A barnstorming run across the second half of the season has Inglewood United’s Under-14s in peak form for finals football. The Development squad heads into Sunday’s round of four meeting with North Beach full of confidence after propelling themselves into third on the competition ladder by taking points from seven of their last eight games.

Andrew Barnes’ young team have come a long way this year and a spot in the play-offs brings a bit of extra gloss to an already memorable year for the coach. “Our pre-season goals were a minimum of a top four finish and to establish a playing style based on effective possession,” Barnes commented. “I’m very happy to say that we have achieved those outcomes.”

“There is a positive, can do attitude to training and match day and that has been reflected in our results. The players have developed as individuals and as a group they are making decisions and executing them with precision, all with minimum instruction. All that has contributed to us having the best defensive record in the division, as my goalkeeper often reminds me.”

The Under-14 Development squad features Ezzra Bajric, Jack Barratt, Harvey Byrne, Kamel Eltoukhi, Jakob Hindson, Christian Hunneybun, Regan Kamudu, Dylan Kotkis, Noa Loock, Paul McGirr, Angelo Merlacco, Voltaire Oven, Jaden Schaffer, Joshua Torre and Amanuel Yimer. Coach Andrew Barnes is joined the sidelines by team manager Jeff Hunnybun.

The Under-14s Division One semi-final between Inglewood and North Beach takes place at Grindleford Reserve, Balcatta, on Sunday, kick-off is at 9:50am.