Inglewood United hit back from a two-goal half-time deficit to draw 2-2 with Bayswater City in the opening round of the National Premier Leagues season. Debutants Luke Randazzo and Alex Salmon were on target in the closing stages of a spirited game at Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium to earn the hosts a share of the points.
Coach Taki Nicolaidis was pleased with his players’ performance, which he felt deserved a great reward. “Bayswater had a ten-minute spell when they scored two goals but outside that I thought we were well on top,” Nicolaidis said. “I felt we deserved more than one point but we’ll take what we got tonight and start planning for our game against Sorrento next week.”
Inglewood were quickly into rhythm and twice went close to breaking through. Goalkeeper Devon Spence saved Bayswater’s blushes by thwarting Brian Woodall following a defensive mix-up and soon after David Cyrus’ header was cleared off the line. Those misses were punished by Todd Howarth and Andrija Jukic, who netted within minutes of each other to give Bayswater a 2-0 advantage.
The second half commenced with Bayswater winning a succession of corners but it wasn’t long before the hosts’ regained control. Jason Barrera signalled his teams intensions with a vicious strike that forced a diving save from Spence. Barrera was involved again in the 77th minute when his free-kick was partially cleared to Randazzo who crisply volleyed into the top corner from 15-metres.
It took just six more minutes for Inglewood to get back on level terms. Woodall created space for himself wide on the left before delivering a tantalising cross to the far post where Salmon gave Spence no chance with a well-placed downward header. Woodall was unfortunate not to steal a late decider when his powerful strike flashed across the face of goal from a narrow angle.
Match stats
Inglewood United 2 (Luke Randazzo 77, Alex Salmon 83)
Bayswater City 2 (Todd Howarth 33, Andrija Jukic 39)
Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Tim Robertson, David Cyrus, Adam Tong, Alex Ishida-Livings, Mark Pritchard (Matt Ntoumenopoulos 65), Jason Barrera, Kenny Keogh (Luke Randazzo 9), Brian Woodall, Ashley Rosindale (Jason Colli 65), Alex Salmon
Bayswater City: Devon Spence, Devon Gibson, David Stokoe, Trent Kay, Sam Mitchinson, Jason Mirco, Declan Hargreaves, Todd Howarth, Andrija Jukic (Luka Ninkovic 58) Bor Bor Sambindi, David Heagney
Bookings: Pritchard (15), Jukic (36), Salmon (47), Robertson (61)
Dismissals: Nil
