Inglewood United were first on the scoreboard but, as has been the case far too often this season, it counted for nothing as Subiaco AFC picked up the points with a 3-1 scoreline at Rosalie Park. Milestone man Andrija Jukic struggled to hide his disappointment with Inglewood’s failure to seize the initiative after David Sesay had given them a first half lead.
“We didn’t really have much to play for but we wanted to show a bit of pride and win for ourselves,” said Jukic following his 50th league appearance for Inglewood. “We created some good chances but didn’t manage to put them away. Nonetheless, we really should be able to hold teams out … it’s not the best feeling to lose like we did today.”
The game was only a few minutes old when a harsh handball decision went against Jason Colli, however, justice was done when Josh Booysen blazed high from the spot. Referee Matthew Southern ignored a similar penalty appeal at the other end before Jukic half-volleyed straight at Ryan Montgomery. Kenny Keogh rattled the upright and Jukic headed over as Inglewood started to assert themselves.
Keogh was asking the home defence all sorts of questions and on 23 minutes he teed-up Sesay to crash the ball in at close-range. But the goal only served to spark Subiaco into action and seven minutes later Ger Fitzgerald headed in the equaliser. The half ended ominously with Subiaco substitute Rory Feely unleashing a powerful shot that whizzed past the target.
Teenager Paul Zimarino, who heads to Spain shortly to trials with Real Valladolid, had an appeal for a penalty turned down early in the second half before firing off-target following Keogh’s delivery into the area. But it was Subiaco that would find the net just before the hour when Booysen steered his header past Aleks Vrteski after being picked out by Feely’s cross.
Subiaco would have extended their advantage but for Vrteski’s save to deny Matt Akehurst and Jovo Pavlovic’s timely intervention which left Booysen frustrated. The result was eventually put beyond doubt with 73 minutes gone by Booysen whose shot crashed off the inside of the post before coming to rest in the net.
Match stats
Subiaco AFC 3 (Ger Fitzgerald 30, Josh Booysen 59, 73)
Inglewood United 1 (David Sesay 22)
Subiaco AFC: Ryan Montgomery, Jackson Dongray, Jack Mahon (Zac Hardisty 46), George Tchami, Ger Fitzgerald, Nathan Diaz, Matthew Akehurst, Owen Coates, Josh Booysen, Ian McMurray (Siyang Zhang 70), Kevin White (Rory Feely 36)
Inglewood United: Aleks Vrteski, Jason Colli (Jarrod McNally 70), Jovo Pavlovic, Rikki Smith, Ryan Sardi (Kurt Kouakou 76), Paul Zimarino, Kenny Keogh, Andrija Jukic, David Micevski, David Sesay, Brian Woodall (Scott Witschge 63)
Bookings: Akehurst (37), Diaz (48), Smith (83), McNally (90)
Dismissals: Nil
