Western Knights 2 - 1 Sorrento
Goals: Paul Cooke, Rory Grant
Two goals mid-way through the first half by Paul Cooke and Rory Grant set up a 2-1 victory for the Western Knights against Sorrento in the Soccer Pools Cup Final.
Knights started the match strongly and dominated the early stages. In the 25th minute Knights made the most of their dominance when Daniel Micevski did a textbook run down the right wing and cut the ball back for Paul Cooke to head in the opener.
Knights continued their assault and extended the lead on 35 minutes. Luka Jukic delivered a dipping corner for Rory Grant to head home, making it 2-1 for the Knights.
Sorrento responded prior to half time and brought a goal back on 39 minutes. Stuart Montgomery curled his free kick around the wall and into the bottom corner to give the gulls a glimmer of hope at 2-1.
The second half was a tight tussle with chances at both ends. David Micevski struck the post for the Knights while Callum O'Connell came close to an equaliser for Sorrento in stoppage time.
Remaining composed, the Knights almost got a third goal before full-time when David Micevski had a clear run on goal and was brought down by Sorrento defender, Michael Ord. Ord received a red card for his effort while Micevski's free kick was saved by Sorrento goalkeeper, Neil Young.
There were ecstatic scenes at the final whistle as the Knights held on for the 2-1 win, taking out both the League and Reserves Cup Double in the club's 40th anniversary year. Daniel Micevski was awarded the man of the match award.
Western Knights Line-Up: Jakub Chudy (gk); Stuart Ferguson (Barry Devlin); Jonathan Mathers; Luka Jukic; David Annall; Ivan Zuvela; Daniel Micevski (Georges Tchami); Daniel Trim, Rory Grant; David Micevski; Paul Cooke.
Subs Not Used: Marco Warmt-Murray; Josip Peran; Matthew Allen.
Knights coach Ronnie Campbell expressed his opinion last night on 'Lets Talk Football' radio show and is highly optimistic going into Saturday's Soccer Pools Cup Final against Sorrento.
"We're certainly underdogs but we believe we can win the final.
We're hoping that we'll get close to our best team on the park and I think if we can do that we can cause an upset. It'll be decided on the day with who can win the individual battles.
We might tinker with the team a little bit but first and foremost we're going to try to defend well as a team. If we can do that we are capable of scoring and winning," said Ronnie.
It began with 32, now only 2 teams remain. On the 4th of October the Western Knights will line up against Sorrento in the Soccer Pools Cup Final for 2008.
Despite an unsuccessful league season, the Western Knights cup run has been sensational. The Knights cup form has been so contagious that they have experienced victory in the league every weekend after a cup round.
At the heart of the Knights defence will be the experienced Ivan Zuvela and David Annall. The fullback options for the Knights are the pacy Jon Mathers and level headed Marco Warmt-Murray. Further options in the Knights defence include the reliable, no-nonsense approach of Stuart Ferguson and the youthful Josip Peran.
David Micevski has been in fine form recently, scoring 4 goals in his past 5 matches. David is likely to start in the midfield alongside brother Daniel Micevski who has recovered from an ankle injury that kept him on the sidelines for 7 weeks. Luka Jukic has got stronger as the season wore on and scored the crucial sealer with a fine free kick in the semi final of the cup.
The talismanic Rory Grant looks set to return from a 4 week hamstring injury to start up front in the final. Rory has scored 7 of the Knights 16 cup goals and will need to be at his clinical best against Sorrento. Tonci Skorich adds further depth to the Knights strikeforce. The hard working striker has scored 3 goals and created many moments of individual brilliance in the cup.
Sorrento have already clinched silverware this season, winning the league title for the second time in three years. Sorrento's only ever cup final appearance was in 2000 against Western Knights. The Knights prevailed 2-1 and remains the solitary Cup win for the Red, White and Blue. The last two Cup Finals have been decided on penalties, and this years clash promises for another match that'll go down to the wire.
Western Knights have cruised through to the final, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one. In the first round they thrashed amateur side Perth Azzurri 7-0. Rory Grant and Anthony Fearon both starred, bagging a brace each.
For their second round clash the Knights travelled to Wotton Reserve where they breezed past first division side Morley Windmills 4-1. Rory Grant continued his fine cup form, scoring a hat-trick. Other standout players were full back Matt Allen and striker Tonci Skorich.
In the quarter finals Knights swept past Perth S.C 3-0. Tonci Skorich was the catalyst for the Knights, scoring a double and Rory Grant contributed with a single.
Second half wonder strikes by Rory Grant and Luka Jukic guided the Knights to a 2-0 victory in the semi finals. Scores were level at half time, but after the restart Rory Grant broke the deadlock with a fine volley and Luka Jukic completed the victory with a curling free kick around the wall.
Western Knights' Cup Run:
(H) Perth Azzurri 7-0
(A) Morley Windmills 4-1
(A) Perth S.C 3-0
(A) ECU Joondalup 2-0
Sorrento's Cup Run:
(A) Cockburn City 3-2
(H) Wanneroo 3-0
(H) Forrestfield 6-0
(A) Hamersley Rovers 1-0
Kick-off: Saturday October 4, 3pm at BGC Stadium - Dorrien Gardens.
Western Knights midfielder, David Micevski has been named in the Western Australian squad that will take on South Australia for the Stratco Cup on October 11 at the Marsden Sports Centre in Adelaide.
WA will be coached by Western Knights legend, Robbie Dunn with the final 16 man squad including Neil Young (Sorrento), Gareth Deeg (Perth), Jeff Bright (Mandurah City), John Migas (Floreat), Daryl Platten (Armadale), Ante Kovacevic (Floreat), Danny Cain (Sorrento), Shaun Kilkelly (Sorrento), Marc Anthony (Stirling Lions), Andy Brown (Mandurah City), Craig Young (ECU Joondalup), David Micevski (Western Knights), Antonio Naglieri (Perth), Ian McMurray (ECU Joondalup), Phill O’Callaghan (Mandurah) and Brad Scott (Floreat).
All the Best to Dave!
Reserves:
Perth 2 - 4 Western Knights
Goals: Ryan Shackleton, Daaniel Francis, Adam Francis, Own goal
The Western Knights reserves have finished their season on a high, defeating Perth 4-2, inspired by the Francis brothers.
Mid-way through the second half the Knights were down 2-0 and well out of the contest. But in the space of 4 minutes the Knights scored three goals to take the lead. Ryan Shackleton and Daaniel Francis got on the scoresheet, while a horrendous own goal gave Knights the lead.
To add to Perth's woes, Peter Lord was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Then 5 minutes later Knights sealed victory following a through ball by Daaniel Francis to brother Adam who slotted home underneath the keeper.
It was a fitting end to the season for the Soccer Pools Cup Reserve Winners.
First Team:
Perth 2 - 0 Western Knights
Goals either side of half time have handed Perth a 2-0 victory over Western Knights at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday afternoon.
Knights dominated possession in the early stages but weren't able to capitalise. Daniel Trim came close on 10 minutes with a glancing header at the back post that flashed wide.
Perth got stronger as the half drew on and took the lead in the 38th minute. Sharland's cross picked out Naglieri who headed hard into the bottom corner to give Perth the 1-0 lead to take into half time.
Perth came out after the break with intent and didn't have to wait long before scoring the sealer. On 58 minutes the result was put beyond doubt when Price set up Naglieri who slotted home to complete his double and guarantee three points for Perth.
Under 18's:
Perth 9 - 1 Western Knights
Goal: Ivan Skorich