Victory in this weekend’s Under-16s Cup Final will move Inglewood United’s starlets one step closer to achieving a historic league and cup double. By anyone’s measure, it has been a remarkable season for Keegan Ashley’s team whose ability to convert their chances while keeping out the opposition has them unbeaten so far this year.

That 21-game run has the Under-16s on top of the National Premier Leagues ladder and in a buoyant mood leading into Saturday’s Cup Final with Cockburn City. “The feeling within the team is very positive,” said Ashley. “Our aim was to make the final and now that we are there we will be giving it everything we’ve got to win it.”

Inglewood opened their Cup campaign with a narrow win over Balcatta (2-1) before comfortably getting the better of Warnbro Strikers (9-0) and Bayswater City (5-0). Nicholas Ashley’s brace and singles from Mason Langham and Joseph Perkins saw the team ease past ECU Joondalup (4-0) a fortnight ago to book their place in the competition finale.

Inglewood heads into the weekend as red-hot favourites to lift the Cup, having already beaten Cockburn twice this year. “Cockburn are decent side who like to play football,” said Ashley, who is comfortable in his players’ ability. “We are unbeaten in all competitions this year and we will look to continue that as long as we are focused and work hard.”

“Our form is of a high standard and we will be aiming to keep it that way. We are top of the ladder because we’ve worked hard to get there, and come Cup final day we will be working just as hard … we are in it to win it.” The Under-16s Cup final between Inglewood and Cockburn kicks off at 1:10pm this Saturday, 8 August, at Celebration Park in Balga.