Defender Adam Tong scored twice to guide Inglewood United to their ninth win of the National Premier Leagues season, 2-1 over a determined Balcatta outfit at Inglewood Stadium.   Tong’s first half brace allowed Inglewood to close the gap on pacesetters Bayswater City, whose lead at the top has been cut to just two points.

“Full credit to our guys, from where we’ve been the last few weeks – a lot of people have written us off – I think we showed some really good character,” a pleased Taki Nicolaidis said post-game.   “Every player stood up today, and with the three points, hopefully that gets us back on a winning run.”

It took just a minute for Inglewood to take the upper hand through Tong, whose glancing header to Tim Robertson’s cross flashed into the top corner.   Ashley Rosindale turned the ball narrowly wide of the upright from Tong’s throw to the near post before Brian Woodall volleyed high as the home side sought to double their advantage.

Balcatta weren’t without their chances but Alex Dunn remained untested between the posts thanks to the efforts of Tong, Robertson and their defensive compadres.   With half-time approaching Tong worked his magic at the opposite end, the big defender lashing in on the turn from 16-metres to punished Balcatta’s failure to properly deal with a corner.

Tong came within inches of snaring a hat-trick by soon after the break when his explosive free-kick rose over the crossbar.   Balcatta were put back in the game by Cameron Teece, who spectacularly volleyed across Dunn and inside the far post from a narrowing angle in the 65th minute.

Davies denied substitute Kenny Keogh a sealing goal by tipping wide his opponent’s powerful shot from the top of the penalty area with fifteen minutes to go.   Inglewood soaked up a lot of pressure in the closing stages as Balcatta launched a series of aerial attacks, all of which were repelled by a resolute defensive line.

Match stats

Inglewood United 2 (Adam Tong 1, 36)
Balcatta 1 (Cameron Teece 65)

Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Jason Colli (Scott Witschge 85), Adam Tong, Scott Robertson, John Migas, Calum O’Connell, Slobodan Vulin (Josh Pereira 67), Jason Barrera, Mark Pritchard, Ashley Rosindale (Kenny Keogh 67), Brain Woodall

Balcatta: Clint Davies, Hanafi Ghazali (Kieron Stallard 77), Aleks Suleski, Alan Carroll, Kieran Colwell, Zelfy Nazary, Jon Corness, Conor Kavanagh, Eamon McNelis (Gomo Dukuly 61), Feisal Zaw (Daniel Moss 20), Cameron Teece

Bookings: Teece (34), Colwell (50), Witschge (92)

Dismissals: Nil