Report by Tommy Doleman

Photo courtesy Brett Klucznik

Inglewood United moved outright top of the PS4 National Premier Leagues WA after coming from behind to beat Cockburn City 4-2.

The hosts trailed at the break as Harry O’Brien netted for the visitors, but a stronger second half showing ensured United would register a fifth consecutive win in 2016.

Kenny Keogh scored twice either side of Brian Woodall’s header and Ash Rosindale wrapped up the points late on after Cameron Edwards briefly sparked Cockburn hopes.

Inglewood coach Taki Nicolaidis admitted that some stern words at half time provided the catalyst for the revival.

“The second half was a much better performance from us. We were slow out of the blocks and second to everything in the first half,” he said.

“Ball movement was slow, movement off the ball was negligent and I think the boys might have thought they could turn up and things would happen.

“They copped an earful at half time. We wanted to change the mindset because the first half didn’t even come close to a pass mark. It was a mental thing more than a tactical thing.”

Josh Pereira came close early on with a long-range effort that was tipped over by Luke Radonich, as Inglewood pressed without any real cutting edge.

The deadlock was broken, though, on the half hour mark as slick link-up play in midfield led to O’Brien driving in left-footed from outside the area.

Inglewood came to life after that and Radonich had to be alert to save brilliantly from Keogh’s header before his defence scrambled well to block Woodall’s effort.

An early goal in the second half was required for the home side and they got it just two minutes in when Keogh was on hand to bundle home Woodall’s cross after breaking clear.

Minutes later they led for the first time when Mark Pritchard clipped a ball into the six yard box and Woodall got the slightest of touches to glance in.

A third was scored on the hour mark as Radonich cleared into the back of an Inglewood player having caught a cross and Keogh was on hand to find the net.

Cockburn kept going and responded fairly well to going 3-1 down and were rewarded for their efforts when the hosts couldn’t clear their lines and Edwards slotted home to set up a nervy finish.

But Rosindale came off the bench and netted with eight minutes to go to end the contest after winning the ball and firing first time from outside the box.

Tim Robertson came close to adding a fifth late on but could only find the woodwork as Inglewood closed things out to maintain their 100 percent start to the season.

Nicolaidis now prepares his side for fixtures in the league and cup and hopes that they can continue their form.

“It’s three points and we keep our unbeaten record, but we’ve got to play better than this come next week against Stirling,” he said.

“We’ve got some depth in our squad now, which is what you need when you want to challenge for trophies.”

Inglewood United 4 (Keogh 48min, 61, Woodall 54, Rosindale 83)
Cockburn City 2 (O’Brien 31min, Edwards 73)
Saturday April 16, 2016
Inglewood Stadium
Local kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Nico Hoyle

Inglewood United: GK: Alex DUNN, 3. David CYRUS, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Calum O’CONNELL, 7. Kenny KEOGH (2. Rikki SMITH 84’), 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Brian WOODALL, 11. John MIGAS, 13. Josh PEREIRA (10. Ash ROSINDALE 68’), 14. Mark PRITCHARD, 18. Jason COLLI (17. Tim ROBERTSON 81’)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Mitchell PAPAS, 19. Ryan SARDI
Yellow Cards: Keogh 32’
Red Cards: Nil

Cockburn City: GK. Luke RADONICH, 6. Reuben TRISTAO, 7. Ali GHOLAMI, 8. Cameron EDWARDS (14. Julian TELES 76’), 10. David ARAYA, 11. Harry O’BRIEN, 13. Blake ADAMS, 16. Daniel DOLS, 17. Jesse LAZZARO (20. Josh KUSAR 56’), 18. Aden DA LUZ (3. Andrew EMSAVANA 84’), 19. Angel ANDRES
Substitutes not used: RGK: Ryan BARKER
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil