A goal either side of the break was enough to see Floreat Athena extend their winning streak and maintain their position at the top of the All Flags State Premier League table.

In a game where Floreat dominated possession and chances, only an inspired performance by Armadale custodian Cyril Sharrok kept the margin from being far greater. "We knew Armadale were going to be hard to break down and they proved to be a tough assignment today" admitted Athena coach Chris Barbas. "They showed great resilience, but our patience paid off in the end".

Floreat peppered from the outset and the usually reliable Bobby Wilson fluffed a header from five yards out to give an indication that it perhaps was going to be one of those days for the home side. However, on 12 minutes, Ludo Boi sent a raking pass to put Jon Brooks through on goal with only the keeper to beat. His clinical finish gave Sharrock no chance and calmed the nerves of the home supporters. With the visitors content to sit back and absorb pressure, a series of easy chances fell to Boi, Mickey Roberts and David Heagney, but their inability to convert kept Armadale within touching distance of their opponents heading into the break.

From the restart Athena pushed for their buffer and Roberts found himself in space to send a stinging shot toward the bottom right corner but an alert Sharrock was equal to the task, diving well to parry wide. Minutes later, Roberts again brought the best out of Sharrock when his first time attempt was thwarted by the keeper's excellent fingertip save. Sharrock was again called into action when a failed corner clearance allowed Pritchard then Wilson to snatch at close range, but the keeper was equal to the task on both occasions.

Armadale struggled to find a way forward and were being pegged back in their own half. A foul by San Loveless on 68 minutes gave Pritchard the opportunity to deliver a pin-point free kick to an advancing Mark Walsh, who drove his header low and hard to finally beat Sharrock and double Athena's lead. On 73 minutes Heagney, who was being well contained by the Armadale defence, managed to wriggle his way into space and send a dipping shot on target, but the evergreen Sharrock tipped over the bar at full stretch.

The visitors had to wait until the 83^rd minute to get their first clear-cut opportunity. Joey Tavernese was found unmarked at the back post but his hurried attempt was directed straight at Brad Effie who managed to deflect to safety. The final few minutes saw Sharrock deny both Heagney and Walsh to keep the score line at 2-0 and cap off a fine individual performance.

Floreat Athena 2 (Jon BROOKS 12', Mark WALSH 68')
Armadale 0

Saturday 7 July, 2012

E&D Litis Stadium, Mount Hawthorn

Kick-Off: 3pm

Referee: Michal JASINSKI

Assistant Referees: David JOHNSON, Maurizio MANGAPIA

Floreat Athena: 1. Brad EFFIE, 3. Jack ALLEN (11. Benny KOVAOIO 70') 5. Jarrad SMITH, 6. Mark PRITCHARD, 8. David HEAGNEY, 10. Bobby WILSON, 12. Sandi LONCAR, 14. Ludo BOI (4. Matt SPURLING) 16. Jon BROOKS, 19. Mickey ROBERTS (9. Jake GEDDES) 24. Mark WALSH (12. Sandi LONCAR 64')

Substitutes not used: 23. Michael Craggs (gk)

Yellow Cards: 11. Benny KOVAOIO, 8. David Heagney 89'

Red Cards: None

Armadale: 1. Cyril SHARROCK, 3. Mark McCLEMENTS (Wilf DINSDALE 76') 5. Nick VIAGGIO, 6. Josh MADDISON, 8. Dale WINGELL, 9. Darren FRANCIS, 10. Allan DARLINGTON (7. Raul KUPPUSAMY 75') 11. Blake ADAMS, 13. Sam LOVELESS, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, 17. Allan CLAXTON (15. Joey TAVERNESE 60')

Substitutes not used: 12. Nathan COSTELLO, 20. Jack ADAMS (gk)

Yellow Cards: Sam LOVELESS 39', Allan CLAXTON 42', Dale WINGELL 55', Josh MADDISON 86'

Red Cards: None