Saturday’s home game with Stirling Lions has all the making to be one of the games of the 2016 National Premier Leagues season according to defender Rikki Smith.   Inglewood United will enter the afternoon on the back of a five game winning streak which has propelled them to the top of the competition ladder.

Stirling, too, have found some impressive form, registering back-to-backs wins by hitting ten goals in their last two outings on their way to fourth place.   “It’s one of the best defensive records in the league coming up against one of the best attacking records so it will make for an interesting encounter,” Smith explained.

“We’re the only side remaining with a 100% win record so there’s a target on our back and Stirling will want to be the first team to take points from us.   Goals have been flowing pretty freely for them of late but that doesn’t change the way we will approach the game, everyone is respected and no one is underestimated.”

There are a lot of players in both camps who will come up against their former club.   Smith, Brian Woodall and Ashley Rosindale have all called Macedonia Park home in the past, while former Inglewood captain Jovo Pavlovic along with David Micevski, David Sesay, Teeboy Kamara, Miki Vujacic and Abdul Sesay now wear the red of Stirling.

“That all adds plenty of spice to the afternoon,” Smith commented.   “We have players on both sides of the fence who want the bragging rights against their former club and teammates.   There have been plenty of messages flying back and forth this week between camps and I’m sure some of that banter will carry over into Saturday.”

“For us it’s one week at a time, one opponent at a time.   We’re an experienced group and Taki (Nicolaidis) has us well-prepared and ready to perform against what will no doubt be another difficult opponent.   Expect to see a very disciplined performance this weekend … and another three points for Inglewood.”

National Premier Leagues, Round 6

Inglewood United vs Stirling Lions
Saturday 23 April @ Inglewood Stadium

Kick-off times

First team 3.00pm
Under-20s 1.00pm
Under-18s 11.00am

FFA Cup, Round 5

First team
Inglewood United vs Dianella White Eagles
Monday 25 April @ Inglewood Stadium, kick-off 2.30pm

Under-18s
Stirling Lions vs Inglewood United
Monday 25 April @ Macedonia Park, kick-off 1.00pm