Report by Tristan Lavalette

Cockburn City coach Marc Anthony hopes his side’s 2-0 victory over Armadale will provide the fuel to rise up the NPL WA ladder.

The visitors dictated the match on Saturday at Alfred Skeet Oval and could have easily won by a greater margin had they converted their plethora of second-half opportunities.

Pictured: Cockburn City goalkeeper Dejan Aleksic saves from Armadale skipper Billy Quinncroft. Photo: Peter Simcox. 

Cockburn overcame a shaky start and shook off their stupor in the 20th minute when Feizel Zaw pounced on a long ball.

A bevy of Armadale defenders seemed to have the ball covered but their indecision allowed fleet-footed Zaw to win the ball and dribble past shell-shocked Armadale goalkeeper Matthew Gould.

The goal not only energised Cockburn but it seemed to deflate Armadale, who struggled to play with much conviction for the rest of the contest.

The game was often marred by sloppy skills from both sides and wayward attempts at goal aside from a brilliant chip over Gould into the back of the net from the mercurial Matt Barlow in the 50th minute.

Armadale’s best chance was during their scintillating start when Sam Loveless’ long-range bullet hit the crossbar in the 13th minute.

Anthony said when Cockburn were at their best they were capable of challenging the elite teams in the league.

“We know we can beat anyone in this league on our day and we just have to string some wins together,” he said.

“We certainly hope this win is going to be a catalyst because it was a good performance by us after the first 20 minutes where they were probably the better team.

“The goal settled us down and I thought we were quality in the second half.”

Cockburn had a scare when captain Paul Natale had to be substituted in the 61st minute when he suffered a knock on the leg.

It was a bitter blow for Natale, who was playing his first match in a month but Anthony was confident his star player would not be again confined to the sidelines.

“Paul came off with a knock, which was unfortunate but it is nothing serious,” he said.

“He will be ok to resume training and he will be raring to go for the next match.”

Cockburn City 2 (Feizel ZAW 20’, Matt BARLOW 50’)
Armadale 0
Saturday 28 June, 2014
Alfred Skeet Oval, Armadale
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Tim Mihevc
Crowd: 100 (approx)

Armadale: 20. Matthew GOULD (gk), 4. Billy QUINNCROFT, 5. Nathan COSTELLO, 7. Faustinho MACHOCHI, 8.Josh KUSER (2. Jackson BEALEY 60’), 9. Raveshian KUPPUSAMY (3. Ben WANTEE 68’), 11. Dannie RICHMAN, 12. Alec SOLOMONS, 13. Sam LOVELESS, 14. Mitch CASTRILLI, 17. Alex CLARKE (Lyon VARNEY 75’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Jordan HOWELL, 18. Dennis GAYE
Yellow cards: Mitch CASTRILLI (40’), Alex CLARKE (44’) Jackson BEALEY (80’)
Red cards: Nil

Cockburn City: 23. Dejan ALEKSIC (gk), 4. Euan GRANT, 5. Alan CARROLL, 8. David ARRAYA, 9. Eamon McNELIS, 10. Matt BARLOW, 11. Devon GIBSON, 12. Feisal ZAW, 17. Paul NATALE (13. Blake ADAMS 61’), 18. Liam MURRAY (14. Conor KAVANAGH 80’), 19. Kim MENGBONG (7. Jesse FULLER 72’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Struen HERD, 16. Julian TELES,
Yellow cards:  Euan GRANT (44’)
Red cards: Nil