Inglewood United’s youth team have a big game on Saturday morning when they travel to Kingsway Sporting Complex for an Under-18 State Cup quarter-final showdown with Perth Glory.   Richie Abrams youngsters came through the early Cup rounds unscathed but they’ll face their biggest challenge yet in the form of a free-scoring Glory side.

Inglewood have good reason to enter the game in excellent spirits having won seven of their last eight games, and Abrams is hoping that form will continue this weekend.   “The mood is pretty good and the players are very much looking forward to the game,” commented Abrams, whose team defeated Glory 4-3 in the league just four weeks ago.

“That game was very exciting and another like that – with a similar result – would be fantastic.   I have had many memorable encounters with Callum Salmon’s Glory teams over the last four years and neither team will be sitting back.   There’ll be some fantastic talent on display … it’s rightly the biggest game of the round.”

Saturday’s game brings together two of Western Australia’s best Under-18 teams.   Inglewood’s strong form has them sitting second in the league, one point off top spot and boasting the second best defensive record in the home and away competition.   In hot pursuit are third-placed Glory who have the honour of being the league’s highest goal scorers.

Abrams has a fair idea of what to expect on Saturday having cast a watchful eye over the Glory side when they visited Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium last month.   “Glory are good side who maintain good possession in all areas of the park,” he said.   “But we’ve shown was can play good quality attacking football too.”

“To be coming into a big game on the back of a good run of form is crucial.   We have won several games this year late on showing we have not only good football fitness, thanks to our Conditioning Coach Kurtis Rae, but there’s also great fighting spirit within the group.   All of this is going to be important on Saturday.”

Under-18 State Cup, Quarter-Finals

Inglewood United vs Perth Glory
Saturday 20 May @ Kingsway Sporting Complex, Madeley
Kick-off time 10.00am