Goals: 1:0 Josip Magdic (8.); 1:1 Stuart Montgomery (Penalty, 11.); 2:1 Josip Magdic (21.); 2:2 Stuart Montgomery (46.); 3:2 Paul Vatistas (58.)

The home side didn’t have long to wait for the opener; on nine minutes Julian Madaschi’s long ball found Collins wide on the right. His cross found former Perth Glory player Josip Magdic who fired home from close-range. But the Knights hit back five minutes later as John Thornley was brought down in the box by Branimir Mikulic. Referee Troy Miller pointed to the spot and Stuart Montgomery, sending Alex Dunn the wrong way, leveled the score. But Athena was back in front on 20 minutes as Miki Vujacic’s cross from the left found Magdic again and he made no mistake firing past Kevin Miller.

It should have been three to the home side moments later. Collins was found in the box by Magdic’s cross but he fired over from close-range. There were further chances at both ends in the remainder of the half with Montgomery’s chip tipped away by the alert Dunn on the half hour and Collins shot saved by Miller after being sent clear by Rafael Insurralde.

The second half started with a bang and 45 seconds in the Knights were level; Michael Johnson’s cross from the right picked out the unmarked Montgomery at the back post, whose bullet header beat Dunn.

It was game on but the Knights suffered a blow on 52 minutes when they were reduced to ten men as Aaron Bahadori was given a second yellow card by referee Miller. Athena made their advantage count five minutes later thanks to young midfielder Paul Vatistas. Athena continued to press and Bachiller’s shot from the edge of the box on 72 minutes flew inches wide. To the Knights credit they went in search of the equaliser with both Montgomery and Andrija Jukic firing wide. But late on Miller came to the Knights rescue with two stunning saves to deny Madgic and Mikulic, as Athena ran out 3-2 winners.

Football West Match Reporter: Peter Simcox

Goals: 1:0 Brendan Ross (35.); 2:0 Todd Howarth (56.); 3:0 Andreas Oliveira (60.); 3:1 Ben Yates (67.); 4:1 Todd Howarth (69.)

Perth SC wrapped up second position on the Football West Premier League table after disposing of Wanneroo City 4-1 at Dorrien Gardens today. If it wasn’t for the woodwork, the hosts could have hit double figures with young keeper Jordan Conti also called on to make a number of fine saves. Todd Howarth was sensational for Perth on the left wing, scoring two goals and setting up Oliviera for one with young striker Brendan Ross netting the other. After a quiet opening the game sprung into life on 11 minutes when Ross went down in the area under a Wanneroo challenge and a penalty was awarded. Ross stepped up to take the spot kick but saw his scuffed effort saved by Conti to keep the contest tied. Conti was called into action again on 20 minutes, saving at the feet of Perth winger Matt Danskin and then acrobatically tipping the resulting Howarth corner onto the cross bar. The woodwork again prevented Howarth from opening the scoring after the winger latched on to an exquisite chip pass from Peter Lord and smashed a first time volley off the underside of the bar. In what was becoming a recurring theme, an Oliviera free kick from 25 yards hit the base of the post with Wanneroo still somehow in the contest. The woodwork was becoming a personal irritation for Howarth as he saw a 28th minute header from a Naglieri corner crash off the crossbar and over.

The goal Perth craved finally arrived on 34 minutes after Gianfranco Circati cleverly stepped over a Howarth corner with the ball forced over the line by Ross from one yard. Conti was back in the action shortly before half time parrying a long range Michael Icanovski effort that dipped at the last moment. It was a disappointing first half from the relegated Roo’s who were playing aimless long balls from the back but somehow still found themselves in the contest. Conti again denied Icanovski with a fine save to start the second half before the killer goal arrived on 57 minutes; Howarth taking a Simon Trinca pass and with the ball under his feet, curled in a stunner just inside the far post from the edge of the area. Perth’s third came only four minutes later as Howarth skipped past a defender wide on the left and curled in a low centre to Oliviera who slid in to steer the ball into the roof of the net from five yards. The Wanneroo keeper had to be alert to tip a bouncing Ross header onto the post as Perth began to press for another goal; however Wanneroo had other ideas and shocked the small crowd with a goal with what was virtually their first attacking foray into the Perth penalty area.

A mis-kicked scissor kick from Craig Cheeseman bounced up to Ben Yates whose acrobatic bicycle kick from six yards found the back of the net. However, the Leagues worst defence was opened up again only 45 seconds after the restart as Howarth was played through by Oliviera and slotted past the keeper to put the icing on the Perth cake. There was still time for the woodwork to again rescue Wanneroo with Conti pushing a Naglieri flick onto the crossbar, the sixth poster of the match.

Perth coach Graham Normanton had a relaxing day on the sidelines as he saw his side cruise through the 90 minutes and secure second place in the League. “It wasn’t a difficult game for us really; they didn’t come to play but just to stop (us),” said Normanton. “Three goals in the second half was tremendous. Great quality and two of them came from local players on the left hand side for us. It’s the end of the season and we wanted to finish second and now we’ve done that,” he said. “Todd (Howarth) is a quality player and had a great game today. He virtually ran the show on the left hand side, he was our playmaker and he played on the left wing. Some of his crossing was tremendous and his finishes were great. His first goal is as good as you will see,” continued the Perth Coach.

Football West Match Reporter Ben Fitzpatrick

Goals: 1:0 Josh Kamasz (1.); 1:1 Damien Scali (Penalty, 14.); 2:1 Joseph Brunetto (17.); 2:2 Anthony McStea (Penalty, 28.); 2:3 Damien Scali (40.); 3:3 Johnny Mirco (51.); 3:4 Brendan Knox (74.)

Swan I.C. won just their second away game of the year by downing Cockburn City 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at Dalmatinac Park. The home side were out of the blocks quick and hit the front inside a minute when Johnny Mirco’s in-swinging corner was headed in at the near post by Josh Kamasz. Parity was restored on 14 minutes through Damien Scali who converted from the penalty spot after Joseph Brunetto was judged by referee Hugh Best to have handled a David Perich shot. Within five minutes Cockburn were back in front as Johnny Mirco provided the ball to Brunetto whose low finish beat Cory Hugo. The seesawing nature of the game continued with Anthony McStea bringing Swan level from the spot for a second time after a handball decision against Michael Mirco. The black and whites snuck ahead just before the break when Brendan Knox’ corner found Scali who powerfully headed past goalkeeper Louis Lopresti from 6-metres. Fired up by the words of Scott Miller, Cockburn were back on level terms five minutes after the re-start as Kamasz played in Johnny Mirco who made no mistake in rifling past Hugo. Cockburn were taken by surprise when Perich sent a quickly free-kick to Damien Catalano who was thwarted by Lopresti. Hugo then came to Swans rescue with a stunning save that denied Johnny Mirco. Lopresti pulled off a remarkable double save as Scali and Shepheard attempted to put the visitors ahead. That wish came true on 72 minutes when substitute Dejan Djukanovic set up Knox who fired past an exposed ‘keeper. Hugo ensured Swan would go home with the points by blocking Kamasz’ powerful shot, then brilliantly keeping out Aaron Dos Santos’ shot late in the game.

Goals: 0:1 Callum Roberts (15.); 0:2 Callum Roberts (45.); 1:2 Andy Brown (60.)

Two goals from Callum Roberts this afternoon has given Fremantle Spirit one of its most impressive wins of the Football West Premier League season, defeating Stirling Lions 2-1 at Macedonia Park. In a match played in perfect conditions, Roberts’ goals before the break were enough to hold out a Lions side guilty of wasting numerous chances in front of goal. Stirling started the brighter having opportunities to score, either missing the target or finding Spirit keeper Steven Grant in good form. However, Spirit was able to make them pay on the quarter hour; Roberts finding his way through the defence to finish past Lions keeper Phil Straker to make it 1-0. An unfortunate incident seconds after the restart saw young Spirit defender Guildford taken to hospital after a collision with a Lions opponent. The game restarted after the delay and went along the same path; the Lions having most of the ball and Fremantle Spirit looking dangerous on the counter. Just before the break, Roberts scored his second. Indecision in the Lions defence saw both players miss the ball and the young striker was on hand to hit the ball home into an empty net. It was more of the same in an otherwise forgettable second half. The Spirit defence, which had looked shaky all day, finally cracked on the hour mark as the Lions took advantage of a set piece to make it 2-1. The Lions pressed for the equaliser but found Fremantle Spirit impenetrable for the final 30 minutes and Marc Wingell’s side took the three points that most would say they deserved.

Football west Match Reporter: Raymond Bohan

Goals: 0:1 Jason Goodwin (24.); 1:1 Shaun Kilkelly (45.); 2:1 Kevin Griffiths (90.)

A late header from striker Kevin Griffiths snatched Inglewood United a 2-1 victory over Armadale in an even battle at Clipsal Stadium today. Armadale opened the scoring in the first half through Jason Goodwin before Inglewood midfielder Shaun Kilkelly equalized seconds before half time. With the match destined for an even share of the spoils, Griffiths popped up to nod home the winner with only two minutes remaining.

Armadale’s crew of vocal supporters were again on hand to watch their beloved team with a colorful bright bus entering the stadium minutes before kick off. However, the home side looked the better of the two sides in the opening stages of the match with Shaun Kilkelly almost opening the scoring with a powerful point blank header, which was tipped over by goalkeeper Cyril Sharrock. Although Inglewood dominated possession, it was the visitors who scored first against the run of play. Striker Jason Goodwin the finisher of a well crafted move down the right flank, getting ahead of Taseski from a low ball across the box. The pendulum swung the way of the visitors after the goal as the midfield duo of Scott Devine and Marlon Ramirez took control of the contest however chances on goal were still few and far between. With the first half deep into injury time, Kevin Griffiths fought hard to keep the ball in on the bye-line before squaring to Kilkelly who knocked home from close range ahead of Cyril Sharrock. Neither side looked like taking the lead after the break with cheap giveaways and poor passing dampening the tempo of the match. Inglewood Coach Bobby Despotovski became animated on the bench and urged his players to lift and within minutes they came close to scoring when Albert Osei Tu-Tu broke forward but with just the keeper to beat, could only find the body of Sharrock in goals. Both teams exchanged chances as the half wore on with Taseski and Sharrock denying goal-bound strikes from Goodwin and Brendan Craig respectively. With the contest heading towards a tie, the home side snatched the lead and victory when Griffiths nodded home a bobbling ball in the penalty box to give Bobby Despotovski’s side their tenth win of the season.

Football West Match Reporter Beau Crompton

Goals: 0:1 Marc Anthony (6.); 1:1 Jason Trpevski (31.); 2:1 Scott Neville (90.)

A goal in stoppage time by Scott Neville has given Sorrento a 2-1 win over E.C.U. Joondalup in the northern suburbs derby at Percy Doyle Reserve. Glorious sunshine greeted the players as they emerged for their second to last game of the year. Veteran goalkeeper Andy Petterson was called upon early to save from Jared Love and Glen Thomas within minutes of eachother. Marc Anthony put the visitors ahead in the 7th minute when his speculative shot from 25-metres bounced awkwardly for Neil Young and slipped through his gloves and into the net. Joondalup looked likely to add to their tally as Anthony asserted his control over midfield, and Mark Lee and Tommy Amphlett tormented the defence out wide. However, Sorrento weren’t about to let their neighbour run away with the game and on 31 minutes Thomas delivered a corner to the far post where Jason Trpevski dispatched a powerful header into the top corner. The second half opened with Ian McMurray being thwarted by a quick thinking ‘keeper, and Petterson was in the right place at the right time to deflect wide Neville’s close-range effort. The dismissal of Craig Young for a second yellow card just after the hour swung the game in favour of Sorrento, who were determined to capitalise. Chris Boyle should have done better than lift his shot high after latching on to a terrific long ball over the defence by Stuart Banks. James Morgan dragged his powerful low strike the wrong side of the post, Love headed weakly at Petterson, and Neville was thwarted by Amphlett’s desperate blocking tackle as Joondalup rode their luck. The game was well into stoppage time when Love’s angled shot across the ‘keeper rebounded off the far post and into Neville who chested in the winning goal from only a couple of metres.