Report by Al Martin

Balcatta were too good for Inglewood United in Rivalry Round, defeating them 4-1 at Intiga Stadium to extend United’s losing streak.

Gustavo Cartarcione and Luke Randazzo were in scintillating form for Balcatta, showcasing superb trickery and deft flicks to wreak havoc on the home side’s defence.

Balcatta coach Ramon Falzon hailed the pair’s performance as well as his side’s ability to absorb intense pressure from Inglewood early in the second half.

“This is the performance I want to see, discipline and structure but also creativity and expression in attack,” he said.

First blood was drawn by Inglewood courtesy of Scott Blackmore’s hard work in the penalty area to make space and poke the ball in from a corner.

However, Balcatta’s Luke Randazzo had the perfect response as immediately from the corresponding kick-off he managed to convert a second attempt after his first ricocheted directly back into his path.

Shortly after, Gustavo Catarcione linked excellently with Kris Gate to pierce through Inglewood’s back line and finish from inside the goal area, drawing groans from the Inglewood bench and fans.

Inglewood returned to the second half looking galvanised and captain Greg Sharland went close to opening the scoring with a dipping long-range effort.

Balcatta soaked up the pressure well  and it wasn’t long before they found their rhythm once more to devastating effect.

Randazzo played an intricate one-two with Catarcione before squeezing the ball beneath the onrushing Luke Martino as the home fans sensed a comeback was evading them.

Not long after, all hope had vanished when Carlo Coelho finished neatly from just inside the penalty area after Ben Meredith did well to keep the ball alive from Martino’s superb initial save.

Inglewood coach Graham Normanton cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle having seen his side once again succumb to defeat.

“The easy thing to do would be to throw in the towel, but we’re not going to implode we’ll work harder and break the cycle,” Normanton said.

“I know my methods work and I’ll stick with them and steer it around.”

Inglewood United 1 (Blackmore 17’)
Balcatta 4 (Randazzo 18, 76’, Catarcione 25’, Coelho 80’)
Saturday, 29th Mar 2014
Intiga Stadium
Crowd Appx 250
Match time: 3:00pm

Inglewood United: GK Luke MARTINO, 18. Jason COLLI, 5. Scott BLACKMORE, 2. Joe PULLELLA, 3. Jon STRIPE, 9. Ryan CLARKE, 6. Ryan FRANCIS, 11. David SESAY (4. Shane PICKERING 46’), 14. Jarrod McNALLY (15. Dejan ANDRIC 74’), 10. Greg SHARLAND (c), 16. Sean BROWNE

Substitutes not used: RGK. Mitchell PAPAS, 19.Connor DEVLIN, 12. Henock BUTSHIRE,
Yellow cards: Sharland
Red cards: Nil

Balcatta: GK Clint DAVIES, 12. Matt BROOK, 3. Kieron STALLARD, 17. Kieron COLWELL, 2. Adam TONG (c), 13. Kris GATE (15. Marc DE FRANCESCH 31’), 7. James SAMMUT (9. Carlo COELHO 71’), 6. Luke RANDAZZO, 16. Ben MEREDITH , 11. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 14. Benny KOUAKOU (8. Matt IZZO 61’)

Substitutes not used: RGK Damien STANOEVSKI, , 4. Alex SULESKI
Yellow cards: Catarcione 31’, Kouakou 38’, Sammut 50’
Red cards: Nil