ECU Joondalup has recorded their first win of the 2008 Football West Premier League season, seeing off a gallant Western Knights side 2-0 at Nash Field on Saturday.

Goals from Tommy Amphlett and Ian McMurray gave ECU all three points; however, it was a tight struggle as the visitors were forced to play with 10 men for much of the 2nd half, after former Knights player John Thornley was sent off following a 2nd booking in a few minutes.

It was a tight start to the contest with neither side really penetrating the opposition defence in the first 30 minutes. Joondalup did look the more threatening up front however, with the aerial abilities of Ian McMurray and Jon Higgins a constant concern for the Knights backline.

After a couple of wayward attempts on goal from the visitors, they had the ball in the back of the net eight minutes before half time when Tommy Amphlett made a darting run through the Knights defence before curling a superb strike past goalkeeper Kevin Miller.

The visitors took a deserved lead into the half time break after having majority of the possession.

Ronnie Campbell seemed to get stuck into his troops at the interval as the home side came out a totally different outfit after the break and looked likely to tie scores up on a number of occasions.

Striker Anthony Fearon had his point blank header tipped away by the ever reliable Tommi Tomich, who was featuring in his first game at Nash Field following his move north.

Fearon’s strike partner Rory Grant was also unlucky minutes later when his header from Luka Jukic’s curling corner flew inches away from the goal.

The Knights were dominating the 2nd half and their chances of snatching a result were given a huge boost when John Thornley was given his 2nd yellow of the match after raising the elbow in a challenge with Knights defender Josip Peran.

The visitors defended tightly as the match ticked on and Rory Grant had a golden chance to level proceedings in the 72nd minute when he found himself free with just the goalkeeper to beat but once again Tomich was up to the task, blocking out the effort.

With the Knights pressing for the equalizer, it was the visitors who stunned the home side when they doubled their lead on 76 minutes. Big striker Ian McMurray the beneficiary of a lapse at the back, easily finishing past goalkeeper Kevin Miller to seal the match.

Joondalup will take plenty of confidence down to Mandurah next weekend as they look to consolidate against the competition new boys while Western Knights face a tough away battle against a rejuvenated Inglewood United.

Football West Match Reporter: Beau Crompton