Tombides honoured as Evans takes on old mates
Football West News
Pictured: Dean Evans. Photo: Football West News
Dean Evans has described Sunday’s Dylan Tombides Trophy match at Dorrien Gardens as a must-win contest for Perth SC as they attempt to stay in touch with the leaders in the PS4 NPLWA.
The match against Stirling Lions will have extra significance for Evans, who is taking on his former club for the first time and who had a close connection with Tombides.
West Ham United starlet Tombides, who played for Stirling and Perth as a junior, passed away last year after a fight against cancer.
The NPLWA clubs determined to ensure Tombides’ name resonated for years to come by naming their league matches in his honour. His family and friends have also established the DT38 Foundation to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
Evans said Tombides would never be forgotten and was proud to be playing in a match in his honour.
“He was such a special boy and it’s a good thing for football,” he said. “I hope we can get a good crowd their on Sunday.”
Evans featured in both matches last season – the first game was drawn 1-1 and Perth won the second match 2-1 – and is looking forward to experiencing the big occasion on the other side of the fence this time.
“It will be mixed emotions because I’ve not really played for anyone else (in the local competition) before,” Evans said. “But it has to be business as usual and that’s how I’ll be approaching it.
“We need to win if we’re going to stay in touch with Baysie and Floreat and we’ll go out all guns blazing. You don’t go into any game to draw. You always want to win your games.”
Fourth-placed Perth trail Stirling by a point with the Lions four points adrift of second-placed Floreat Athena.
Bayswater City, who went three points clear at the top with a win over Floreat Athena last weekend, will aim to consolidate their lead when they take on winless Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.
Armadale showed some resolve against Perth last weekend, fighting from two goals down to draw level, before slumping to a 5-2 loss.
FIXTURES
Saturday, June 6
Armadale v Bayswater City (3pm, Alfred Skeet Reserve)
Cockburn City v ECU Joondalup (3pm, Dalmatinac Park)
Inglewood United v Subiaco (3pm, Inglewood Stadium)
Sorrento v Perth Glory (3pm, Percy Doyle Reserve)
Floreat Athena v Balcatta (5pm, E&D Litis Stadium)
Sunday, June 7
Perth v Stirling Lions (3pm, Dorrien Gardens)
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