A Johny Mirco hat-trick coupled with a man-of-the-match performance and a brilliant headed goal from the lively Callum Roberts inspired Western Knights to a 4-1 romp of Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

In truth, the result could have been different had Armadale converted a host of clear chances but the Knights were far too clinical and even managed to miss many efforts on goal themselves.

Armadale, with the unusual title of visitor to its own home ground, was quick out of the blocks with midfielder Jason Dodwell and skipper David Caine both going close from long-range efforts in the opening six minutes.

The Knights took time to settle and last year's joint Gold Medal winner Mirco twice went close from distance before Alan Darlington hit the woodwork for Armadale following a sweeping team move on the quarter-hour.

Two minutes later, Caine fired a free-kick just wide of the upright but it was the Knights who drew first blood slightly against the run of play on 30 minutes.
Armadale defender Mark McClements recklessly fouled Mirco in the penalty area who stepped up to confidently slot the spot-kick home.

It was at this point that Roberts began to assert his influence on the game with numerous runs down the right wing causing problems for defending left-back Blake Adams.

In the latter stages of the half, Roberts went close himself in a one-on-one situation with young Armadale custodian Matthew Gould before teeing up Mirco who half-volleyed wide just before the break.

With vocal "home" support behind them, Armadale's players came out all guns blazing in the second half and were level almost instantly when bulky striker Raveshlam Kuppusamy tucked away a penalty-kick following Knights' skipper David Annall's foul on Nicholas Viaggio.

In the 55th minute, Kuppusamy should have put his side ahead after a mazy run from young winger Jason Pottier that culminated in the striker shooting wide when he really should have at least hit the target.

Fifteen minutes later, Armadale was made to pay when an excellent block and run down the left from Ivan Zuvela found Roberts whose pin-point cross set up Mirco to smash the ball home for a 2-1 lead.

Visibly disappointed with conceding a second goal, Armadale fell apart and the game was over as a contest less than two minutes later when Roberts himself got on the scoresheet with a brilliant header into the top corner from Calum O'Connell's accurate ball on the left.

In the dying minutes, Zuvela and Darlington missed great chances for their respective sides but it was Mirco who took home the match ball in added time when he scored his second penalty of the game after being bundled over in the box by Viaggio.

After the game, hat-trick hero Mirco was ecstatic with his and his team's efforts following a pre-season of many changes at the club.

"I'm happy with a hat-trick in the first game but it's good for the boys as well," he said.

"We have lost a few players (since last season) but are looking to add a few more players to the squad in the coming weeks so things are looking good."

In the second round of league fixtures next Saturday, Western Knights face fellow first-up winners Inglewood United at 6PR Stadium while Armadale hosts Balcatta at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

 

Western Knights 4 (Johny MIRCO pen 30', 70', pen 90+3', Callum ROBERTS 72')
Armadale 1 (Raveshlam KUPPUSAMY pen 47')

Date: Saturday, 24 March 2012
Ground: Alfred Skeet Reserve, Forrestdale
Match time: 3:00pm
Referee: Phil TRAIANEDES
Assistant referees: Ton KLAVER and Rob HALL

Western Knights: 1. Kevin MILLER (gk), 2. Chris YATES, 4. Calum O'CONNELL, 5. David ANNALL (c), 6. Ivan ZUVELA, 7. Callum ROBERTS (11. Ethan LEVITT 75'), 8. Ryan SHACKLETON (18. George TCHAMI 87'), 9. Kyle KING (3. Jesse FULLER 58'), 12. Brian WHITE, 14. Dale WINGELL, 22. Johny MIRCO

Substitutes not used: 24. Nathan CIPRIANO (gk), 16. David ARAYA
Yellow cards: Ryan SHACKLETON 78'
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: 1. Matthew GOULD (gk), 3. Nicholas VIAGGIO, 4. Mark McClements (8. Sean NICHOLLS 68'), 5. Matthew BENNION, 6. David CAINE (c), 9. Raveshlam KUPPUSAMY (7. Darren FRANCIS 66'), 10. Alan DARLINGTON, 11. Jason DODWELL, 12. Blake ADAMS, 15. Joseph TAVERNESE, 17. Jason POTTIER (13. Daniel PARIDES 77')

Substitutes not used: RGK. Cyril SHARROCK (gk), 14. Jackson BEALEY
Yellow cards: Jason POTTIER 34'
Red cards: Nil