Report by Alasdair Beer

Football West News

Assistant coach Michael Baczynski believes Inglewood United can continue their good form in the PS4 NPLWA despite the recent departure of star midfielder Ryan Clarke.

The 27-year-old Clarke, who played his final game for Inglewood in a round 11 win over ECU Joondalup, has returned home to northern New South Wales where he has joined Maitland.

In Clarke’s absence last week, fourth-placed Inglewood extended to five games their winning streak with a 2-1 success away to Cockburn City, who had previously enjoyed a four-match winning run.

Baczynski hopes the team will continue the consistency that has lifted them to fourth place when they travel to Dorrien Gardens to take on Perth SC on Saturday.

“We can’t replace Ryan Clarke - there’s no one in particular we have lined up to fill his shoes,” Baczynski said.

“It’s not a good thing but it will make us more unpredictable to other teams.”

He said despite a winless first five rounds of the season, the players had always had belief in their ability.

“(It was) just a matter of getting the right team on the park and performing to that consistent level,” he said.

“We’ve got a few new players in this year and we’ve had to gel them in.”

Inglewood are a point behind third-placed Perth, having drawn 1-1 in their earlier meeting this season.

“You always look forward to games against teams like Perth and Bayswater because they’ve proven to be the benchmark of football in the state,” Baczynski said.

“We performed well without getting results against them towards the start of the year… we’re confident we can get a result if we turn up and perform the way we have been.”

Perth coach Taki Nicolaidis said his side respected Inglewood’s capabilities.

“I’ve watched them five or six times this year and they’ve been pretty slick with the way they play their football,” he said.

Perth learned this week they will travel to Sydney to play NPL outfit Rockdale City Suns in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32. Nicolaidis said morale was soaring at the club.

“The buzz around the group has been fantastic,” he said.

“It’s really exciting times, not just for the club as a whole, but to have the club representing WA.”

However, he said his immediate concern was on Saturday’s game.

“We need to make sure we all do our jobs on the weekend and keep our focus on Inglewood,” he said.

FIXTURES
Saturday, July 4
Perth SC v Inglewood United (3pm, Dorrien Gardens)
Floreat Athena v Cockburn City (3pm, Litis Stadium)
Bayswater City v ECU Joondalup (3pm, Frank Drago Reserve)
Perth Glory v Armadale (3pm, Inglewood Stadium)
Stirling Lions v Sorrento (3pm, Macedonia Park)
Subiaco v Balcatta (3pm, Rosalie Park)