Report by Matthew Corvi

Joondalup United finally won their first game of the season on Saturday night to leave coach Nick Jennings “buzzing”.

The National Premier Leagues WA bottom club broke their duck at the 12th time of asking as they upset Inglewood United 3-1 at Percy Doyle Reserve.

Goals from Callum Stocks, Sam Wynne and Alex Wild proved the difference for Joondalup, who turned over one of the form teams of the competition.

“I’m absolutely buzzing, we thoroughly deserved all three points. We controlled things throughout and played the game on our own terms,” Jennings said.

“The boys were ready, they took all the information on board and tactically and technically did everything right today. I’m pleased for everyone after that.”

Inglewood came into the fixture having won their three previous games but it was the home side who came out firing.

And they broke the deadlock in the 14th minute through a great front-post header by Stocks from a well-taken corner.

Joondalup should have been further ahead but their poor finishing came back to bite them when Inglewood striker Alex Salmon capitalised on a mistake from home keeper James Bosdet to equalise on 36 minutes.

But the setback failed to deter Joondalup and 20 minutes from the end they retook the lead thanks to a fantastic solo effort from Wynne, who dribbled past three players and rounded keeper Alex Dunn to finish and put his side in sight of their first three points of 2018.

Inglewood were stunned and Joondalup delivered the knockout blow six minutes from time when Wild scored a delightful goal from a difficult angle to ensure his side got that elusive first win.

Inglewood coach Andy Keogh didn’t play down the significance of the result.

“I’m not happy with the performance. They haven’t won a game all year and we’re the first team to lose to them, it’s not good enough.” he said.

“We need to do what we have done the previous five games and not what we did tonight again.”

Joondalup United 3 (Stocks 14min, Wynne 70, Wild 84)
Inglewood United 1 (Salmon 34)
Saturday May 5
Percy Doyle Reserve
Kick-off: 5pm
Referee: Anthony Walsh
Assistant referees: Vraj Patel, Adrien Liechti

Joondalup United: 1. James BOSDET (GK), 2. Johnny CHALMERS, 4. Danny O’SHEA, 5. Joel LEDSHAM, 6. Sam WYNNE, 7. Matthew SPARROW (C), 9. Alex WILD, 10. Elliot TATTERSALL, 11. Anthony TAYLOR, 14. Liam MOONEY, 15. Callum STOCKS (19. Adam BUCKLEY 90)
Unused substitutes: 21. Luke Green (RGK), 12. William KESSEL, 23. Harley CURRAN
Yellow cards: Taylor 75, Bosdet 88
Red cards: Nil

Inglewood United: 1. Alex DUNN (GK), 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS (19. Connor BECSI 91), 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 6. Milorad VUJACIC (12. Feisal ZAW 63), 7. Kenny KEOGH, 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 10. Ash ROSINDALE, 14. Hanafi GHAZALI (15. Brian FARRELL 46), 15. Brian FARRELL, 17. Rikki SMITH, 23. Brian WOODALL
Unused substitutes: 21.Michael COHEN (RGK), 16. Jamie MURPHY
Yellow cards: Blackmore 48, Keogh 62
Red cards: Nil