Report by Jayden Lihou

Photo courtesy Jonny Warrington

A Brian Woodall brace ensured Inglewood United remains at the top of the ladder after defeating Armadale 2-1 at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.

The victory means that rivals Bayswater and Perth SC will have to wait at least another week for a chance to take the lead.

Inglewood assistant coach Saul Contera said he was pleased with the victory but admits there is still room for improvement.

“We came here to get the three points and we ended up getting them so we are happy with that,” he said.

“We have got the pressure on us at the moment to win games and we have to win our games and not worry about anyone else.

“We could have played better, there is no doubt about that, but in the context of what we are playing for three points is all that matters.

“Now we have three more finals to play and if we win those three games then we are the champions.”

The away side opened the scoring in just the 6th minute when the ball was cut back to Woodall who played into an empty net.

Inglewood had an opportunity to double their lead when Mark Pritchard whipped a free kick into the box from the halfway line in the 27th minute.

A slight touch off the head of Adam Tong was enough to direct the ball towards goal but Armadale keeper Alec Radonich dived low to prevent his side from going 2-0 down.

Armadale had chances to draw level at the end of the first half but they were unable to capitalise.

The first came in the 42nd minute when a corner found Ellis Healing who had time at the far post but the forward could only muster a strike straight at keeper Alex Dunn.

Another chance came in first half injury time when a low cross from Jesse Fuller found an open Dannie Richman whose first-time effort sailed over the bar.

Armadale came out firing after the break and it was Michael Domfeh heading home the equaliser on 52 minutes, much to the delight of the home fans.

The joy was short-lived, however, as Inglewood found the lead again a mere six minutes later.

Pritchard found Woodall at the back post, who brought the ball down before snatching his second.

Anthony Skorich had the opportunity to draw his side level in spectacular fashion when he volleyed the ball from distance, forcing Dunn to make an acrobatic save.

Armadale assistant coach Tony Castiello said his side’s performance was a testament as to why they deserve to stay in the state’s top league.

“I believe anyone watching would have said that we deserved to get something out of the game,” he said.

“I think what we keep proving week in and week out is that we shouldn’t be where we are.

“We are not losing games by huge margins and we are very competitive but sometimes in football you have to get the rub of the green, and we just haven’t been getting it all year.”

Armadale 1 (Domfeh 52min)
Inglewood United 2 (Woodall 6min, 58)
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Venue: Alfred Skeet Reserve
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistants: Julian Serra, David Johnson

Armadale: GK. Alec RADONICH, 2. Alex CASTIELLO, 3. Jake SARDELIC, 4. Jesse FULLER (C), 6. Michael DOMFEH, 9. Darren FRANCIS, 10. Papa KPATAR (5. David ANNALL 87’), 11. Anthony SKORICH, 12. Dannie RICHMAN (13. Jackson BEALEY 76’), 14. Dylan WHITE, 17. Ellis HEALING (15. Nathan SMITH
58’)
Substitutes not used: RGK. Michael CRAGGS, 8. Ismael BANGURA
Yellow cards: Sardelic 92’
Red cards: Nil

Inglewood United: GK. Alex DUNN, 3. David CYRUS (C), 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Calum O’CONNELL, 9. Brian WOODALL (18. Jason COLLI 78’), 10. Ash ROSINDALE (12. Scott WITSCHGE 68’), 11. John MIGAS, 13. Josh PEREIRA, 14. Mark PRITCHARD, 17. Tim ROBERTSON (15. Matthew SPURLING 87’)
Substitutes not used: RGK. Scott WALLIS, 22. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS
Yellow cards: Cyrus 31’
Red cards: Nil