A blistering late burst has earned Inglewood United their first win of the new season, a 6-1 thrashing of Armadale. The game at Alfred Skeet Reserve was delicately poised at one-each with Ryan Clarke’s opener cancelled out on the hour by Nicholas Tatasciore. But Ryan Francis’ strike ten minutes later opened the door on unanswered goals to Million Butshiire, Greg Sharland, Jonathon Stripe and Clarke.
The win snaps Inglewood’s four-game losing streak and moves them away from the foot of the National Premier Leagues ladder. “It was a great win for the club and we truly needed it,” said midfielder Sean Browne. “We’ve been a little unlucky in a few games this season but today we were on our game and got the rewards, hopefully, it’s onward and upwards now.”
Inglewood dominated the first half without creating a lot in the way of genuine chances on goal, thanks in no small part to an Armadale defence that worked overtime. Francis and Clarke were a constant threat and in stoppage the latter’s efforts were rewarded with the breakthrough goal after being afforded space inside the penalty area.
The second half could not have started worse for Armadale, who had Faustino Machochi sent off for a second yellow card after 52 minutes. Undeterred, the hosts equalised eight minutes later with Tatasciore firing in from close-range. This had a galvanising effect on Inglewood and Francis’ chi over goalkeeper Matthew Gould in the 70th minute signalled the beginning of the deluge.
Substitute Butshiire tapped home in Inglewood’s third ten minute later, and not long after that free-kick specialist Sharland converted from distance to seal Armadale’s fate. There was still enough time on the clock for Clarke to put away his added of the afternoon, and just before the final whistle Stripe completed the massacre with a neatly placed header.
Match Stats:
Armadale 1 (Tatasciore 60)
Inglewood United 6 (Clarke 45, 90, Francis 70, Butshiire 80, Sharland 83, Stripe 92)
Armadale: Matthew Gould, Sam Loveless (Alex Clarke 40), Billy Quinncroft, Nathan Costello, Mitch Castrilli, Jason Barrera (Dennis Gaye 76), Llewellyn Bake, Dannie Richman, Nicholas Tatasciore, Luke Bugoni (John Thornley 55), Faustinho Machochi,
Inglewood United: Luke Martino, Jonathon Stripe, Shane Pickering, Scott Blackmore, Jason Colli, Ryan Clarke, Ryan Francis, Greg Sharland, Sean Browne (Andrija Jukic 65), David Sesay (Teeboy Kamara 70), Jarrod McNally (Million Butshiire 56)
Bookings: Machochi (43), Quinncroft (85), Stripe (85), Kamara (85), Colli (92)
Dismissals: Machochi (52)
