‘Match of the Round’ takes us to Wanneroo Reserve on Friday evening when newly-promoted Gwelup Croatia take on Wanneroo City. Both sides have started the season well, winning both league games and both have progressed into the Fifth round of the FFA Cup. Wanneroo have been scoring for fun to start the league season, bagging in 11 goals, and are coming off a big win at Shamrock in the last round, and Nathan Grostate said they are playing with confidence. “Scoring goals is something we’re specialising in at the moment, but the best thing about that is we have five different goal scorers,” he said. “Shamrock is always a hard game to go to with it being so far out of the way, also with the tight pitch it makes it anyone’s game, but we showed heart in the second half to take the three points which we were very happy about.” Grostate said Friday’s opponents have a good squad and it should be a cracking game. “Friday night we host a very strong Gwelup side, who have just come off a win against NPL side Balcatta in the cup so we know it’s going to be tough,” he said. “I believe our lads can challenge them on the field and I’m confident our fight and hunger to win this game will see us with the three points. We are treating this like a cup final to prove to everyone who doubted us before the season started that were not here to mess around and I think we’re slowly turning heads with two cup wins and two league wins.”
Gwelup beat Balga in the last round, and midfielder James Sammut said it was a tight contest. “They (Balga) are a good side who come to our home ground and were unlucky not to get something from the game late,” he said. “We missed a couple of chances to go further ahead at half time and then the sending off midway through the second half didn’t help. I don’t think it was our best performance but we got the three points which was the main thing.” Sammut who joined from NPL side Balcatta, said Friday’s opponents have started the season well and will another huge test for them. “I don’t know much about Wanneroo but from all reports they’re flying at the moment and top of the table and scoring for fun,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough game but one that myself and the boys are really looking forward to. Top of the table clash on a Friday night, what a way to start the weekend.” In team news Steve Purton is suspended, but Ian O’Sullivan returns from his suspension.
