Report by Peter Simcox

Photos: Peter Simcox

Floreat Athena began their PS4 NPLWA season with a resounding 3-1 win against Cockburn City at Dalmatinac Park.

Glen Grostate’s side did not play last week, but showed their title credentials with an excellent all-round team performance.

Rory Patterson's fifth goal of the season put Cockburn ahead against the run of play, but second half goals to Blair Govan, skipper Ludovic Boi and Kris Gate gave Floreat the victory.

Grostate hailed his players' attitude and belief which changed the game after the break.

“We played well in the first half but found ourselves 1-0 down. We spoke at the break and the players responded against a good Cockburn side,” he said.

"I say it each week, but these players are magnificent, there is a great team spirit and they are like a family."

There was also family support in the crowd too, with Socceroo and Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams on hand to watch his brother Aryn, who was outstanding on the day.

“We know we can beat any team on the day and we showed that today, scoring some quality goals," said the Floreat defender on another great team performance.

"We've got a good bunch of lads and enjoy what we are doing, so we’ve got to keep it up.”

The defender said he is looking forward to catching up with his brother, who only arrived in the country last week.

“It’s brilliant, he only got back on Thursday.
 
It’s great to see him and I’m looking forward to spending some time with him.”

The visitors had new signing Dejan Aleksic in goal against his former club and were on top early.

Jack Allen and Dennis Galan went close, but they lost midfielder Robbie Gasper to injury after only five minutes.

They then conceded on 17 minutes, in the home sides’ first attack, as Patterson steered home Friday Zico’s low cross from the left. 

Despite going behind, Floreat continued to take the game to Cockburn, and Williams’ shot from the edge of the area was superbly saved by Curtis Aspden minutes later.

There were chances at both ends as the game opened up. First Bobby Wilson saw his header cleared off the line by Blake Adams, before Williams did likewise to thwart Patterson on the half hour.

Floreat were back on level terms 12 minutes into the second half. Lewis McMahon’s cross picking out the unmarked Govan who fired low past Aspden.

They doubled their advantage two minutes later as Boi burst into the penalty area and beat Aspden with a deflected shot.

Cockburn looked flat and Floreat were finding holes in their back four. Boi should have added a third on 71 minutes, when he was one-on-one with Aspden, but the Floreat skipper fired straight at the goalkeeper.

But four minutes later they did add a third. Boi’s cross from the left was turned home by Gate in the six yard box.

It could have been worse for the hosts as Boi’s curling free kick crashed off the post, but Floreat took the points home.

Cockburn City 1 (Patterson 17 mins)
Floreat Athena 3 (Govan 57 mins, Boi 59, Gate 75)
Saturday 4th April 2015
Dalmatinac Park, Spearwood
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistants: Stuart Muldoon and Shane Skinner

Cockburn City: GK Curtis ASPDEN, 3 Jonathan CORNESS (6 Craig TONE 69’), 4 Euen GRANT, 5 Alan CARROLL, 7 Friday ZICO (9 Liam MURRAY 62’), 10 Rory PATTERSON, 12 Feisal ZAW, 13 Blake ADAMS, 14 Conor KAVANAGH, 15 Harry O’BRIEN, 17 Eamon MCNELIS
Subs not used: RGK Jack ADAMS, 8 David ARAYA,
Yellow Cards: Nil

Floreat Athena: GK Dejan ALEKSIC, 2 Blair GOVAN, 3 Jack ALLEN, 4 Aryn WILLIAMS, 5 Bobby WILSON, 6 Clayton ARNEZ, 8 Robert GASPER (10 Andrew SCALDAFERRO 6/), 11 Dennis GALAN, 12 Kris GATE, 14 Ludovic BOI, 20 Lewis MCMAHON
Subs not used: RGK Andrew XYDAS, 15 Jason POTTIER, 19 Ryan PRETORIUS
Yellow Cards: Wilson 7’, McMahon 41’, Gate 43’, Allen 68’, Govan 74’