the top six was built on the best defensive record in the division. They conceded just nine goals in their 11 Phase One matches.
“It’s probably that our players have played together now for about two or three years and they have built up a greater understanding of each other,” Miller said.
The introduction of midfielder Kristian Santich has also been telling. Santich left Perth SC after last season’s title win and was due to play at Dandenong City in Victoria this year. However, because of COVID he returned to WA.
“He’s been a great get for us,” Miller said. “He’s a Cockburn lad, and the chance to play with his brother (Daniel) was a draw card while he and Jesse Lazzaro are best mates.”
Cockburn are set to be without Ash Rosindale and Hayden Stevens against Armadale after the pair suffered hamstring injuries on Saturday.
“We’re the same as everyone else, I suppose,” Miller said. “We have a few out but it means a couple can come in and get their chance.”
ECU scored six for the second time this season in beating Armadale, with Danny Hodgson bagging a hat-trick. They are away at Floreat Athena on Wednesday, with Vas Vujacic’s side under pressure to rebound from their stoppage-time loss to Sorrento on Saturday.
The Gulls took that win thanks to Cameron Teece’s penalty and the Golden Boot frontrunner will seek to inflict more damage to Gwelup’s title ambitions at Percy Doyle Reserve on Wednesday.
In the bottom six mini league, it is all about finishing first and booking a place in the Top Four Cup.
Bayswater City, who began with a win at Rockingham, are at home to out-of-form Balcatta, who went down to Perth SC.
The Azzurri visit Inglewood United, while Perth Glory face Rockingham.
BOTTOM SIX, ROUND TWO FIXTURES
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