A moment of individual brilliance by Ryan Clarke gave Inglewood United their first win of the National Premier Leagues season, downing home team Perth Glory 2-1 at Inglewood Stadium. Clarke’s match-winner came midway through the second period, and only minutes after Scott Witschge initially capitalised on Inglewood’s dominance.
The early pace was quick as both sets of player focused on gaining an early advantage. Scott Blackmore met a front post corner but his effort was blocked by Jacob Collard and, at the other end of the park a minute later, Jovo Pavlovic’s sliding tackle thwarted Stefan Valentini as he bore down on goal.
Aleks Vrteski was the first of the goalkeepers to be called upon, scooping up Jacob Collard’s low strike on the quarter hour. That was one of few moments of first half activity for the Inglewood custodian, who was grateful for the defensive nous of Blackmore and Pavlovic.
Inglewood should have gone ahead on 19 minutes but Witschge side-footed wide with the goal at his mercy. Glory had Jordan Franken to thank for keeping them in the game, the ’keeper plucking a cross off Witschge’s head and saving efforts by Clarke and David Sesay late in the half.
The second half was two minutes old when Abdul Sesay lashed into the net, however, the assistant’s flag was raised for offside. Inglewood continued to attack and that persistence was finally rewarded on 62 minutes when Witschge blasted past ‘keeper after cutting in from the right.
Pavlovic’s powerful strike from distance which rose over the crossbar was a clear sign Inglewood were not content with their single goal lead. Into the spotlight stepped Clarke, who won possession back on the halfway line and drove down the right before expertly clipping into the far top corner from 17-metres.
With ten minutes remaining Valentini gave his team a glimmer of hope by converting past Vrteski from the penalty spot after referee Josh Mannella ruled his run was impeded by Pavlovic. Glory threw everything into finding and late equaliser but Vrteski was equally determined not to be beaten for a second time.
Match stats
Perth Glory 1 (Valentini 80)
Inglewood United 2 (Witschge 62, Clarke 67)
Perth Glory: Jordan Franken, Gian Albano, Nathan Costello, Jacob Collard, Tom King, Sam McKearnen (Sean Troup 75), Calvin Whitney, Slobodan Vulin (Matthew Ntoumenopoulos 63), Dejan Spaseski, Nick Talimdzioski, Stefan Valentini
Inglewood United: Aleks Vrteski, Jason Colli, Jovo Pavlovic, Scott Blackmore, Rikki Smith, Scott Witschge, Tim Gould, Matt Izzo (Kenny Keogh 54), David Sesay (Jarrod McNally 82), Ryan Clarke, Abdul Sesay
Bookings: A.Sesay (61)
Dismissals: Nil
