Report by Chris Andrawes

Despite Inglewood United being 3-0 up against Subiaco at the WA Athletics Stadium, they had to endure a nervy end to the game as they managed to hold on to win 4-3 in the NPL on Saturday.

The win was caretaker coach Goran Stajic’s first in charge of Inglewood.

“To be up 3-0 and then come close to drawing at the end would have been disappointing for the lads,”he said.

"We haven’t won for a while so obviously the boys have forgotten what it’s like to be winning and how to win the game.”

Inglewood largely dominated the first half going in at half time with a comfortable 2-0 lead, thanks to a brace from Teeboy Kamara, who finished sharply with two well-taken shots.

The lead was extended in the second half as Greg Sharland found the net with a well-taken free kick, which Subiaco goalkeeper Henry Davies was unlucky not to keep out after getting a hand to it.

Subiaco then earned a confidence boost as Rory Feely volleyed home from close range to make it 3-1, before Feely set up Ian McMurray with a tap in to reignite the game at 3-2. 

The final blow came to Subiaco almost instantly as Inglewood managed to score straight from the restart through Ryan Clarke, who came straight through the middle of the Subiaco defence uncontested.

Subiaco coach Gerry McEwan was left frustrated by his side’s poor defensive display.

“To get back to 3-2 and give away a goal from kick off is just juvenile, it shouldn’t happen at any age group, its just unacceptable,”he said.

“I didn’t think their defence was any better, a fair score would have been six each today.”

Subiaco snuck one more back and set up a grandstand finish with Rowdy Yates firing a well-driven shot past the keeper.

Jordan Rhodes missed a guilt edged chance just seconds before the final whistle as he found himself free in the penalty area but put his shot over the bar.

Stajic believes Inglewood still has something to show the league in the remaining games.

“Everyone keeps saying we haven’t got a lot to play for but we’ve got (Ryan) Clarke up there chasing the golden boot, which would be a fantastic achievement for not only him but also the club,”he said.

“I think a lot of these boys are playing for a spot next year, if not at Inglewood then at other clubs, so I think there’s a lot to play for still and a lot to prove.”

 

Subiaco 3 (Feely 65’, McMurray 73’, Yates 86’)
Inglewood 4 (Kamara 19’, 28’, Sharland 60’, Clarke 74’)
WA Athletics Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee:Matt Southern
Assistant referees: Brendan Skinner, Rory Jackson
Attendance: 150 Approx.

Subiaco: 1. Henry DAVIES, 2. Nathan DIAZ, 3. Rowdy YATES, 4. Alex RANDELL, 6. Brad McDONALD, 8. Jordan RHODES, 9. Ian McMURRAY, 10. Guy McDONALD, 12. Dave TIMMONS, 16. George TCHAMI, 17. Rory FEELY
Substitutes not used: 21. Sam STONE, 7. Ger FITZGERALD, 15. Jack RYCROFT, 13. Jason DORLING, 11. Owen COATES
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil

Inglewood: 1. Luke MARTINO, 4. Shane PICKERING (7. Matt DANSKIN 75’), 5. Scott BLACKMORE, 9. Ryan CLARKE, 10. Greg SHARLAND, 14. Jarrod McNALLY, 16. Sean BROWNE, 18. Jason COLLI, 20. Teeboy KAMARA, 21. Joshua DEMARTE (8. David PERICH 53’), 23. Andrija JUKIC (11. Jordan D’SOUZA 90’)
Substitutes not used: 12. Cameron SUTTON, 22. Jalce WIK
Yellow cards: Blackmore 82’, Jukic 86’, Browne 90’
Red cards: nil