Inglewood United will enter the final round of the season on top of the National Premier Leagues ladder following this afternoon’s pulsating 2-0 defeat of Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens. Ashley Rosindale fired Inglewood into the lead midway through the first half with Calum O’Connell sealing the points late in the game.
Speaking post-game, coach Taki Nicolaidis had nothing but praise for his players who executed their game plan to perfection. “We as coaching staff put bits and pieces together but ultimately, at the end of the day, the character of that group is amazing,” he said. “We’ve won a game and we’re back on top but we’ve won nothing yet.”
“I’ve said to the guys, there’s nothing else in this world that is going to matter for the next seven days. We’ve just got to make sure our preparation and our delivery next week (at home against ECU Joondalup) is spot on. We’ve always got that will and want, and today we stepped up.”
A tough, physical opening period was dominated by a couple of defensive units intent on keeping the opposition at bay. Then just before the half hour a crisp passing exchange between John Migas and Jason Barrera put Rosindale in behind to arrow low into Francis Soale’s net.
The second half began with Perth on the attack. Inglewood breathed a collective sigh of relief when Alex Dunn collided with Gustavo Catarcione just outside the area, referee David Bruce showing the goalkeeper leniency by issuing a yellow card. Ten minutes later Aleks Jovic fired into the net but celebrations were cut short up an upraised assistant’s flag.
Kenny Keogh came off the worst from a heavy challenge with Nathan Diaz, and the subsequent stoppage in play gave Inglewood the opportunity to regroup. Their response was emphatic, O’Connell lashing in from close-range after 82 minutes after Perth failed to deal with Adam Tong’s long thrown in the area.
Inglewood can secure their first league title in two decades by defeating ECU Joondalup at home next Saturday. However, that may be easier said than done with Joondalup unbeaten in eleven games and themselves needing a point to ensure a top four finish.
Match stats
Perth SC 0
Inglewood United 2 (Ashley Rosindale 29, Calum O’Connell 82)
Perth SC: Francis Soale, Rocco Pizzata (Anthony Danze 68), Adrian Madaschi, Nathan Diaz, David Filippou, Jordan De Leo, Clark Keltie, Aleks Jovic, Nick Ambrogio (Frank Furfaro 85), Matthew Milenkovic (Harley Orr 46), Gustavo Catarcione
Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Scott Blackmore, Adam Tong, David Cyrus, Calum O’Connell, Tim Robertson, Jason Colli (Matt Spurling 85), John Migas, Jason Barrera (Brian Woodall 72), Kenny Keogh, Ashley Rosindale (Scott Witschge 79)
Bookings: Rosindale (10), Colli (36), Diaz (52), Migas (54), Keltie (59), Dunn (64)
Dismissals: Nil
