League leaders Sorrento host northern neighbours Stirling Lions in the Round 14 Football West Match of the Week at Percy Doyle Reserve. The Gulls are still perched on top of the tree despite being held to a 2-2 draw against Armadale last time out and will need to regain their form if they are to hold top spot, with the usual suspects of Floreat and Perth closing in.

The Sorrento attack is one of the most feared in the league however they may have to do without Scott Bulloch again as he is wanted by Perth Glory for the Saturday night pre-season clash with Melbourne Victory. Key men in the midfield for the Gulls will be Lewis Flatt and Glen Thomas while state ‘keeper Neil Young will be between the sticks, however Scott McDonald will be suspended which will leave a big hole in the Gulls back four.

The Lions have been fielding virtual youth teams in recent weeks due to injuries, suspensions and unavailability, however they still managed to record a terrific 4-2 win over high flying Inglewood and will be looking to repeat the trick against Sorrento. Dean Evans is one of the Lions’ brightest stars; however the youngster will need to be on his game to curb the influential Todd Harnwell, the competition’s leading scorer so far, whilst Jordan Rhodes and Ludo Boi will be the inspiration for their side through the midfield.

Perth will be looking to maintain their recent run of good form with another three points over visitors Swan IC. The sky blues have been hovering in mid table for most of the season but now find themselves within striking distance of the top, and coach Graham Normanton will accept nothing less than victory. David Onoforo and Andreas Oliviera continue to bang in the goals and the Swans defensive linchpin Aaron Cole will be charged with the responsibility of stopping the duo.

ECU Joondalup v Mandurah City
ECU University, Saturday @ 3.00pm

Mandurah City will be looking to halt their slide down the league table when they make the most northern trip of their season to ECU Joondalup. The Dolphins have been outclassed in recent weeks firstly by Floreat and then by Perth and need to find form quickly if they are to keep in touch for a top four position. ECU are coming off a tough 3-2 win over the Knights in the last round and attacking trio Ian McMurray, John Thornley and Garin Collins will be eyeing some goals against a defence that is prone to conceding them.

The pacesetters less than a month ago, recent form has been indifferent for the Cockerels and they face another tough test against the always improving Armadale. Brad Hassell has finally got a competitive team out on the park as evidenced by their fantastic showing last weekend with 10 men, when they drew with Sorrento. Cockburn coach Mirko Jelicic knows that points dropped here will mean his side has to play catch up for the remainder of the season.

Floreat Athena will be hot favourites to pick up all three points as cellar dwellers Fremantle are the visitors to Litis Stadium. Michael Roki has overseen his side’s surge up the table to be within two points of top spot and ready to maintain the pressure on Sorrento. The Fremantle side picked up only their second point of the season last weekend against Cockburn City however the odds will be against them repeating the effort this time out.

Inglewood United face a tough trip to Nash Field after dropped points against Stirling last weekend prevented Lee Bamber’s men from going into top spot. The Knights faithful will ensure Inglewood aren’t given an easy ride and will be making sure the visitors fight for the points they require to keep pace at the top. Inglewood will be confident in the fact they took the three points from Nash Field last season in a 2-1 victory.