Hopes of adding the Under-18 Top Four Cup to the National Premier Leagues title have proven a step too far with Inglewood United going down 1-0 to Bayswater City in this morning’s season finale.   Kieran Coyne’s header just after the half hour was enough to decide a game of very few chances at Finance 365 Stadium.

“They were better than us today,” coach Richie Abrams conceded post-game.   “We didn’t win any of the second balls which we asked the boys to do, but all credit to Bayswater, they were the better side.   From third bottom last year to league winners is a massive turn around, so full credit to the players and the staff for that.”

The game opened at breakneck speed with both goalkeepers called into the action early.   Mitch Haywood moved swiftly to save at the feet of Ezekiel McPherson, and a few minutes later Owen Fisher came off his line to deny Renee Kisea a shot at goal.

Coyne went close to putting Bayswater ahead on 28 minutes by heading narrowly wide from Gabi Riquelme’s well-flighted corner.   It was a warning that Inglewood failed to heed as a carbon copy play just three minutes later saw Coyne get his angles right to put the hosts ahead.

The tone of the second half was set early, Haywood brilliantly turning Ajak Riak’s header away from goal.   Although Inglewood’s focus was chiefly on defensive duties, they did also carve out several promising moves in the other direction only for the final ball to be met by an opponent.

It was only in the final ten minutes that Inglewood began to open up their hosts.   Captain Ben Docherty headed just beyond the upright after rising strongly to meet Jack Lavis’ corner.   And Ben Pellizzari was left frustrated soon after when Fisher threw out a glove to push his shot from 8-metres over the top.

Match stats

Bayswater City 1 (Kieran Coyne 31)
Inglewood United 0

Bayswater City: Owen Fisher, Jake Melia, Logan Rindell, Kieran Coyne, Bojan Ninkovic, Adrian Manno, Connor McKee, Tom Warburton, Ajak Riak, Gabi Riquelme (John Lahai 70), Ezekiel McPherson

Inglewood United: Mitchell Haywood, Nelson Tshongo, Ben Docherty, Brandon Clarke, Adam Fields (Conor McCann 46), Harley Curran, Jack Lavis, Kieran Paterson, Renee Kisea (Tyler Garner 58), Ben Pellazzari, Curtis Jorgenson (Alley Manyol 60)

Bookings: Docherty (36), Lavis (56), Ninkovic (70), Clarke (87)

Dismissals: Nil