An out-of-sorts Inglewood United had nothing to show for an afternoon’s hard graft at Grindleford Reserve, where the home team Balcatta claimed a 2-0 win. Benny Kouakou struck early with a second half own goal sealing Inglewood’s fate, however, the final margin would have been much greater had it not been for Luke Martino’s fine work between the posts.

The small crowd was still settling into their viewing positions when Kouakou unleashed a swerving shot from 15-metres which came to rest in the away goal. A shell-shocked Inglewood needed a quick reply but, with their usual fluency absent, few genuine scoring opportunities emerged. The best arrived on 23 minutes when Ryan Clarke cut in from the right only to pull the ball short of the near post.
By contrast Balcatta continually opened up their opponents defences. Kouakou hit the base of an upright with one shot and a couple of minutes later had a goalbound strike put out for a corner by back-tracking defender Scott Witschge. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of this Witschge collided with the post and shortly after exited the game with a shoulder injury.

The second half was given a thrilling start, Sean Browne placing just wide before Martino touched over an Alex Caniglia strike. But there was nothing the Inglewood custodian could just before the hour when Browne had the misfortune of turning Carlo Coelho’s low centre into his own net. Martino ensured Inglewood’s position didn’t get any worse by denying Lawrence Shurama in a one-on-one.

Inglewood only now began to flicker and Andrija Jukic stretched ‘keeper Clint Davies for the first time. Kouakou again got in behind the defence but Martino stood tall to foil his opponent. A late surge by the team in yellow failed to produce any sort of consolation, Dejan Andric side-footing wide and Jukic’s low drive was met by Davies gloves.

Match stats

Balcatta 2 (Kouakou 2, own goal 57)
Inglewood United

Balcatta: Clint Davies, David Cyrus, Kieron Stallard, Adam Tong, Matt Brook, Alex Caniglia, Lawrence Shurama (Matt Izzo 86), Patrick Quinn, Marc De Francesch, Carlo Coehlo, Benny Kouakou (Ben Meredith 86)
Inglewood United: Luke Martino, Jarrad McNally, Scott Witschge (Dejan Andric 35), Shane Pickering, Jason Colli, Ryan Clarke, Sean Browne (Josh De Marte 85), Greg Sharland, David Sesay, Andrija Jukic, Ryan Francis
Bookings: Nil
Dismissals: Nil