Report by Ryan Borrett

Photo by Brett Klucznik

Floreat Athena salvaged a valuable point in their fight to stay in the National Premier Leagues WA as they grabbed a 2-2 draw away to Inglewood United on Saturday.

The result ensured new Floreat coach Garret McDuling remained undefeated after four games in charge, while the draw for Inglewood was an opportunity missed after the top two sides Perth Glory and Cockburn City also dropped points in Round 21.

Floreat took the lead early in the first half through striker Robert Petkov before Inglewood’s Alex Salmon equalised from the penalty spot.

Salmon found the back of the net again in the second half following a mistake by Floreat goalkeeper Jason Saldaris.

But the visitors continued to fight and found an equalising goal in the 71st minute after Calvin Whitney’s corner to the far post was headed in by Jesse Fuller to rescue a deserved point.

McDuling said his side even went very close to taking home all three points.

“We had a lot of momentum and a lot of chances at the end,” he said.

“With all those chances it does feel like a bit of a defeat but coming from 2-1 down, I guess 2-2 is a good reflection.

“It’s just about momentum, that’s four now that we haven’t lost so hopefully we can take that into our next game against Bayswater.”

Inglewood assistant coach Saul Contera was disappointed with his side’s performance.

“I thought we were probably lucky to come away with a draw, to be honest,” he said.

“They had the better of the chances but in saying that we still could have nicked it at the end.”

Inglewood, beaten 3-0 at ECU Joondalup last time out, remain in fifth place in the NPL WA table but Contra added: “We’ve dropped an opportunity at home to move further up in the league.”

Floreat started the match brightly and Petkov opened the scoring in the 13th minute after getting on the end of Whitney’s weighted pass and driving home a low shot inside the near post.

Inglewood were given the opportunity to draw level in the 26th minute after Salmon was brought down in the box by Floreat’s Marco Santa Lucia and referee Josh Mannella pointed to the spot.

Salmon stepped up to take the penalty and calmly placed his shot to the bottom right past Saldaris to make it 1-1.

Salmon doubled his goal tally just after half time thanks to a bit of good fortune as his cut-back from the touchline ended up under Saldaris’ legs and into the back of the net.

Floreat looked the better side after going 2-1 down and created several good chances but it seemed as though it wasn’t to be their day in front of goal.

However their equalising goal finally came from Whitney’s corner in the 71st minute which found Fuller among a scramble of Inglewood defenders as he rose to head home and make it 2-2.

Floreat continued to attack after drawing level and Whitney almost grabbed a winner in the 81st minute but his curling effort from the edge of the box hit the post.

Inglewood managed to hold on through Floreat’s late siege as the match finished with the points shared.

Floreat face a tough test next week against Bayswater City while Inglewood will look to bounce back to winning ways against Forrestfield United.

Inglewood United 2 (Salmon 26min, 46)
Floreat Athena 2 (Petkov 13, Fuller 71)
Saturday, July 21
Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Josh Mannella
Assistant referees: Nico Hoyle, Harry Bolan

Inglewood United: 1. Alex DUNN 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 6. Milorad VUJACIC (10. Ash ROSINDALE 68), 7. Kenny KEOGH (12. Feisal ZAW 78), 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 15. Brian FARRELL, 16. Jamie MURPHY, 19. Connor BECSI, 23. Brian WOODALL
Substitutes not used: 11. Ellis HEALING, 13. Federico ACHILLI, 17. Rikki SMITH
Yellow cards: Keogh 63, Blackmore 79
Red cards: Nil

Floreat Athena: 1. Jason SALDARIS, 2. Marco SANTA LUCIA, 6. Jesse FULLER, 8. Jonathan STYNES (12. Ahadi ABANDELWA 76), 9. Robert PETKOV, 10. Calvin WHITNEY, 11. Dennis GALAN, 15. Chris SALDARIS, 16. Ryan MALTON, 17. Dean EVANS, 20. Keylun POLLARD (18. Phillip ARNOLD 67)
Substitutes not used: 3. Andreas FAZZARI, 4. Andrew SCALDAFERRO, 23. Jordan BARBAS
Yellow cards: Santa Lucia 25, C. Saldaris 43
Red cards: Nil