Report by Navrin Secker

Photo by Brett Klucznik, Inglewood United

ECU Joondalup have continued their 2018 NPLWA winning streak, claiming a 3-0 victory over Inglewood United at  Perth Plasterboard Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

A brace from captain Daryl Nicol and a goal from Cian Hirrell ensured Inglewood were left with a sense of déjà vu, after the Jacks triumphed 3-1 over the home side in the FFA cup on Monday.

The game burst into life as Nicol was played in behind the Inglewood defence, before coolly finishing past the keeper to open the scoring in the second minute.

The home side grew into the game and soon received a chance to get back in the game when ECU keeper Johnny Perkins gave away a penalty after a challenge on Ash Rosindale.

Jacks’ coach Dale McCulloch thought the decision was harsh, believing Perkins got the ball, but Inglewood’s Alex Salmon failed to capitalise as his penalty rolled wide of the target.

Despite Inglewood having a large share of possession, they were unable to create many clear cut chances in the first half and didn’t look like scoring.

ECU were a constant threat, with the pace of Nicol and the skill of Cameron Murray causing problems for the home side.

The Jacks’ dominance paid off when a long throw into the box found Hirrell at the back post, who could calmly head home to double his side’s advantage.

The score remained 2-0 as the teams went into the half time break.

Inglewood United Assistant Coach Saul Contera said the message at half time was to move the ball quicker and try and penetrate the ECU defence, and the home side seemed to have listened as they looked much better than the first half.

Only four minutes into the second half ECU nearly got caught out when Perkins’ clearance was blocked by Brian Woodall, however Inglewood were unable to capitalise on the mistake.

Inglewood again had a chance when a headed clearance from ECU fell to Rosindale on the edge of the box, his volley sent fizzing just wide of the post.

ECU were keen to sit back and defend, with Inglewood piling on the pressure.

But in the dying embers of the game, Nicol won a penalty after he was caught by Inglewood keeper Alex Dunn.

Nicol calmly finished into the back of the net, sending the keeper diving the wrong way and ensuring that the visitors left with three points.

Inglewood’s Contera was disappointed with the result and his side’s inability to get past the resolute ECU defence.

“It’s disappointing to lose 3-0 in a game that we dominated from start to finish," he said.

“We looked good, but we didn’t do anything with it.”

 

Inglewood United: 0

ECU Joondalup: 3 (Nicol 2mins & 90+3 mins, Hirrell 27mins)

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Perth Plasterboard Stadium

Kickoff: 3PM

Referee: Josh Manella

Assistant Referees: Martin Hicks, Simon Hicks

Inglewood United: 1. Alex DUNN, 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 3. David CYRUS (16. Jamie MURRAY 45mins), 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 5. Scott ROBERTSON, 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 10. Ash ROSINDALE (12. Feisal ZAW 82mins), 11. Ellis HEALING (6. Milorad VUJACIC 68mins), 15. Brian FARRELL, 23. Brian WOODALL

Unused Subs: 13. Kristian DESROTOVSKI, 20. Michael COHEN

Yellow Cards: Salmon 45+2mins, Dunn 90+4mins

 

ECU JOONDALUP: 2. Cian HIRRELL, 3. Ross MILLARD (13. Tommy AMPHLETT 74mins), 4. Shane CASSIDY, 5. Adam TONG, 6. Lukas DE LIMA (14. Steven MCGARRY 68mins), 7. Cameron MURRAY, 8. Josh WHITMORE, 9. Daryl NICOL, 11. Andy HIGGINS (12. Ryan MCDARBY 87mins), 15. Declan HUGHES, 20. Johnny PERKINS

Unused Subs: 1. Jack NUNN, 16. Tom HOUGH

Yellow Cards: Cassidy 54mins, Hirrell 70mins, McGarry 76mins