Inglewood United has started their 2008 Premier League campaign in perfect style with a hard fought 3-1 victory over Armadale in warm sunshine at Alfred Skeet Oval.

Goals from James Sammut, Bobby Despotovski and Michael Baczynski guided United to victory, while a late goal from Shannon Dally gave Armadale some consolation in a fairly disappointing afternoon for new coach Brad Hassell.

With Alfred Skeet Oval bathed in sunshine, it was the visitors who dominated the early exchanges with Armadale goalkeeper Cyril Sharrock called on early to deny James Sammut from opening the scoring after only three minutes.

Inglewood’s forward set-up was troubling the home side with former Glory star Bobby Despotovski the key option in attack, and he should have had the opener on 12 minutes but blazed high from point blank range.

The visitors broke through though minutes later when Jason Colli found space down the right before picking out Sammut free in the box and he made no mistake, finishing with ease past Cyril Sharrock.

A well organized Inglewood were in complete control of the contest with midfielders James Sammut and Jason Colli finding plenty of space on the flanks.

The home side eventually worked their way into the match as the 1st half elapsed and could have been on level terms on 31 minutes when Ryan Pearson found space on the left but with just the goalkeeper to beat; he shot straight into the hands of Oliver Taseski.

Armadale were dealt an unfortunate blow on the stroke of half time when defender Daryl Platten gave away a clumsy penalty with a bad tackle on striker Dennis McRoberts. Bobby Despotovski stepped up to the spot to convert the penalty and give Inglewood a handy advantage going into the break.

Brad Hassell’s men came out with confidence after the interval but were letting themselves down with poor choices in the last third of the field.

Inglewood on the other hand was clinical with their opportunities and added their third on 68 minutes when a wonderful left foot cross from Matt Wardle was headed home by unmarked substitute Michael Baczynski from close range.

With the match slipping out of Armadale’s reach, another substitute breathed life into the game with Shannon Dally curling a superb strike into the top corner past a stranded Oliver Taseski.

That would be their final hoorah for the match with Inglewood holding out to record a deserved victory to open their season.

Football West Match Reporter: Beau Crompton