Report by Tommy Doleman

Photo by Fotoenzo

Andy Keogh’s first home match as Inglewood United coach proved a memorable one as early goals in each half provided the catalyst for a 3-0 win over league leaders Floreat Athena.

Brian Woodall struck on seven minutes in a half that Inglewood largely controlled, despite a couple of key saves from Alex Dunn to deny the visitors.

Kenny Keogh found the net three minutes after the break to double their lead, before David Cyrus headed in a corner on the hour to all but seal the win.

The win keeps Inglewood on the fringes of a competitive top four that they will be hoping to crack sooner rather than later and Andy Keogh believes the performance has shown their intent looking ahead.

“Today was a big statement. We showed what we’re about and I thought we played and looked like league leaders,” he said.

“It was a great performance today. Everyone did their jobs from the goalkeeper to the strikers and we deserved the three points.”

Keogh also put the result down to improved efficiency at both ends of the pitch and an improved work ethic.

“The group have been willing to work hard and willing to listen,” he said.

“They were playing well before I arrived. They just weren’t converting their chances and were a little leaky at the back, but hopefully we’ve figured that out and are looking to move forward.

“It’s all about hard work. There’s no excuse for people not doing it and if you don’t work hard, you won’t be playing in my team. It’s as simple as that.”

The hosts made a fast paced start to proceedings and took the lead with the terrific team move.

Ash Rosindale clipped the perfect pass with the outside of the boot to Woodall, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net.

Floreat looked to reply as Dean Evans struck a free kick over the bar, before Dunn did brilliantly to tip over a dipping effort from Jon Stynes.

Andrew Scaldaferro sent Inglewood’s defense scrambling in the area, but it was Inglewood who should have extended their lead when Clayton Arnez cleared Woodall’s volley off the line.

They only had to wait three minutes after half time to extend their lead when Kenny Keogh scored in similar fashion to Woodall.

This time, it was Jason Barrera who played the key pass in behind the defense, and Keogh kept his composure to do the rest from close range.

The third and sealing goal arrived on the hour mark when Matthew Ntoumenopoulos floated in a corner and Cyrus rose unmarked to head powerfully beyond Jason Saldaris.

Dunn pulled off another strong save late on to deny Evans, but it was a convincing win from the hosts who continued their impressive home record in 2017.

Inglewood United 3 (Woodall 7min, Keogh 48, Cyrus 60)
Floreat Athena 0
Saturday May 13, 2017
Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Adam Fielding

Inglewood United: GK. Alex DUNN, 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 3. David CYRUS, 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 7. Kenny KEOGH (19. Choc DAU 73’), 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 10. Ash ROSINDALE (17. Hamza HINA 89’), 16. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS (6. Victor BRAUNER 85’), 18. Jason COLLI, 23. Brian WOODALL.
Substitutes not used: RGK: Riley STEPHENSON, 20. Conor BESCI
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil

Floreat Athena: GK: Jason SALDARIS, 2. Shaun TIMMINS, 3. Clayton ARNEZ, 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO (11. Dennis GALAN 76’), 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES, 10. Kris GATE, 12. Jackson MORGAN, 13.Zelfy NAZARY (18. Phil ARNOLD 64’), 15. Chris SALDARIS, 17. Dean EVANS
Substitutes not used: RGK Jordan BARBAS, 16. Ryan MALTON, 20. Joe TWEATS.
Yellow Cards: Chris Saldaris 75
Red Cards: Nil