Round 14 Wrap up | 2020-2021 Macron SFL WA

Following an active mid-season transfer window, the highly anticipated second half of the season certainly presented some tantalising encounters.

Joondalup ECU Jets 1 – 7 Perth Longobarda FC

Longobarda returned to winning ways, cementing 2nd spot on the ladder, with a commanding victory over Joondalup. Having secured the return of Bruno Di Gregorio and the signature of Massimo Basolu in the mid-season transfer window, Longo started well with quickfire goals from the above-mentioned players giving them an early 2 goal advantage. ECU responded with a strike from Adrian Rossi, only for Alex Kretowicz, Jan Cok & Di Gregorio with his 2nd to give Longo an imposing 5-1 lead at the halfway mark of the match. The Jets were more competitive in the 2nd half, but it was Longobarda who added to their scoreline with late strikes from Kretowicz and Jeevan Krishnan to settle the encounter.

Byford Venom FC 2 – 5 Cockburn EWA FC

Byford troubled Cockburn in Round 1, and they repeated the dosage, falling just short once again. The Venom started with purpose, taking an early lead via young gun Brandon Vander Ros. EWA responded late in the half via Aden Da Luz to balance the ledger at the halfway mark. Alex Gamble settled Cockburn’s nerves early in the 2nd half as they took the lead for the 1st time in the match. Further strikes from Da Luz & Gamble made it 4-1. But, Byford kept plugging away, with Vander Ros grabbing his 2nd to maintain their interest in the match. A late strike from Mark Gavranic completed the scoring, as EWA retained 4th spot on the ladder.

Perth AFC 3 – 1 Curtin Footbalista FC

The final match on Friday night saw AFC avenge their loss in Round 1 to Curtin with a starring man-of-the-match performance from Andrija Jukic. In a closely fought 1st half, Jukic broke the deadlock from the penalty spot. He doubled AFC’s advantage early in the 2nd half as Footbalista started their comeback. A goal midway through the 2nd half via Moreno Cappello renewed Curtin’s interest in the match. But, as they chased the match & played 5th man, Jukic completed his hattrick late on to end a memorable match for him & AFC on a high. Whilst AFC remained in 9th spot, they narrowed the gap to Balga in 7th to 3 points & to Braza in 6th to a further 6 points.

Perth Lions FA 1 – 7 South Perth FC

Saturday’s run of fixtures commenced with a highly anticipated encounter in which South Perth announced their intentions for the rest of the league to take note of. The Lions had pushed South Perth in Round 1, but were no match for a star studded line-up that included the return of Jakub Prajza and the mid-season transfers of SFL MVP Danilo Neves and well credentialled target Chris Rocchi. The Lions started well, testing Luka Gabela in the South Perth goals on several occasions before Daniel Muzzarelli gave South Perth the lead midway through the 1st half. Neves doubled the lead 4 minutes later, scoring on his debut. In a foul riddled half, South Perth conceded their 6th foul with seconds remaining to provide The Lions with an opportunity to get back into the match. But, Gabela saved Jamal Yusof’s 10 metre penalty to retain the 2 goal advantage. Prajza scored early in the 2nd half, and when an own goal & Filip Rojnica had added to the scoreline, it was proving to be South Perth’s day. Rocchi too scored on his debut, as well as Remo Capitani. Shirash Sasikumar responded with a consolation for The Lions, whose performance warranted more than the heavy defeat that they had suffered.

Balga FC 1 – 3 Fremantle FC

Yet another highly anticipated encounter with in-form Balga (7th) succumbing to a resurgent Fremantle (8th). In a tightly fought 1st half, it took a spectacular finish from captain Liam Cummins to give Fremantle the lead. A lead that they retained into the half-time break thanks to the heroics of understudy goalkeeper Tom Robless. Quickfire 2nd half goals from young guns Benji Mikhael & Jake Pizzuto extended Fremantle’s advantage to 3 goals, as Balga continue to battle hard in an effort to get back into the match. A late specky from Michael Dudek gave Balga a well earned response, but it was too little too late as Fremantle welcomed the 2nd half of the season with a much needed victory.

Canning Ultra Tigers FC 1 – 12 Rockingham Cambio Cumbre FC

Rockingham announced their intentions for the rest of the season, having recruited 2 of the most exciting youngsters playing in the league in the mid-season transfer window to add depth to a star studded squad. And they started this match with purpose with a quickfire double from stalwarts Faris Noor Rani and Nestor Fonseca. Canning responded with a late 1st half strike from Afiq Mutalip. But that seemed to stir Cumbre into action & 3 late goals via Fonseca (1st half hattrick) and debutant Igor Cvijanovic gave them a 4 goal advantage at the halfway mark of the match. Young gun Tyler Garner matched Fonseca’s output with a 2nd half hattrick of his own, ably assisted by Noor Rani, Justin Tang (a double on debut) and Darrell Pragash to seal an impressive victory for Rockingham, as Cumbre retained their 4 point gap at the top of the table.

Stirling Braza Ginga FC 2 – 1 Murdoch Warriors FC

The final match of the round proved to be a closely fought encounter with Stirling getting over the top of a gallant Murdoch. Braza are on their best run of the season, as their captain Pavel Parihuzic led the way with a double in the 1st half to give his side a comfortable half-time lead. But, and early 2nd half strike from young gun Joel Di Toro, who has a knack of scoring against his former side, made for an interesting 2nd half. An eventful match, with 4 yellow cards & lots of opportunities ended with a victory that takes Stirling up to 5th on the ladder. An ominous sign for all of the clubs above them on the ladder as the defending champions are starting to get into their stride.