Goals: 1:0 Barry Wood (49.); 2:0 Nikita Rukavytsya (56.); 2:1 Michael Mirco (73.)

In a very exciting game at Dorrien Gardens today Perth maintained their 100% record at the top of the Football West Premier League.

The fact that Gareth Deeg was named Perth man of the match is testament to the performance of Cockburn as they took the game to Perth. In saying that however Perth had enough chances to have killed off the game earlier, but some bad misses and smart keeping by Dino Pacella kept the score at just two.

The first half started with Cockburn looking sharper and in the 11th minute Marko Alesksic drew a good save from Deeg with a long range effort. Just 4 minutes later Jason Dos Santos supplied a great cross and it was met by Anthony Pierrera whose shot was brilliantly saved again by the Perth keeper.

After 17 minutes Perth thought they had scored; Nikita Rukavytsya nearly succeeded in bundling the ball over the line but somehow it was cleared off the line by the Cockburn defence. Just 5 minutes later as play swung from end to end a bad back pass by the normally reliable Shane Nunes was intercepted by Rukavytsya who rounded the keeper but took the ball too far and could not finish.

Perth did have the ball in the net in the 35th minute by Rukavytsya following great work by Howarth but the assistant referee had rightly flagged for off side and the goal was ruled out. Then just before half time came two great chances for the visiting Cockburn side, first Dos Santos was through on goal but somehow Deeg got his body or indeed more accurately his face in the way and the ball flew out for a corner. The resulting corner was partially cleared back to the taker in Pierrera and his flashing shot was superbly saved again by Deeg.

It only took Perth five minutes into the second half before they opened the scoring when a free kick out on the left by Howarth somehow found Barry Wood unmarked in the Cockburn box and he calmly scored from 6 metres out giving Pacella no chance. That lead was doubled just 6 minutes later with a swift counter attacking goal by the home side, in fact this is fast becoming the trade mark of this side. Cockburn were attacking strongly, but the attack broke down and some very quick and neat interchange between Rukavytsya and Puca finished with the Perth striker firing in from outside the box. The shot completely deceived Pacella in the Cockburn goal and somehow found its way just inside the right hand post.

That second goal to Perth though was to be the trigger for Cockburn to raise their game and from there to the end they tried very hard to break down the Perth defence. Perth’s cause was not helped by an injury to full back Trent Kay following a tackle on the sideline by Mick Mirco that earned the Cockburn striker a yellow card.

With Perth short on the left Mirco was able to get in a deep cross that was superbly finished by Josh Kamaz to bring Cockburn back into the match. This also was the first goal that Perth had conceded in the league this season. Cockburn could have equalised just 7 minutes from time but there was nobody on the end of the John Micro shot that flashed across the 6 metre box.

Perth were still dangerous ion the counter and on one such break away Rukavytsya crossed for Naglieri who shot was just cleared off the line. Basically the final action was yet another Naglieri shot bringing out an outstanding save from Pacella.So Perth retains their 100% record and after the match Coach Graham Normanton said he was happy that the guys had lifted and won when they faced their stiffest challenge so far this season. Cockburn coach Scotty Miller was disappointed his side did not get at least a point that he thought their work rate deserved.

Goals: 1:0 Ian McMurray (76.)

E.C.U. Joondalup continued their indifferent start to the season by defeating Armadale 1-0 at the Joondalup campus of Edith Cowan University. It didn't take long for Joondalup to make clear their intentions with early shots by Ian McMurray and Mark Lee being blocked by the visiting defence. This set the tone for the remainder of the first half that Joondalup dominated to the extent that Andy Petterson was rarely called upon between the posts. A scorching strike by lively youngster Tom Amphlett ended narrowly high of the crossbar while Steve Beasley also went close as the hosts sought the opening goal. However, despite their increased possession, Joondalup had to be content with going into the break scoreless. It was Armadale that emerged for the second half with greater the composure as Steve Skalandis and Scott Patterson stepped up a gear to cause the hosts no end of trouble. Craig Anderson should have put the Reds ahead when presented with a simple chance at 10-metres which he blazed over the crossbar after the goalkeeper parried Ben Howe’s shot from 16-metres. Petterson then kept things on a even keel with a terrific reflex save after Paterson’s header was defected goalward by a defender. These close calls pricked Joondalup into action and on 76 minutes Lee cut inside to find Marc Anthony whose terrific pass allowed McMurray to dispatch a neat shot into the bottom corner. The day ended sourly for Armadale who had Anderson red carded with only minutes remaining for a raising an elbow to Lee.

Goals: 1:0 Ludovic Boi (26.); 2:0 Darko Ilmanoski (44.); 3:0 Ludovic Boi (52.); 4:0 Phil Arnold (89.)

Stirling Lions comprehensively beat Sorrento Football Club 4-0 thanks to a sensational performance from teenage sensation Ludovic Boi.

The eighteen-year-old winger was in outstanding form, scoring two goals and constantly providing dangerous crosses from the wings. It took the Lions several minutes to get going but they still started the better side and deservedly took the lead in the 26th minute. An aerial ball was not properly dealt with by the Sorrento defenders and the ball fell to Boi, who smashed home from 15 yards.

Boi should have scored fifteen minutes later when some poor communication between the Sorrento ‘keeper and defense found Boi with the ball on 20 yards, but Boi disappointingly shot straight at the defender covering the empty net. Darko Ilmanoski doubled Stirling’s lead one minute before the break as he firmly headed firmly from 10 yards out following a corner. A Sorrento defender made a great effort to clear the ball off the line but referee Ton Klaver judged that the ball had crossed the line.

After the break Stirling were totally in control, with Sorrento having little possession or attacking play. Seven minutes into the half Boi scored his second, an early contender for goal of the season. Boi picked up the ball just inside his own half, but carried it all the way to the penalty box, making several defenders look foolish in the process before shooting around young Sorrento goalkeeper Anthony Cochrane.

The home side seemed certain to score a fourth goal, having outplayed Sorrento throughout the second half. After wasting numerous brilliant chances the icing was finally put on the cake in the 89th minute when youngster Phil Arnold knocked in a lovely cross from the right wing, capping off a superb 4-0 victory.

Man of the match Boi was modest when describing his performance. “I had a good game, scored two goals so it wasn’t too bad,” he said. “I just try to give 100% and see where I can go from there.”

Mick Lyons was understandably delighted with the result. “I was very pleased with the lads today. I thought we played quite well and the result was outstanding. (Boi) was especially outstanding for us,” he said.

By Jacob Kagi

Goals: 1:0 Daniel Neiderberger (41.); 1:1 Julian Madaschi (45.); 1:2 Miki Vujacic (63.); 1:3 Josip Magdic (77.); 1:4 Josip Magdic (90.)

Floreat maintained its unbeaten run in season 2007 by downing Inglewood United 4-1 at Clipsal Stadium.

The first half was fairly uneventful until late into it when Inglewood were granted a soft penalty for a foul by Adam Bachiller. Justice prevailed as Vas Vujacic made a fine diving save to his left from Bazcinskis kick - the keepers third penalty save in five games. That incident spurred Floreat into action but against the of play, Inglewood managed to get the opener. Hardly a shot on goal had occued at either end so it wasn’t surprising that the goal came out of nowhere. A long punt down the centre of the park saw Kovacevic and Neidberger battling for position under the bouncing ball as they both headed towards the Floreat goal. Neidberger cleverly edged his way around Kovacevic to toe the ball over the advancing Vujacic to score an opportunistic goal in the 41st minute.

To Floreats credit, the pace was quickened and just four minutes later after some solid build up work, Julian Madaschi found some space on the right sending a tantalising curler over Tseski into the top left hand corner from 30 metres to even the score at the break.

At the break Bobby Despotovski brought himself on to the park, but no impression was to be left by the former Perth Glory star. The second half saw Floreat dominate proceedings although it took a corner kick to change the scoreline.

Kovacevic appeared to glance on Vujacics well flighted corner at the near post to give Floreat the lead, but it was later found to be recorded as a goal to Vujacic in the referees book.

Josip Magdic was pulling the strings in the midfield whilst Savic covered much territory and Mikulic added some spark to the attack. Some great build up agian down the right for Floreat saw Mikulic lay back to Savic, whos’ first time cross found magdic on the far post who headed clinically into the bottom corner from an airborne position in the 77th minute.

It was Magdic whoput the icing on the cake in the final minute with a superb finish after a link up with Mikulic and Vujacic. From a forty five degree angle Magdic feinted to the Inglewood defender and then curled an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner pat a happless Tseski.

It opens the doors for what should be a thrilling match at Litis Stadium next week against league leaders, Perth.

Match Report courtesy of Floreat Athena

Goals: 1:0 Sebastian Booysen (14.); 2:0 Sebastian Booysen (35.); 2:1 Aaron Cole (67.)

A 10-man Fremantle Spirit held on to earn a 2-1 victory against Swan IC in round five of the Football West Premier League at the Spanish Club this afternoon.

It was even opening to the game with Dale Wingell shooting wide from long-range for the home side and Geoff Mason firing wide for the Swans. But it was Spirit who were ahead in the 14th minute; Alex Christie’s long ball caught the Swans defence flat footed and Sebastian Booysen nipped in to lob the on-coming keeper Cory Hugo.

Fremantle continued to dominate and from a Jason Barrera free kick Raveshian Kuppusamy’s shot was well blocked by the alert Aaron Cole. It was 2-0 on 35 minutes; a horrendous header back from Justin Hugo only found Booysen who headed past a stranded Cory Hugo in goal.

Fremantle were in control but two minutes later Barrera was shown his second yellow card and sent off. Swans pressed late in the half and David Foster headed wide when well placed and Cole’s header was well saved by Stephen Grant, but it was 2-0 to Spirit at the break.

The visitors dominated the opening period of the second half and Foster’s volley from close-range was superbly saved by Grant. Spirit was defending in numbers but hitting on the counter-attack with Kuppusamy looking dangerous. But it was the Swans who were totally dominating and from Rory Mouttet’s pinpoint cross Mason headed inches past the post. Mason was close again moments later he flicked on a Dom Ando shot which was only inches over the bar.

The Swans were back in the game on 67 minutes when David Paone’s cross was headed home by Cole. It was game on and the Swans pressed forward in search of the equaliser, Cole headed inches wide and Mouttet shot was saved low by grant. Then Foster met a Mouttet free kick but Grant saved low. Fremantle hung on under great pressure to record a 2-1 victory.

Match Report by Peter Simcox

Goals: 1:0 Derek Cooke (8.); 1:1 Daniel Trim (13.); 2:1 Craig Cheeseman (25.); 2:2 Stuart Montgomery (30.); 3:2 Derek Cooke (47.); 3:3 Jon Higgins; 3:4 Scott Bushby; 3:5 Anthony Skorich; 3:6 Anthony Skorich

Western Knights won a nine-goal thriller 6-3 against Wanneroo City at Kingsway Sporting Complex. The game started at a brisk pace and Wanneroo sounded an early warning when Derek Cooke was send one-on-one with Tommi Tomich whose sharp reflexes thwarted his opponent. It took just 8 minutes from the hosts to go ahead through Cooke whose shot from 20-metres squirmed under Tomich and rolled into the net. Parity was restored just five minutes later when Ivan Gavronich jinxed his way past three defenders to clip a cross to the far post where Daniel Trim nodded into an empty net. Craig Cheeseman regained the lead for Wanneroo in the 25th minute by firing in from an acute angle after Tomich parried a fine strike by Cooke. Again the Knights hit back within minutes as Stuart Montgomery's shot on the turn flash past Kevin Miller from 15-metres. The action flowed freely from end to end with Tomich called upon to deny Morgan Dendle in a one-on-one, and Miller keeping out efforts from Bushby and Montgomery. The second half had barely started when Cooke advanced on goal unchallenged from midfield to slide the ball under the oncoming 'keeper and hand Wanneroo the advantage. After this the Knights hit top gear and after several near misses Jon Higgins equalised with an in-swinging corner into the far top corner. This further ignited the visitors who hit the front when Scott Bushby converted at close-range after Anthony Skorich's blistering long-range effort hit the crossbar. Skorich, who'd come on for the second half, made the points safe by netting twice in as many minutes.