Football West News

Pictured: Floreat Athena's Ludo Boi. Photo: Football West News

They may have stunned some of the pre-season pundits, who gave them little chance of making a mark on the competition, but Floreat Athena’s sizzling start to the season has come as no surprise to skipper Ludo Boi.

The lynchpin of Floreat’s attacking drive was confident of the team’s capabilities even before they kicked a ball in the Night Series competition they went on to win on penalties against Cockburn City.

Since then, they have gone eight matches without defeat to sit just goal difference behind league leaders Bayswater City, who they meet at Frank Drago Reserve on Saturday.

“We know that being undefeated has surprised a few people but we’ve got a strong team and hopefully we can carry on as we are,” he said.

“We want to finish on top and this will be a big test.”

Boi looms as a major thorn in Bayswater’s side after a sensational scoring run. The 26-year-old has scored eight goals in seven appearances, equalling his entire tally last season, with the threat of more goals on the horizon.

“It comes down to the whole team,” he said. “If the team’s playing well there’s more chances for me to be there to score. I’m normally more of an assists player than a goal scorer but we’re all working hard.”

A 2-2 draw against Perth Glory on ANZAC Day was the only occasion when they have failed to win. A series of seven victories reached a dramatic high in last weekend’s dramatic 4-3 win over Perth.

Floreat looked to be cruising to victory before Perth hit two late goals only for Boi to score an injury-time winner, the importance of which has been amplified given the importance of Saturday’s clash with Bayswater.

“We wanted to play Bayswater having the same points as them, so last week was a big game,” he said. “Everyone is going to have to perform again this week. You look at our depth and compare it to their depth and there’s a massive difference. We can match their starting XI and we’ve got quality on the bench but they’ve got experience as well.

“They’ve got quality all over the park and they’ve been champions for two years, so we’re going to have to win individual battles to get the result.”

Bayswater, who won all four trophies on offer last season, drew with Inglewood in round three, which was the only occasion they have failed to win this season.

Former McInerney Ford Gold Medal winner David Heagney has been in sharp touch recently with five goals to his name, while Bayswater have also benefited from the return of Danny Dixon, who scored twice in a recent 5-0 win over Sorrento.

Bayswater coach Chris Coyne has a big weekend ahead with a Westfield FFA Cup preliminary quarter-final clash against Cockburn City on Monday.

Click here for more on the Westfield FFA Cup quarter-finals

Round 9, Saturday, May 30
Cockburn City v Sorrento (3pm, Dalmatinac Park)
Perth SC v Armadale (3pm, Dorrien Gardens)
ECU Joondalup v Subiaco (3pm, ECU Football Stadium)
Bayswater City v Floreat Athena (3pm, Frank Drago Reserve)
Balcatta v Perth Glory (3pm, Grindleford Reserve)
Inglewood United v Stirling Lions (3pm, Inglewood Stadium)