A best-on-ground performance by goalkeeper Alex Dunn has earnt Inglewood United a 2-2 draw from this afternoon’s National Premier Leagues game with Floreat Athena. Alex Salmon scored twice for the home side but it was Dunn’s sparkling display with the gloves that drew the applause of supporters from both clubs.
A bright start by the visiting team was rewarded on 12 minutes when Robert Petkov found space inside the 18-yard box to angle a low shot inside the near post. But parity was restored soon enough with Alex Salmon converting from the penalty spot after being brought down by Marco Santa Lucia.
Dunn then took centre stage with a series of stunning saves, beginning with a superb reflex block to thwart Petkov at close-range. The Inglewood custodian touched Keylun Pollard’s shot on the run over the crossbar before spectacularly keeping out Ryan Malton’s strike from a partially cleared corner.
The second half had barely started when Brian Farrell hooked the ball to Salmon whose shot from a narrow angle snuck between goalkeeper Jason Saldaris and the near post. Floreat responded with some intense pressure that culminated in Jesse Fuller bundling the ball over the line from a Calvin Whitney corner.
There were chances at both ends of the park to steal victory in the final ten minutes. Whitney’s effort from 14-metres crashed into the upright. A low centre by Salmon was just beyond the reach of substitute Feisal Zaw. And in stoppage time Dunn was at full-stretch to push wide Dean Evans’ curling effort.
Match stats
Inglewood United 2 (Alex Salmon 25, 47)
Floreat Athena 2 (Robert Petkov 12, Jesse Fuller 71)
Inglewood United: Alex Dunn, Alex Ishida-Livings, Connor Becsi, Scott Blackmore, Jamie Murphy, Miki Vujacic (Ash Rosindale 68), Brian Farrell, Jason Barrera, Kenny Keogh (Feisal Zaw 77), Brian Woodall, Alex Salmon
Floreat Athena: Jason Saldaris, Chris Saldaris, Dennis Galan, Marco Santa Lucia, Ryan Malton, Jesse Fuller, Dean Evans, Calvin Whitney, Keylun Pollard (Phil Arnold 67), Jonathan Stynes (Andrew Scaldaferro 75), Robert Petkov
Bookings: Santa Lucia (25), C.Saldaris (43), Keogh (63), Blackmore (78)
Dismissals: Nil
