Inglewood United will be hoping to build on Tuesday’s 3-0 Australia Cup win over Gosnells City when they hit the road to face Olympic Kingsway in Round Nine of the NPLWA – Men’s competition.
It is the first of three away matches coming up for United which could potentially define their season, given they have not won in the league since Round Four against Perth Glory.
Despite currently sitting bottom of the division, Andres Oliveira’s team are only five points off second spot and come off a midweek victory in the cup which puts them in the last eight of the WA preliminary rounds.
Two goals in a minute during the first half all but sealed Inglewood’s progression after Scott Pereira put an early chance wide of the post.
Chris Tilson bundled in after a goalmouth scramble from Matthew Ntumenopoulos’ corner to open the hosts’ account, before Chad Nilson led a counter attack, played a one-two with Anthony Bafobusha, and finished coolly past Jordan Jones.
Shubham Mokala slotted home a third in the second half and defender Ciaran Salinger hopes Inglewood can use the win and the cup as a springboard to launch their season into gear.
“It was a great win by the boys on Tuesday. We were disciplined with the ball from the get-go and solid defensively,” he said.
“I think we’re knocking on the door for some solid results. There’s a tough run of away games coming up over the next few weeks, but I’m confident we can get some wins off the back of Tuesday’s result.
“Silverware is something that Inglewood as a club always strives for and we also want that as a squad. The cup is a perfect opportunity to really push for a trophy and potentially compete with the best in the country.”
Kingsway meanwhile have won four of their past five league matches to move back into the top half and within touching distance of the top four places. They suffered a blow on Tuesday night, though, going out of the cup 2-1 to State League Division One outfit Fremantle City.
Hayden Stevens glanced in Pat Loughrey’s corner to put Freo ahead, but they were pegged back by Daniel Walsh’s cushioned volley from Ollie Annis’ set-piece.
Substitute Robert Soares came off the bench to win it with a spectacular solo effort, as City knocked out NPL opposition for the second straight round and put themselves in the hat for Round Six.
Gwelup Croatia are the only other non-NPL side in the WA last eight after they prevailed 3-2 against Maddington-Kalamunda White City.
Trim Morgan’s team had to come from two down after Jose Zuniga and Nicholas Serrano put the Division Two side in control after an hour. But Jacob Williamson’s header from a corner and Charlie Breen’s spot-kick sent it to extra-time and Rob McDonald’s first goal for the club ensured the Division One side advanced.
There was no upset at Besteam Stadium though as Balcatta Etna progressed with a 3-1 over Murdoch University Melville.
Ben Hinshelwood powered in a header after good work from Declan Hudson to put Glen Grosate’s team in front, and they doubled their lead when Ben Ford drove home on his first start of the campaign.
MUM FC pulled one back when Declan Tanna converted from the penalty spot, but Hinshelwood’s second of the night from Adam Tong’s flashing effort across goal sealed the win.
Having also broken a three-game winless run against Perth at the weekend, Etna now travel to Sorrento looking to build on a terrific record on the road which has seen them win four of their five away matches.
The Gulls went through in the Australia Cup on Wednesday after a 3-0 win at Mandurah City with Scott Robertson, Zechariah Dabbs and Hugo Snowden on target in the second half.
Stirling Macedonia also advanced despite an early scare from Swan United with Ian Ferguson’s side moving through 5-1.
Brennan Borzecki gave the Division Two side a lead inside nine minutes, but Daniel Zivkovic, Asher Nelson, Gyles Davies, Daniel Faichney and Samim Fattahi all registered as third-place Stirling look ahead to a clash with fourth-placed Perth Glory at the weekend.
There were also midweek wins for the last two winners of the State Cup, Floreat Athena and Cockburn City who meet each other in the league at E&D Litis Stadium this Saturday.
Nick Ambrogio’s early half-volley from the edge of the box helped Floreat return to winning ways in a 1-0 win at Curtin University. The Cockerels also won by the same scoreline at home to Perth RedStar with Jesse Lazzaro’s crisp strike beating Liam Reddy for the winner.
RedStar meanwhile will hope to pick themselves up for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at Frank Drago Reserve against Bayswater City who are three points clear at the summit thanks to five successive wins.
The weekend’s other fixture pits Perth SC and Armadale together at Dorrien Gardens.
The Azzurri parted ways with coaches Marc and Dale Wingell this week after a run of three straight league defeats and an Australia Cup exit, while Armadale remain on the cusp of the top four places and know three points will likely put them back in there, given the fixtures elsewhere.
Fixtures
Saturday (3pm)
Bayswater City v Perth RedStar
Floreat Athena v Cockburn City
Olympic Kingsway v Inglewood United
Perth SC v Armadale
Sorrento v Balcatta Etna
Stirling Macedonia v Perth Glory