NPL - Maclaren eyes more goals
The National Premier Leagues WA is spread out over the ANZAC Day long weekend, kicking off on Friday night when the improved Perth Glory visit E&D Litis Stadium to take on a rejuvenated Floreat Athena (7pm).
The appointment of former WA State Coach Peter Murphy has seen Floreat win back-to-back games 5-0 — but the improving Glory will be a stern test.
Australian Under-20 striker Jamie Maclaren, who has played in the A-League for the senior Glory team, bagged four goals last week in the win against Armadale — and he is expecting a tough encounter on Friday.
“The NPL WA is a decent league and every game is competitive, and you have to turn up and perform at your best each week to get the result,” said Maclaren.
“Floreat have been getting impressive results recently since they changed coaches, so it should be quite an interesting game, and we will need to be at our best.”
The Glory got back in the winner’s circle last week, with a 6-0 thrashing of Armadale, and the 20-year-old striker showed composure above his years to score four goals in a man of the match performance.
He believes the younger players are stepping up and coping better with the physicality in the league.
“It’s good to see some of the young first team players asking for more games and minutes, and we are working hard on the track and we are getting used to the big bodies in the opposition,” he said.
“It’s always great to walk away with a solid and comfortable performance, and to get four is great on a personal level in terms of confidence, but let’s hope I can continue that into this Friday night.”
Bottom of the table Subiaco will have their work cut out when they visit Frank Drago Reserve to take on the unbeaten league leaders Bayswater City on Saturday.
Former Melbourne Heart midfielder Sam Mitchinson will make his home league debut for City, while Subiaco will need to stop English strike pair, David Heagney and Steve Burton, who are both in red hot form.
In other games on Saturday afternoon, Sorrento entertains Cockburn City at Percy Doyle Reserve, Balcatta and Stirling Lions meet in a local derby at Grindleford Reserve, while on Saturday evening (7pm) Perth Soccer Club makes the trip to Alfred Skeet Reserve to take on Armadale.
The round finishes on Sunday afternoon when Inglewood United goes in search of their second win of the season when they meet ECU Joondalup at Intiga Stadium.
