Taki Nicolaidis says table-topping Inglewood United can demonstrate their National Premier Leagues championship credentials with a strong performance against Sorrento this afternoon.

Inglewood’s five-game league winning streak was ended dramatically last week by Stirling Lions before they bounced back on Monday with a 7-1 FFA Cup victory over First Division side Dianella White Eagles.

Nicolaidis expects his side to carry that Cup form into their match against unbeaten Sorrento, who are second on the table.   “It will be a big test,” the Inglewood coach said.

“Sorrento have been together a while and they play a brand of football where they get into faces.   They do play football but they put themselves about and they are effective in what they do.”

“From our point of view, it’s a good opportunity to stamp our authority.   If we are going to be a contender come the end of the season then these are the games we need to put our best foot forward.”

After five successive straight victories, Inglewood came unstuck against Stirling after a bizarre opening five minutes that proved to be decisive.

“We were all up for the game and we hit the post in the first 20 or 30 seconds, we missed a penalty in the third minute and then had a man sent off in the fifth minute,” Nicolaidis said.

“We gave away a penalty and Teeboy (Kamara) scored two bombs. I couldn’t fault the work rate and the effort the boys put in – it just wasn’t our day.”

Originally published as Top Two Clash In PS4 NPLWA by footballwest.com.au