Report by Alasdair Beer

ECU Joondalup had a winning end to their 2015 PS4 National Premier Leagues WA campaign after a 4-2 victory at Inglewood United on Saturday.

The visitors were deserved winners in a positive end to what ECU coach Dale McCulloch described as a frustrating season. 

“It’s been a difficult year, I don’t think a lot has gone for us, but they dug deep and got through it which is a good sign,” he said.

ECU’s Bayley Montgomery scored a brace in what McCulloch said was an impressive performance from the 16 year old forward.

“I haven’t looked at what he’s scored this year, but I’d say it’s about seven or eight goals, which is very good,” he said.

“It’s pleasing for the kid.”

Montgomery put his side ahead in the 17^th minute after he was picked out at the far post by Joe Smith’s ball from the right flank.

He then did his part at the other end of the ground a minute later, sliding in to deny Andrija Jukic after he was played through with a clever back-heel.

Bayley’s father Stuart doubled ECU’s lead in the 35^th minute as he put a calm finish past Aleks Vrteski from the middle of the penalty area.

Their two goal buffer only lasted a minute, as Inglewood’s Jason Colli broke down the right wing before crossing for Ryan Sardi to head in.

The hosts could have leveled three minutes later, but David Sesay’s shot went wide after he found space in the box.

Coire McGuigan then cleared Jarrod McNally’s shot off the line and ECU keeper Jamie Serra saved with his feet from Kenny Keogh as Inglewood applied pressure before the break.

Both sides created chances early in the second half with Bayley Montgomery drawing a diving save from Vrteski in the 49^th minute.

Inglewood equalised through David Micevski’s 54^th minute penalty before the younger Montgomery replied two minutes later with a booming strike that Vrteski could only tip onto the underside of the bar before going in.

ECU’s leading scorer Tommy Amphlett turned provider two minutes from time, receiving a long ball on the left before controlling the ball at the top of the area and playing in Jon Higgins to side foot home.

McCulloch said his focus would now shift to the composition of the side for 2016 as the club dealt with losing captain Higgins and other senior players.

“There’s a couple who had their last games for the club today. We need to get some more players in – we’ve had two visa players go home, so that free’s up those visa spots,” he said.

“There’s about 15 players who’ve made a debut for the club (this year), so that’s really exciting.

“There’s going to be a new look ECU side next year, which is exciting, but also daunting as well because you have to go and get new players."

Inglewood United 2 (Sardi 36 mins, Micevski pen 54’)
ECU Joondalup 4 (B Montgomery 17 mins, 56’, S Montgomery 35’, Higgins 88’)
Inglewood Stadium
Kick off: 3:00pm

Inglewood United: GK Aleksandar VRTESKI, 2 Rikki SMITH, 7 Kenny KEOGH (9 Brian WOODALL 70’), 10 David MICEVSKI, 11 David SESAY (22 Kurt KOUAKOU 70’), 12 Tim GOULD, 13 Jovo PAVLOVIC (C), 14 Jarrod MCNALLY, 17 Ryan SARDI (8 Scott WITSCHGE 66’), 18 Jason COLLI, 23 Andrija JUKIC
Substitutes not used: 16 David MOLINARI, 24 Jordan HOWELL
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

ECU Joondalup: GK Jamie SERRA, 2 Ryan LOWRY, 3 Jon HIGGINS (C), 4 Coire MCGUIGAN, 5 Josh TUCKER, 6 Cian HIRRELL, 7 Paul MILLER,  8 Joe SMITH, 10 Stuart MONTGOMERY (9 Ollie ANNIS 58’), 11 Bayley MONTGOMERY (12 Keylon POLLARD 90+2), 13 Tommy AMPHLETT
Substitutes not used: 14 Paddy DOYLE, 15 Kye DOUGLAS, 20 Scott WALLIS
Yellow cards: Smith 8’, Miller 54’, Lowry 86’
Red cards: Nil