Inglewood joy as trophy wait is over
Report by Ben Somerford
Inglewood United players celebrate the Night Series victory over Perth SC
Inglewood United have ended their 16-year title drought with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Perth SC in Sunday's Men's NPL Night Series Final at Dalmatinac Park.
Robert Petkov opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, before Perth were reduced to 10 men with boom off-season recruit Cameron Teece dismissed for a poor tackle from behind 10 minutes into the second half.
Despite their numerical advantage, Inglewood couldn’t capitalise in a tense decider until substitute and club stalwart Scott Blackmore fittingly lashed home in stoppage time to confirm victory.
The win caps an excellent Night Series for Andres Oliveira's side, who finished last season’s league campaign down in 10th.
"The whole club is stoked," Oliveira said post-game. "Obviously every team aims for a trophy, we've been so close in the past five years. We finally went over the hurdle, we're happy."
For Perth, who were the 2020 Night Series winners, it was their second straight defeat in a final after losing to Floreat Athena in last season's NPL WA Finals Series Cup.
It started positively for the Azzurri, with Michael Domfeh and Teece working well only for the ex-Sorrento forward's weak deflected effort to go wide.
Inglewood responded with Steve Sokol testing Perth keeper Ryan Montgomery, before Aleksandar Jovic cleared Barnett's header off the line.
Teece forced Inglewood stopper Alex Dunn into an awkward save with a dipping shot on the half-hour, before Inglewood got the breakthrough.
Midfielder Andreas Theodosiades, who joined United from Perth in the off-season, drove forward and drilled a low shot which Montgomery fumbled into Petkov's path and he made no mistake.
Inglewood almost doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Anthony Bafobusha fired at Montgomery from a loose corner, with new signing Ajak Riak unable to convert the rebound either.
Moments later Teece was given his marching orders with a straight red for a lunging tackle on Bafobusha, who had just stolen the ball off him.
Perth still had chances with Alex Silla, who came on for the injured Yagoub Mustafa, forcing Dunn into a sharp save. Perth forward Domfeh was then booked for diving inside the box as he sought a penalty.
Inglewood sub Jason Barrera pushed a shot wide, while Steve Sokol spurned a one-on-one chance, but Blackmore sealed the deal, firing home in stoppage time to confirm United's long wait silverware was over.
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.