From Football West
Report by Peter Simcox
Photo by Peter Simcox

A goal from Rory Grant, in first half stoppage time, has given Inglewood United a 1-0 win against Perth SC in round 19 of the All Flags Premier League at BGC Stadium on Saturday.

The Scottish striker was on the end of an Adrian Caceres cross in the first minute of first half stoppage time, to seal victory for the visitors and consolidate fourth spot on the table.

Perth, who were coming off the bye, made two changes to the side that beat the NTC last week, with Antonio Naglieri coming in for the injured Dean Aplegren, while Trent Kay returned in place of Vlad Naumovski, who dropped to the bench. Inglewood United coach Shane Pryce made one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Sorrento last week with Jason Colli replacing Milan Bogunovic.

With rain clouds threatening at kick off it was a sombre start to proceedings with a minutes silence held in respect of former Perth Azzurri President Aldo Guzzi who recently passed away.

It was a hectic start, and on two minutes Josh Pereira was sent clear, the youngster cut inside the area, but his shot was deflected wide by Perth keeper Devon Spence. Then moments later a curling shot from Greg Sharland flashed just wide of the far post, as the hosts opened brightly.

Inglewood thought they had the lead on four minutes, Ryan Clark's run and cross from the right was headed back across goal by James Sammut, and Grant's snap shot from six-yards crashed off the crossbar and bounced down on the line, and Spence claimed the rebound. The Inglewood players thought the ball had crossed the line but the referee's assistant was well placed to call it.

The home side suffered a blow on 12 minutes when midfielder Robbie Puca left the field with a hamstring injury, the skipper was distraught as he left the field. He was replaced by Naumovski.

The visitors were taking the game to their hosts and on 18 minutes Sammut's turn and shot from 12-yards went wide of the target, and ten minutes later Clark's run and shot was pushed over the bar by Spence.

Perth, who were eight points behind leaders Balcatta before the game, went close to the lead on 35 minutes. Sharland's free kick from the edge of the box was curled around the wall, but the alert Danny Stoitis cleared the ball off the line.

But in the shadows of half time it was Inglewood who hit the front. Caceres was sent down the left by Sammut, and his pinpoint cross picked out the unmarked Grant at the back post and the striker headed home from close-range, to give Inglewood the lead at the break.

Perth opened the second half well and Sharland's free kick from 20-yards flashed just wide of the post eight minutes in. Then three minutes later Sharland found space down the left, his low cross into the box caused panic in the Inglewood defence and the ball deflected off David McNally, fortunately for the big defender the ball rebounded kindly for keeper Oliver Taseski, who saved.

Caceres was involved again on 57 minutes, this time running at the heart of the Perth defence, but Spence was out bravely to save at his feet. The former Perth Glory midfielder was the provider six minutes later, sending Clark in down the right; his shot was tipped around the post by Spence.

Chances came and went at both ends of the park, as the game opened up. Perth midfielder Naumovski found space down the right on 67 minutes, and he found Dom De Felice in the penalty area, his shot went wide of the target.

It was Caceres again for Inglewood moments later, the speedy midfielder surged past three Perth defenders before crossing from the left to Grant, whose goal bound header was blocked by Kay and cleared.

Perth were pressing for the equaliser and with ten minutes remaining a quick free kick by second half substitute Andreas Oliviera sent David Onoforo clear, but his shot was well blocked by Taseski.

The home side thought they had a penalty in the last minutes, when Onoforo's shot was blocked by the arm of an Inglewood defender, but referee Mathew Cheeseman waved away their protests.

With time running out Perth had one last chance, a corner on the right, and they pushed every one forward including keeper Spence, but it came to nothing and it was Inglewood celebrating at the final whistle.

After the game goal scorer Rory Grant was delighted with the win against a good Perth side. "It was a good team effort today, in tough conditions. We worked as a unit and defended well and could have scored a few more, so we're delighted with the three points," said Grant.

"Adrian (Caceres) is a quality player, and he's done that a number of times for me. I know if I get in the box he will set me up, and I was delighted to be in the right position to score. I think I owe the side that today as I missed a few chances last week against Sorrento."