First half strikes by Jason Colli and Calum O’Connell were enough to secure Inglewood United a gritty 2-1 win over Subiaco AFC on a blustery afternoon at Rosalie Park.   The win – Inglewood’s eighth in nine National Premier Leagues games – maintains their three point buffer at the top of the ladder with the season mid-point approaching.

The early exchanges were largely uneventful as two teams attempted to come to grips with the wet and windy conditions.   Inglewood, playing with the aid of a strong breeze, adapted the better to break the deadlock just after the half hour, Colli lashing in from 14-metres after Kenny Keogh’s shot came back off the base of the upright.

Those same two players were involved again soon after, Colli this time the provider with a precision cross which Keogh was unable to steer the ball on target.   Half-time was on the looming when Inglewood doubled their lead, a tidy exchange between Colli and Slobodan Vulin setting up O’Connell to sweep into the net from 7-metres.

Subiaco pegged back a goal on 65 minutes when Zack Edwards’ speculative effort from wide on the left drifted over a surprised Alex Dunn in the visiting goal.   Keogh squandered a great opportunity to restore Inglewood’s two-goal buffer by lifting over the bar having done the hard work of getting past ‘keeper Ryan Montgomery.

Both sides had chances to add to their tallied, Kevin White’s attempt to find a way through a crowded area was blocked before Keogh fired wide at the opposite end.   Subiaco were fortunate to finish with ten-men after Montgomery raced out of his area and felled substitute Scott Witschge deep in stoppage time.

Match stats

Subiaco AFC 1 (Zack Edwards 65)
Inglewood United 2 (Jason Colli 31, Calum O’Connell 45)

Subiaco AFC: Ryan Montgomery, James Casserley, Nathan Diaz, Ger Fitzgerald, Zack Edwards, Owen Coates (Jack Mahon 75), Jackson Dongray, Jonas Dorling, Kevin White, Carlin Feely, Ian McMurray (Asher Nelson 84)

Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Adam Tong, David Cyrus, Scott Blackmore, Jason Colli (Scott Witschge 80), Josh Pereira, Jason Barrera, John Migas, Slobodan Vulin (Ashley Rosindale 75), Calum O’Connell, Kenny Keogh (Rikki Smith 87)

Bookings: Blackmore (18), Montgomery (90+3)

Dismissals: Nil