La Fiamma’s State League side looking for first win of the season this weekend

La Fiamma’s league side head into round three of the State Amateur league season chasing their first win after kicking off their season with a loss and a draw.

La Fiamma suffered a 5-0 loss to competition favourites Murdoch University Melville FC in their first game of the season, while their reserves went down 5-1.

Captain Lachlan Gray said the side was heavily affected by COVID going into the round.

“That’s why the score line doesn’t look so great; our team was missing myself, the vice-captain and our goalkeeper from the league team,” he said.

“I think with having our goalkeeper out for that round, missing Will Cable, our centre back, and myself at centre midfield, that was two players on the park who had a massive preseason and the players who replaced those two probably just didn’t have the fitness to be ready for such a young university side.”

“But we think that we will do a lot better when we play them in the away leg with our full strength squad.”

In the second round La Fiamma were held to a 0-0 draw against Woodvale.

“Woodvale played very defensive; the opportunity they did break through, they ended up getting a penalty which our goalkeeper Harry McCann saved, giving us massive confidence,” he said.

Gray said the side had several opportunities during the game but were wasteful in front of goal.

“They had a player sent off in the last 15 minutes and after that it was basically just us hammering them,” he said.

“We just couldn’t find the net. A few opportunities hit the woodwork.

“At the end of the day we do have to finish and capitalise on our one-on-ones, but that’s something we’re continuing to practice on at training to bring forward into the next game.”

Their reserves fared better, grabbing a 3-0 win over Woodvale courtesy of a hat trick from La Fiamma veteran Pattrick O’Boyle in his first game back for the reds in almost two decades.

“We have a few guys in Perth who signed on to help us out and a lot of them are basically ex-players who used to play for us,” Gray said.

“So there’s a few boys in our ressies team who are in their late 40s but are still quality players. They’re just a little bit slower on the touch that’s all, but Patrick came back and proved everyone wrong. “

“All the young boys are now looking forward to having him around down in Perth games.”

After a bye last weekend, La Fiamma will face Yanchep United FC in round three on Sunday May 1, at Salvatore Sciuto Stadium.