Report by Peter Simcox

David Micevski scores from the spot. Photo: Peter Simcox

Inglewood United moved to eighth on the PS4 National Premier League WA table after a hard fought 2-1 win against Armadale at Alfred Skeet Reserve.

David Micevski returned from his injury lay-off to give the visitors the lead from the penalty spot just before half time.

The home side then lost inspirational skipper Reece Davies to a broken ankle just after half time before they levelled, also from the spot, via Jackson Bealey.

But a goal two minutes from time by substitute Davide Panaia won it for Michael Garcia’s side and spoiled the first home game in charge for new Armadale coach Paul Price.

Photo: Football West News

Garcia was again left to lament his side’s inability to make better use of their chances.

“We dominated the game but once again we weren’t able to put the ball in the back of the net,” he said.

“We had some good lead-up play today but we have to more clinical in front of goal.”

Photo: Football West News

The coach was pleased for Panaia, who came off the bench to score the winner.

“Davide had a couple of games in the night series and has been playing well for the under-20s. We gave him the opportunity today and he had an impact off the bench with the winner, which is pleasing.”

Defender Jason Colli echoed the sentiments of his coach but said Inglewood would improve. “We struggled big time in the first half, and we made hard work of it,” he said. “But it’s a good three points in the end and hopefully it will kick start our season.

“We had great movement up front but failed to hit the target. I’m sure Michael will be having extra shooting practise next week at training.”


Photo: Football West News

The visitors were on the front foot from the first whistle and Ryan Clarke saw a shot fly just wide on five minutes, before Micevski’s free kick on the half hour was pushed around the post by Armadale keeper Dylan Wilson.

Armadale, who were still looking for their first win of the season, hit back and Bealey’s long-range shot flashed wide of the target.

Inglewood ended the half the better; Micevski’s curling shot crashed off a post and on 40 minutes their pressure was rewarded with the lead.

Micevski burst into the penalty area, fell under the challenge of Faustino Machochi and referee Stuart Muldoon pointed straight to the spot. Micevski picked himself up scored from the resulting penalty.

The home side opened brightly after the break and Nick Crerand’s volley was well saved by Aleks Vrteski. Kenny Keogh was finding pockets of space in and around the Armadale area but he was unable to test Wilson on several occasions.

Armadale suffered a huge blow on the hour when their skipper was carried off but should have levelled two minutes later.

Jamel Yusof was sent clear by a ball over the top but Vrteski stood tall to save, and in the goal mouth scramble the home side were adamant there was a hand ball, but their protests were waved away.   

It was end-to-end football and Wilson saved superbly to thwart Micevski’s shot on the turn on 65 minutes but five minutes later Armadale equalised.

Machochi was a constant threat down the flanks and when he cut inside Abdul Sesay, the midfielder brought the lively winger down and Bealey sent Vrteski the wrong way with the spot kick.

Inglewood, who have more draws than any other team in the league, went close to the lead again seven minutes later. Jarrod McNally made space down the left, and cut the ball back to Clarke, whose shot crashed off the crossbar and bounced on the line and away to safety.

Armadale’s problems were compounded when Darren Francis suffered a head injury and he was replaced with five minutes to play.

It was one-way traffic as Inglewood searched for the winner and it duly came two minutes from time. There looked little danger when Milan Ognjenovic sent a long ball over the top, but Armadale keeper Wilson sliced his clearance, the ball went over his head and Panaia raced clear and headed the ball into an empty net.

Armadale 1 (Bealey 71 mins pen)
Inglewood United 2 (Micevski 40 mins pen, Panaia 88’)
Saturday 23 May 2015
Alfred Skeet Reserve
Referee: Stuart Muldoon
Assistants: Walter Ciotti and Eamon McDonnell

Armadale SC: GK Dylan WILSON (gk), 2 Sam COLE, 5 Sam LOVELESS, 6 Jake SARDELIC, 7 Faustino MACHOCHI, 8 Caleb DIXON, 9 Darren FRANCIS (3 Sam KHANKHALILI 85’), 10 Nick CRERAND, 11 Jackson BEALEY, 12 Jamal YUSOF (17 Raveshlan KUPPUSAMY 72’), 14 Mitch CASTRILLI, 21 Reece DAVIES (c) (4 Ryan JAMES 61’)
Subs not used: RGK Alec RADONICH
Yellow cards: Loveless 72’, Bealey 90+1’

Inglewood United: GK Aleks VRTESKI, 2 Rikki SMITH, 7 Kenny KEOGH, 9 Ryan CLARKE, 10 David MICEVSKI (22 Davide PANAIA 77’), 11 David SESAY, 12 Tim GOULD, 13 Jovo PAVLOVIC (C), 14 Jarrod MCNALLY (16 Milan OGNJENOVIC 80’), 18 Jason COLLI, 21 Abdul SESAY
Subs not used: RGK Mitchell PAPAS, 3 Mark BARNETT
Yellow cards: Nil