Previews for all of the matches from the upcoming Round 13 Football West State Premier League supported by PowerPlay Sports & The Sunday Times.

The Football West State Premier League moves into Round 13 this weekend with the top four teams all looking to consolidate their positions at the top of the table against teams in the bottom five.

The Match of the Week will take us to Hyundai Stadium where fifth placed Perth visit sixth placed Mandurah City in what promises to be an entertaining match full of goals and excitement. The Dolphins have been hot and cold so far this season, whilst their defence is prone to conceding goals, their attack with 36 goals is the equal most potent in the league with table topping Sorrento.

The reason for the glut of goals is thanks to City’s attacking triumvirate of Phil O’Callaghan (14 goals), Andy Brown (8) and Shane Crampton (3). Each brings their own distinctive style to the forward structure and together they will keep even the best defenders busy. The Dolphins will be without suspended defender Ryan Townsend who will miss one match.

The Perth side has been another whose defence has leaked goals, with 23 having hit the back of the sky blues net however like Mandurah their attack is dangerous with the likes of the pacey Andreas Oliveira (10) and David Onoforo (9) leading the way. Andrija Jukic in midfield will provide the drive. It will however be up to the likes of ‘keeper Gareth Deeg and defenders Michael Icanovski and Gianfranco Circati to stop Mandurah if Perth, who will be missing the suspended Matt Danskin, is to entertain any thoughts of making the trip back up the freeway with all three points.

ECU Joondalup will entertain the Western Knights in what is a prelude to the Soccer Pools Cup semi final between the same two sides on August 20. Chris Nicholson’s side find themselves five points off a top four position and know that any points dropped against the Knights will mean an uphill battle for his side to break into the four come season’s end. Captain Ian McMurray is the inspiration for his side and will be looking to improve upon his 10 goals so far, while recent signing Garin Collins (4) will provide more than able backup.

The league campaign is all but done and dusted in 2008 for the Knights however with an upcoming Soccer Pools semi final clash against ECU, the Nash Field side will be looking for that mental edge with the players out to impress Ronnie Campbell to ensure their name is on the team sheet come August 20. The Knights have potential goal scorers all over the park and if young talent Anthony Skorich takes the field, will be confident of upsetting the home team.

Fourth placed Floreat Athena is once again at home, this time to the unpredictable Swan IC. Michael Roki’s champions are surging back into contention for the title after an early season hangover and will be eyeing off the three valuable points to maintain pressure on the top three.

Kiwi import Brad Scott is continuing to bang in the goals with 10 so far and will be the spearhead in attack with Daniel Niederberger (4) providing the support. Athena will have to do without the services of Rafael Insurralde who is suspended following a red card against Mandurah City last weekend. Swan will be looking to the red hot Damian Scali (13) to take something from the match, but their defence will be the key, 27 goals against suggests a tough time for Swans keeper Cory Hugo.

Fremantle are once again at their new home of Wauhop Park, but the challenge doesn’t get any easier with third placed high flyers Cockburn City the visitors. Mirko Jelicic will be penciling in three points for his side as they look to keep pace with the leaders. The coach should have a full complement of players to choose from after recent injuries and suspensions. The Cockerels should prove too good for a Fremantle side whose solitary point this season was picked up more than four weeks ago. Fremantle coach Marc Wingell knows it is now or never for his embattled side in their bid to avoid relegation back to Division One.

Armadale will be without the suspended John Lund as they welcome league leaders Sorrento to Alfred Skeet. Armadale have been on the improve in the last month and will be no push over for a Sorrento side who are scoring goals almost at will. Todd Harnwell is the competition’s leading scorer with 14 and is ably assisted by Stuart Montgomery (9) and Scott Bulloch (6). Armadale coach Brad Hassell will need to coerce top performances from James Robinson, Scott Devine and Gary Faria to force a result.

In the Sunday match at Macedonia Park, Stirling Lions play host to surprise package Inglewood United. The Lions have been disappointing this season and have thus far not lived up to their own standards with an inconsistent 4-4-4 win, draw and loss record. Inglewood on the other hand has been the dark horse with eight wins in 12 games. Lee Bamber has his side playing a brand of team football, and will be looking for the crucial three points that can not only keep his side in the title hunt, but go one step further to securing a top four spot.

Full Fixtures:
Saturday July 19:
3.00pm - ECU Joondalup v Western Knights @ ECU University
3.00pm – Floreat Athena v Swan IC @ E&D Litis Stadium
3.00pm – Fremantle v Cockburn @ Wauhop Park
3.00pm – Armadale v Sorrento @ Alfred Skeet Oval
5.30pm – Mandurah City v Perth SC @ Hyundai Stadium (MOTW)
Sunday July 20:
3.00pm – Stirling Lions v Inglewood United @ Macedonia Park