State midfielder Andrija Jukic is glad to finally have the monkey off Inglewood United’s back. Inglewood’s on-field efforts have gone largely unrewarded over the past couple of months with just three points gained from eight National Premier Leagues outings. But the shackles were finally cast off with last weekend’s 4-3 triumph at Subiaco AFC, a result Jukic says was much-needed and long-overdue. “We needed to get a win for the team and the club,” said the central midfielder. “The boys have been working really hard all year and the run we’ve had has been tough on all of us, so to get the win is a good reward.”
A couple of first half finishes by Teeboy Kamara and another from Greg Sharland had Inglewood in a seemingly unassailable position with an hour played at Subiaco. “We started off well and could have had a few more goals which would have finished the game off,” said Jukic. The home side then snared a couple of quick goals before Ryan Clarke settled Inglewood nerves with a fourth goal. “Just like past results we let the opposition back in, there were a few late scares but we managed to hold them off … we like to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.”
In the space of two months Inglewood have gone from top four contenders to ninth position, a record which does not sit well with Jukic. “Results-wise and our position on the ladder isn’t what I wanted from this year,” said Jukic, who feels his personal form has mirrored that of the team. “I’ve been very inconsistent and I know I’m a lot better player than what I have shown. Being injured for most of the pre-season and the start of the home and away series didn’t help, but that’s no excuse. I haven’t produced what I would have like to this season for Inglewood.”
Inglewood’s season may have fallen apart in the return round of NPL fixtures but that’s not to say there aren’t positives to take out of 2014. “Ryan Clarke is having a great season, he’s up there on the goal scoring charts, and we’ve got a few young boys that are getting game time and doing well,” explained Jukic. “Team morale has been great all year, the boys have had a great attitude in training and have given their all no matter how bad things got … on paper our season doesn’t really look good but a lot has gone on and we’ve come a long way as a team.”
Jukic says the late season inclusion of youngsters such as Josh Demarte and Cameron Sutton in the line-up bodes well for next year and beyond. “The young boys have done really well, they’ve held their own on the field and haven’t looked out of place,” he asserted. “It’s good having youth coming through and stepping up for the first team, it intensifies competition for places and gives the squad depth to last the season. And when the oldies retire – like Greg Sharland – the young boys will be accustomed to playing in the first team and be ready to step up.”
Inglewood’s final home game of the year takes place on Sunday against Cockburn City. “The boys want to finish the season well and that means getting a few more wins under our belts,” Jukic commented. “Cockburn are a good side all over the park. They’re well-organised, hard to break down and have some players up top who can hurt you, so we’ll have to be on our toes to get something from the game. But we know we’re a good team also and last weekend might give the boys the added belief and confidence to play with some freedom and take the game to Cockburn.”
