Report by Aidan Shaw

Photo by Fotoenzo

Bayswater City have progressed to the McInerney Ford Top Four Cup Final after a dominant 4-1 win over Inglewood United at Finance 365 Stadium on Saturday.

Two goals in two minutes from Trent Kay and Alex Salmon had the scores locked at 1-1 at half time, before the hosts ran away with it in the second half courtesy of goals to Todd Howarth, Gustavo Marulanda and Jason Mirco.

The match was somewhat marred deep into injury time when a scuffle broke out between the two sides, resulting in the dismissal of golden boot winner Alex Salmon for violent conduct. After consulting with his assistants, referee David Bruce also showed red to Kenny Keogh and Devon Gibson.

Bayswater coach Chris Coyne, who led his side to their fourth league title in five years last weekend, said a player driven approach was the key to his side’s successful run of form.

“We can do as much as we want, we can work as hard as we want, but the players are the ones who go out there to earn the three points. If it’s not player driven it doesn't work, it falls down,” he said.

“If someone doesn't go to the line in training when we’re doing running then one of them will dig them out, and they are setting standards for each other that are super high.”

Coyne said a recovery session would likely be in order ahead of preparations for next week’s final.

“I’ll have a chat to David Moala the physio and see what he thinks is best, but potentially we will have a recovery session tomorrow and just train normally. We’re not going to change anything, it is just another game.”

“Winning the league for me was the most pressurised one because you get the NPL finals series, so now we can just go and enjoy it like we did today.”

Both sides showed good attacking intent in the early stages of the match, before captain Trent Kay opened the scoring for the hosts in the 16th minute following a Todd Howarth free-kick.

Bayswater’s lead lasted just over a minute, as Salmon slotted home calmly to equalise after some good build up play by Inglewood.

At the other end, Alex Ishida-Livings had his shot well saved by Devon Spence following a great run forward from left back and Salmon rattled the crossbar with a dipping half volley a minute later.

Inglewood had several more chances to take the lead early in the second half, but found themselves trailing in the 51st minute when Todd Howarth curled a textbook free-kick into the top corner.

Bayswater took control of the game and extended their lead 10 minutes later, when Gustavo Giron Marulanda beat his marker and slotted home past Alex Dunn.

Inglewood lost their composure going forward and found themselves 4-1 down in the 84th minute. David Heagney, who had been on the pitch only three minutes, delivered a pin point cross into the box where Mirco held off his marker to head home at the near post.

With the result beyond doubt, frustration showed for the visitors and boiled over deep into injury time, resulting in three dismissals and a sour end to an otherwise cracking contest.

Inglewood assistant coach Saul Contera said his side performed strongly for the first 50 minutes, but lost their discipline after conceding the second goal.

“From 2-1 down we didn't keep our discipline, which has been a good trait of ours this year. We were sort of our own worst enemy in the end.”

With Inglewood now having to take the hard road to the final, and with Salmon and Kenny Keogh suspended, Contera said his side would be reassessing their options.

“We have got some guys on the bench that didn't get a game today who will probably be in contention now to give us some freshness.”

“We’ve only got one chance now, we’ve used up our lifeline so we’ve just got to go out there and try and win on Wednesday.”

Bayswater City 4 (Kay 16min, Howarth 51, Marulanda 61, Mirco 84)
Inglewood United 1 (Salmon 18)
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Finance 365 Stadium
Kick-off: 2:30pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistant Referees: Josh Mannella, Michal Jasinski
Fourth official: Nico Hoyle

Bayswater City: GK Devon SPENCE, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul MCCARTHY, 9. Gustavo GIRON MARULANDA (21. David HEAGNEY 81), 10. Jason MIRCO, 11. Devon GIBSON, 13. Trent KAY (c), 17. Bor Bor SAM, 18. Brent GRIFFITHS (12. David STOKOE 84), 20. Sam MITCHINSON, 23. Andrija JUKIC (19. Luka NINKOVIC 81)
Substitutes not used: RGK Dejan ALEKSIC, 2. Declan HARGREAVES
Yellow cards: Maralunda 29, Griffiths 66
Red cards: Gibson 93

Inglewood United: GK Alex DUNN, 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 5. Adam TONG, 7. Kenny KEOGH (c), 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 10. Ash ROSINDALE (14. Feisal ZAW 60), 15. Brian WOODALL, 16. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 17. Hamza HINA (19. Chok DAU 73)
Substitutes not used: RGK Riley STEPHENSON, 18. Jason COLLI, 20. Scott NEWLAND
Yellow cards: Blackmore 8, Salmon 12, Keogh 54, Rosindale 93
Red cards: Salmon 93, Keogh 93