A New Lowe in a 'New League'

Well after watching Perth Glory in the A-League today it would possibly turn you off football for a while, if not for the rest of the year. No only joking this is World Cup year and football festival! Despite watching that and boycotting any form of food or drink at the game I decided to head to the WA Athletics stadium to watch Subiaco AFC play host to Perth Glory.

Yes Perth Glory field a side in the National Premier Leagues, but it is only the National Youth League side but under 20's i believe so technically not quite the same. Football West did away with the NTC and created it as a Perth Glory academy of sorts. The situation is a little confusing and unsure what will happen if they win the NPL WA title and or qualify for the NPL playoffs against other state association conferences.

The game played out much like the Newcastle game earlier that night. Plus the fixtures were too close so I missed most of the first half as I had to get to Floreat from East Perth. Not ideal but that is Football West and the FFA doing what they do best; fixture headaches.

Food and beverage were like the match i went to last year at Morley were non existent. To put it simply, I wouldn't despite the very good facilities provided by the state government is like going to the South Pole and not taking supplies with you.

I must give a shout out to a very fine fish and chip shop that my agent informed me about. The Groper and his Wife in City Beach is quite possibly the best fish and chips i have tasted in Perth for quite some time. I suggest you look them up on http://www.groperandhiswife.com.au/ or give them a call on 9385 7384. Cannot stress enough how that place is fantastic. Definitely saved the night.

Looks like Subiaco despite been given everything for participation in the NPL WA have not brought a key ingredient to NPL, food or drink.

Dolphins out maneuver BB United in Cup

Mandurah won, at times a feisty Coolridge Cup match 4-0 today in trying weather conditions today. Stand out performances to BB United number 3 for his outstanding diving and all round flashy, different coloured boots on display. Burger and chips were delicious, thick cut and well seasoned chips. Cheeseburger was served on a lightly toasted bun hitting all the right spots to warm you up on a cold autumns day of football. The tea was a stock standard brew but it was served in a mug and made a nice change to the usual paper or polystyrene cup you would get at other grounds.

Burger and chips were 10 dollars and the tea was 2 dollars, despite being a stock brew the honesty tin idea makes a nice touch I thought. Have to say with value like this, the people in the Mandurah area should be down there every home match!

Dreary Conditions at Joondalup

With fellow agents attending other fixtures today I had decided to venture up to Edit Cowan University Sport Centre to watch ECU Joondalup take on Sorrento FC. With ECU taking the lead in the first half Sorrento looked in trouble. Although the resorting to long ball football infuriated me it started to work and the scores were 1-1 at half time.
ECU were losing the they were gaining in the first half and with ominous weather conditions holding out for most of the match Sorrento were building up like the clouds on the distance.

Late in the second half Sorrento hit the lead and 2 minutes to full time the heavens opened and rain was a plenty to match the rather boring Harnwell-esque long-ball rubbish which a last goal was scored. Scores ended at 3-1 to Sorrento.

As for the food and drink here at the sports centre it wasn't too bad. Typical of Anglo-Australian state league clubs chips with gravy is a staple on the menu. Portions were very good although the chips were bland, dry and depressing. The gravy on the other hand was very delicious and rescued the chips. Perhaps a bit of salt or pepper could have made it a bit more enticing. The price was very good as I got a cool drink totaling 7 dollars fifty.

All chocolates were 2.50 and had a very good selection for the sweet tooth and if you had children who wanted something along those lines. Killer Pythons were only a dollar and were the extra long variety and great value. Cool drinks were prices at 2.50 which is on the edge of being too expensive for cans but this is NPL so i guess the excuse is they need to raise the prices.

I must say that the facilities are not really very rain protection friendly let alone shade friendly which is a legacy of poor design from Joondalup buildings built in the 1980's and 1990's with the obsession of curved circular designs just makes things look dated. There was a good crowd there which is great to see but with more entertaining sides such as Bayswater, Perth SC and Stirling it will be hard to see if another visit to Joondalup is on the cards.

 

Super Rugby Thriller at nib

Western Force posted their third straight victory against the Waikato Chiefs at nib Stadium, the first time in the sides super rugby history. Western Force were generally in control for most of the game with moments when the chinks in the armor looked possibly becoming open holes. Western Force looked like they really wanted this win and were really fighting to not let the Chiefs get past them. Match ended 18 to 15 which now places them third in the Australian conference and fifth overall on the table.

Food once again was on highway robbery scales but the demographic of Force fans are generally ones of affluence and indifference towards increasing prices for food and drink. How much will honestly be too much for spectators at Perth sporting/musical events?

Wedges were 10 dollars and bottles of cool drink are 5 dollars. Pizzas are 15 dollars and are a quarter the size of already reduced in size large pizzas from Dominos or Pizza Hut.

Beers they sell to the fans are mid strength and over priced at 9 dollars for such. They do provide full strength but you must be in the members bar area where there are no TV screens and no view of the match. A deliberate ploy obviously.

Despite the thrilling match nib continues to extort money from its guests and i strongly believe that there should be a form of boycott of anything food or beverage. I must admit sometimes its hard to avoid buying a bottle of coke if you are incredibly thirsty from not having a drink for a few hours before turning up to the venue. For the record I did not buy anything to eat at this game my fellow agents did instead.

Late Scoring Goals at Frank Drago

The Punctual Football Fan decided to watch Bayswater v Inglewood at Frank Drago reserve to watch his first National Premier League Western Australia conference. Bayswater had complete control of the game with the home side controlling possession and really passing the ball well with Bayswater taking shot after shot in the first half. Bayswater scored to take the lead with Inglewood with the occasional push up field and with their one shot of the match they scored early in the second half to level the scores.

Baywater continued to control possession and push in the attacking third. Bayswater pushed into the corner away from the grandstand then crossed and clinically slotted in to once again take the lead. Late in the match Inglewood pushed along the grandstand and took the opportunity to take the shot. Ball went into the top corner and scores were once again 2-2. Immediately after the kick off Bayswater pushed the ball up and immediately they scored. Bayswater end up winning the game 3-2 as the finial whistle was blown as soon as they kicked off.

Food was not too bad at Frank Drago. Burgers with the lot were 8 dollars and were nice, filling and tender beef with fresh bread. Chips and gravy was also on sale at 6 dollars. A slight increase but hey, it is NPL now so prices are up the FFA say.

Cool drinks are at 3 dollars, which is quite a ridiculous price in general for canned cool drinks. Bottled drinks yes but not cans. Bulmer's was on sale in pear and apple varieties and 500mL bottles are 9 dollars. Great value when you're watching the game with your burger and having a drink.

As always heading down to Frank Drago, watching football is always a good experience and value for money. Bayswater continue to put on good football on the park and never short of good food and thirst quenching beverages.