Report by Bianca Niederberger

Two Tommy Amphlett goals were pivotal in ECU Joondalup’s late rally as they scored a 5-2 win over Inglewood United at ECU Football Stadium yesterday.

Despite an encouraging start, Inglewood, who were reduced to 10 men when Greg Sharland was sent off late in the game, were unable to hold off the hosts as they romped home in the second half.

Both sides had a tumultuous and emotional few weeks with Inglewood parting ways with coach Graham Normanton earlier in the week and ECU coach Dale McCulloch suspended for three games.

The home side were first to strike when David Foster put his team ahead after 11 minutes when he capitalised on an error by Ryan Clarke.

ECU held firm against the attacking threat posed by Andrija Jukic, Abdul Sesay and Ryan Francis but it was Clarke who made good on his previous indiscretion when he made Andy Higgins pay for a lapse in concentration and scored past keeper Andy Banks.

Inglewood emerged with renewed vigor after the break and scored almost immediately when Jason Colli crossed to Sesay, who chipped the ball over Banks.

Cracks started to appear in the ECU side as Inglewood found space in the midfield and upped the intensity, through Clarke and Sesay.

But the tide turned in the 70th minute when Stuart Montgomery’s shot hit the cross bar and the ball bounced in behind a crowded goal line.

And as the chances came, ECU took them, adding another three goals in just 15 minutes. The onslaught began with Andy Higgins sending Amphlett clear on the left and he made it look easy with a fine strike.

Five minutes later, Montgomery won the ball and crossed to Joe Smith, who bundled it over the line in a confusing tussle with goalkeeper Luke Martino. Sharland was sent off as Inglewood pleaded their case for the goal to be disallowed.

With only 10 minutes left to play, ECU seized the momentum and Amphlett, assisted by Higgins, doubled his personal tally.

McCulloch felt his team had been unlucky in the last few weeks and deserved more but pointed to a marked improvement from the first round against the same top four sides.

“Things are definitely improving and we’re looking to continue this form and put in a strong finish to the season,” he said.

“Today, the guys just backed each other and you can see what happens when your Tommy’s and Monty’s and Fossie’s are in form and they turn it on.”

ECU Joondalup 5 (David FOSTER 11’, Stuart MONTGOMERY 70’, Tommy AMPHLETT 75’, 90+1’, Joe SMITH 82’)
Inglewood 2 (Ryan CLARKE 29’, Abdul SESAY 48’)
Saturday 26th July, 2014
ECU Football Stadium
Attendance: approx. 120
Kick Off: 3:00pm
Referee: Michal Jasinski
Assistant Referees: Rory Jackson, Oliver Allen

ECU Joondalup: 1. Andy BANKS (gk), 2. Ryan LOWRY, 3. Jon HIGGINS (c), 4. Charlie COMYN-PLATT, 5. Carl RODGERS, 7. Henry DURR (6. Jon STYNES 53’), 8. Joe SMITH, 9. Dave FOSTER (19. Stuart MONTGOMERY 60’), 10. Andy HIGGINS, 11. Danny DIXON (14. Jake BESNON-COOPER 55’), 13. Tommy AMPHLETT
Substitutes not used: 15. Ryan TOWNSEND, 21. Jamie SERRA
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil

Inglewood United: 1. Luke MARTINO (gk), 8. David PERICH, 6. Ryan FRANCIS (7. Paddy DOYLE 88’), 9. Ryan CLARKE, 10. Greg SHARLAND, 12. Cam SUTTON, 14. Jarrod McNALLY, 15. Adbul SESAY, 18. Jason COLLI, 21. Josh DEMARTE (16. Sean BROWNE 60’), 23. Andrija JUKIC (2. Dario PAVIC 75’)
Substitutes not used: 17. Jake LUIK, 3. Jaedon EWEN
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: Greg SHARLAND 83’