E.C.U. Joondalup ended league leaders Swan IC’s unbeaten start to the season with a 3-2 victory in round four of the Football West Premier Division at the E.C.U. University Arena. The home side were strolling at 3-0 after 41 minutes with goals from Ian McMurray, Tommy Amphlett and Scott Bushby. The Swans hit back with Damian Scali scoring twice but E.C.U. hung on for the points.

Willie McNally’s side opened brightly and were close on four minutes, Darren Broxton’s free kick headed inches wide by Craig Simpson. The onslaught continued with Amphlett a constant threat down the right. His darting run and cross on 20 minutes found Tommy Jones whose shot on the turn was tipped around the post by Cory Hugo.

It was all hand to the pumps for the Swans defence and their first chance came on 26 minutes, Robert Monterosso’s cross from the right headed just wide by John Mansaray.

However the opening goal came for the home side on 28 minutes, Jon Higgins made space down the left, his cut back from the bye line found the unmarked McMurray who headed into the top corner from six-yards.

It was a deserved lead to E.C.U. and they were rewarded again 60 seconds later. Amphlett’s volley from 20-yards beat Cory Hugo at his near post to double his sides lead.

The Swans pressed forward looking to get back into the game, David Perich sent Alex Cocking clear on 35 minutes but a superb covering tackle from Anthony Jones saved the day.

Moments later Perich carved his way through four defenders only to be brought down by Simpson in the box, referee Hugh Best waved away the Swans appeal for a penalty. 

E.C.U. still looked dangerous on the break and they made it 3-0 on 41 minutes. Amphlett was the architect again; he beat two Swans defenders out on the right before crossing to Bushby who scored from close-range.

But sixty seconds later the Swans were back in the game, a long ball sent Cocking clear and the youngster was brought down by Tommi Tomich and referee Best pointed to the spot. Scali kept his nerve and sent Tomich the wrong way to make it 3-1.

The Swans were pressing late in the half and went within inches of a second on the stroke of half time. A free kick on the edge of the box from Perich crashed down off the crossbar on to the line and was cleared by a grateful Martin Ashworth.

Higgins fired wide for the hosts in the opening minutes of the second half and Perich’s long-range shot was off target for the Swans as both sides pressed. Higgins was involved again on 70 minutes he combined with second half substitute Craig Young, whose shot was superbly saved by Cory Hugo.

It was game on moments later when the visitors reduced the lead, a great run and cross from the left by Brendan Knox on 71 minutes found the unmarked Scali who fired low past Tomich from close-range.

Both sides went close in the final 15 minutes but the best chance fell to the Swans in injury-time. An in-direct free kick was awarded in the box by the referee as the Swans appealed for a penalty. Perich had his shot blocked by the E.C.U. wall and his follow up cross was claimed by Tomich.

There was still time, seven minutes extra time to be precise, Higgins goal bound shot was blocked by Aaron Cole and second half substitute Karl Breen found Knox wide his cross to a packed penalty box was claimed by Tomich, to the relief of the home supporters.

E.C.U. coach McNally was delighted with the victory. “I thought we played well today and deserved the win. We gave away a couple of sloppy goals which put under pressure but it was a great victory,” said McNally.

E.C.U. Joondalup – GK Tomich, Higgins, Simpson, Blackmore, A. Jones, Amphlett, Bushby, Broxton, Ashworth, McMurray, T. Jones (Young 64)

Subs not used – Koroma, Durkin, Donlevy

Swan IC – GK C. Hugo, J. Hugo, McNally, Cole, Knox, Scali, Mansaray (Mahady 89), Perich, Ando, Monterosso (Mason 40), Cocking (Brean 83)

Subs not used – Sutton

Referee – Hugh Best

Peter Simcox,