Report by Paul Laverty

Photo by Brett Klucznik

 

Following his first match as coach for Inglewood United, Andy Keogh has commended his team’s hard-fought 1-1 draw with Balcatta on Saturday at Grindleford Reserve.

“I’m very pleased with the way the lads played,” the star Perth Glory forward said.

“We created chances and we feel disappointed to have only got a point, but it’s a good start.”

The match was played at a surprisingly fierce tempo with both sides situated at different ends of the ladder and needing the win for different reasons.

Balcatta’s Kurt Kouakou had an opportunity to open the scoring after ten minutes following a fine through-ball from Jonathon Corness, but Inglewood keeper Alex Dunn was equal to the task blocking with his feet.

Inglewood had their chances with Ash Rosindale almost capitalising on a dropped ball by Domenico Savoldelli before his defence scrambled the ball to safety. Kenny Keogh then beat the offside trap only to blaze his shot over the bar.

Keogh made amends moments later when an Adam Tong cross was flicked on by captain Scott Blackmore and he made no mistake with his header opening the scoring.

Balcatta responded strongly with Calum O’Connell lashing the ball through a sea of legs to level on 31 minutes.

League top-scorer Alex Salmon had a rare off-day, and while the tempo was even higher in the second-period, clear-cut chances were few and far between, leaving the teams to settle for a share of the points.

Balcatta coach Salv Todaro was pleased with his side’s progress and believes they will climb the table.

“We’ve got to just keep working as hard as we’re doing,” he said.

“We’ve got a young team and are improving week-in, week-out, and the boys are growing in confidence.”

 

Balcatta 1 (O’Connell 31mins)

Inglewood United 1 (Keogh 23)

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Grindleford Reserve

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Referee: Tom Dowle

Assistant Referees: Sorousha Moayer, Jatin Lodhia

 

Balcatta: GK. Domenico SAVOLDELLI,  4. Calum O’CONNELL, 5. Kieron STALLARD (3. Justin ONEK 76), 6. Jonathan CORNESS, 8. Patrick SARA, 11. Feisal ZAW, 12. Kurt KOUAKOU, 13. Daniel HEPWORTH, 15. Cameron GIUFFRE, 20. Paddy QUINN (C) (14. Emmanuel MANSARAY 90+2), 23. Ismael BANGURA (18. Ben MEREDITH 66)

Substitute not used: 16. Brennan BORZELKI, 44. Luke HUTCHINSON (RGK)

Yellow Cards: Stallard,O’Connell, Onek

Red Cards: Nil

 

Inglewood United: GK. Alex DUNN, 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 4. Scott BLACKMORE (C), 5. Adam TONG, 7. Kenny KEOGH, 8. Jason BARRERA (6. Victor BRAUNER 67), 9. Alex SALMON, 10. Ash ROSINDALE (19. Chok DAU 58), 16. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 18. Jason COLLI (3. David CYRUS 81) 23. Brian WOODALL

Substitutes not used: 14. Mark PRITCHARD, 21. Riley STEPHENSON (RGK)

Yellow cards: Blackmore, Ishida-Livings

Red cards: Nil