ECU Joondalup rallied late to inflict a 5-2 loss on Inglewood United this afternoon at the Edith Cowan University campus. First half finishes from David Foster and Ryan Clarke had the team’s level at the break after which David Sesay nudged Inglewood ahead. But the tide turned in the final twenty minutes with Tommy Amphlett netting twice along with Stuart Montgomery and Joe Smith to steal a home victory.
“To lose another game like this is frustrating, especially given the team we have,” said attacker Ryan Clarke. “We dominated the game but conceded some silly goals … it seems to be the story of our season.” And, as if coming home empty handed wasn’t bad enough, Inglewood will be without Greg Sharland next time out after the veteran was shown a straight red card just minutes from the end.
Inglewood may have been on the front foot early but it was Joondalup who were on the scoreboard first through David Foster after 11 minutes. Andrija Jukic, Abdul Sesay and Ryan Francis continued to probe for openings as the pressure intensified on Joondalup’s backline. Their reward came on 28 minutes when Clarke punished a lapse by Andy Higgins to stroke past goalkeeper Andy Banks.
The second half had barely started when Inglewood took the lead, Sesay chipping over Banks after meeting a Jason Colli cross. The momentum remained with the away side and it seemed only a matter of time before Clarke and Sesay would open up another passage to goal. After weathering the storm Joondalup drew level after 70 minutes via Montgomery’s shot which crashed down off the crossbar.
Amphlett made it advantage Joondalup after being played down the left by Andy Higgins. Controversy erupted soon after when Inglewood custodian Luke Martino was clattered into before Smith put away the hosts’ fourth goal. And, to rub salt into the wound, Sharland was issued his marching orders for taking his protest to referee Michal Jasinski. The game was in stoppage time when Amphlett scored his second of the day.
Match stats
ECU Joondalup 5 (Foster 11, Montgomery 70, Amphlett 75, 91, Smith 82)
Inglewood United 2 (Clarke 28, A.Sesay 47)
ECU Joondalup: Andy Banks, Ryan Lowry, Jon Higgins, Charlie Comyn-Platt, Carl Rodgers, Henry Durr (Jon Stynes 53), Joe Smith, David Foster (Stuart Montgomery 60), Andy Higgins, Danny Dixon (Jake Besnon-Cooper 55), Tommy Amphlett
Inglewood United: Luke Martino, Jarrad McNally, Greg Sharland, Jason Colli, Ryan Clarke, Cameron Sutton, Josh Demarte (Sean Browne 60), Andrija Jukic (Dario Pavic 75), Adbul Sesay, Ryan Francis (Paddy Doyle 88)
Bookings: Nil
Dismissals: Sharland (83)
