Inglewood United’s Under-16s are riding the crest of a wave which has them as one of only two unbeaten teams across the National Premier Leagues. A stunning thirteen-game run has the teenage squad hot on the heels of competition leaders Perth SC and through to the last eight of the Cup, and very much in the running for a historic double.

“The attitude of the players has been absolutely brilliant,” coach Keegan Ashley commented. “The lads are all very hungry and have a desire to succeed, we feel we are able to beat any team as long as we work hard at our game. Our approach on game day is to play to our strengths and we have a system that complements the players. ”

That approached has earned the Under-16s the league’s second best defensive record as well as being the competitions second highest goalscorers. “We’ve got a very talented bunch of lads who have always been consistent with their application to playing attractive aggressive football,” said Ashley. “They have a strong team mentality which in turn breeds a winning mentality.”

The team recently came through their toughest test of the season – two games in the space of 24 hours – with flying colours. “It was demanding to say the least but our attitude was first class,” said Ashley of last week’s back-to-back games in the Cup and league. “The boys pushed themselves and their never-say-die attitude really shone through.”

“Those two games presented very different challenges for us. In the Cup against NPL opposition we played some of our best football to date and controlled the match. The next day we played against a physical, aggressive team, so we had to adapt. It’s a really good sign that we can play football but also mix it up physically when needed.”

Ashley, who won two league titles and a Golden Boot award as a player, has coached the same group for the last ten years at Inglewood and has no plans for this to be his last. “I’d like to take them through and see them playing first team,” he said. “There really is some outstanding talent in this team – they represent the future of the club.”

Inglewood’s Under-16 NPL squad features Nicholas Ashley, Callum Atkins, Harry Boldra, Ben Campbell, Jacob Da Silva, Jayden Dods, Mason Langham, Robin Lehane, Ben Lunt, Robbie McNeill, Bleron Mamudi, Roman Mandyczewsky, Ferhat Ozdemir, Joseph Perkins, Nigel Smith and Oliver Watson. Joining Keegan Ashley on the sidelines are Sam Atkins (assistant coach) and Andrew Mandyczewsky (manager).