Miscellaneous Games

Perth Glory v West Coast Select

These statistics were written and researched by Searlais Mullen and Greg Stock

As part of the Perth Glory preseason warm-up they played a match against a West Coast Select XI. The match was played as part of a junior soccer carnival for Western Australias country week.

Played : Sunday September 28 1997 Venue : Hilton Reserve, Fremantle

Perth Glory
20.Tom Maras, 3.Craig Naven, 4.Gavin Wilkinson (15.Peter Vukmirovic 10'), 5.Vinko Buljubasic, 6.Gareth Naven, 8.Paul McVittie, 9.Paul Strudwick (2.Vladimir Beretovac 47'), 10,Bobby Despotovski, 12.Doug Ithier, 13.Gabriel Gonzalez, 18.Danny Hay
Goals : Gonzalez 9' McVittie 16' Strudwick 26' Despotovski 39' 4 - 2 West Coast Select XI
(Lineup Incomplete) 1.Mike Harkness, 2. _, 3. _, 4.Marc Wingell, 5.Harnwell (15. _), 6.Hickey, 7. _(14.Mirco), 8.Cook (16.Healy), 9.Alan MacKenzie, 10.Carl McDarby (12.Mrdja), 11.Westerberger (17.Simon Harland)
Goals : McDarby 35' Harland 52'

Referee : Andrew Gorton
Attendance : approx 700

This wasn't much more than a stroll in the park, and we ought to be thankful that's all it was. Glory killed their opponents in the first half, but completely lost their way in the second. Few players impressed. One left the match not feeling all that confident about next season.

The match was played as part of a junior soccer carnival for WA Country Week. Hilton Reserve, the home of amateur club Fremantle United, was the venue. The place was swarming with country kiddies from as far afield as Karratha. It was a warm and sunny spring day and the grassy bank on the eastern side of the field was full of kids and parents, interlaced with bags, eskies, fold-out chairs and bottles of sun cream. A family atmosphere with a vengeance, although that didn't prevent Gareth Naven from hollering "FUCK" at the top of his lungs after a poor pass in the first half.

Both sides were missing players, as several were on Divella Cup duty with either Floreat Athena or Fremantle City. Glory lacked Halpin, Afkos and Bernard. Tapai was on international duty and Miller and Franken simply didn't get a run. However, Vinko Buljubasic got his first start since the end of last season, and attacking midfielder Gabriel Gonzalez, recently back in Australia after two years in Poland, was on trial.

The Soccer West Coast Select could not call on the services of Vaz, Dyers, Bourne, Clissold, Ball, Smith, Armstrong or Roki. This gave opportunities to Hickey, Westerberger, Cook and other players from the less successful WA Premier League sides. MacKenzie, Marc Wingell and Harkness would add NSL experience to the side, and Harnwell and McDarby had featured against Singapore the previous weekend.

The match kicked off at the ungodly hour of 11am, presumably to avoid a clash with the ARL Grand Final. A minute's silence was paid to the memory of ex-Caledonian coach Sandy Thompson who died during the week.

Glory were rampant in the first half. The football was exceptional and the SWC Select had no answers. But they could have opened the scoring when McDarby was put clean through the centre, Wilkinson lagging far behind. McDarby wasted his chance. Glory then went straight up the field and scored. Wingell missed an easy tackle on Craig Naven allowing him space to cross. He found Strudders in the centre who laid it back to Gonzalez outside the box. Cool as you like Gonzalez chipped the ball over Harkness and into the top left corner of the net. A very impressive finish from the trialist.

Less than a minute after the goal Wilkinson was replaced by Shack. Wilkinson seemed to have pulled his hamstring or calf muscle in chasing McDarby a few moments earlier. Let's hope it's not serious.

Seven minutes later Chisel made it two. Strudwick, wide on the left, skinned his marker and put in an excellent cross. Bobby came down with the ball and knocked it back to Chisel, who slammed his shot into the net. The SWC Select defence was in total disarray.

That Glory made it three not long after was no surprise. This time it was Gonzalez who provided the cross after skilfully beating an opponent. Both Bobby and Strudders rose for the header at the far post. Bobby fell into the net with Harkness, the ball fell kindly for Strudders and it was easy to score. He did.

But the SWC Select got back into the match with a goal Tommy Maras is not likely to forget. A through ball was played towards McDarby, with Shack in close attendance. Maras called for the ball so Shack got out of the way. Unfortunately Maras missed it, failed to take down McDarby and the veteran Dianella striker booted the ball into an empty net. Maras then shouted at Shack as if the big man was to blame. No, Tommy, it was you.

The three goal margin was restored only a couple of minutes later. Craig Naven, playing an excellent first half, played a great through ball to Bobby and he made beating his marker and stroking the ball past Harkness look too easy. The SWC Select looked as if they were in for a horrific thumping.

But Glory didn't go on with it in the second half. A minute after the interval Strudders substituted for Vlad Beretovac. Gonzalez moved forward to partner Bobby. The midfield didn't look nearly as creative without the diminutive trialist operating there and chances became scarce. Even more worrying was the disorganisation in the Glory defence in the five minutes after the break. First MacKenzie, playing a midfield anchor role, got free in the box and hit a shot just wide of Maras' right post. Then the SWC Select pulled one back, and what a shocker it was. Vinko rather unnecessarily passed the ball to Maras whose atrocious clearance fell to an opponent just outside the box. The ball was punted back in and McDarby and substitute Harland were in the centre without a purple shirt in sight. McDarby brought the ball down and Harland struck the half-volley past Maras. The nearest defender, Vinko, barely moved. A worse example of defending would be difficult to imagine. And most worryingly of all, this was the fourth match in a row Glory had conceded a goal not long after half time. Something for Marocchi to work on.

The rest of the match was dour and at times hard. Glory created a couple of good opportunities but all were spurned. The SWC Select rarely threatened at all. WWTW "Handy Andy" Gorton became the centre of attention in the second half with his usual collection of mysterious decisions and capped it all off by not awarding Glory a blatant penalty in the last minute when Gonzalez was chopped down in the box. A very ordinary second half performance by Glory who really didn't seem to care at times.

Glory's best performers on the day were Gonzalez (who should have done enough to earn a contract), Ithier (a surprise at left back), Craig Naven (even more surprising at right back), Strudders (dynamic up front) and Danny Hay (very composed). Bobby didn't do any more than he thought he had to but still looked good. Unfortunately he still has to drop back into midfield to get the ball, which suggests the team is lacking in that area at the moment. Chisel put in an adequate performance. Vinko was very rusty and a little unfit but occasionally showed his class. Gareth Naven played his first decent match of the pre-season. Vlad was ordinary when he came on and missed a good chance. Shack played very poorly and just didn't seem to be with it. Maras let in a stupid goal and was partly to blame for the other one.

Not may of the SWC Select impressed. Harkness played very well in goals. He was certainly superior to Maras on the day. MacKenzie was hampered by his midfield role and didn't get forward very often. McDarby ran out of steam in the second half. Harland looked dangerous for a short while after half time but then faded.

Not too much should be made of this match, as the team was lacking Siasia, Tapai, Garcia, Wilkinson (who only put in ten minutes), Miller, Halpin, Afkos and Bernard. Today's team had a makeshift look about it but still played very cohesively in the first half. The main importance of the match was to give Vinko a full game before next Saturday, and to trial Gabriel Gonzalez. I don't think Vinko's up to NSL fitness yet, but Gonzalez looks very promising indeed.

As part of the Perth Glory preseason warm-up they played a match against a West Coast Select XI. The match was played as part of a junior soccer carnival for Western Australias country week.
Played : Sunday September 28 1997				Venue : Hilton Reserve, Fremantle
Perth Glory 20.Tom Maras, 3.Craig Naven, 4.Gavin Wilkinson (15.Peter Vukmirovic 10'), 5.Vinko Buljubasic, 6.Gareth Naven, 8.Paul McVittie, 9.Paul Strudwick (2.Vladimir Beretovac 47'), 10,Bobby Despotovski, 12.Doug Ithier, 13.Gabriel Gonzalez, 18.Danny Hay Goals : Gonzalez 9' McVittie 16' Strudwick 26' Despotovski 39'	4	-	2	West Coast Select XI (Lineup Incomplete) 1.Mike Harkness, 2. _, 3. _, 4.Marc Wingell, 5.Harnwell (15. _), 6.Hickey, 7. _(14.Mirco), 8.Cook (16.Healy), 9.Alan MacKenzie, 10.Carl McDarby (12.Mrdja), 11.Westerberger (17.Simon Harland) Goals : McDarby 35' Harland 52'
Referee : Andrew Gorton Attendance : approx 700
This wasn't much more than a stroll in the park, and we ought to be thankful that's all it was. Glory killed their opponents in the first half, but completely lost their way in the second. Few players impressed. One left the match not feeling all that confident about next season. The match was played as part of a junior soccer carnival for WA Country Week. Hilton Reserve, the home of amateur club Fremantle United, was the venue. The place was swarming with country kiddies from as far afield as Karratha. It was a warm and sunny spring day and the grassy bank on the eastern side of the field was full of kids and parents, interlaced with bags, eskies, fold-out chairs and bottles of sun cream. A family atmosphere with a vengeance, although that didn't prevent Gareth Naven from hollering "FUCK" at the top of his lungs after a poor pass in the first half. Both sides were missing players, as several were on Divella Cup duty with either Floreat Athena or Fremantle City. Glory lacked Halpin, Afkos and Bernard. Tapai was on international duty and Miller and Franken simply didn't get a run. However, Vinko Buljubasic got his first start since the end of last season, and attacking midfielder Gabriel Gonzalez, recently back in Australia after two years in Poland, was on trial. The Soccer West Coast Select could not call on the services of Vaz, Dyers, Bourne, Clissold, Ball, Smith, Armstrong or Roki. This gave opportunities to Hickey, Westerberger, Cook and other players from the less successful WA Premier League sides. MacKenzie, Marc Wingell and Harkness would add NSL experience to the side, and Harnwell and McDarby had featured against Singapore the previous weekend. The match kicked off at the ungodly hour of 11am, presumably to avoid a clash with the ARL Grand Final. A minute's silence was paid to the memory of ex-Caledonian coach Sandy Thompson who died during the week. Glory were rampant in the first half. The football was exceptional and the SWC Select had no answers. But they could have opened the scoring when McDarby was put clean through the centre, Wilkinson lagging far behind. McDarby wasted his chance. Glory then went straight up the field and scored. Wingell missed an easy tackle on Craig Naven allowing him space to cross. He found Strudders in the centre who laid it back to Gonzalez outside the box. Cool as you like Gonzalez chipped the ball over Harkness and into the top left corner of the net. A very impressive finish from the trialist. Less than a minute after the goal Wilkinson was replaced by Shack. Wilkinson seemed to have pulled his hamstring or calf muscle in chasing McDarby a few moments earlier. Let's hope it's not serious. Seven minutes later Chisel made it two. Strudwick, wide on the left, skinned his marker and put in an excellent cross. Bobby came down with the ball and knocked it back to Chisel, who slammed his shot into the net. The SWC Select defence was in total disarray. That Glory made it three not long after was no surprise. This time it was Gonzalez who provided the cross after skilfully beating an opponent. Both Bobby and Strudders rose for the header at the far post. Bobby fell into the net with Harkness, the ball fell kindly for Strudders and it was easy to score. He did. But the SWC Select got back into the match with a goal Tommy Maras is not likely to forget. A through ball was played towards McDarby, with Shack in close attendance. Maras called for the ball so Shack got out of the way. Unfortunately Maras missed it, failed to take down McDarby and the veteran Dianella striker booted the ball into an empty net. Maras then shouted at Shack as if the big man was to blame. No, Tommy, it was you. The three goal margin was restored only a couple of minutes later. Craig Naven, playing an excellent first half, played a great through ball to Bobby and he made beating his marker and stroking the ball past Harkness look too easy. The SWC Select looked as if they were in for a horrific thumping. But Glory didn't go on with it in the second half. A minute after the interval Strudders substituted for Vlad Beretovac. Gonzalez moved forward to partner Bobby. The midfield didn't look nearly as creative without the diminutive trialist operating there and chances became scarce. Even more worrying was the disorganisation in the Glory defence in the five minutes after the break. First MacKenzie, playing a midfield anchor role, got free in the box and hit a shot just wide of Maras' right post. Then the SWC Select pulled one back, and what a shocker it was. Vinko rather unnecessarily passed the ball to Maras whose atrocious clearance fell to an opponent just outside the box. The ball was punted back in and McDarby and substitute Harland were in the centre without a purple shirt in sight. McDarby brought the ball down and Harland struck the half-volley past Maras. The nearest defender, Vinko, barely moved. A worse example of defending would be difficult to imagine. And most worryingly of all, this was the fourth match in a row Glory had conceded a goal not long after half time. Something for Marocchi to work on. The rest of the match was dour and at times hard. Glory created a couple of good opportunities but all were spurned. The SWC Select rarely threatened at all. WWTW "Handy Andy" Gorton became the centre of attention in the second half with his usual collection of mysterious decisions and capped it all off by not awarding Glory a blatant penalty in the last minute when Gonzalez was chopped down in the box. A very ordinary second half performance by Glory who really didn't seem to care at times. Glory's best performers on the day were Gonzalez (who should have done enough to earn a contract), Ithier (a surprise at left back), Craig Naven (even more surprising at right back), Strudders (dynamic up front) and Danny Hay (very composed). Bobby didn't do any more than he thought he had to but still looked good. Unfortunately he still has to drop back into midfield to get the ball, which suggests the team is lacking in that area at the moment. Chisel put in an adequate performance. Vinko was very rusty and a little unfit but occasionally showed his class. Gareth Naven played his first decent match of the pre-season. Vlad was ordinary when he came on and missed a good chance. Shack played very poorly and just didn't seem to be with it. Maras let in a stupid goal and was partly to blame for the other one. Not may of the SWC Select impressed. Harkness played very well in goals. He was certainly superior to Maras on the day. MacKenzie was hampered by his midfield role and didn't get forward very often. McDarby ran out of steam in the second half. Harland looked dangerous for a short while after half time but then faded. Not too much should be made of this match, as the team was lacking Siasia, Tapai, Garcia, Wilkinson (who only put in ten minutes), Miller, Halpin, Afkos and Bernard. Today's team had a makeshift look about it but still played very cohesively in the first half. The main importance of the match was to give Vinko a full game before next Saturday, and to trial Gabriel Gonzalez. I don't think Vinko's up to NSL fitness yet, but Gonzalez looks very promising indeed.