Report by Alex Vlahos

Inglewood United rose to third on the NPL WA table with a gritty 2-1 victory over Forrestfield United at Wildlife Safari Stadium on Saturday night.

On a bitterly cold evening, it was the supreme quality of Inglewood strikers Alex Salmon and Brian Woodall that proved the difference in a high-intensity encounter.

Woodall opened the scoring on 13 minutes, neatly finishing a delightful Salmon through ball and making Forrestfield pay for some scrappy defending.

Forrestfield were level 10 minutes later, after towering forward Hasani Sinclair won and duly converted a penalty.

Sinclair emphatically hit the top-right hand corner with his spot-kick after he was adjudged to have been fouled by Inglewood keeper Alex Dunn as the pair contested a Tom Southgate free-kick.

But Inglewood restored their advantage on 60 minutes, again capitalising on careless Forrestfield play.

A misdirected backheel from Forrie’s Mitchell Crocker saw Woodall gain possession and weave an inch-perfect ball through to Salmon, who struck past keeper Luke Martino at the second time of asking.

Forrestfield pushed hard for an equaliser and dominated possession after Salmon’s goal, however they continually struggled to cap off strong build-up work with a quality finish.

Their best chance to equalise came in the 85^th minute when Rhys Loxley shot powerfully from close range, forcing a superb stop from Dunn.

Inglewood manager Andy Keogh believed Salmon and Woodall set the tone for his side’s performance.

“Both of them worked really hard and were excellent tonight, they set the standard for work rate,” Keogh said.

“Salmon particularly in his hold-up play and Woodall particularly with his dazzling footwork.”

Keogh was proud of his side for holding onto victory despite being under pressure from Forrestfield late.

“We didn’t control the ball as well as we should have in the second half but when your backs are against the wall you find out a lot about your team,” Keogh said.

“We found out today we’ve got some good characters who are willing to put everything on the line to secure three points.”

Forrestfield manager Rod Banjac lamented a lack of cutting edge in his side’s final third.

“It’s difficult to understand because we have great firepower up front, however our final touch is letting us down,” Banjac said.

“I thought the football we played tonight was pure class, but details let us down.”

Banjac paid tribute to a “classy” Inglewood outfit and said the visitors' second goal was a killer blow.

“I’m very disappointed for the players,” Banjac said.

“These boys are like brothers, they are so dedicated and play with so much heart.

“It (surviving relegation) is still all in our hands and we look forward to the last four games with great optimism.”

Inglewood rise to third position on the NPL WA ladder, five points off Perth Glory who play on Sunday.

They have a season-defining two weeks upcoming with matches against Glory and Perth SC.

Forrestfield sit third bottom, with ECU Joondalup next before a huge showdown against fellow strugglers Subiaco to look forward to.

Forrestfield United 1 (Sinclair pen 23min)
Inglewood United 2 (Woodall 13, Salmon 60)
Saturday, July 28
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Nico Hoyle, Thomas Ashton

Forrestfield United: 1. Luke MARTINO 2. Tom SOUTHGATE 3. Wilbert TSHABANGU 4. Jamie DUNCAN 7. Josh KOTIO (Kristian DESPTOVSKI 86) 8. Mitchell CROCKER 9. Hasani SINCLAIR 10. Jordan HART (Callum DOBBS 66) 11. Liam MERRIGAN 15. Jamie STREET (Benjamin ROGERS 81) 23. Rhys LOXLEY
Substitutes not used: Benjamin PARRY
Yellow cards: Sinclair
Red cards: Nil

Inglewood United: 1. Alex DUNN 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS 4. Scott BLACKMORE 8. Jason BARRERA 9. Alex SALMON 10. Ash ROSINDALE (6. Milorad VUJACIC 86) 12. Feisal ZAW (11. Ellis HEALING 70) 16. Jamie MURPHY 17. Rikki SMITH 19. Connor BECSI 23. Brian WOODALL
Substitutes not used: Federico ALNILLI, Sav SCRIVA
Yellow cards: Becsi, Salmon, Smith
Red cards: Nil