A brace from Perth Glory trialist Anthony Skorich helped the Western Knights to a 5-3 victory against Swan IC in Round Six of the Football West Premier Division at Nash Field.

The Knights overpowered the Swans in the second half to bounce back from two heavy defeats in the league and kick start their season.

Ronnie Campbell’s side began well and were in front on two minutes. Daniel Micevski’s corner was headed back across goal by Cormac Dawson and Skorich’s shot crashed off the crossbar before Rory Grant poked home from close-range.

It was almost 2-0 on five minutes Cory Hugo’s clearance was charged down by Skorich but the keeper recovered to save.

The visitors settled and had a penalty claim turned down on 12 minutes after David Perich fell in the box from a Josip Peran challenge but referee Paul Anderson waved away their protests. 

A long-range shot from Barry Devlin flew wide but on 23 minutes the Knights doubled their lead. A long clearance found Skorich midway in the Swans half, the youngster still had a lot to do but he beat the last defender, Aaron Cole, and clinically lobbed the on-coming Cory Hugo.

Swans Coach Paul Lincoln changed his formation and it had an immediate impact, Damian Scali firing inches past the post after good work from Alex Cocking. But two goals in three minutes brought the visitors level.

First on 29 minutes Scali’s superb through ball sent John Mansaray clear, his first shot was blocked by Kevin Miller but the young Sierra Leone born midfielder fired home the rebound. Then on 32 minutes they equalised Dom Ando free kick was flicked on by Cole and Cocking fired home from close-range.

The Swans were well on top but the Knights defended well and hit on the counter attack, and they had claims for a penalty when Dawson was brought down by Mansaray in the box but the referee waved away their protests.

On the stroke of half time the Knights should have scored, Skorich was the provider this time his ball sent Daniel Micevski clear, there was a suspicion of off-side but the flag stayed down, but the midfielder fired wide with just Cory Hugo to beat. It was 2-2 at the break.

Just like the first half the Knights struck early, a rare error from young defender David McNally let in Skorich, his first time shot from 20-yards flew into the bottom left hand corner of the net past Cory Hugo to give the Knights back the lead.

What ever Campbell had said to his troops at half time was working as they continued to dominate, Grant’s goal bound shot was blocked by Cole but it wasn’t long before they increased their lead. On 56 minutes Daniel Micevski was found down the right by Luka Jukic, he beat two Swans defenders before cutting inside and firing low past Cory Hugo to make it 4-2.

The game was still up for grabs and both sides had chances in an entertaining game; Devlin couldn’t profit from a poor clearance from the Swans on 65 minutes his shot flying wide while Scorich almost added his third, his header from a Dawson cross was only inches wide. For the Swans David Perich fired wide from long-range and Cocking was denied by a superb save from Miller on 78 minutes.

The result was wrapped up on 80 minutes again the Swans defence were napping as Devlin fired home from 10-yards. To the Swans credit they continued to press and after Cocking’s shot on 83 minutes was blocked Brendan Knox was quickest to react and fired low past Miller, but it was too late and the Knights ran out 5-3 winners.

A good result for the Knights and Coach Ronnie Campbell was delighted after the game. “Yes very pleased with the victory but disappointed the way we conceded three sloppy goals.

“Our last league game here we lost 1-5 to Mandurah City so against a side like Swan who have started the season well it’s a great improvement,” said Campbell

On two goal hero Skorich, Campbell was pleased with his performance. “He’s a very special player, his goals today were very good, he’s an exceptional talent and he will go along way in the game,” explained Campbell.

Swan IC Coach Paul Lincoln said: “I was pleased with the way we fought back from 2-0 down to level, but defensively today I thought we were poor. We’ve worked hard this season on that area of our game but today we weren’t at the races and were punished by the Knights.”

Teams
Western Knights – GK Miller, Allen, Butler (David Micevski 69), Jukic (Fearon 74), Peran, Ferguson, Daniel Micevski (Macinko 77), Devlin, Skorich, Grant, Dawson

Subs not used – Chudy

Swan IC – GK Cory Hugo, Justin Hugo (Monterosso 52), Cole, Ando, McNally, Mansaray (Catalano 77), Tronchin (Mason 66), Scali, Perich, Cocking, Knox

Subs not used – Agudelo, Baczynski

Referee – Paul Anderson