Reds pay the penalty

Fremantle Spirit 1 Armadale 0 (AET)

Fremantle Spirit’s midfielder Cisco Jorquere scored a penalty in the first period of extra time to beat Armadale 1-0 and send the port side into the third round of the Soccer Pools Cup at Dalmatinac Park.

It was the home side that started the better with Callum Roberts testing Cyril Sharrock early and he was in again on seven minutes, but Sharrock was alert to push his shot around the post. The Reds keeper was working overtime and on 10 minutes he saved low from Roberts again as the home side totally dominated possession.

Armadale, who were missing six regular starters, continued to defend in numbers and Ben Kelly was only inches away from opening Spirit’s account after he cut inside from the right and sent his shot over the bar. Moments later Dave Araya sent a great ball through to Roberts but Sharrock was out quick to save at his feet.

For the second week running Spirit had failed to capitalise on their early dominates and the Reds began to get into the game, with Scott Devine (left) instrumental in midfield. Their first chance fell to Oliver Hilton, whose 20-yard shot flashed wide on 20 minutes.

Spirit continued to have the better chances, Jason Barrera sent a defence splitting pass to Roberts on the half hour, but again Sharrock was out quick to clear the danger. A long-range shot from Daryl Platten was well wide for the Reds while Jorquere fired wide for the Spirit, as both sides struggled in the final third and it was goalless at the break.

The home side started well after the break, with Kelly’s long-range shot wide but it was the Reds that had the best chance on 57 minutes. Marlon Ramirez’s close control in the penalty area set up Ryan Pearson (right), the youngsters’ goal bound shot from eight-yards was deflected wide.

The Reds were having their best period of the game and from Kodi Madeley’s cross from the left on the hour Joe Brunetto’s close-range header was saved by Steve Grant, and Hilton fired wide after good work from Pearson.

The game took a twist on 80 minutes when Spirit’s Roberts was sent off by referee Ton Klaver, and the Reds pressed with Brunetto’s shot on the turn sixty seconds later well saved by Grant. In the last minute of normal time second half substitute Darren Kingston could have won it but his header was straight at Grant, and we were into extra time.

Spirit began the first period of extra time well and Luke Bake was in on goal but with only Sharrock to beat he fired wide. Ramirez was switched to defence and the youngster made a number of important challenges to keep the Reds in the contest.

The game took another twist in the 95th minute when Reds second half substitute Aaron Plaatjies was sent off and the home side took advantage with the winner in the 102nd minute. Barrera was sent clear by Jorquere and he fell under a challenge from Ramirez and referee Klaver pointed to the spot. Jorquere kept his nerve sending Sharrock the wrong way to give Spirit the lead.

Both sides had chances in the second period of extra time Kingston flick was saved by Grant for the Reds and Jorquere could have wrapped the game up for the Spirit when he was sent clear by Barrera, but Sharrock saved low.

Armadale pushed everyone up in the closing stages looking for the equaliser but were unable to score and it’s the Spirit who progress into the next round.

Teams

Fremantle Spirit – GK Grant, Jorquere, A. McBride (Kuppasumy 110), Barrera, Straker, Araya, Kelly (Doyle 118), Elton-Bott, Roberts, Bake, Hallums - Subs not used: D. McBride

Armadale – GK Sharrock, Bennion, Ramirez, Platten, Devine (Carmona 114), Pearson, Madeley, Brunetto, Hilton, Darby (Plaatjies 63), Anderson (Kingston 55) - Subs not used: Preece

Referee – Ton Klaver

11.05.08 - Perth edge Reds at Alfred Skeet

Armadale 0 Perth SC 2

A goal in each half from Andrija Jukic and former Armadale midfielder Peter Lord was enough for Perth SC to beat Armadale 2-0 in Saturday evening’s round five Football West Premier Division clash at Alfred Skeet Oval.

Reds Coach Brad Hassell was forced into three changes to his starting line up through injuries. Shannon Dally, Oliver Hilton and Jason Goodwin were replaced by Kodi Madeley, Joseph Bruneto and Craig Anderson, as the Reds went in search of their first point of the season.

The home side began brightly and from Scott Devine’s free kick on five minutes Ryan Pearson’s header at the back post was tipped over by the alert Gareth Deeg. Perth were being made to work for every ball by a tenacious Armadale side but they gradually got on top, and Jukic fired straight at Cyril Sharrock when well placed on 12 minutes and moments later Antonio Naglieri was found clear down the right by Andreas Oliviera but again Sharrock was equal to the task.

But it was the home side that went closest to opening the scoring; Devine’s free kick rebounded off the wall to Stefan Smiljanic, his first time shot from five-yards hit the bar. The wood work came to Perth’s rescue again on 20 minutes; Devine’s (left) free kick from 20-yards crashed off the bar bounced down on the line and was cleared, much to the relief of Deeg.

With the home supporters still wondering how the ball didn’t go in, Perth went up the pitch and scored sixty seconds later. Naglieri played an intelligent ball out to David Onoforo wide on the right he cut inside Craig Anderson and his shot was parried by Sharrock but Jukic forced the ball home from close-range, despite Matt Bennion’s attempt to clear.

It was bitter blow for the home side but they kept pressing and Joesph Bruneto curled a shot inches past the post on the half-hour, while Jukic and Onoforo had chances saved by Sharrock as Perth went into half time with a 1-0 lead.

Perth began well in the second half and Jukic’s shot from the edge of the box flew high and from Greg Sharland’s cross 55 minutes Trent Kay’s header at the back post was pushed on to the bar by Sharrock, and the keeper reacted superbly to block Oliviera’s follow up shot.

The home side had a penalty appeal turned by referee Mathew Cheeseman when Smiljanic fell under Gianfranco Circati challenge on 67 minutes, much to the annoyance of the Reds faithful.

It was still anyone’s game and their were chances at both ends, after good approach work from David Price on 77 minutes the ball fell to Onoforo, the Perth’s striker’s first time shot crashed off the bar. Then Smiljanic curled a free kick from 20-yards around the wall only for Deeg to deny him with a great save at his near post.

With Armadale pushing men forward in search of the equaliser Perth should have wrapped the points up. First Jukic fired inches past the post went sent clear by Oliviera on 82 minutes, and the midfielder missed a great chance sixty seconds later when he miss hit his shot from four-yards out.

But Perth’s pressure paid off with the second in the 86th minute, Lord (right) , who had been given a hostile reception from the Reds supporters on his return to the club, fired home from10-yards to give them the three points.

Perth Coach Graham Normanton was happy with the victory. “It was a hard win, it always is down here.

“At Armadale you always know what you’re going to get, they work their backsides off and make it hard for you, and they did tonight and it took till the 86 th minute to put them away, but I thought we deserved the points on the night,” said Normanton.

Teams

Armadale – GK Sharrock, Bowyer, Bennion, Ramirez, Platten, Smiljanic, Devine (Plaatjies 75), Pearson, Madeley, Bruneto, Anderson - Subs not used: Preece, Walters, Atturo

Perth SC – GK Deeg, Kay, Circait, Jukic, Danskin, Onoforo, Oliveira, Price, Lord, Naglieri, Sharland - Subs not used: Madaschi, Hett, Polak, Willson, Human

Referee: Mathew Cheeseman

03.04.08 - Reds beaten by a late strike from Scott

Floreat Athena 1 Armadale 0

Floreat Athena chalked up their second win of the campaign by seeing off a resilient Armadale 1-0 under lights at Litis Stadium.

It took a sensational late goal from Brad Scott to separate the sides on the on a night, and leave Brad Hassell’s side still searching for their first point of the season.

Armadale looked solid early and attempted to unsettle their hosts with a physical approach, however Floreat began to get on top as they found holes in the Reds defence.

Good lead-up work produced chances on goal for Scott, Adam Bachiller, Garrin Collins and Rafeal Insurralde but all went unconverted. Perhaps the best opening came the way of Branimir Mikulic who latched on to Insurralde’s brilliant diagonal pass only to send his first time shot wide with only Cyril Sharrock to beat.

The Reds settled and went close midway through the half on the counter attack when Stefan Smiljanic’s cross was met by a diving Jason Goodwin (left), the midfielders header was expertly tipped around the post by Vas Vujacic.

There was barely a moments rest for Andy Bowyer and Daryl Platten who worked overtime as Floreat desperately sought the lead after the turnaround.

Mikulic thought he’d got the breakthrough by volleying into the top corner from 12-metres but celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. John Migas clipped a free-kick just high of the crossbar after being felled on the top of the 18-yard box.

Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 75th minute when substitute Miki Vujacic sent in a firm cross that was met by a classy volley by Scott which curled inside the far post. There was still plenty of time for Floreat to make the game safe but neither Collins, Scott or Mikulic could benefit from a handful of late chances.

The Reds fought the game out but came away empty handed, and they now head home for a Saturday evening game against Perth SC (7pm)

27.04.08 - Reds ten-men beaten by Cockburn

Armadale 0 Cockburn city 3

The Reds were beaten 0-3 in Sunday’s Football West Premier Division round three game against Cockburn City at Alfred Skeet Oval. Cockburn City made it back-to-back victories with a 3-0 victory against Armadale at Alfred Skeet Oval in the final game of the Football West Premier division round three today.

The Cockerels scored twice from the penalty spot through Johnny Mirco and second half substitute Josh Kamasz to give the home side their third loss in as many games this season.

The visitors opened brightly, Johnny Mirco trying his luck from the left hand side of the penalty area in the second minute but it was wide of the target, and Giovanni de Bartelo long-range shot was saved easily by Cyril Sharrock.

Then it was Johnny Mirco who was sent clear by his brother Michael on 13 minutes, his low shot was well saved by the alert Sharrock.

The home side began to get into the game and after a good ball from Marlon Ramirez out to former Cockburn midfielder Joseph Brunetto down the right flank on 17 minutes, his cross shot was tipped over by Dejan Aleksic.

But the visitors went ahead on 22 minutes, Mileta Miletic shot was well saved by Sharrock, but the rebound fell to Jason Godfrey. His shot was blocked on the line by Brunetto with his arm and after consultation with his assistant referee Troy Miller pointed to the spot and sent Brunetto off. Johnny Mirco kept his cool and scored from the penalty spot to give Cockburn the lead.

Cockburn continued to press, Domenic de Felice firing wide on the half hour and de Bartelo’s shot sailed well wide moments later.

Brad Hassell’s side were struggling to break down the Cockburn City defence, with Godfrey and Liam Lilly outstanding, although Scott Devine’s free kick from the edge of the box did force Aleksic into his first save.

With heavy rain falling, the visitors ended the half on top, de Felice firing wide on 40 minutes and Johnny Mirco’s curling shot flew inches past the post, but it was 1-0 to City at the break.

Armadale opened brightly and after a strong run by Stefan Smijanic, his pull back found Jason Goodwin (left), whose shot was blocked by Godfrey. But down the other end Sharrock was at his best to deny a 25-yard strike from de Bartelo on 50 minutes and he was even better moments later pushing away a Lillly header at full stretch.

The host’s continue to press for the equaliser, Smijanic flicked on a long ball to Goodwin, the striker’s shot was only parried by Aleksic, and the young keeper recovered just in time to deny Oliver Hilton from the rebound. Then the former Perth SC midfielder, Hilton, shot inches past the post as the Reds lifted the tempo.

The game was still their to be won for both sides, and Johnny Mirco fired inches wide again on the hour and alermo’s low shot was saved by Aleksic. From the resulting corner Miletic was found in on goal his shot was only parried by Sharrock and somehow from one-yard out Lilly’s header flew over the bar.

It got worse for the Cockerels Miletic he fired well over from inside the box, after the goal seemed to be open. The Reds need a lift and Ryan Pearson (right) almost delivered on 75minutes. Smiljanic flicked on to the youngster and his first time shot flew inches past the post.

The visitors pressure finally paid off in the 84 th minute, Paul Natale’s cross from the left found Kamasz, whose downward header went under Sharrock to increase Cockburn’s lead

With the Reds chasing the game they conceded a third in the last minute, Johnny Mirco converting from the pot after referee Miller gave a penalty for a foul by Matt Bennion on Johnny Mirco. The striker picked himself up and sent Sharrock the wrong way to complete the scoring.

Teams – Armadale GK Sharrock, Bowyer, Bennion, Ramirez, Platten, Hilton, Smiljanic, Dally, Goodwin, Devine Subs not used – Preece, Madeley, Pearson, Carmona

Cockburn City – GK Aleksic, Palermo, Godfrey, Di Bartelo, Miletic, J. Mirco, M. Mirco, Lilly, Natale, Sursan, De Felice Subs not used : de Abreu, dos Santos, Perira, Kamasz, McNally

Referee – Troy Miller.

19.04.08 - Reds beaten by the Gulls (by Football West Match Reporter - Ilija Mihalj)

Sorrento 2 Armadale 0

A goal either side of half time was enough for Sorrento to overcome a determined Reds side 2-0 at Percy Doyle Reserve. Todd Harnwell and Stuart Montgomery were the men on target for the Gulls who needed a workman-like performance to grind out the win in a scrappy affair.

Early on both sides shared possession yet Sorrento always seemed the more likely to score with the experienced duo of Harnwell and Montgomery paired up front. The latter was involved in the game’s first real chance in the 6th minute, setting up Michael Ord on the right of the box. Unfortunately, Ord could only direct his delicate chip on to the top of Cyril Sharrock’s crossbar and over.

Armadale however found chances few and far between in the first half. Shannon Dally had the best of them in the 14th minute, picking up a loose ball from the left before cutting inside and firing his right foot shot well over Neil Young’s crossbar.

As the half went on Sorrento continued to press forward and were eventually rewarded in the 27th minute. After a goalmouth scramble Sharrock (right) denied Harnwell from point blank range but couldn’t stop his rebound bouncing in off the bar.

Sorrento eased the pressure before half time and was given an almighty scare when Armadale’s Marlon Ramirez was fouled on the edge of the goal square. Daryl Platten (left) sent the free kick straight into the wall but Brunetto smashed the rebound just wide of Young’s far post.

It took only two minutes into the second half for Sorrento to step up the pressure on the Armadale defence again – and they did it in the best possible manner. James Morgan’s cross from the right was met by Stuart Montgomery who was able to get in front of his marker and slide the ball past a helpless Sharrock at the near post.

Montgomery almost doubled his tally in the 65th minute. Good work by Scott Neville enabled Montgomery to collect the ball, turn and direct a well hit shot towards Sharrock’s near post, but the Armadale custodian did well to turn the ball away for a corner.

It seemed like it was to be Sorrento’s day but Platten almost grabbed a consolation goal for his side in the 76th minute. After collecting the ball from the midfield he embarked on a mini-run before shooting just wide of the near post.

Sorrento finished the stronger and had the ball in the back of the net on a third occasion in the 78th minute. Shaun Kilkelly’s close-range header was disallowed however after some pushing from a corner kick.

Montgomery almost added a legitimate third late on for the Gulls. Brodie Martin and James Morgan combined well down the right to supply Montgomery but the skilful striker somehow hit the upright from three yards out.

It didn’t seem to bother the Sorrento faithful however who went home happy at the final whistle and with their side’s unbeaten start to the season still very much intact.

Teams

Sorrento: GK Neil Young, Michael Ord, Steven McDonald, Shaun Kilkelly, Stuart Banks (Callum O’Connell 76), James Morgan, Glen Thomas (Brodie Martin 83), Scott Bulloch, Scott Neville, Stuart Montgomery, Todd Harnwell (Lewis Flatt 76) - Subs not used: Anthony Cochrane, Glenn Campbell.

Armadale: GK Cyril Sharrock, Andy Bowyer, Matt Bennion, Marlon Ramirez, Daryl Platten, Oliver Hilton (Kevin Carmona 70), Stefan Smiljanic, Shannon Dally, Kodi Madeley (Ryan Pearson 46), Mark Darby, Brunetto. - Subs not used: Alex Preece.

Referee: P. Anderson.

12.04.08 - Reds beaten in season opener

Armadale 1 Inglewood United 3

The Reds 2008 league campaign began disastrously with a home 1-3 defeat against Inglewood United at Alfred Skeet Oval.

James Sammut, Bobby Despotovski and Michael Baczynski found the net to secure maximum points for the visitors before Shannon Dally earned Armadale a late consolation. With Alfred Skeet bathed in sunshine, Inglewood asserted early authority as Sammut was denied by Cyril Sharrock after only three minutes. Despotovski should have opened the scoring on 12 minutes but blazed high from point blank range.

Their persistence paid off shortly after when Jason Colli found space down the right to pick out Sammut who was afforded time and space to slot past Sharrock. Sammutt and Colli were finding plenty of space out wide as Inglewood's crisper passing gave them the upper hand.

It was only late in the half that the Reds came into the game and Ryan Pearson should have equalised when through with just Oliver Taseski to beat but he shot straight into the goalkeepers hands.

The Reds were dealt an unfortunate blow on the stroke of half-time when Daryl Platten's tackle on Dennis McRoberts resulted in a penalty which was converted by Despotovski, who was quick to exchange pleasantries with Sharrock.

The second period was witness to a similar pattern with the Reds displaying plenty of endeavour but lacking a cutting edge in the final third. By contrast Inglewood were clinical and on 68 minutes Matt Wardle delivered a wonderful left foot cross which was headed in at close-range by substitute Baczynski.

Although the game was by this stage beyond their reach, Armadale refused to give and a superb curling shot into the top corner from 20-metres by Dally finally gave the small but boisterous gathering of home fans something to cheer about thirteen minutes from the end.

Teams

Armadale - GK Sharrock, Bowyer, Bennion, Ramirez (Dally 54), Platten, Faria, Hilton (Anderson 79), Goodwin, Smiljanic, Pearson, Carmona (Darby 46)

Subs not used: Preece

Inglewood United - GK Taseski, Pryce, D. Kovacevic, Davite, Wardle, Despotovski, McRoberts (M. Kovacevic 58), Sammut (Mitsopoulas 75), Picker Baczynski 64), Colli, Duncan

Subs not used - Italiano, Griffiths

Reds home in extra time

The Reds edged out first division side Balcatta SC in the first round of the Soccer Pools Cup at Alfred Skeet Oval, but they had to endure 30 minutes of extra-time before eventually coming out on top.

The Reds suffered a blow before the game with Coach Brad Hassell absent due to a case of food poisoning, and they began tentatively against a spirited Balcatta side buoyed by winning the first division night series competition last week. Chances for both sides were few and far between in the opening half with both defences on top; Andy O’Neil tested Cyril Sharrock for the visitors and Jason Goodwin shot was well saved by Kenny Ftynogiannis.

But the Reds were rewarded on 20 minute when new signing Stefan Smiljanic scored the opener. The former Floreat Athena striker headed home from close-range much to the delight of the Army boy’s. The goal was a little unfortunate for Balcatta, who had matched the Reds in every department, but Salv Todaro's side continued to take the game to the home side and on the stroke of half time their hard work was rewarded with the equaliser, Julian Piromalli shot beat Sharrock low to his right and at the break it was 1-1.

The Reds looked flat and reserve team Coach Kenny Jarvis and experienced midfielder Scott Devine rallied the troops and the second half was end to end with chances at both sides. Sharrock came to the Reds rescue saving from O’Neil and Piromalli as an upset looked on the cards. Injuries took their toll late in the second half with new recruit Oliver Hilton and Daryl Platten having to leave the field replaced by Kodi Madeley and Kevin Coroma, but the deadlock couldn’t be broken and it was into extra-time.

It was a tense first period of extra time and coach Jarvis made a tactical move in the first period bringing off Ryan Pearson. He was replaced by Adam Galvin and Madeley pushed into midfield and Dally moved up to partner Jason Goodwin in attack. It had an immediate impact with the big New Zealander firing the Reds in front in the 104th minute. He wasn’t finished there Dally popped again three minutes later to fire the Reds 3-1 in front. The best was saved for last; substitute Madeley firing home from 25-yards to seal a great victory for the Reds.

Stand in Coach Kenny Jarvis was delighted with the player’s attitude in the game, especially extra time. “I think we got what we deserved in the end, the boy’s dug in deep against a spirited Balcatta side,” said Jarvis.

The move of Shannon Dally up front paid dividens for Jarvis and he was delighted for the New Zealand. “The blokes is a machine, he can run all-day. We thought we’d try and use his pace down the right hand side and it worked with his two goals,” explained Jarvis.

Another to impress in the victory was keeper Cyril Sharrock and Jarvis paid tribute to his shot stopper. “He’s Mr. Consistent for the team. He always gives you 100% and he saved us at times on Saturday,” added Jarvis.

Armadale Team – GK Sharrock, Bennion, Bowyer, Hilton (Caroma), Dally, Faria, Platten (Madeley), Pearson (Galvin), Ramirez, Goodwin, Smiljanic

Subs Not Used – Preece

Reds hold Champions in Night Series

A workman-like Armadale held regular season champions Floreat Athena to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at Litis Stadium.

Sloppy finishing seemed to be the order of the day with both sides squandering numerous chances in a scrappy, error-riddled game. It took until the 25th minute for the first opening to presented when a corner fell kindly for John Migas who rounded one opponent but found the angle to tight to beat Cyril Sharrock in the Armadale goal.

The only other genuine chance of the period came just before half-time when David Foster slipped away from the defence but failed to make the most of the opportunity with only Sharrock to beat.

With the words of Coach Brad Hassell still ringing in their ears, the Reds began the second half encouraging with Jason Goodwin, Daryl Platten and Marlon Ramirez driving them forward time and time again.

Goodwin looked to be through on goal after latching on to Ramirez' through ball only to be halted in his tracks by an offside flag. Floreat regained their composure to take the lead on 56 minutes when Raffael Insurralde seized upon a defensive lapse to lash the ball in from 25-metres.

The margin was very nearly increased within minutes but Foster mis-timed his header from a Branimir Mikulic cross. Against the run of play Armadale surged forward through Goodwin (left) whose speculative shot struck Julian Madaschi and deflected into the net past 'keeper Vas Vujacic.

Floreat's attempt to reclaim the lead began with a Foster header which brought a superb save out of Sharrock. Adam Bachillor sliced his way past three opponents only to shoot narrowly wide, and Miki Vujacic's free-kick was palmed on to the crossbar by the 'keeper.

With minutes to go Mikulic wasted a terrific opportunity to steal victory by scuffing his shot from 6-metres wide after a fine exchange between Migas and Bachillor.

Reds awarded three points by Football West

Armadale moved away from the foot of the Night Series Group A table after being awarded all three points from the clash with Mandurah City. The match itself ended in a scoreless draw, however, that result was overturned by Football West who awarded the game to Armadale 3-0 on account of Mandurah fielding a player while serving suspension. The three points leapfrogs Armadale up the table into fourth place ahead of this weekends meeting with table topper Floreat Athena.

In the game Mandurah City were unlucky not to earn more than a point after a plucky Armadale held them to a scoreless draw at Litis Stadium on Saturday. It was a much improved performance by the Dolphins who deserved more after controlling the game for lengthy periods and creating by far the better opportunities on goal.

Mandurah’s first opening came through a long Jeff Bright throw-in that Christian Paschewitz flicked into the path of Patrick Quinn who failed to get a touch on the ball by the slenderest of margins. There were otherwise few clear cut chances in a tight opening half in which Mandurah held the upper hand thanks to the non-stop efforts of Andy Brown, Bright and Paschewitz.

Armadale’s best opportunity came via Matt Bennion’s (right) long ball from the right which narrowly evaded the head of an unmarked Adrian McCann. The second half began with Mandurah displaying the greater urgency.

Chris Wiley was the first to make an impression with a rasping low drive from the top of the 18-yard box that took a deflection and ended wide. Armadale earned a free-kick just outside the box which Kevin Carmona swung past the defensive wall but was kept out of the bottom corner by Green at full-stretch.

Brown was dominating the middle of the park and in the 59th minute his fierce low strike into a crowded area was blocked by Darryl Platten. Sharrock (left) produced a top-notch save to keep out a vicious free-kick by Bright, then recovered in time to tip Townsend’s follow-up header over the crossbar. With the clock ticking down Townsend surged three-quarters the length of the park before delivering laying the ball at the feet of Paschewitz whose shot was scuffed and Bennion cleared the danger. Graeme Matthews got in on the act late in the piece by skipping past one challenge but his shot from 15-metres lacked the power required to beat Sharrock.