08.03.08 - Montgomery hat-trick sinks his former club - night Series Round Four

A hat-trick from Stuart Montgomery (below) gave ECU a came from behind 4-1 victory against his former club Western Knights in round four of the McInerney Ford Night Series last night at the E&D Litis Stadium.

Scott Blackmore and Craig Young were available, and defender John Higgins began a five match ban, so Coach Willie McNally brought in Anthony Jones at centre half, Darren Broxton came in centre midfield, and Phil O’Callaghan started on the right replacing youngster Tommy Amphlett, who dropped to the bench.

The first half was a fairly dull affair dominated by Western Knights, Matt Allen gave them the lead and they looked lively up front with Michael De Souza in particular looking sharp and only several fine saves by Bobson Karoma prevented the Knights from extending their lead.

The best chance fell to Scott Bulloch, but his long-range shot sailed over but generally the Knights looked the better side, and thoroughly deserved their 1-0 lead at the break.

ECU looked much sharper following the break and responded with an equaliser when a cleverly worked free kick ended with Montgomery turning the defender to finish in style.

Bushby made a forceful run through the middle as he attempted to intercept a back pass from the Knights centre half, resulting in the Beau Geerlings lunging at the midfielder in a vain attempt to stop him scoring. Geerlings was sent off and Montgomery scored from the spot to make it 2-1.

ECU was now dominating and from a corner, Jones flicked on at the near post to make it 3-1.

Amphlett replaced Broxton as ECU went in search of further goals and were rewarded when Montgomery completed his hat trick with a shot into the top corner to make it 4-1.

Late on youngster Jarred Bracewell made his senior debut, and Ryan McDarby replaced the hat-trick hero Montgomery.

Scott Bushby (left) was again a stand out for ECU with energetic display. Montgomery now has five goals in the night series already as his partnership with Ian McMurray starts to blossom. Another win means next weeks game against Perth should decide whether we make the semi-final or not.

Montgomery’s hat-trick was tainted with a little sadness; the veteran striker had been at the Nash Field club for a long time. He said: “I didn’t celebrate any of my goals tonight.

“Yes its always nice to score a hat trick but I am not going to rub it into the Knights as it hurts me big time to see them struggling.

“I really hope they can turn it around and I wish all the best to Ronnie and Willie and the Knights boys as it is a fantastic club with a proud tradition.”

ECU Joondalup Team - GK Karoma, Mirco, Jones, Donlevy, Ashworth, O’Callaghan (Bracewell), Bushby, Broxton (Amphlett), Bullock, Montgomery (McDarby), McMurray

Sub not used Hindley

ECU hammer home their advantage against the Swans - Night Series Round three

E.C.U. Joondalup swept their way into semi-final contention with a 5-1 demolition of Swan I.C. in Friday's spiteful opening match at Dorrien Gardens. The opening spell was memorable only for its lack of opportunities and scrappy play as the two sides slugged it out with neither able to assert their authority.

The game was in desperate need of resuscitation when the ball was turned over Tom Shepheard threaded a pass through to Alex Cocking who held his nerve to rifle past goalkeeper debutant keeper Bobson Koroma.

Awoken from their slumbers, Joondalup responded with a period of sustained pressure and were rewarded as Ian McMurray rose highest to head in a corner from the right by Tommy Amphlett.

With some rash challenges being put in, referee Joe Fusarti maintained control with a series of bookings but would have been justified had he flashed Martin Ashworth and Dom Ando a card of a different colour after they clashed heatedly.

Joondalup gained the advantage shortly after when Scott Bushby curled the ball around the approaching 'keeper after being played through by Scott Blackmore.

With the next goal likely to determine the game, the second half opened with Cocking hitting the post following a swift Swan counter attack, while Bushby squandered a golden opportunity by blazing high from the penalty spot.

Stuart Montgomery's introduction on 65 minutes proved a masterstroke by Coach Willie McNally as within a minute the one-time State striker delicately chipped Swans keeper Daniel Agudelo to increase Joondalup's advantage.

The points were made safe by McMurray who raced clear of a stagnant defence and round the 'keeper before slotting in. Montgomery had a point to prove and with five minutes remaining scored an audacious second goal by looping the ball over Agudelo with his back to goal. David Perich should have bagged a Swan a late consolation but instead lifted the ball high from the spot.

24.02.08 - ECU leaves it late to beat Inglewood - night series Round Two

A goal in the 90th minutes from Scott Bulloch gave ECU Joondalup a 1-0 victory against Inglewood United in Saturday night’s early round two clash at Dorrien Gardens.

The midfielder fired home from 25-yards to give ECU a vital win in the group phase and hand Inglewood their first defeat in the competition.

It was an even start to the game in hot conditions and United had the first opportunity, Mladen Kovacevic’s header from a Jason Colli cross was saved low by Tommi Tomich. Colli went close again moments later but his long-range shot was too close to Tomich.

Willie McNally’s side settled and began to get into the game, Jason Mirco’s through ball sent Tommy Amphlet clear down the right, his cross almost caught out Oliver Taseski at his near post but the keeper was alert to the danger and tipped it over the bar.

Both sides pressed for the opener, Ian McMurray failed to test Taseski from close-range and Mladen Kovacevic‘s low shot was saved by Tomich. Then Stuart Montgomery and Scott Bushby combined to send Tommy Amphlett clear, but the youngster blazed over.

On 28 minutes Taseski produced a stunning double save to deny Bulloch. The former Perth SC midfielder was sent clear by a superb Montgomery through ball but Taseski saved low and he recovered superbly to deny his follow up shot.

Then McMurray headed inches past the post from Bulloch’s cross and there were chances at both ends late in the half. First Alex Stamatiadis headed straight at Tomich when found unmarked from a James Sammut’s corner and he fired inches wide from the edge of the box when he wasn’t closed down quick enough by the ECU defence.

Montgomery then headed wide when he should done better and the best chance of the half fell to ECU’s Martin Ashworth. The Youngster did all the hard work playing one-two with Amphlett but mishit his shot at the vital time and the chance was lost.

The second half began like the first plenty of effort but both sides lacked the final ball. Bushby set up Amphlett who fired wide and Baczynski’s free kick hit the side netting.

Taseski was working overtime for United, he denied Amphlett’s header on 75 minutes and saved low from second half substitute Phil O’Callaghan and Bushby moments later.

But the game was decided in the 90th minute Bulloch (right) finding space 25-yards from goal and his half volley was to strong for Taseski, who despite getting a hand to it couldn’t prevent the ball going over the line.

Teams

ECU Joondalup – GK Tomich, Mirco, Blackmore, Donlevy (A. Jones 75), Ashworth, Amphlett (McDarby 84), Bushby, Young, Bulloch, McMurray, Montgomery (O’Callaghan 66)

Subs not used – Komara, Broxton

Inglewood United – GK Taseski, D. Kovcevic, Davite (Wardle 68), Klenkoski, Baczynski, Mitsopoulas (Griffiths 60), Sammut, J. Colli, Stamatiadis, Duncan, M. Kovacevic (Niederberger 45)

Subs not Used – Italiano, Picker

ECU edged out by Lions - night series Round one

ECU Joondalup began their 2008 Night series campaign with a 0-1 loss to near neighbours Stirling Lions at Dorrien Gardens on Friday night. A header from youngster Dannie Richman was enough to gain maximum points for the Lions in a hard fought contest.

The early exchanges were evenly shared with both teams displaying plenty of attacking nous but neither able to penetrate their opponents defences. On the quarter hour Joondalup channelled the ball through midfield to Stuart Montgomery (left) whose rasping drive was superbly pushed around the post by a diving Phil Straker.

A neat sequence involving Ludovic Boi, Jordan Rhodes and Phil Arnold led to Richman being sent through one-on-one with goalkeeper Tommi Tomich who comfortably held the young attacker weak shot.

Stirling gained a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box in the 30th minute which Steven Hesketh crashed past Tomich only for the ball to crash against the crossbar. The same fate would befall Joondalup shortly before the interval when John Higgins was found in space but smashed his shot into the bar.

Montgomery then ballooned another good chance over the bar in the early in the second half, but ten minutes after the re-start a terrific exchange orchestrated by Boi saw Arnold charge down the right to deliver an inch perfect cross who strike partner Richman headed precisely into the bottom corner.

Lead by the midfield trio of Craig Young, Scott Bushby and Tom Amphlett (right), Joondalup increased their work rate but luck was against Montgomery who rattled the frame of the goal with a stunning strike from 18-metres.

Tempers flared with fifteen minutes to go leading to the dismissal of Higgins following an unsavoury incident with Arnold. With the player advantage, Stirling controlled the remaining minutes and were should have added another goal to their tally when substitute Tom Jones scuffed his shot with only Tomich to beat.

ECU Team – GK Tomich, Mirco, Quinncroft, A. Jones, Ashworth, Amphlett, Young, Bushby, Higgins, McMurray, Montgomery

Subs – O'Callaghan (for Amphlett), McDarby (not used), Bobson Karoma (not used), Blackmore (for Young