The opening round of the 2008 Football West State League Premier Division season brought upsets galore. The biggest was at Hyundai Stadium on Saturday evening were newly promoted Mandurah City beat Champions Floreat Athena 2-1. Ryan McDarby and Stuart Young were on target for the home side with Garin Collins scoring for Athena, a result that sent shock waves through the whole league.

Runners-up last season Perth SC was surprisingly held 2-2 by E.C.U. Joondalup at the ECU University Arena on Saturday afternoon. Graham Normanton’s side led 2-0 at the break with a brace from David Onoforo. But second half goals from John Thornley, his first for his new club since his move from Western Knights, and skipper Ian McMurray levelled the scores.

Another surprise came at Macedonia Park on Sunday afternoon where Stirling Lions, who finished third last season, were beaten 1-0 by Western Knights. In a hard fought game Knights new recruit Barry Devlin scored to give the Nash Field side a perfect start to their new season. 

In other games Swan IC prevailed 3-1 against Cockburn City at Francis Street, with 17-year-old Alex Cocking, Damien Scali and Justin Hugo on target for the black and whites, while Johnny Mirco scored the Cockerels consolation goal.
 
Sorrento opened their new campaign with a 3-1 win against Fremantle Spirit at Percy Doyle Reserve. Stuart Banks, Glen Thomas and new signing Stuart Montgomery were on target for Steve Neville’s side, with Callum Roberts replying for the port side. James Sammut, Bobby Despotovski and Michael Baczynski found the net in Inglewood United's 3-1 away win at Armadale whose goal came from Shannon Daley.

Results, Tables and Fixtures
Premier Division
 Division One

Match Reports
 - Mandurah v Floreat  including video highlights! 
 - ECU v Perth S.C.
 - Swan I.C. v Cockburn
 - Armadale v Inglewood
 - Sorrento v Fremantle
 - Stirling Lions v Western Knights

Division One Wrap
The first round of the Football West first division season opened up with a goal feast at the Wotton Reserve where Wanneroo City were involved in a ten goal thriller against Morley Windmills to give their new coach Gerry McEwan a great start back in the first division.
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PREVIEWS
Perth Soccer Club won the pre-season McInerney Ford Night Series, and after a second place in the table last year will fancy their chances of going one better in 2008. Last year’s third placed Stirling Lions also have reason to be optimistic, winning the 2007 SoccerPools Cup and performing strongly all through the lead-up to this weekend.

At the other end of the table, Mandurah City are the first team from the southern town to play in the top flight of WA football and will want to acquit themselves well in the Premier League. Staying up in the League will be their first goal, and turning the long trip down to Mandurah into a nightmare visit for other clubs will go a long way towards achieving that.

The Western Knights face a tough re-building year, however, the success of their junior program last season gives their supporters plenty of reason for hope. ECU Joondalup have lost some quality players in the off-season, while Inglewood see the return of Bobby Despotovski into the fold as a player for the best part of the season.

Cockburn and Armadale will again provide some of the largest and most passionate support in the league, while Sorrento will be looking to turn a good pre-season into a good league in 2008. And while Swan IC will be looking to recapture the form of 2003 and 2004, Fremantle will be hoping that they can consistently show the form that in glimpses has troubled the best in the league.

And of course, there is always the question – who from the class of 2008 will impress enough to earn a chance at the A-League level? Last year’s two top strikers, Jerry Karpeh and Nikita Ruytaksvya, have gone on the Perth Glory, and in Ruytaksvya’s case, all the way to the national team. ECU Joondalup’s Mark Anthony and Mark Lee have gone on to the Scottish League and the A-League respectively as well. Who will the new stars of 2008 be and who will pick up the coveted McInerney Ford Gold medal and that shiny new Ford Fiesta??

State League Division One

This year’s battle for the single promotion place in Division One promises to be a nip and tuck contest, with several clubs harbouring hope of emulating 2007 champions, Mandurah City, and taking the express elevator to the top flight.

South West Phoenix are among the favourites to take top spot. The Bunbury-based outfit have the makings of a formidable unit while Ashfield, last season’s runners-up, will be keen to show that they remain a force despite the departures of coach Salv Todaro and key player Damien Todorovic. Canning City, who finished fifth last time around, have retained most of their key men and will be looking to last the distance in 2008. The same goes for Queens Park; after last year’s mediocre showing they have signalled their intent with a clutch of new signings.

Bayswater endured a disappointing League season in 2007, but after several key arrivals and the appointment of new coach Michael Di Fulvio during the summer, they should be capable of improving on last season’s seventh place finish. Despite a change at the helm, with Tom Kilkelly taking over from Brad Hassell (now coaching Armadale),

Morley-Windmills will also be fancying their chances of bettering last year’s mid-table finish. After below-par 2007 seasons both Rockingham City and Balcatta will be eager to restore pride. New manager Salv Todaro has a strong squad at Balcatta… if he can get them to perform (a feat that has eluded a good many of his predecessors). At Rockingham Paul O’Brien has a developing team and will be striving to convert their potential into something tangible. Wanneroo City will certainly be a team to look out for after their relegation from the Premier League, but the loss of several players could limit their chances of success under new coach Gerry McEwan.

Dianella were unpredictable during 2007, as were Gosnells City; both will be seeking improved consistency this year. And, last but not least, a quick mention for Forrestfield who, with their youngster-studded squad, have the potential to emerge as the League’s dark horses, maybe even top dogs.