Inglewood United have shared the points for the sixth time this year after being held to a 1-1 draw by Balcatta on a sunny winters afternoon at Grindleford Reserve.   Kenny Keogh’s precision header had the visiting team in front but it stayed that way just eight minutes before Calum O’Connell evened the ledger.

Coach Andy Keogh, who was calling the shots from the sidelines for the first time, commended his team’s performance.   “I’m very pleased with the way the lads played,” Keogh said.   “We created chances and we feel disappointed to have only got a point, but it’s a good start.”

The game commenced at a brisk pace with Balcatta fashioning several half chances, the best of which had Alex Dunn turn wide Kurt Kouakou’s angled strike.   Keogh should have put Inglewood on the board after 18 minutes but blazed high after latching onto Brian Woodall’s superb diagonal long pass.

That miss was soon forgotten as Scott Blaockmore flicked on an Adam Tong throw and Keogh was placed to powerfully head into the net.   Balcatta’s response was swift, Calum O’Connell drilling in the loose ball after Dunn has blocked Ismael Bangura’s close-range effort.

Inglewood commenced the second period on the attack.   Keogh delivered a precision cross into the head of Alex Salmon who could only steer it narrowly wide of the top corner.   Salmon then had a low shot saved by Domenic Savoldelli and a few minutes later Keogh flashed the wrong side of the upright.

Although the tempo remained high throughout, goal scoring opportunities became increasingly scarcer across the closing half hour.   The solitary opening of note came on 76 minutes when Keogh’s centring pass intended for Salmon struck a defender and fell kindly for Savoldelli.

Match stats

Balcatta 1 (Calum O’Connell 30)
Inglewood United 1 (Kenny Keogh 22)

Balcatta: Domenic Savoldelli, Calum O’Connell, Keiron Stallard (Justin Onek 75), Carmelo Giuffre, Dan Hepworth, Pat Sara, Jonathan Corness, Kurt Kouakou, Patrick Quinn (Manny Mansaray 90), Feisal Zaw, Ismael Bangura (Ben Meredith 65)

Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Alex Ishida-Livings, Scott Blackmore, Adam Tong, Jason Colli (David Cyrus 80), Matthew Ntoumenopoulos, Jason Barrera (Victor Brauner 65), Ashley Rosindale (Chok Dau 57), Brian Woodall, Kenny Keogh, Alex Salmon

Bookings: O’Connell (41), Blackmore (49), Ishida-Livings (75), Onek (92)

Dismissals: Nil