Taki Nicolaidis praised his players’ ability to adapt to circumstance following Saturday’s hard-fought win over Subiaco AFC.   With a strong breeze and driving rain at their backs, Inglewood United not surprisingly dominated the first half at Rosalie Park where Jason Colli’s first goal of the campaign was followed by a tidy finish by Calum O’Connell.

After the break it was Subiaco that benefited from the conditions with Zack Edwards’ wind-assisted effort halving the deficit.   The visitors response was to tighten their defences while continually threatening to add a third goal before the referee’s final whistle signalled win number fourteen – from sixteen starts – under Nicolaidis.

Nicolaidis said that was a good result for his team given the inclement weather.   “The conditions weren’t the best for both teams but to come to Subiaco and get the three points is very important,” commented Nicolaidis, whose team remains top of the National Premier Leagues with a three-point advantage over their nearest rivals.

“It’s a game of two halves when there’s a strong breeze like that because you’re playing two different types of football effectively.   We defended well and were good going forward, maybe a little wasteful with two or three good chances to put the game away, but at the end of the day it was important we came away with the result.”

Nicolaidis has been a regular fixture of the local scene for much of the past three decades, so when he says there’s something special about the current Inglewood squad you know it’s time to listen.   “The camaraderie within the group is close to the best I’ve ever had in my coaching or playing career,” he said.

“There is plenty of quality in the playing group and it was just about making it click early on.   At the moment the season is going well but there’s still a long way to go.   We’ve got to keep the momentum going and prepare for another big game next week against Perth SC.”