Report by Blayne Treadgold

Photo by FotoEnzo

Inglewood United continued their rich run of form on Wednesday night as they toppled Perth SC 3-2 in a fantastic clash at Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium.

A late own goal from the unlucky Kieran Colwell proved decisive as Andy Keogh’s side came from 2-1 down to take all three points and move to within striking distance of the top four in the NPL WA table.

“It was a great game - first half I think we were far superior, second half we gave them a few more chances but we showed great character to come back from 2-1 down,” Keogh said.

“As I’ve said, we’ve been knocking on the door and quietly going about our business, trying to play some good football with some high levels of energy.”

Ash Rosindale got United off to a swift start inside the first 15 minutes when he headed home Brian Woodall’s pinpoint cross to beat Perth keeper Malec Kuc.

Just minutes later, Matthew Milenkovic restored parity for the Azzurri as he banged the ball home from close range after Inglewood failed to clear their lines.

A spell of end-to-end action ensued with Perth’s Gustavo Catarcione hitting the upright just a minute later as well as chances for Alex Salmon as he brought out the best in the Perth gloveman up the other end.

Kuc and his defence were called upon multiple times in quick succession as he tipped two certain Inglewood goals over the bar, along with a goalline clearance from Paul Zimarino.

Despite a flurry from Inglewood including a rocket from Rosindale which stung the palms of Kuc, the players went it at half-time with the match evenly poised at 1-1.

The chances kept coming for both sides in the second half and it was Zimarino who put Perth into the lead when he followed up a shot from Frank Furfaro which was saved by Alex Dunn.

Perth, who have stuttered in recent weeks, were unable to go on although it took something special from Salmon to peg them back.

The 2017 Golden Boot winner provided another for the highlights reel as he stepped inside his defender at the edge of the area and superbly curled the ball past Kuc and into the far right side of the net.

As both sides pushed to find a winner in the closing stages, it was Inglewood who came up trumps when referee Michael Jasinski ruled Colwell had scored an own goal following Milorad Vujacic’s corner.

Perth coach Ramon Falzon lamented his sides missed opportunities, with his misery compounded by Harley Orr’s injury-time dismissal for a second yellow card.

“From the first minute, it could have gone either way with both teams focused on full on attack,” he said.

“We are quite regretful that as soon as we got the lead, we had opportunities we didn’t take and it came back to bite us.”

Inglewood United 3 (Rosindale 14min, Salmon 62, Colwell og 85)
Perth SC 2 (Milenkovic 19, Furfaro 55)
Wednesday, May 2
Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: Michael Jasinski
Assistant referees: Gabrielle Merlacco, Dylan Luke Watson

Inglewood United: 1. Alex DUNN (GK), 3. David CYRUS, 7. Kenny KEOGH 8. Jason BARRERA, 
9. Alex SALMON, 10. Ash ROSINDALE (12. Feisal ZAW 83) 11. Ellis HEALING (6. Milorad VUJACIC 66)
15. Brian FARRELL, 16. Jamie MURPHY, 19. Connor BECSI, 23. Brian WOODALL
Unused substitutes: 14. Hanafi GHAZALI, 17. Rikki SMITH, Michael COHEN (RGK)
Yellow cards: 3. David CYRUS 21, 9. Alex SALMON 52
Red cards: Nil

Perth SC: 23. Malec KUC (GK) 2. Alex SILLA, 6. Harley ORR, 7. Aleksander JOVIC (10. Nicholas AMBROGIO 87), 8. Tom KING, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 16. Kieran COLWELL, 17. Frank FURFARO, 18. Richard HOWLES, 20. Paul ZIMARINO
Unused substitutes: 14. Kristan SANTICH, 19. Ali NAZARY, 21. George FESTA, 23. Daniel PASSARELLI (RGK)
Yellow cards: 7. Aleksander JOVIC 40, 6. Harley ORR 45, 90+4
Red cards: 6. Harley ORR 90+4