Report by Tommy Doleman

Harry Evans made a winning return for Inglewood at Balcatta last week. Photo by JASP Photography

Inglewood United look to go two from two when they host Perth Glory in the NPLWA – Men’s competition on Saturday.

It will be Glory’s first fixture of the new season after their Round One game against Bayswater was one of three matches postponed due to Covid. Ago Mujic will take the coaching reins temporarily after Ruben Zadkovich and Chris Coyne were promoted to Glory’s A-League side following Richard Garcia’s departure.

Inglewood, meanwhile, started the 2022 campaign in style last week with a 3-0 win at Balcatta. It carried over from a strong Night Series, which saw the 2021 winners finish the group stage unbeaten, before having forfeit their semi-final against eventual winners Floreat.

One of the scorers at Balcatta was Harry Evans. The playmaker is starting a second stint at Inglewood after having helped ECU Joondalup to the title in 2020 before a frustrating spell with injury.

“I left Inglewood to go and work with (ECU head coach) Kenny Lowe, which was great when the opportunity came up and we went on to win the league. I learned so much from him and there’s plenty of things he’s said which have improved my game which still stick now,” Evans said.

“It was a memorable season and I really enjoyed my time there. Then last season was a bit of a nightmare with injuries. I had a little stint at Kingsway and managed to come back and score a couple of goals late in the season. I’ve been around the league a bit, but I’m buzzing to be back at Inglewood now. It feels like home.

“When Andres texted me in pre-season to come back, I jumped at the chance to return to the NPL. It was a no-brainer. We know each other well, I like the way he coaches and it’s a great club with great people, which I’m glad to come back and be a part of.”

Evans was in United’s 2019 squad which finished second in the league and runners-up in the Top Four Cup final. He returns as part of a new-look frontline, which includes recruits Manase Abendalwa and Chad Nilson, while youngster Egide Ngendakumana also seems likely to feature more prominently this term.

Replacing 36 goals from last season’s prolific front three of Robert Petkov, Ajak Riak and Golden Boot winner Steve Sokol was likely to be a tough challenge. But a strong opening day showing from Inglewood gave Evans optimism that there’s more to come from the team, and he was also pleased to net on his second league debut for United.

“It was great to get a goal in the first game, but it was also great to see three different scorers which hopefully continues,” he said.

“I think the other new signings and I, we’re only going to continue to get develop and get better. A lot of them are a little younger and don’t have as much experience, but it’s great to play with players who want to prove themselves and show they can step up to be a main player.

“Under Andres, we want to thrive, work hard and reward him for the opportunity and faith shown in us. I’m 26 now, so it’s great to try and help out the younger players, influence them and maybe be a shoulder to lean on if they need someone to talk to, or advice, because I’ve been in that position before when you look up to the older lads.

“It’s a really good team spirit we have at the club. There’s no arrogance, everyone’s happy to be there, wants to be there and it’s been great so far.”

Inglewood and Glory were involved in a late-season battle to determine who would finish in the final Top Four Cup place in 2021. The two met in Round 22 with Inglewood on the wrong end of a 5-1 defeat.

“Glory are very fit, well-structured and always have a point to prove. And I’m sure they’ll be looking at Ruben taking the first team gig and thinking that if they do well in the NPL squad, then there’s no reason why they can’t get a chance because he knows them well,” Evans said.

“So, if anything they’ll be going for it even more because of that opportunity to possibly be in the first-team squad. We’re looking forward to the game though and we’ve also got some young lads in our team who will want to prove themselves against the Glory boys, too, so it should be an exciting encounter.

Elsewhere, Macedonia Park hosts an NPLWA – Men’s fixture for the first time since 2019 when defending champions Perth SC travel to Stirling for the late kick-off (5pm).

Ian Ferguson’s side began life back in the top flight by winning 2-1 at Armadale, while Perth play their first match since their a Night Series Final defeat two weeks.

All other fixtures start at 3pm on Saturday, with Night Series winners Floreat belatedly kicking off their league campaign at home to Balcatta.

Armadale are looking for their first points of 2022, too, and they visit Sorrento, whose fixture with Cockburn City was also postponed last week. The Gulls finished third last season but John O’Reilly’s side did win at Percy Doyle Reserve in 2021 thanks to an Angel Andres brace.

Perth Redstar, Round One winners against Gwelup Croatia, are at Bayswater.

The Cockburn v Gwelup game was postponed on Thursday.

Fixtures (3pm unless stated): Bayswater City v Perth RedStar, Floreat Athena v Balcatta, Inglewood United v Perth Glory, Sorrento v Armadale, Stirling Macedonia v Perth SC (5pm) Postponed: Cockburn City v Gwelup Croatia.