First Team:
Western Knights 1 - 3 Perth SC
Goal: Mario Marcinko
Western Knights have gone down 3-1 to Perth SC in the highly anticipated top of the table clash in Round 11 of the WA Premier League.
Going into the match, Knights started with their three strikers namely Anthony Campbell, Duane Hepburn and Mario Marcinko in an attempt to play a more attacking game. Early in the first half it looked promising for the Knights having most of the possession and creating a number of chances but just couldn’t finish.
The turning point came in the 35th minute, when Knights defender David Annall was given a yellow card, allegedly manhandling Perth striker, Genaveo Human. Perth gained the momentum from that point, and in the 40th minute the Perth midfield provided a great through ball to striker, Genaveo Human. With only Knights defender, Okwy Diamondstar to beat, Human did that and his shot went past Knights goalkeeper, David Khuen to give Perth a lead going into the half time break.
The real blow came for the Knights in the first two minutes of the second half. Perth strikers, David Onoforo and Phil Arnold made the Knights pay for two defensive mistakes by scoring a further two goals within the space of a few minutes.
Mario Marcinko scored a late goal for the Knights in the 82nd minute but it was too little too late with the three points heading to Dorrien Gardens in Round 11.
With the Knights first loss in over two months they drop to outright second place on the ladder while Perth are now one game clear of the Knights at the top of the table.
Western Knights now face First Division side, South West Phoenix in the Quarter Finals of the Soccer Pools Cup at Nash Field on Saturday.
Reserves:
Western Knights 3 - 3 Perth SC
Under 18's:
Western Knights 4 - 3 Perth SC
Western Knights welcome Perth S.C to Nash Field in a top of the table Round 11 clash on Saturday. Both sides are sitting on 25 points after ten matches, with only goal difference separating the two clubs.
The early season form of the Knights has been breathtaking, having won the last seven matches on the trot. Having built their season on their home form, they yet to drop a point at Nash Field. Last weekend Western Knights recorded a crucial away victory, defeating Sorrento 2-1 at Percy Doyle Reserve. Duane Hepburn was instrumental, scoring his first goal for the season, while David Micevski chipped in with a late first half goal. David Price is facing a race against time to recover from his knee injury to face his former club, Perth.
Since Perth lost almost three weeks ago to Floreat Athena, they have managed to refind their winning form, disposing of Sorrento and Cockburn without conceding a goal. Graham Normanton's side will be without the influential Todd Howarth who is travelling with Perth Glory to Adelaide while Antonio Naglieri is a doubtful starter. Perth have the best attacking record in the league, with pintsize striker, David Onoforo on 8 goals, Greg Sharland on 7 and Todd Howarth on 6.
Western Knights' Recent Form:
(A) def. Sorrento 2-1
(H) def. Mandurah City 1-0
(A) def. Armadale 2-1
(H) def. Swan United 2-1
Perth's Recent Form:
(H) def. Cockburn City 2-0
(A) def. Sorrento 3-0
(H) lost to Floreat Athena 3-2
(A) def. Mandurah City 3-2
Tell your family, tell your friends; Nash Field is the place to be at 3pm on Saturday afternoon for this season defining clash.
First Team:
Sorrento 1 - 2 Western Knights
Goals: Stanford Hepburn, David Micevski
First half goals from Stanford Hepburn and David Micevski set up a 2-1 victory for Western Knights over Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Knights started brightly and took the lead in the 28th minute. Anthony Campbell played a through ball to Stanford Hepburn, who powered past the Sorrento defence before slotting the ball around Sorrento keeper Cyril Sharrock.
One minute from half time the Knights scored a crucial second goal. Daniel Micevski's cross set up brother David, who only had to finish from close range to make it 2-0 at the interval.
In the 72nd minute Stuart Montgomery reduced the scoreline to 2-1. A header was flicked on to the former Knights player, who finished past keeper David Khuen.
With just minutes remaining Daniel Micevski was stretchered off with a knee injury, but even with a less man Knights were able to hold on for the 2-1 victory.
Knights coach Paul Price was thrilled to take away the 3 points. "The first half I thought we were superb. We bossed the game and the two lads up front caused them all sorts of problems. We scored two goals, and probably should have had three or four. That's as good as we played all season."
Price admitted his side had to dig deep in the second half and grind out the victory. "We came out in the second half and didn't play as well, we sat back a bit when I wanted them to go forward. To be fair to Sorrento, they had a go, they kept going forward and put us under a bit of pressure and eventually their pressure paid off and we were basically holding on at the end."
Reserves:
Sorrento 0 - 0 Western Knights
Under 18's:
Sorrento 5 - 1 Western Knights
Western Knights have drawn a home fixture against first division side South West Phoenix in the Soccer Pools Cup Quarter Finals.
The fixture will be played on the 4th of July at Nash Field.
The Full Draw was as follows:
Perth vs Stirling Lions
Western Knights vs South West Phoenix
Armadale vs Floreat Athena
Inglewood United vs Shamrock Rovers
First Team:
Western Knights 1 - 0 Mandurah City
Goal: Anthony Campbell
A 75th minute winner from Anthony Campbell handed the Western Knights a 1-0 victory over fourth placed Mandurah City on Saturday afternoon at Nash Field.
The first half had few chances, with the best falling to Knights defender David Annall. David Micevski's long range free kick found Annall, whose header flashed wide of the goals.
Another Knights defender, Stuart Ferguson had a chance to score the opening goal in the 55th minute. Daniel Micevski's corner found Ferguson, but the tall defender directed his header agonisingly wide.
With 15 minutes remaining Knights broke the deadlock. Barry Devlin capitalised on a defensive error, before Daniel Trim set up Anthony Campbell for an easy tap in.
Mandurah surged forward in search of an equaliser, but the Knights were able to hold on for the 1-0 victory that lifts them to second on the Premier League table.
Reserves:
Western Knights 2 - 1 Mandurah City
Under 18's:
Western Knights 5 - 1 Mandurah City
First Team:
Armadale 1 - 2 Western Knights
Goals: Anthony Campbell, David Annall
Western Knights defeated Armadale 2-1 at Alfred Skeet Oval on Saturday afternoon courtesy of goals from Anthony Campbell and David Annall.
The match started out as an even contest with neither side able to take hold of the match. Mario Marcinko came off on 20 minutes after a collision with Armadale keeper Kenny Ftynohiannis and Stanford Hepburn replaced him.
Knights began to press forward and took the lead in the 24th minute. Daniel Micevski's cross from the right was missed by Hepburn before falling to Anthony Campbell at the back post who headed home the opening goal.
Despite the Knights creating many opportunities, it wasn't until the 71st minute that they extended their lead. From a textbook corner club stalwart David Annall was unmarked and his powerful header found the roof of the goals.
Armadale pulled a goal back on 87 minutes through Gary Faria, but the Knights were able to hold on for the 2-1 win and claim their fifth successive league victory.
Reserves:
Armadale 0 - 4 Western Knights
Under 18's:
Armadale 0 - 0 Western Knights