Report by Tristan Lavalette

Floreat Athena survived goalkeeper Tom Dixon’s early send-off and a two-goal deficit to draw their NPL WA match against Inglewood United yesterday.

The match at Intiga Stadium ended 4-4 with four goals in each pulsating half.

Inglewood never trailed but failed to capitalise on Floreat being a player short after Dixon was red carded for colliding with Abdul Sesay just four minutes in.

The dismissal forced Floreat to take off Andrew Scaldaferro to get into the action reserve goalkeeper Michael Woolcott, who could not prevent Ryan Clarke’s penalty from hitting the back of the net.

Sesay was clearly hampered from the collision and had to be substituted in the ninth minute, forcing a restructure of Inglewood’s line-up.

The visitors responded with aplomb, their equaliser arriving in the 12th minute when Bobby Wilson headed in from a corner.

The frenetic match rollicked along and Inglewood restored the lead in the 32nd minute when defender Scott Blackmore flicked the ball into the net.

Floreat replied moments later when Ludovic Boi dribbled through Inglewood’s defence and found Jack Allen, who scored a scintillating goal from long range.

It appeared Floreat’s handicap was going to be too tough to overcome as Inglewood started taking control early in the second half.

Teeboy Kamara tapped in a goal after receiving a spectacular scissor kick from Ryan Francis to once again edge Inglewood ahead.

David Sesay appeared to seal the result when he scored in the 60th minute to extend Inglewood’s lead to 4-2.

But as had been the script all day, Floreat responded almost immediately when Lewis McMahon used his strength to win the ball in the penalty area and rifled the ball into the back of the net.

In the 85th minute, Floreat were awarded a penalty after Gary Hill was tripped close to goal.

James Eames converted to level the score and prompt a frantic final few minutes in which both teams had opportunities to produce a winner.

Inglewood coach Graham Normanton was disappointed his side could not take advantage against 10 men for the second time in three matches.

“Two weeks ago against Cockburn we did the same thing against 10 men and could not take advantage,” he said.

“When you come up against 10 men it is a physiological barrier and we have not been able to get over that barrier.”

Floreat coach Glen Grostate paid tribute to his side’s ability to overcome adversity, and had particular praise for Woolcott.

“Credit to Michael, he is a young keeper and he performed well,” he said.

“Everyone played for each other and we are very happy with that result.”

Inglewood United 4 (Ryan CLARKE 5’ pen, Scott BLACKMORE 32’, Teeboy KAMARA 48’, David SESAY 60’)
Floreat Athena 4 (Bobby WILSON 12’, Jack ALLEN 37’, Lewis McMAHON 63’, James EAMES 85’ pen)
Sunday 8 June, 2014
Intiga Stadium, Inglewood
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: T. Fleskens
Assistant referees: S. Muldoon and A. Best
Crowd: 200 (approx)

Inglewood United: 1. Jake LUIK (gk), 4. Shane PICKERING, 5. Scott BLACKMORE, 6. Ryan FRANCIS,8. David PERICH (16. Sean BROWNE 62’), 9. Ryan CLARKE, 11. David SESAY, 15. Abdul SESAY (17. Scott WITSCHGE 9’), 18. Jason COLLI (10. Greg SHARLAND 85’), 20. Teeboy KAMARA, 23. Andrija JUKIC
Substitutes not used:  22. Mitchell PAPAS, 14. Dario PAVIS,
Yellow cards: Ryan FRANCIS 17’, David PERICH 18’,

Floreat Athena: 99. Tom DIXON(gk), 3. Jack ALLEN, 5. Andrew SCALDAFERRO (1. Michael WOOLCOTT 4’), 8. Bobby WILSON, 9. James EAMES, 11. Ryan PRETORIUS (4. Gary HILL 80’), 12. John THORNLEY (10. Christopher RIZIDIS 28’), 14.Ludovic BOI, 17. Callum FRANSZ, 20. Lewis MCMAHON, 33. Mark WALSH
Substitutes not used: 2. Kye DOUGLAS, 15. Michael RIZIDIS
Yellow cards: Ryan PRETORIUS 35’, Bobby WILSON 64’, Gary HILL 87’
Red cards: Tom DIXON 4’