Dreams of an FFA Cup Final appearance have been shattered by Inglewood United’s heaviest loss in 53 years. It was an afternoon to forget at Inglewood Stadium where the home team were outplayed in every department by a rampant Floreat Athena side which booked its place in the Cup Final with a 9-2 win.
The day began positively enough for Inglewood, an unmarked Tim Robertson tapping in from close-range on 8 minutes after meeting Scott Witschge’s low centre from the right. But it didn’t take long for Lewis McMahon to turn the game on its head by scoring three times in eight minutes.
Mark Pritchard cut the difference shortly before the break by converting a penalty awarded for Blair Govan’s shove on Kenny Keogh. However, Floreat hit back within minutes through Jon Stynes, who angled his low shot across Alex Dunn and inside the goalkeeper’s far post.
Inglewood’s hopes of a second half revival were effectively laid to rest when Kris Gate netted twice upon the resumption of play. The scoreline blew out even further over the final quarter hour with Ludovic Boi, Jon Stynes and Bobby Wilson each finding the back of the net.
Referee David Bruce added insult to injury by issuing Keogh his marching orders for a second yellow card offence close to the final whistle. The seven-goal margin provided Inglewood their heaviest loss since June 1963, when East Fremantle Tricolore chalked up a 9-1 success at the same venue.
Match stats
Inglewood United 2 (Tim Robertson 8, Mark Pritchard 40)
Floreat Athena 9 (Lewis McMahon 11, 12, 19, Kris Gate 47, 60, Jon Stynes 42, 84, Ludovic Boi 76, Bobby Wilson 85)
Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Adam Tong, David Cyrus (Slobodan Vulin 67), Scott Blackmore, Calum O’Connell, Scott Witschge (Ashley Rosindale 57), Jason Barrera, Mark Pritchard, John Migas, Tim Robertson (Jason Colli 67), Kenny Keogh
Floreat Athena: Jason Saldaris, Aaron Delaney, Bobby Wilson (Kyle Douglas 88), Blair Govan, Dennis Galan, Jon Stynes, Robbie Gaspar (Sam Khankhalili 85), Ludovic Boi, Kris Gate, Phil Arnold, Lewis McMahon (Andrew Scaldaferro 77)
Bookings: McMahon (36), Keogh (63)
Dismissals: Keogh (85)
