Round Nine of the NPLWA - Men's competition features a top-of-the table-clash between ECU Joondalup and Floreat Athena on Saturday afternoon.
Defending champions ECU are on a five-game winning streak in the NPL and have not conceded a goal in league or cup since a Round Two home defeat to Armadale.
Skipper Johnny Perkins has been one of the Jacks' key performers, having conceded just five times, and the goalkeeper hailed the collective effort of the team.
“It’s important in all successful teams that they’re built on solid defence. Those defensive qualities in our team start from the front and that’s instrumental in how we want to play,” Perkins said.
“There’s not one personality in our club that’s too big, who thinks they don’t have to do their defensive jobs. That’s been real key for us, that buy-in of everyone who’s being willing to do whatever it takes to get the result.
“Floreat are a great team with good players and have a nucleus that’s been there for a long time, but we’re confident in our ability and know if we do our jobs we fancy ourselves against anyone. If we go out and do what’s expected of us, I’m confident we can get a good result.”
The Irish stopper joined ECU from Stirling in 2018 and was an important figure in the club’s rise towards a first league title since 1999. Perkins admits he has had to evolve as a goalkeeper in recent years, as Kenny Lowe’s side have taken a more front-foot approach to games.
“Kenny came to the club and wanted to play in a certain style. It’s something I’ve had to adapt to in terms of playing more football instead of just clearing balls up field, but it’s something I’ve enjoyed,” he said.
“As a goalkeeper, it’s something you learn as you get older in terms of keeping your concentration, and each individual knows what works best for them in terms of staying focused and in the game, even if you’re not active.
“I’m a vocal person anyway and I feel it helps me as much as the team. If anything, they probably think I talk too much at times, but I enjoy being vocal and it helps me keep my concentration high.
“It’s a higher expectation. If I don’t have to touch the ball for 80 minutes of the game, I’m happy because it means the team is doing something well. But if I am called upon to make a save it’s no different to any of the other boys doing their tasks. It’s my responsibility to stay focused and be there if the team needs me.”
Floreat remain the division’s only unbeaten side, having won six of eight league games in 2021. And like ECU, they have advanced to the WA quarter-finals of the FFA Cup. However, successive draws mean Athena are now just two points clear of ECU having palyed a game more.
Floreat captain Dean Evans said the challenge of maintaining top spot this week was an exciting prospect.
“The last two draws perhaps felt like losses in the sense we think we should have got more from both those games,” Evans said.
“We want to get back to winning ways on Saturday and the win in the cup against Gwelup at the weekend was a nice stepping stone towards that.
“Both teams will be hungry and wanting to finish top after last year when we were neck and neck. It’s exciting, it should be a good game for neutral especially, but we hope to pull through and come away with the three points.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, fourth hosts third when Sorrento face Perth SC at Percy Doyle Reserve. Both teams are coming off the back of FFA Cup wins against lower league opposition.
Fifth-place Inglewood United are targeting a third straight league victory and should be refreshed for their home game with Balcatta having had last weekend off.
In contrast Bayswater City, in sixth, have lost their last two league games, although they did thump Balcatta 4-0 in the FFA Cup last week. On Saturday they visit second-bottom Armadale, who avoided a cup upset in midweek when they overcame Amateur Premier side North Perth United 4-2after extra-time on Wednesday.
In the remaining games, Gwelup Croatia are home to Cockburn while bottom side Rockingham, dumped out of the FFA Cup by Division Two strugglers Gosnells City last Sunday, are at home to Perth Glory. Rockingham are using the day to raise money for anti-domestic violence charity Worthy Australia.
NPLWA - Men's Round Nine
Saturday 3pm
Armadale v Bayswater City
ECU Joondalup v Floreat Athena
Gwelup Croatia v Cockburn City
Inglewood United v Balcatta
Rockingham City v Perth Glory
Sorrento v Perth SC