1978 Western Suburbs SC (NSW) season

The 1978 season was the second and final season in the National Soccer League for Western Suburbs Soccer Club. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup. Western Suburbs finished 9th in their National Soccer League season, and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the NSL Cup.

Western Suburbs

1978 season
Head Coach	Michael Laing
Stadium	Englefield Stadium Marconi Oval Wentworth Park
National Soccer League	9th
NSL Cup	Quarter-finals
Top goalscorer	League: Clive Eaton (14) All: Clive Eaton (16)
Highest home attendance	5,928 vs. St George-Budapest (28 May 1978) National Soccer League
Lowest home attendance	500 vs. Brisbane City (9 April 1978) National Soccer League
Average home league attendance	2,450
Biggest win	3–0 vs. Fitzroy United (A) (26 March 1978) National Soccer League 3–0 vs. South Melbourne (H) (6 August 1979) National Soccer League
Biggest defeat	2–6 vs. Marconi Fairfield (A) (16 April 1978) National Soccer League

Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	POL	Wally Lachowicz
2	DF	AUS	Rod Skellern
3		AUS	Warren Turnbull
4	DF	ENG	Bob Noble
5	DF	AUS	Peter Wilson (captain)
6	MF	AUS	Dave Harding
7	MF	AUS	Peter Stone
8	MF	AUS	Brian O'Donnell
9	FW	AUS	Andy Scott
10	FW	AUS	Clive Eaton
11		AUS	John Vernon

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
12	DF	AUS	Ian Rowden
13	FW	AUS	Alan Fisher
20	GK	AUS	Greg Woodhouse
—	DF	AUS	Greg Ankudinoff
—	DF	AUS	Barry Campbell
—		AUS	Mark Davies
—		AUS	Brian Dodd
—		AUS	Rob Drewes
—	GK	ENG	Terry Eaton
—		AUS	Mark Samuels

Competitions

Overall record

Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Record
					Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
National Soccer League	5 March 1978	27 August 1978	Matchday 1	9th	26	9	6	11	41	45	−4	034.62
NSL Cup	24 May 1978	3 September 1978	First round	Quarter-finals	3	2	0	1	3	1	+2	066.67
Total					29	11	6	12	44	46	−2	037.93

Source: Competitions

National Soccer League

Main article: 1978 National Soccer League

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
7	St George-Budapest	26	11	3	12	41	40	+1	25
8	Sydney Olympic	26	9	7	10	35	43	−8	25
9	Western Suburbs	26	9	6	11	41	45	−4	24
10	Adelaide City	26	9	6	11	38	44	−6	24
11	Newcastle KB United	26	6	10	10	33	40	−7	22

Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored

Results summary

Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
26	9	6	11	41	45	−4	33	6	4	3	25	18	+7	3	2	8	16	27	−11

Source: worldfootball.net

Results by round

Round	1	2	4	3	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
Ground	A	H	A	H	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A
Result	W	D	W	D	D	W	L	W	L	L	L	D	W	L	D	L	L	W	D	W	L	L	W	L	W	L
Position	4	3	3	6	4	3	3	2	2	3	6	6	6	7	7	8	9	8	8	7	7	8	7	9	8	9
Points	2	3	5	6	7	9	9	11	11	11	11	12	14	14	15	15	15	17	18	20	20	20	22	22	24	24

Source: worldfootball.net
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

Sydney Olympic v Western Suburbs

5 March 1978 1	Sydney Olympic	0–1	Western Suburbs	Sydney
		Report	Fisher 75'	Stadium: Arlington Oval Attendance: 4,124 Referee: Jim Reeves

Western Suburbs v Newcastle KB United

12 March 1978 2	Western Suburbs	1–1	Newcastle KB United	Sydney
	C. Eaton 70'	Report	Curran 42'	Stadium: Englefield Stadium Attendance: 1,053 Referee: Dennis McDermott

Fitzroy United v Western Suburbs

26 March 1978 4	Fitzroy United	0–3	Western Suburbs	Melbourne
		Report	Fisher 21' C. Eaton 25', 47'	Stadium: Schintler Reserve Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Tony Beazleigh

Western Suburbs v Brisbane Lions

27 March 1978 3	Western Suburbs	2–2	Brisbane Lions	Sydney
	Fisher 18' Samuels 78'	Report	Morris 5' Neale 20'	Stadium: Englefield Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Barry Wilkinson

Western Suburbs v Footscray JUST

2 April 1978 5	Western Suburbs	0–0	Footscray JUST	Sydney
		Report		Stadium: Englefield Stadium Attendance: 1,023 Referee: Tony Boskovic

Western Suburbs v Brisbane City

9 April 1978 6	Western Suburbs	3–1	Brisbane City	Sydney
	C. Eaton 37' Scott 57' Perry 67' (o.g.)	Report	Conner 17'	Stadium: Englefield Stadium Attendance: 500 Referee: Richard Lorenc

Marconi Fairfield v Western Suburbs

16 April 1978 7	Marconi Fairfield	6–2	Western Suburbs	Sydney
15:00 AEST	Vieri 9' (pen.), 71', 76' (pen.) Rooney 11' Jankovics 63' Mariani 70'	Report	Harding 15' C. Eaton 16'	Stadium: Marconi Oval Attendance: 5,719 Referee: Doug Rennie

Western Suburbs v Eastern Suburbs

23 April 1978 8	Western Suburbs	3–2	Eastern Suburbs	Sydney
	Harding 35' C. Eaton 43' Fisher 51'	Report	Campbell 78' Silva 86'	Stadium: Marconi Oval Attendance: 2,476 Referee: Henry Witschge

Adelaide City v Western Suburbs

30 April 1978 9	Adelaide City	4–2	Western Suburbs	Adelaide
	Kolecki 3', 75' J. Nyskohus 40' Perin 66'	Report	Fisher 62'	Stadium: Olympic Sports Field Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Don Campbell

South Melbourne v Western Suburbs

6 May 1978 10	South Melbourne	2–1	Western Suburbs	Melbourne
	Ollerton 6', 24'	Report	Vernon 2'	Stadium: Middle Park Soccer Stadium Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Jim Dixon

Western Suburbs v West Adelaide

14 May 1978 11	Western Suburbs	1–2	West Adelaide	Sydney
	Harding 37'	Report	McGregor 50' Honeyman 70'	Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 2,685 Referee: Tim Davies

Canberra City v Western Suburbs

20 May 1978 12	Canberra City	2–2	Western Suburbs	Canberra
	Grujicic 64', 82' (pen.)	Report	Fisher 22' O'Donnell 90+1'	Stadium: Bruce Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: David Yelland

Western Suburbs v St George-Budapest

28 May 1978 13	Western Suburbs	2–1	St George-Budapest	Sydney
	Vernon 51', 77'	Report	Morgan 55'	Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 5,928 Referee: Richard Lorenc

Newcastle KB United v Western Suburbs

3 June 1978 14	Newcastle KB United	2–1	Western Suburbs	Newcastle
14:30 AEST	Mountford 37' Drinkwater 80'	Report	Scott 72'	Stadium: Newcastle International Sports Centre Attendance: 6,789 Referee: Peter Rampley

Western Suburbs v Sydney Olympic

11 June 1978 15	Western Suburbs	2–2	Sydney Olympic	Sydney
	Stone 51' Eaton 78'	Report	Pirie 21' Jamieson 23'	Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 4,725

Brisbane Lions v Western Suburbs

18 June 1978 16	Brisbane Lions	3–1	Western Suburbs	Brisbane
	Hughes 69' Amos 74' Fairbrother 77'	Report	Fisher 89'	Stadium: Perry Park Attendance: 2,300 Referee: Jack Wood

Western Suburbs v Fitzroy United

25 June 1978 17	Western Suburbs	2–3	Fitzroy United	Sydney
	Turnbull 63' Eaton 79'	Report	Campbell 49' Bozikas 55' Buljevic 65'	Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 2,458 Referee: Henry Witschge

Footscray JUST v Western Suburbs

1 July 1978 18	Footscray JUST	2–3	Western Suburbs	Melbourne
	Palinkas 20' Lujic 55'	Report	Turnbull 63' Eaton 68' Fisher 72'	Stadium: Middle Park Soccer Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Stewart Mellings

Brisbane City v Western Suburbs

9 July 1978 19	Brisbane City	0–0	Western Suburbs	Brisbane
		Report		Stadium: Perry Park Attendance: 2,300 Referee: Dave Nugent

Western Suburbs v Marconi Fairfield

16 July 1978 20	Western Suburbs	3–1	Marconi Fairfield	Sydney
	Fisher 23', 40' Vernon 85'	Report	Vieri 41' (pen.)	Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 2,126 Referee: Tim Davies

Eastern Suburbs v Western Suburbs

23 July 1978 21	Eastern Suburbs	3–0	Western Suburbs	Sydney
	Souness 41' Campbell 52' Silva 80'	Report		Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 1,113 Referee: Richard Lorenc

Western Suburbs v Adelaide City

30 July 1978 22	Western Suburbs	2–3	Adelaide City	Sydney
	SCott 66' Harding 86' (pen.)	Report	Perin 41' (pen.) J. Nyskohus 58' Deans 90'	Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 1,023 Referee: Peter Rampley

Western Suburbs v South Melbourne

6 August 1979 23	Western Suburbs	3–0	South Melbourne	Sydney
	Eaton 4', 36', 60'	Report		Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 4,102 Referee: Tony Boskovic

West Adelaide v Western Suburbs

13 August 1978 24	West Adelaide	2–0	Western Suburbs	Adelaide
	Norris 42' Boyle 61'	Report		Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium Attendance: 4,321 Referee: Jim Johnston

Western Suburbs v Canberra City

20 August 1978 25	Western Suburbs	1–0	Canberra City	Sydney
	Stone 80'	Report		Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 2,747 Referee: Barry Wilkinson

St George-Budapest v Western Suburbs

27 August 1978 26	St George-Budapest	1–0	Western Suburbs	Sydney
	Utjesenovic 16'	Report		Stadium: St George Stadium Attendance: 1,025 Referee: Bill Jones

NSL Cup

Main article: 1978 NSL Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss

Western Suburbs v Sutherland

24 May 1978 First round	Western Suburbs	2–0	Sutherland	Sydney
	C. Eaton 20' Sharne 32'	Report		Stadium: Garside Park Attendance:

Western Suburbs v St George-Budapest

19 July 1978 Second round	Western Suburbs	1–0	St George-Budapest	Sydney
	C. Eaton 4'	Report		Stadium: Wentworth Park Attendance: 1,023 Referee: Henry Witschge

Newcastle KB United v Western Suburbs

3 September 1978 Quarter-finals	Newcastle KB United	1–0	Western Suburbs	Newcastle
	Tredinnick 86'	Report		Stadium: Newcastle International Sports Centre Attendance: 6,417 Referee: Jack Wood

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Player	National Soccer League		NSL Cup		Total
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		Wally Lachowicz	7	0	1	0	8	0
2	DF		Rod Skellern	24+1	0	3	0	28	0
3	—		Warren Turnbull	26	2	3	0	29	2
4	DF		Bob Noble	10	0	0	0	10	0
5	DF		Peter Wilson	21	0	2	0	23	0
6	MF		Dave Harding	26	4	3	0	29	4
7	MF		Peter Stone	25	2	3	1	28	3
8	MF		Brian O'Donnell	26	1	2	0	28	1
9	FW		Andy Scott	14+2	3	2+1	0	19	3
10	FW		Clive Eaton	26	14	3	2	29	16
11	—		John Vernon	13+5	4	3	0	21	4
12	DF		Ian Rowden	16+3	0	3	0	22	0
13	FW		Alan Fisher	17+4	9	1	0	22	9
20	GK		Greg Woodhouse	9+1	0	1	0	11	0
—	DF		Greg Ankudinoff	3	0	0	0	3	0
—	DF		Barry Campbell	4	0	1	0	5	0
—	—		Mark Davies	0+1	0	0	0	1	0
—	—		Brian Dodd	5	0	0	0	5	0
—	—		Rob Drewes	2	0	1	0	3	0
—	GK		Terry Eaton	10	0	1	0	11	0
—	—		Mark Samuels	2+7	1	0+1	0	10	1

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.

Rank	No.	Pos.	Nat.	Player	National Soccer League			NSL Cup			Total
1	9	FW		Andy Scott	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1
2	8	MF		Brian O'Donnell	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
3	4	DF		Bob Noble	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
	10	FW		Clive Eaton	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
5	3	—		Warren Turnbull	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	6	MF		Dave Harding	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	13	FW		Alan Fisher	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
8	5	DF		Peter Wilson	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	11	—		John Vernon	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	12	DF		Ian Rowden	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	—	GK		Terry Eaton	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total					22	0	1	0	0	0	22	0	1

Clean sheets

Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.

Rank	No.	Nat.	Goalkeeper	NSL	NSL Cup	Total
1	—		Terry Eaton	4	0	4
2	20		Greg Woodhouse	2	1	3
3	1		Wally Lachowicz	0	1	1
Total				6	2	8