NATIONAL Premier Leagues WA (NPL WA) newcomers Joondalup United and Mandurah City will clash for the first time in round 2 this weekend.
Mandurah impressed during the Night Series on its way to a grand final loss to Bayswater City, but had an early set-back in the league in round 1 when it lost 3-1 to Perth SC.
Last season’s State League Division One winners Joondalup United made a strong start to its NPL WA campaign when it earned a 2-2 draw in a derby match against ECU Joondalup.
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READ NOWJoondalup United coach Nick Jennings will be hoping for more of the same against Mandurah after his side’s fighting spirit led to a late Matt Sparrow penalty earning a point against ECU.
“We do play some good football, but it’s not rocket science,” Jennings said.
“We give it our all, we kiss the badge, and go out there and put in 100 per cent.”
The clash between last season’s promoted teams will be played at Percy Doyle Reserve on Sunday night.
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Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell will go into round 2 feeling confident after his team’s 5-1 victory over Balcatta last weekend.
Harnwell felt the victory came as a result of hitting the back of the net at crucial times.
“I thought our finishing was superb last week, especially in the second half,” he said.
“We will continue to play a good brand of football whilst being hard to break down and we are confident that if we do that, we will always be in with a chance of winning the game.”
Harnwell is ready for a challenge on Sunday night from Inglewood, who came back from 2-0 down to draw with Bayswater City in round 1.
“They showed a great deal of resolve last week. But we are confident in the ability of our players and the way the coaches have prepared the team to be able to match Inglewood and push towards taking the three points,” he said.
In other matches on Sunday, ECU Joondalup will take on Armadale at ECU Joondalup Football Stadium and Stirling Lions meet Perth SC at Macedonia Park.
Tomorrow, Perth Glory face Floreat Athena at E&D Litis Stadium and Cockburn City plays Balcatta at Dalmatinac Park.
The match between Bayswater and Subiaco has been postponed until further notice due to the extreme heat forecast for the weekend.