Inglewood United had five different scorers as they over-ran Bayswater City 5-3 in a pulsating Under-18 Major Semi-Final this morning at Finance 365 Stadium. Kieran Paterson, Harley Curran, captain Ben Docherty, Ben Pelizzari and Curtis Jorgenson were all on target to book their team into next weekend’s Grand Final.
The opening goal of a thrilling first half came via Paterson, who punished a defensive mix-up by confidently stroking low across the goalkeeper and inside the far upright. It didn’t take long for Bayswater to return fire with Connor McKee’s speculative shot from distance slipping through Mitchell Haywood’s gloves.
Chances came and went at both ends of the park before Adrian Manno’s penalty conversion seemingly put the hosts in the box seat. However, Curran was having none of it and a few minutes later the midfielder rose strongly to head in from Jack Lavis’ delivery to send the teams into the break on level terms.
Bayswater snuck back into the lead shortly after the re-start via the head of Ajak Riak. But again Inglewood came up with a quick response, Docherty hooking the ball into the net at close-range after ‘keeper Owen Fisher failed to hold Curran’s free-kick into a crowded 6-yard box.
An exquisite through by Renee Kisea paved the way for Inglewood’s fourth goal scored by Pellizari, who slid into the net after getting between the last two defenders. The game was made safe in stoppage time when Jorgenson had the simple task of stroking into an open goal after forcing the ‘keeper into gifting him possession.
Match stats
Bayswater City 3 (Connor McKee 19, Adrian Manno 41, Ajak Riak 48)
Inglewood United 5 (Kieran Paterson 14, Harley Curran 44, Ben Docherty 51, Ben Pelizzari 76, Curtis Jorgenson 91)
Bayswater City: Owen Fisher, Jake Melia, Logan Rindell, Kieran Coyne, Bojan Ninkovic, Adrian Manno, Tom Warburton, Connor McKee (Jonah Razai 80), Ajak Riak, Gabi Riquelme (John Lahai 66), Ezekiel McPherson
Inglewood United: Mitchell Haywood, Nelson Tshongo, Ben Docherty (Conor McCann 51), Brandon Clarke, Adam Fields, Harley Curran, Jack Lavis, Kieran Paterson (Alley Manyol 90), Renee Kisea (Tyler Garner 83), Ben Pellazari, Curtis Jorgenson
Bookings: Manno (54), Rindell (64), Ninkovic (82)
Dismissals: Nil
