MLADEN WONDER GOAL LIGHTS UP CLIPSAL
Ben Fitzpatrick

Inglewood United and Floreat Athena fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Clipsal Stadium in the Round 17 Premier League Match of the Week.

The hosts took the lead 30 minutes into the first half when Mladen Kovacevic scored a contender for goal of the season, however Floreat equalized right on half time and with no further goals, the points had to be shared.

It was United who came out of the blocks with intent, Athena ‘keeper Vas Vujacic saving with his legs on seven minutes after some fine work by Jason Colli on the byline presented Kovacevic with the chance.

Inglewood should have opened their account six minutes later when the unmarked David Houston headed over the bar from six yards after another pin point cross from Colli.

It took until the 25th minute mark for Floreat’s first meaningful attack on the Inglewood goal, a dangerous free kick from Ante Kovacevic was met by Branomir Mikulic but he couldn’t keep his header down.

The chance invigorated the visitors, and within two minutes Brad Scott forced a great block from United ‘keeper Oliver Taseski.

United were not to be perturbed however, when Houston crossed from deep on the right-hand side for Kovacevic to sensationally control on his thigh, turn and fire a blistering volley into the top corner.

Floreat were again indebted to their keeper five minutes before half time after Kovacevic’s first time volley was saved after Athena failed to clear their lines following a Colli cross.

With the kit men preparing the half time coffees, Athena equalized thanks to Branomir Mikulic. The big man pounced onto a Daniel Niederberger knock down to rifle home from 12 yards.

While Inglewood could lay claim to first half bragging rights, Athena stepped up a gear in the second as they pressed for the winner.

A lightning counter attack saw Scott play in Niederberger but his low effort was saved by Taseski.

Minutes later and Scott saw a looping header beat the keeper but drop just wide of the post following a great Mikulic cross.

The game was stopped whilst Floreat keeper Vujacic received treatment after being flattened in the area by Houston however it failed to halt their endeavor, Insuralde waltzing through three defenders on a mazy run into the box but saw his low shot deflected wide.

Insuralde then attempted another audacious piece of skill, his spectacular bicycle kick flying over the bar from just inside the area.

In a rare foray forward in the second half, Inglewood almost snatched back the lead but for some superb keeping from Vujacic to keep his side on parity.

An in swinging corner dropped to James Duncan and as he volleyed towards the top corner, his deflected effort was brilliantly tipped onto the cross bar.

With four minutes remaining Floreat again pressed forward, a neat interchange between Mikulic and Scott presented the kiwi international with a chance to steal all the points, but Taseski went down well to save his low strike.

With the match in injury time, Scott found substitute Miki Vujacic with a fine pass, but he was unable to get his shot on target as the ball flew past the back post.

Referee Hugh Best brought the entertaining game to an end and in the process handed the ascendancy in the race to be champions to Sorrento.

Teams:
Inglewood: GK Taseski, Pryce, D Kovacevic, Baczynski, Mitsopoulos (73), Whiteside, Sammut, Colli, Duncan, M Kovacevic (86), Houston (61)
SUBS: Stamatiadis (73), Craig, Picker (86), Italiano, Griffiths (61)

Bookings: Houston

Floreat: GK V Vujacic, Madaschi, Bachiller, Insuralde (78), Mikulic, Migas, Vatistas, A Kovacevic, Scott, Niederberger, Apelgren
SUBS: Gregory, Smith, M Vujacic (78), Dunn

Referee: Hugh Best