Goals: 1:0 Paul Natale (14.); 2:0 Aaron Dos Santos (19.); 2:1 Jason Goodwin (72.)

The pressure is mounting at the top of the Football West Premier League table after Cockburn City continued their recent winning form with a 2-1 victory over a gallant Armadale at Dalmatinac Park. Two goals in the opening twenty minutes to Paul Natale and Aaron Dos Santos was enough for the three points despite a second half rally from the visitors, who were spurred on by a passionate and vocal group of supporters spread along the banks of the Southern Suburbs venue.

Cockburn went into the match missing the Mirco brothers and Coach Scott Miller was forced to field a younger side however the midfield pace of Aaron Dos Santos and Adam Surjan was damaging in the opening stages. It was defender Paul Natale though who opened the scoring, after a storming run into the penalty area, he struck his left foot shot past goalkeeper Cyril Sharrock to give the home side the lead.

The visitors could have drawn level only minutes later with Neil Gawley and Ryan Pearson wasting golden opportunities after getting into great positions. Cockburn on the other hand were clinical and midfielder Aaron Dos Santos doubled his sides lead when he unleashed a long range shot which cannoned off the inside of the post before bouncing over the line.

Armadale’s group of supporters were not deterred by the goals and continued to sing and chant as their team searched for an avenue to goal. After the half time team talks, the visitors returned to the pitch desperate for a result however their delivery and ball control in the final third was poor.

Coach Billy Russell urged his team to lift and they started to apply the pressure with Dino Pacella called on to make a number of timely intercepts. They were finally rewarded for their hard work on 72 minutes when a great run and ball from Marlon Ramirez slipped through the Cockburn defence to a vacant Goodwin who poked his shot home from close range.

The visitors searched desperately for an equalizer throwing everyone forward in the final stages but it was Cockburn keeper Dino Pacella who had the last laugh diving to stop Stephen Skilandis’s point blank shot in the last kick of the game.

Cockburn will be favorites to continue their un-beaten streak next weekend when they tackle Wanneroo City while Armadale will take plenty of confidence into a home clash with Sorrento.

Football West Match Reporter Beau Crompton.

Goals: 1:0 Miki Vujacic (14.); 2:0 Branimir Mikulic (23.); 3:0 Boima Karpeh (27.); 3:1 Craig Cheeseman (52.); 4:1 Boima Karpeh (56.); 5:1 Boima Karpeh (76.)

Floreat Athena extended their unbeaten run to twelve games by sweeping aside Wanneroo City 5-1 at Litis Stadium. It was little more than a training run for Floreat who completely dominated a Wanneroo line-up facing almost certain relegation come seasons' end. It took all of 14 minutes for Floreat to open their account through Miki Vujacic who tucked the ball in from 8-metres after Branimir Mikulic's drive ricocheted off the far post. Mikulic made it two-nil by sending his marker, along with the goalkeeper, in the wrong direction to set-up a simple shot from 10-metres. Their third goal arrived in the 27th minute when lazy defending allowing Boima Karpeh to nip in and calmly convert from close-range. The second half began with Floreat at full pace and if not for sloppy finishing the margin could really have blown out. Karpeh failed to make the most of three one-on-one opportunities with the 'keeper, while Mikulic and Miki Vujacic were also each guilty of squandering several good chances. It was only through the perseverance of Craig Cheeseman that Wanneroo pulled a goal back when the midfielder's determined run took him past Ante Kovacevic and Adam Bachiller before angling the ball across Vas Vujacic and inside the far post. However, the visitors' joy was short-lived as Bajo Savic opened up space with an overlapping run before centring to Karpeh who completed a fantastic move by firing into the net. The final goal arrived through a similar build-up as Mikulic broke free and unselfishly laid the ball off to Karpeh to complete his hat-trick.

Match report courtesy of Floreat Athena

Goals: 1:0 Daniel Neiderberger (45.); 2:0 Jason Colli (82.)

A goal late in each half earned Inglewood United victory by 2-0 over a luckless Fremantle Spirit at Clipsal Stadium. The two-goal margin flattered the home team on an afternoon when Fremantle did everything but put the ball in the back of the net. Disciplined defending kept early chances on goal to a minimum and it took until midway through the half for the first real openings to occur. Danny Kovacevic came to Inglewood’s rescue on 22 minutes by glancing Dale Wingell’s close-range header over the crossbar, and not long after Simon Elton-Bott’s stinging drive from distance curled past the post. The home were frustrated by their lack of penetration but on the half hour found a way through via Greg Sharland whose neat lay-off was rifled narrowly high by Jason Colli. Just as the half looked like ending scoreless, up stepped Daniel Neiderberger who seized upon a loose ball which he lashed into the bottom corner from just outside the 18-yard box. The second period opened with great excitement as play streamed from one end to the other through terrific movement of the ball. Steve Grant tipped a delicate Kevin Griffiths chip on to the bar, and a few minutes later only the quick thinking of Oliver Taseski prevented Vas Kalogeracos from bringing the teams level. Eventually Inglewood took control but Grant stood firm against Sharland and Dean Apelgren as they sought to add a second to the hosts’ tally. Fremantle showed they were by no means out of the hunt and in the space of a few minutes Wingell and Kalogeracos brought the best out of Taseski. The sealing goal was the result of a superb exchange of passes between Sharland, Neiderberger and substitute Michael Baczynski which culminated in Colli angling a low shot across the ‘keeper and inside the far post in the 80th minute.

Goals: 0:1 Anthony Skorich (3.); 1:1 Todd Harnwell (17.); 1:2 John Thornley (19.); 1:3 Cormac Dawson (23.); 2:3 Todd Harnwell (44.); 3:3 Gary Lynn (74.); 3:4 Andrija Jukic (90.)

The Western Knights completed a league double over the Gulls in an exciting Football West match that produced 7 goals. Their previous league encounter only 3 weeks ago produced 8 goals as the Knights ran out 6-2 winners after being 2-2 at half time. This match had more “excitement” value as the Gulls fought back from a 2-3 half time deficit to draw level and then the Knights match winner was a stunner from Andrija Jukic.

The Knights got given a perfect start by the Gulls defence as in the 3rd minute they allowed an unmarked, although suspicion of offside, Anthony Skorich to receive a through ball and he promptly raced on to fire past Anthony Cochrane in the Gull’s goal to give the visitors the lead. The Gulls took a little while to shake the shock of conceding early, but on 17 minutes Glen Thomas won the chase for the ball on the left and he beat his marker to put in a cross that Todd Harnwell did well to control and loop into the top right of Kevin Miller’s net.

The Knights took only 2 minutes to go ahead again as Scott Bushby slipped a class ball through to John Thornley and he raced on to shoot past the advancing Cochrane. A further 3 minutes and a clash between Thornley and Steve McDonald resulted in them both being cautioned and a free kick awarded to the Knights. Thornley’s shot was deflected away by Cochrane, but only to the feet of Cormac Dawson who turned the ball home from near the left post to put the team in red further ahead.

On 26 minutes, Andrija Jukic let rip from 22 metres, but Cochrane made a good stop and gathered to prevent the Gulls conceding again. The Gulls regained some composure and the match became end to end action, with both keepers busy. Then on 44 minutes, the Gulls mirrored their first goal. Thomas from the left crossed to Harnwell who this time was facing goal and he struck first time to angle in past Miller.

The 2nd half was to see an even better level of football action. Six minutes into the new half, Todd Harnwell was one on one against Miller, but the Knights keeper was well positioned to push over his cross bar. A tough battle, especially in the midfield was well controlled by match official, Steve Muldoon. The Gulls started to have more possession and from a sustained attack in the 75th minute, Daniel Trim took the leg of Gull’s substitute, Brodie Martin, resulting in a penalty. Gary Lynn stepped up and fired the spot kick to Miller’s right and the keeper just got fingertips on the ball, but couldn’t prevent the hard struck effort from finding its target.

Neither team wanted to settle for the draw so the action continued. On 76 minutes, Cochrane was alert to tip away a Skorich rising effort and McDonald cleared the danger. Five minutes later it was Cochrane again saving the team in white as he tipped away for a corner, a Stuart Montgomery header to a Dawson cross from the right. Then on 86 minutes, Jukic got the ball in midfield and skipped past his marker and as the Gulls defence backed away he raced into the space and drilled his low effort into the bottom right corner from just outside the area.

Skorich being cautioned for inappropriate words said. The home team went straight on the attack from the restart in a mighty effort to get a point from the match. Chris Boyle controlled the ball well in the Knight’s penalty area and his movement sent his marker the wrong way, but his shot from an angle rebounded off the foot of the far left post with Miller beaten. So it was frustration for the Gulls at the width of a post as their efforts seemed to deserve better, but the Knights won it with a cracker of a goal.

Sorrento (4-4-2): Cochrane, Trpevski, McDonald, Banks, Lynn, Morgan, Flatt, Thomas, Boyle, Harnwell, Love (Martin 69). Subs not used: Ross, Doyle, Neville, Taylor. Cautioned: McDonald, Lynn.

Western Knights (4-3-3): Miller, Mathers, Johnson, Price, Dawson, Trim, Jukic, Bushby, Skorich, Montgomery, Thornley (Higgins 79). Subs not used: Geerlings, Jennings, Warmt-Murray. Cautioned: Thornley, Skorich.

Referee: Steve Muldoon

Match report courtesy of Sorrento

Goals: 1:0 Damien Catalano (7.); 2:0 Anthony McStea (14.); 3:0 Thomas Shepheard (39.); 3:1 Mark Lee (Penalty, 48.); 3:2 Martin Ashworth (90+1.); 3:3 Craig Young (90+3.)

Two goals in second half injury time by ECU Joondalup rescued a point for Willie McNally’s side in today’s Football West Premier League clash against Swan IC at Francis Street.

The Swans opened brightly and were ahead on seven minutes thanks to great work on the right by David Perich; his cross found Damien Catalano who fired low past Aleks Vrteski. ECU looked to reply early and when Tom Amphlet’s pace took him clear his cross was only inches away from Mark Lee in the box. But on 15 minutes the Swans made it 2-0,; Thomas Shepheard was fouled on the edge of the box and Anthony McStea free kick went straight through the wall and into the back of the net with Vrteski stranded.

ECU looked for a lifeline and on 20 minutes it nearly arrived as Lee’s ball sent Darren Quinncroft clear but his shot hit the side netting. Amphlet was causing problems down the right and his dangerous cross was cleared by the alert David McNally, and down the other end Catalano’s ball sent John Monterosso clear but he fired straight at Vrteski when well placed. But the host made it 3-0 on 40 minutes with a great individual goal from Shepheard. His run into the box at pace beat three Joondalup players before firing low past Vrteski. The Swans went into the break at 3-0 and to a standing ovation from their faithful.

The second half had a dramatic start when Craig Young was clear in the box and was caught by Aaron Cole and referee Ton Klaver had no hesitation and pointed to the spot and sent Cole off, as he was the last man. Mark Lee kept his nerve and scored from the spot to make it 3-1.

Swans went close moments later Shepheard cut inside from the right and as he prepared to shoot Vrteski came out well to save at his feet. ECU began to dominate; Lee fired wide from long-range and after another run down the right by Amphlet, his pinpoint cross found Scott Blackmore unmarked in the box but he headed over. ECU continued to take over and David Abel headed wide on the hour mark and Amphlet was denied again by Hugo moments later.

But with time running out the visitors received a lifeline, Lee’s cross was only punched clear by Hugo and Martin Ashworth was at the back post to fire home in the 91st minute. The visitors pressed for the equaliser and it came two minutes later, Young scoring from close-range after a goalmouth scramble, to complete a remarkable comeback.

Football West Match Reporter - Peter Simcox.

Goals: 1:0 Andreas Oliveira (6.); 2:0 Robbie Puca (24.); 2:1 Ludovic Boi (75.); 2:2 Steve Porter (79.); 2:3 Dean Evans (90+2.)

A goal two minutes into injury-time by youngster Dean Evans secured Stirling Lions a tremendous 3-2 fight back victory in Sunday’s round 12 Football West Premier League clash against Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens. The Lions were 2-0 down at half time but fought back to take all three points and inflicted Perth first defeat at home in 2007.

The Lions opened brightly and Steve Porter’s free kick was pushed over by Gareth Deeg, and after a good run by Michael Pugliese, Phil Arnold’s shot on the turn flashed wide of the post. But Perth went close on five minutes, Todd Howarth cross found Barry Wood in the box and his header was superbly saved by Phil Straker. But moments later Perth had the lead Robbie Puca’s cross found the unmarked Andreas Oliviera who headed past Straker.

Both sides had chances, as rain began to fall making the pitch slippery, Puca’s long-range strike was straight at Straker and Arnold’s cross shot was deflected wide. But Perth doubled their lead in the 25th minute, a superb one-two between Antonio Naglieri and Puca on the edge of the box ended with Puca finishing clinically past Straker.

The Lions pressed but lacked the final ball, Daniel Micevski fired from long-range, and Ludovic Boi headed over from inside the six-yard box after good work from Arnold on the left. But it was the hosts who went closest to scoring just before half time. Again Naglieri was the provider his perfectly weighted ball sent Wood clear, but his shot was superbly saved by Straker.

The Lions began well in the second half, and Micevski’s in-swinging corner was punched clear by Deeg. Perth threatened and should have made it 3-0, Howarth’s pinpoint cross found Oliviera unmarked in the box but he headed wide.

Perth was guilty of giving the ball away in midfield, and second half substitute Dean Evans profited on a mistake by Scott Bulloch on 77minutes. He fed David Dugdale who slipped it to Boi who fired past Deeg. It was game on and three minutes later it was 2-2, a foul on the edge of the box by Gianfranco Circati on Arnold, and midfielder Steve Porter curled the resulting free kick past Deeg’s.

It was game on and both sides went close late, Michael Ord headed just wide for Perth and Arnold’s low shot was saved by Deeg. But with time running out it was the Lions who scored the late winner, Evans picked the ball up 20-yards out and cut inside and hit a screamer wide of Deeg, much to the delight of the lions faithful.

Football West Match Reporter Peter Simcox

Perth SC - GK Deeg, Ord, Circati, Kay (Icanovski 75), Howarth, Danskin (Bulloch 60), Puca, Naglieri (Faria 45), Wood, Oliveira, Socratous

Stirling Lions - GK Straker, Henderson, Ilomanoski, Hesketh, Pugliese, Richman (Filicamo 84), Porter, Boi, Micevski (Evans 71), Arnold, Dugdale

Referee - Angelo Nardi