United doing hard yards in top-two chase
Inglewood United coach Graham Normanton ordered his players to attend an additional training session this week in preparation for Saturday’s National Premier Leagues WA match against Cockburn City at Dalmatinac Park.
But despite making no secret of his disappointment at Inglewood’s performance in a 4-0 win over Subiaco last weekend, he made clear the additional session had not been arranged to reprimand his players.
“It was probably our worst game of the season,” said Normanton, who had ordered an additional session on only one other occasion this season.
“It’s not about punishment. It’s about improving the team. We simply can’t afford to lose another game if we have designs on the top two.”
After a stuttering start to the campaign, Inglewood has been in fine form, establishing a long unbeaten run stretching back to April 5.
Even their recent Cool Ridge Cup defeat to Bayswater City had ended all square after 120 minutes before Chris Coyne’s side prevailed on penalties.
The turnaround in form has breathed new life into Inglewood’s ambitions and after climbing to fifth place on the table, Normanton has urged his players to push for a top-two finish.
“I think we’re good enough to finish that high,” Normanton said. “I think our best football is as good as anybody’s in the league but we’ve got to keep the form going.”
In that regard, Normanton said his players accept that against Cockburn they must turnaround the poor ball retention and disjointed attempts to control possession evident against Subiaco.
“Cockburn seem like a Jekyl and Hyde team,” he said. “They seem to be good one week and not so good the next. But we’ve got to treat them with respect because on their day they can beat anybody.”
Cockburn were beaten 3-0 by Balcatta last weekend but have been through a hectic schedule of games due to early-season ground availability.
Saturday, May 24: Cockburn City v Inglewood United (3pm, Dalmatinac Park); Floreat Athena v Bayswater City (3pm, E&D Litis Stadium); Stirling Lions v ECU Joondalup (3pm, Macedonia Park); Sorrento v Armadale (3pm, Percy Doyle Reserve); Subiaco v Perth SC (3pm, WA Athletics Stadium).
Sunday, May 25: Perth Glory v Balcatta (3pm, Intiga Stadium).
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