Report by Tommy Doleman

Stirling Macedonia congratulate matchwinner Michael Domfeh. Photo by Cat Bryant Photography

Inglewood United's 2022 campaign started with a flourish as last season’s top scorers won 3-0 at Balcatta.

On a day where three of the NPLWA – Men’s Round One fixtures were postponed due to Covid, it was Andres Oliveira's side who flew out of the traps with a strong performance.

They made the perfect start after only five minutes as Luke Alessandrino under-hit a back-pass to his goalkeeper and Egide Ngendakumana stole in to make 1-0.

Balcatta responded with a couple of chances in quick succession. Elliot Tattersall had an effort blocked before skipper Jonathan Corness tried his luck from distance.

Off-season recruit Manase Abendalwa then had a goalbound strike cleared by retreating Inglewood defence before Amir Ajan's free kick was saved comfortably by Dunn as it stayed 1-0 in the visitors’ favour.

Inglewood doubled their advantage midway through the second period. Nice interplay down the left resulted in a cross which was scruffy but effective, as Harry Evans tapped in on his return to his former club.

Balcatta may have halved the deficit seven minutes later when Billy Quinncroft wasn’t quite able to screw towards goal. Instead, it was United who found a sealing third with 13 minutes remaining when Abendalwa let rip with a super strike and iced proceedings at Grindleford Reserve.

Two other teams took three points in Round One.

Promoted Stirling Macedonia won 2-1 at Armadale in an all-action affair which featured plenty of chances.

It was the club's first NPL match since 2019 after a two-year exile in State League Division One, and they got off to a nice start as Sam Wynne’s crisply struck shot flew past Yousri Gharsallah from the edge of the area.

But Armadale had enough opportunities in the first 45 minutes to level. Keeper James Bosdet was called upon to save from Abdul Osman, before Gordon Perkins struck the bar and Angel Andres had a shot cleared off the line.

Bosdet beat away another Andres effort midway through the half, but Armadale deservedly equalised in the shadows of half-time when Pieter Jacobsz ghosted in behind the defence to lob the goalkeeper.

Despite their strong end to the half, the hosts conceded the game's decisive goal seven minutes after restart. 2021 Gold Medal Calvin Whitney clipped a ball forward which his old Perth SC teammate Michael Domfeh latched on to before rounding the keeper to score.

Gharsallah then saved from Whitney, while and Andres was denied again by Bosdet in a wide open game.

In the closing stages Bodset once more frustrated Andres before Stirling survived a strong shout for a penalty to complete a winning return to the top flight.

Meanwhile, the club now known as Perth RedStar won their first game 2-1 over Gwelup Croatia.

RedStar, formerly ECU Joondalup before their merger with Women’s NPL side Northern Redbacks, were ahead before the interval as Sam Pollard's inviting cross from the left was nodded home by Daryl Nicol.

Gwelup responded eight minutes after the break with Rene Kisesa's free-kick from deep deceiving defenders and goalkeeper Joe Pollard for the equaliser.

Pollard then headed Chok Dau's cross at Gwelup keeper Cyril Sharrock before the away side went down to 10 men as Aiden Formston collected a second yellow card on 62 minutes.

That gave Redstar impetus and Sharrock was forced to save from Nicol. However, the veteran stopper couldn't do anything about the eventual winner as Tom Hough slammed home through a sea of bodies after Gwelup failed to clear a corner.

Results: Armadale 1-2 Stirling Macedonia, Balcatta 0-3 Inglewood United, Perth RedStar 2-1 Gwelup Croatia. Postponed: Cockburn City v Sorrento, Perth Glory v Bayswater City, Perth SC v Floreat Athena.