The benchmark – that’s how ECU Joondalup coach Dale McCulloch describes Saturday’s National Premier Leagues WA opponents Bayswater City.

"They’ve set the standard – it’s now up to us to see how we measure up against them,” said McCulloch, whose side are third in the league, five points behind unbeaten leaders Bayswater.

After beating Armadale 1-0 on the opening day of the new NPL season, Bayswater have gone from strength to strength with a 5-2 win over Balcatta, a 3-2 victory over Inglewood United and a 2-0 triumph over Perth before thumping Ashfield 5-0 in the Cool Ridge Cup last weekend.

“They’ve had the sort of consistency we are still striving to achieve,” said McCulloch, whose side followed an impressive 4-1 win over Floreat Athena in round three with a shock 3-1 loss at home to big rivals Sorrento next time out.

ECU were back on even keel with a 3-0 cup win over Forrestfield last weekend – but McCulloch described the performance as “not the most entertaining but good enough to get the job done.”

“The challenge against Bayswater on their home turf will give us an idea of where we’re at,” he said.

“We’ve got targets – and they are mainly at getting into finals football. We’re not thinking beyond that at the moment.”

Captain Jon Higgins has been one of the main driving forces behind ECU. He capped a stand-out effort against Floreat with a stunning free-kick that would not have been out of place in the English Premier League. He also scored the opening goal in the cup win.

“Jon’s been great for us,” said McCulloch. “He does a lot of running. He’s enthusiastic and gets into great positions.”

Defender Ryan Lowry, who was sent off against Forrestfield, misses out on Saturday through suspension. “It opens the door for one of the younger players in the squad to make a breakthrough,” said McCulloch.

The traditional derby between Balcatta and Perth at Grindleford Reserve offers another intriguing clash on Saturday.

Perth are fourth on the ladder with seven points, one more than Balcatta, who are coming off an impressive 5-0 cup win over Melville City last weekend.

“We beat Balcatta 2-1 on their ground last year, and we need to post another victory this time if we want to be fair dinkum about being in the mix this season,” said Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis.

Perth have signed 20-year-old centre back Alex Castiello from Perth Glory and he will be included in the squad.

Bottom club Inglewood United will be chasing their first NPL win of the season when they travel to face Armadale – and coach Graham Normanton is confident his men can achieve the breakthrough.

“We beat North Perth United 4-1 in the cup last weekend – it should have been 14 with the number of chances we created – but it was an important confidence-booster and I’m sure the players can now start to motor,” said Normanton.

Perth Glory coach Scott Miller will be facing his old club when they entertain Cockburn at Intiga Stadium.

Miller said: “Cockburn will always be special to me. I still watch them when I can. I saw their cup win last weekend and was impressed, particularly with their efforts in midfield. It will be a good test for our young boys.”

Cockburn coach Marc Anthony, who succeeded Miller at the club’s helm, is tipping an entertaining encounter. “Knowing Scotty, he’ll have his side playing good football – and we try to do the same.”

Floreat Athena are searching for a replacement for coach Chris Barbas, who resigned over a week ago, and under 20's coach Mano Psanoudakis is expected to lead the side in the home game against Subiaco, whose coaching reins will be taken by Ian McMurray with Gerry McEwan being unavailable.

Second-placed Sorrento host fifth-placed Stirling Lions at Percy Doyle Reserve on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).

The Lions are anticipating a tough encounter. “Sorrento are well organised and very strong and are always difficult opponents on their home turf,” said Stirling coach Gary Williams. “But we beat them 3-2 there last year, so we know what’s required.”

FIXTURES
8pm Friday – Sorrento v Stirling Lions, Percy Doyle Reserve.
3pm Saturday - Armadale v Inglewood United, Alfred Skeet Reserve; Floreat Athena v Subiaco, E&D Litis Stadium; Bayswater City v ECU Joondalup, Frank Drago Reserve; Balcatta v Perth, Grindleford Reserve; Perth Glory v Cockburn City, Intiga Stadium.