Football West Cup Finals Previews

It’s the show case of the Perth football Season on Sunday October 2nd when Inglewood United meets the Football West Premier League Champions Perth SC in the 2005 Midland Cup Final at Members Equity Stadium.

The match kicks off at 3pm with Football West and Perth Glory joining to host the bonanza of football over the day, with three venues being used to showcase the local talent that will culminate in the Premier League Cup Final.

The Semi-Pro Midland Brick Cup Final pits two of the best teams in the competition, with Graham Normanton’s Perth SC facing Eddie Hodgkinson’s Inglewood United. Perth are coming off a 6-0 drubbing of Sorrento to win the Premier League title, but Inglewood’s coach knows what cup finals are all about.

“The records show that Perth is by far the strongest team in the league. They have possibly the best three centre backs in the league as their defensive record shows, they have pace on the flanks and the central midfielders are extremely creative and make good penetrating runs. They have the two highest scoring forwards in the league who link brilliantly with their midfield.

“On paper Perth would be favorites, but without giving too much away I believe it will be an attacking game, obviously whilst attempting to contain Perth we have to be prepared to attack them. It is a cup final and if we have any hope of winning we need to score.”

The United side is brimming with experience and class, with captain Shaun Kilkelly a stand out in the side, along with Jason Colli, Louis Parkinson and Andre Sarpe to name but a few. Kilkelly is pleased with the season so far, “It has been an honor to captain such a big club like Inglewood at such a young age and bringing back a trophy already this year and the chance of another one it has been great.

“It will be a hard game, and after the season they have had we will have to be at the top of our game and keep a close eye on their whole team. The main ones will be Dave Onoforo, Andreas Oliveira. Antonio Nagelri and Robert Puca who I believe is the best player in the state. We hope injuries to key players clear in time for the cup final and believe we can match it with the league Champions.”

Perth’s coach Graham Normanton is confident of his team’s chances in the final but believes Inglewood are a very competitive side. “Inglewood are obviously a good side that is capable of beating anyone on their day. They have some quality players all around the park. They, by their own admission, have had an inconsistent season.

“They have lost eight league games most of which they have lost by the odd goal which tells me that they are always competitive. This game represents an opportunity for them to win their second trophy of the season so it would cap off their most successful season for a number of years.

“Both of our encounters this season have been tough, closely fought affairs. It suggests that this one will be no different. I believe that we will create a number of opportunities in front of goal whether we take them or not will determine our fate. We have the best defensive record in the league and I believe that any team will find it difficult to score against us the idea being to make Inglewood to work very hard for any chances they get.”

A spokesman for Midland Brick Mr. Peter Hogan the Divisional General Manager said, “The Midland Brick Cup provides us with an opportunity to take our support of local football to a much wider group of participants, and we are pleased that so many people have competed in this event. We are delighted to be involved with the Football West and are we wish all those participating in the Midland Brick Cup Finals the best of luck.”

The venue of the final has been praised by a both coaches, Hodgkinson said, “Football West’s decision to play the game at Members Equity Stadium is a great idea and we hope all the football public come out and watch the game”, and Normanton added, “Playing the game at ME Stadium is good one in terms of playing the game. It is a fantastic venue for all concerned and as a coach I want my players to play on the best stadium available and there is no doubt that this is it.”

The venues being used are Frank Drago Reserve the home of Bayswater City, and at 9am it’s the Amateurs reserves cup final as Lynwood Colts face Fremantle Croatia, followed at 11am by the Social cup final where the Jacks take on Balcatta. In the final game at the venue it’s the Masters Cup Final at 1.05pm where Northern Spirit meets Mandurah City.

At the E&D Litis Stadium the home of Floreat Athena again there are three games, at 9am it’s the Premier League under 18’s Cup Final between Swan IC and Sorrento, followed at 11am by the Premier League Reserves Cup Final between Floreat Athena and Sorrento. The final game is the Women’s Cup Final at 1.05pm as East Fremantle meets Queens Park.

The games at Members Equity Stadium begin also at 9am when Balcatta and Queens Park meet in the Premier Women’s Cup Final, followed at 11am by the Amateur Men’s Cup Final as North Lake meet UWA, with the clash of Inglewood United and Perth SC rounding off the day’s proceedings. Admission to all games is by a gold coin donation.

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