PS4 NPL WA Round 7 Preview

A top two clash headlines Round 7 of PlayStation 4 NPL action in Western Australia.

Coach Taki Nicolaidis says table-topping Inglewood United can demonstrate their PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues WA championship credentials with a strong performance against Sorrento at Percy Doyle Reserve on Saturday.

Inglewood’s five-match NPLWA winning streak was ended dramatically last week by Stirling Lions before they bounced back on Monday with a 7-1 Westfield FFA Cup victory over All Flags First Division side Dianella White Eagles.

Nicolaidis expects his side to carry that cup form into their match against unbeaten Sorrento, who are second on the table.

“It will be a big test,” he said. “Sorrento have been together a while and they play a brand of football where they get into faces. They do play football but they put themselves about and they are effective in what they do.

“From our point of view, it’s a good opportunity to stamp our authority. If we are going to be a contender come the end of the season then these are the games we need to put our best foot forward.”

After five successive straight victories, Inglewood came unstuck against the Lions after a bizarre opening five minutes that proved to be decisive.

“We were all up for the game and we hit the post in the first 20 or 30 seconds, we missed a penalty in the third minute and then had a man sent off in the fifth minute,” Nicolaidis said.

“We gave away a penalty and Teeboy (Kamara) scored two bombs. I couldn’t fault the work rate and the effort the boys put in - it just wasn’t our day.”

Champions Bayswater City will travel to Rosalie Park aiming to extend Subiaco’s winless streak. Bayswater, who also won this season’s QBE Night Series, are in fifth place on the NPLWA table after losing two of their past three league games.

City returned to winning form last weekend with a 2-1 win over Armadale, who will host Cockburn City at Alfred Skeet Reserve in a match to kick-off at 5pm.

 

PS4 NPLWA ROUND 7 FIXTURES

Saturday, April 30

Perth SC v Perth Glory (Dorrien Gardens, 3pm)

ECU Joondalup  v Balcatta (ECU Football Stadium, 3pm)

Stirling Lions v Floreat Athena (Macedonia Park, 3pm)

Sorrento v Inglewood United (Percy Doyle Reserve, 3pm)

Subiaco v Bayswater City (Rosalie Park, 3pm)

Armadale v Cockburn City  (Alfred Skeet Reserve, 5pm)