NPL WA Preview: Armadale tickled pink as it prepares for Inglewood test

ARMADALE’S desperate quest to climb up the rungs of the National Premier Leagues WA (NPL WA) table has not dampened the club’s charitable spirit.

This weekend, starting tomorrow when Armadale host league leaders Inglewood United at Alfred Skeet Reserve, the club will have a distinctly pink tone in support of the McGrath Foundation.

All its teams will wear pink socks as the club hosts a Pull on Your Socks event to raise money for McGrath Breast Care nurses. Fundraising will continue at Morgan Park on Sunday for the club’s junior activities.

Reserves coach Chris Finlayson has been behind the push to support a worthy cause.

“The club is really excited to be on board with a fantastic charity,” he said.

“We are looking at different charities each year and it is great that all teams – juniors, amateurs, women’s and NPL – have come on board to support a great cause.

“We are hoping local businesses, club sponsors, parents and the wider community will come down on the day with donations – it can be as little as a gold coin – and enjoy the raffles and festivities.”

There will be little charity on the pitch, as Armadale battle to climb away from last-placed Subiaco, who are two points behind the Alfred Skeet side.

The possibility of relegation from the NPL WA has not been lost on the teams battling near the bottom, as All Flags State League Division One leaders Mandurah City, and fellow title challengers, eye the prospect of promotion.

After a five-match losing stretch that left it bottom of the table, Armadale produced a stunning 1-0 win over defending champions Bayswater City before last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Cockburn City.

But Inglewood, who are on 36 points, will be keen to return to winning ways after failing to secure maximum points in their past two matches, which has allowed Bayswater to cut its lead to just one.

Failure by Inglewood to win against Armadale will leave the door ajar for Bayswater (35 points) or Perth (34) to seize the lead. The arch rivals clash at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday with Perth seeking victory after last weekend’s surprise loss to Perth Glory.

The A-League club’s NPL side, which is in 10th position and just two points ahead of Armadale, takes on ECU Joondalup at ECU Football Stadium, while Subiaco hosts Cockburn City, who have a point more than Glory.

Floreat Athena, who were edged 2-1 by A-League side Melbourne City in a midweek FFA Cup match, resume their NPL WA push at home to Balcatta, and Stirling Lions are at home to Sorrento.

FIXTURES

Saturday, August 6

Armadale v Inglewood United (Alfred Skeet Reserve, 3pm) Floreat Athena v Balcatta (E&D Litis Stadium, 3pm) ECU Joondalup v Perth Glory (ECU Football Stadium, 3pm) Stirling Lions v Sorrento (Macedonia Park, 3pm) Subiaco v Cockburn City (Rosalie Park, 3pm)

Sunday, August 7

Perth SC v Bayswater City (Dorrien Gardens, 3pm)