14/09/2023
STATE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE/DIVISION TWO PLAYOFFS - SEMI FINAL SECOND LEG PREVIEW
There is everything to play for in the second legs of the State League First Division/Second Division Promotion/Relegation Play-offs, with all teams still in the mix to reach the final. In the first game, Subiaco AFC head to the Swan Italian Club, Francis Street (3pm), holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg, after a brace from Kaleb Morrison, but a late goal from Brennan Borzecki has given the Swans a huge boost, but they will be without skipper Michael Yarker, who was sent off in game.
Swan United coach Colin Morgan said last week’s loss was disappointing, but the sending off had a huge say in the way the game went, and they are looking to make emends on Saturday. “Look, a disappointing result last week, but the away goal however is massive, and playing the best part of 60 minutes with ten men and managing to get a goal gives us a chance going into this week,” Morgan said. “The lads are furious with the outcome from last week and want to right those wrongs at home. The tie is not beyond us at all, we know where we need to be better from last week, and if we get going at home, we think we are every chance of getting the job done.”
Subiaco striker Gavin Knight, who had a successful stint at Swan a few years ago, said the tie is still not won, and they have been told all week by coach Marc Wingell the same. “Yes, Marc has definitely been drilling it into us all week, saying we only got one foot in the door, and we shouldn’t take Swan for granted,” he said. “We need to stick to game plan and get an early goal. But the confidence is high in the camp, but we all know football is football, and anything can happen.”
In the other semi-final takes us to Maida Vale Reserve (3pm), where the game between Curtin University and Maddington-Kalamunda White City is evenly poised, after the 1-1 draw in the first leg at Edinburgh Oval. Simone Sichel gave the hosts the lead, but Nicolas Roca scored a stunner to level things up, but Curtin will go into Saturday’s game without Scott Geare, who was sent off in the game. Maddington striker Farruh Mavlonov said last week was a great game, but thought a draw was a fair result, and he is expecting more of the same on Saturday. “Yes, it was a tough first leg away at Curtin and I think the draw was a fair result. Their pitch was dry and not in great condition, making it hard for us to play our usual good brand of football.
“It was crucial for us to get a late away goal, and we're happy with the result. Going into Saturday’s game we are undefeated in the league at home, and we hope to keep it that way to reach the final. Even though a 0-0 will see us through on away goal rule, we will be coming down to play for a big win. We have always played an attractive brand of football on our nice pitch, and the boys are buzzing to enjoy the game and win on the weekend. I'm confident we will get the job done in front of a big, loud home crowd.”
Cutin coach Troy Reid said the first leg draw was fair, but they are looking forward to the challenge at Maida Vale, and knows if they play at their best, they can get the right result. “The first leg was a tight game and both teams had chances to win it, but a draw was a fair result in the end,” the coach said. “There’s a buzz around the group at the moment as to how close we are to making the playoff final. But this weekend will be a tough game as Maddington haven’t lost at home all year. We’ve been working hard on a few areas of our game this week and I’m confident that if we play at our best, we can get the job done.”
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