FFA Cup Rolls Into Perth

The inaugural Football Federation of Australia Cup round of 32 finally hit the western shores of this fine nation with Stirling hosting Brisbane Roar on the Tuesday night followed by Bayswater and Coolridge Cup winners hosting Melbourne Victory on the Wednesday night in somewhat controversial circumstances at the Western Australian Athletics Stadium.

It is I must say disappointing that the two NPLWAU sides failed to host it at their home venues as the atmosphere, pitch, food and drink would have been great. This is what a knock-out cup competition is all about; a windfall for the less fortunate clubs in the grand scheme of things.

However this is a massive wake up call for not only Stirling and Bayswater but for the rest of the NPLWAU or the lower teams to start to shape up or be shipped out by the increasingly cold and ruthless FFA. I have been around state league grounds now for more than a decade and I am sorry but very little has changed, now with this new avenue for the clubs this is the next step up for them. It is time to modernise and to improve facilities to further build upon the great community hubs that these clubs create in their local areas in Perth.

Sadly due to these unfortunate events most of the money that they would have earned was lost to the rental of the ground to the state government through Venues West, food/beverage outlets were run by Venues West and gate earnings I am lead to believe would not be distributed to the NPLWAU clubs like in traditional cup tournaments in Europe.

Despite all this the food was alright however incredibly expensive. 25 dollars for a pizza, 7 for a slice, 4 dollars for cool drink and chips for 8 dollars was highway robbery to say the least. Only when they had half price stock to knock off post match was it worth it. Drinks I was not complaining about as they seemed to be in touch with other NPLWAU grounds and pub prices on the acceptable side of the scale.

However let us talk about the game shall we? Stirling fought valiantly throughout the game but the sheer difference in class and playing against a team of professionals was the difference. Lack of discipline and tired legs gave way and Brisbane ran out 4-0 winners. The last 20 or so minutes was where it fell apart for Stirling after keeping the defending A-League champions to a one goal lead at half time and showing signs of promise at the start of the second half.

However the Wednesday night was a different match altogether. Bayswater were a far better unit and were pushing Melbourne throughout the match. However again due to the difference in one side being semi pro chinks in the armour were apparent and Melbourne scored two goals; one in each half. Bayswater did have moments where they looked incredibly threatening and could have pipped a goal back but Melbourne's defence was just too strong and too disciplined. No food or drink was tried on the Wednesday night after a carbon copy of what was on offer on Tuesday. I have to disclose I did not buy a pizza for 25 dollars, just a slice but I saw plenty of people who oddly were happy to part ways with that amount of money for oily soggy cardboard dressed up as pizza.

While it is great to see Australia finally with a knock out competition there are many issues that now need to be looked that. NPLWAU sides need to look at upgrading their facilities to move with the modern times and to prove to the FFA that they are still relevant and not a nuisance. FFA and Football West need to discuss these issues better with the NPLWAU sides so they are not 'left in the dark' when it comes to these issues. With 1100 odd coming on Tuesday and 1600 showing up on the Wednesday, that in itself is a glowing endorsement from the football public of Perth that the FFA Cup is a great idea and that finally the connection severed by the FFA between A-League and non league clubs can now be re-established.

UWA Too Strong For Cottesloe

Went to my first RugbyWA Premier Grade Final between University of Western Australia against Cottesloe at the UWA Sports Fields behind Challenge, I mean HBF Stadium in Mt Claremont.

Besides a WAFL grand final or a regular Perth Glory match I have never (I could be wrong here) experienced the abundant nature of eftpos at the venue. The entry was 10 dollars and you could pay by cash or card. Given the stereotypical demographic in Western Australia you could say to me of course this was to be expected but it is time Australia moved with the times as through my travels I have seen this happen rather often.

UWA were in control for most of the game but there were moments where Cottesloe's hard work and persistence paid off for two tries after a rather unrewarding first half for them. Cottesloe had a player sent off in the second half for a dangerous tackle that turned the UWA player up off the ground and landed upside down. A small fight broke out between the two sides due to the situation but no sin-bins from the scuffles. UWA ended up Pindan Premier Grade winners 16 points to 13.

As for food there was the usual rubbish that i refused to buy as it was Mrs Macs pies and sausage rolls etc. The point is to sample food provided by the respective home side's own dedicated thankless volunteers providing much needed sustenance for the fans watching the games consuming beverages of the alcoholic variety.

They did have a hot dog, burger and boerewors stand which i sampled. The boerewors were 6 dollars and well while delicious 6 dollars is a rip off. Hot dogs were at 3 dollars and that is a reasonable price for them at any sporting venue in Perth.

UWA sports fields had alcohol available with spirits at 8 dollars and many beers at the 7 dollar range. I was on this occasion having a few Bundaberg Reds as they are not sold often at venues and is a nicer variety of Bundaberg rum premixed.

If you are not doing anything on a sunday and enjoy your rugby then perhaps you should consider heading down to watch your local premier grade side for next seasons competition. Despite the slightly expensive food it was a great day out.

Swans Clipped By Knights

Was a spur of the moment trip this one but decided that I haven't been to Nash Field for a reasonable amount of time and this particular Saturday was their time to host the good old punctual football fan on a cool overcast day.

Swan IC were completely dominated from the game that I saw which was the second half and bits of the first. A complete shambles as the poor keeper had to bark orders to try and stem the flow of goals accumulating for the home side. I am no 'expert' in football but when there is a corner about to be taken and your keeper yells at you to man the near and or far posts, it is a great idea you listen to him and not stand next to him looking like you are holding his hand in a sing-a-long at a barnyard church.

Western Knights won the match easily 5-0 and with some unusual referee decisions and one brain fart from the Swan keeper assuming the referee would blow the whistle for an offside yet called advantage and a back pass could have gone horribly wrong and been goal number 6 for the Mosman Park side.

Well, food never fails at this ground and it is a real shame that life in the state league division 1 has shown the crowds have moved onto 'bigger and better things' (hopefully not Subiaco AFC?) as the food served here is something that you would drive across town to sample!

Once again Chevapi burgers and the cups of chevapi were pure mouth watering gems with chips being served and hot dogs and burgers with patties but why would you want those when their flagship items have you hooked like a drug? Burger was 6 dollars and the cups were the same price. They also had chocolates for 2 dollars and cool drink for 2.50. Once again this time round I couldn't have any drinks as I was driving.

Once again another pleasurable experience at Nash Field, let us hope that things progress well for them and a return to NPLWAU is in the near future!

The Open Space Offensive

Hamersley Rovers today were the lucky recipients of my presence today and albeit a couple of minutes late I saw 5 goals scored in a very entertaining match. Hamersley Rovers hosted Fremantle Croatia and a wave of nostalgia washed over me as I haven't been down to Carine Open Space to watch football in perhaps at least 15 years.

Fremantle were in control for large passages of play and were really pressing Hamersley down the near wing beating a very tired and spent number 12 who despite fighting valiantly to keep Fremantle's attackers at bay just wasn't enough and the match ended with Fremantle scoring 6 to 3. As I missed the first 15 minutes of the game must have been a flurry of goals I missed as i only saw the last 5 of the match!

The first goal was a bit of a walk in from Fremantle and then they were starting to fall asleep when Hamersley pegged it back with a very impressive strike from outside the box to level. Fremantle then hit the lead again on the counter and took it to the far post then having a cross get deflected by the defender to let it roll in to the back of the net.

With the Rovers starting to tail away their number 7 struck the ball well from outside the box on the near wing to level the scores. It looked like it was to remain that way until the Rovers capitulated seconds to the final whistle on another counter from unrelenting pressure from Fremantle.

The canteen run by Hamersley was very good with cool drink at 2 dollars and hot dogs at 3 dollars. Very delicious and chocolates and lollies at 1.50 and an assortment of snacks with 2 volunteers manning the fort I must commend them for providing us all with delicious snack to keep us going watching the match. Once again due to my driving situation I did not have anything to drink for this match my apologies to the readers!

The Big Blue

Thought for a change to watch some rugby first grade and despite a few conflicting fixture listings made to Hartfield Park to watch Nedlands 'host' Cottesloe in the neutral venue of Kalamunda's home ground as it was the premier grade semi finals.

Was a very tight contest with a few errors from both sides that maintained the close score but was Cottesloe that prevailed 27 to 26. Was incredibly confusing who was who was Cottesloe play in light blue and dark blue hoops and Nedlands in royal blue with yellow trim that was hard to see. But that is the beauty of rugby union, very annoying similar shirts to the casual observer ha-ha!

They had at the bar Tui for 5 dollars and Tooheys Extra Dry for similar price but rather go for a slightly better tasting beer as Tui while watching the game. Unfortunately the canteen ran out of food as they didn't expect such a run on the bar with the rather hungry and thirsty supporters! At least they had the bar continuing! Crisps were a bit expensive though but sadly were they only thing available to eat due to the 'great clean-out'!

Battle for Croatia

Decided to venture down to Len Packham Reserve to watch Fremantle Croatia host Gwelup Croatia in a MySolar Sunday Premier League fixture which was I must say quite a contest. Was great to also see a very sizable crowd there and that could easily rival a Subiaco AFC NPLWAU or State League division 1 fixture.

After being to a few Gwelup matches where they play in black home shirts it was a little confusing to find out that Fremantle too, wear black as home shirts with Gwelup wearing the more customary red shirt, customary I guess growing up and watching Western Knights and the great Melbourne Knights play in red.

Anyway the game was a thoroughly entertaining match with the game going end to end and a few rash challenges but nothing too controversial. The only decision of note was a rather 'easy' fall in the box awarded to Fremantle for a penalty but was saved by the Gwelup keeper. Fremantle were in control the whole game but a brilliant strike from outside the box to beat the keeper at the far post in the top corner and another strike this time on the left wing to hit into the top right of the net were the highlights of the match.

Fremantle ran out 4-2 winners over Gwelup; however the action didn't stop there as the food is what also made it a great day out! The ćevapi burger was absolutely stunning. I would have to say it rivals the great burgers produced at Western Knights games, it was mouth-watering pleasure. The bread was fresh the tomato was nice and lettuce was not feeling like it had sand in it (Take note Perth restaurants and burger chains, wash your lettuce!) and sauce really wasn't overpowering the rest of the burger. With it priced at 5 dollars it was very reasonable, throw in a 2 dollar can of cool drink and made it even better.

Chocolates and lollies were 2 dollars and that was very reasonable. They had beers available but this occasion because I was driving I didn't try any alcoholic beverages on this occasion. My apologies all however they had plenty there and Heineken was a beer of choice there I noticed. 

If you are starving and want a good feed head down to Len Packham Reserve in Coolbellup on a Fremantle home match and taste some of the best football burgers you will ever have!