Defender Jarrad McNally bemoaned the teams’ inability to build on a positive start against Bayswater City on the weekend. Inglewood United made a dream start to Saturday’s game with new signing Mohamed Awad’s first goal for the club giving the club a deserved lead over the National Premier Leagues pacesetters.

However, that lead was soon surrendered before Bayswater put away three further first half goals to set-up a 4-2 win. “It was very disappointing,” McNally said of the loss, which slipped Inglewood down to sixth on the ladder. “We’ve had some good results of late and were coming into the game full of belief.”

“We started well and had them under the pump for the first 15 minutes. We were creating chances and scored early. But when they equalised a few minutes later it deflated us a bit. The final scoreline reflected our 20 minute lapse in concentration, something you just can’t do against a quality side like Bayswater.”

McNally isn’t about to dwell on the weekend result, even though it came hot on the heels of defeat at Perth SC. “We’re not at all concerned,” he said of back-to-back losses. “We’re one point better off three games into the second half of the season than were after the first three games … I can only see us going upwards from here.”

That same forward momentum is reflected in McNally’s own game, which as the 21-year old adapting to his move into the backline. “Left back is a new position for me,” commented the former ECU Joondalup youth team striker. “Every week I’m learning more about the role and getting more confident at this level.”

“I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far this year, but I still have a lot to learn if I want to play first team football week in, week out. For the second half of the season I want to start as many games as possible and keep improving my game, both defensively and getting forward when possible.”