Report by Tommy Doleman

Photo by Brett Klucznik

Alex Salmon scored the only goal as Inglewood United moved back into the top four with a 1-0 win away at Stirling Lions.

Salmon’s strike came from the penalty spot on 30 minutes after Ellis Healing was bundled over in the area.

Stirling had numerous chances to score throughout but had an off day in front of goal as their unbeaten run ended after three games.

Inglewood goalkeeper Alex Dunn had a busy day between the posts and said it was a big result for the club in trying conditions.

“We played good in patches but they were putting a lot of pressure on us at the end,” he said.

“We managed to stay firm as a team and games like this, when it’s wet and windy and need to grind out a result, will help us go a long way this season.”

Inglewood’s win was their fifth in six games, which has catapulted them up the table. The run has coincided with the return of last season’s top scorer Alex Salmon.

“Alex (Salmon) is massive for us,” Dunn added.

“We missed him for the first six or so games. He gives us a lot up there, he’s a good target man, a clinical finisher and that’s what we needed.”

Stirling created the better opportunities in first half with Dunn called into action on several occasions.

David Micevski twice came close from the dead ball with Dunn saving well on both occasions before he palmed Alex Tanevski’s drive wide of the post.

But against the run of play Inglewood took the lead. Healing was clipped on his way into the area and Salmon sent Pasquale Gioffre the wrong way.

Stirling continued to pressure Inglewood early in the second half as Dunn again denied Sokol.

Inglewood created more opportunities after the break as Kenny Keogh shot twice from distance, but both efforts were deflected just wide.

Salmon put the ball in the net again in the second half after pinching it from Gioffre’s grasp, but the referee blew up for a foul.

Liam Henderson came close late on with an acrobatic effort, which was again blocked by Dunn, but Inglewood held on for an important away win.

Stirling coach Keegan Ashley lamented a frustrating day in front of goal and was confident his side could still push for the top four with 12 games remaining.

“We created bucket loads of chances, but we couldn’t score and it just wasn’t meant to be today,” he said.

“We played very well, better than the opposition I thought, and it was a shame we conceded a soft penalty.”

Stirling Lions 0
Inglewood United 1 (Salmon pen 30min)
Saturday May 26
Macedonia Park
Kick-off: 3pm

Stirling Lions: GK: Pasquale GIOFFRE, 2. David MOLINARI, 3. Darren O’RIORDAN, 4. Alex SULESKI, 5. Liam HENDERSON, 6. Dhhors CHOL, 8. Dejan SPASESKI, 10. David MICEVSKI, 11. Alex TANEVSKI (18. Ben CAMPBELL 71), 13. David FILLIPOU, 14. Steve SOKOL
Substitutes not used: RGK: Lance ALAVAKIS, 19. Zane CASELLA, 22. Joey PERKINS, Daniel HEPWORTH.
Yellow cards: Spaseski 61
Red cards: Nil

Inglewood United: GK: Alex Dunn, 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 3. David CYRUS, 7. Kenny KEOGH, 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 11. Ellis HEALING (23. Brian WOODALL 88), 14. Hanafi GHAZALI, 15. Brian FARRELL, 16. Jamie MURPHY (10. Ash ROSINDALE 68), 19. Conor BESCI
Substitutes not used: 5. Scott ROBERTSON, 6. Milorad VUJACIC, 12. Feisal ZAW
Yellow cards: Ghazali 6, Cyrus 61, Keogh 83
Red cards: Nil