07/09/2023
STATE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE/DIVISION TWO PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAYOFF - SEMI FINAL PREVIEW
The State League First Division/Second Division Promotion/Relegation Play-off’s will be closely fought, like games in the league have been all season. In Division One Forrestfield United were relegated, with Subiaco dropping into the playoff spot after throwing away a three-goal lead at half time to loss 4-3 against Gosnells City in the final game of the season. Kingsley Westside won the Division Two title, with Maddington-Kalamunda White City, Curtin University and Swan United, also securing a place in the playoffs.
The first game sees Subiaco AFC hosting Swan United FC at Rosalie Park. (3pm) United sealed their spot with a win against Carramar Shamrock Rovers, while Subiaco were stunned at home by Gosnells, and with UWA winning their match, Marc Wingell’s side dropped into the relegation playoff spot. Subiaco skipper Sean Cronin said the loss against Gosnells hurt the group, but they will be doing all they can to stay in Division One. “It was a massive disappointment for us losing to Gosnells, and the way we did. Injuries in the second half didn’t help, but we’ve no excuses for the way things went. Luckily none of the injuries were severe so we’re looking forward to giving Swan a good game on Saturday. They are a good side with some dangerous players, so we’ve made sure to put in the right trainings following the Gosnells defeat and make sure we are going into the game 100%.”
Swan winger Rhys Loxley said promotion is what they are looking for, and he knows Subiaco will be desperate to stay in Division One, so it should be a great game on Saturday. “Our aim since the beginning of the season was always promotion, and we knew that we had a capable squad, but the competition was strong which meant we had to fight hard to finish in the final playoff place. It still gives us a chance and one we are relishing going into the weekends game,” he said. “I love playing in these games. There is always an extra buzz, and I am looking forward to testing ourselves against them. I was a little surprised to see them end up in the bottom two as Mark and Dale have done well since taking over. They will be up for the challenge and desperate to avoid relegation, but I’m confident in our ability to win games of football no matter where, or who we are playing.”
In the other game, Maddington-Kalamunda White City makes the trip to Edinburgh Oval to take on Curtin University. (3pm) The sides met in the final league game of the season, with Maddington running out 2-1 winners, and it has been a huge season for Maddington, in their first season in the State League since 2013, and coach German Montealegre Quijano said all their hard work has been rewarded. “It has been a great session so far for Maddington–Kalamunda, and It was a huge achievement in the first year in the league. The players and coaches have been working so hard to get this result (runners-up),” he explained.
“Overall, we had a great campaign despite the fact the beginning of the season was quite slow losing the three first games. However, during the progress of the tournament, we improved to the point that we were unbeaten at home ground this year. I cannot deny that our main goal was to be champions at the beginning of the season, but Kingsley did well and they highly deserved the championship. Congratulations.”
On the trip to Curtin in the playoffs, the coach said if last weeks game is anything to go by, it should be another entertaining game. “Last week we got a great result beating them 2-1, and it was a fantastic game to watch in general. Both teams had great chances to score more goals during each half. But I thought we deserved to win the game by more than two goals, but their great keeper performed well, and we know every game is completely different and more challenging.
“Curtin are a strong team to play against, they have a young and physically strong squad with some very interesting players. As far I know, this has been their best participation in the state league two since they have been taking part. It will be a huge motivation for them in the play-off continue with this momentum. I can guarantee that it will be a very entertaining two legs games. From my team perspective, we are quite motivated and confident that we can get a positive outcome in the playoff as we got great result in both games during the normal season against them.
“As coach, I am very pleased, because I have my full team available for these critical games against them. Unfortunately, the last three games of the season we missed some important and essential players for our main squad, but it won’t be the case for the play-off. Our final goal is to be promoted to the Division One and get the second promotion in row, and my team will not give up until they get it.”
Curtin finished third, which was their best finish in state football, and Nathan Smith said it was good, but he thought they deserved more. “I think if at the start of the season, if you said we would finish third, I would have taken that and ran, but I think we played a quality of football that deserved a bit more,” he said. “Everyone involved at the club would have been slightly disappointed with how the season turned out cause of the quality and the high standards we've set, but we have the opportunity to get more in the play offs. I think it’s going to be a great battle between two good footballing teams. Both games against Maddington this season have been tight and won in just a couple of key moments, and I'm sure Saturday will be the same, and I know everyone at Curtin is absolutely raring to go.”
