A BRIAN Woodall brace ensured Inglewood United remained at the top of the National Premier Leagues WA ladder after defeating Armadale 2-1 at Alfred Skeet Reserve on Saturday.
The victory means rivals Bayswater and Perth SC will have to wait at least another week for a chance to challenge for the league lead.
The away side opened the scoring in just the sixth minute when the ball was cut back to Woodall who played into an empty net.
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READ NOWInglewood had an opportunity to double its lead when Mark Pritchard whipped a free kick into the box from the halfway line in the 27th minute.
A slight touch off the head of Adam Tong was enough to direct the ball towards goal but Armadale keeper Alec Radonich dived low to prevent his side from going 2-0 down.
Armadale had chances to draw level at the end of the first half but was unable to capitalise.
The first came in the 42nd minute when a corner found Ellis Healing who had time at the far post but the forward could only muster a strike straight at keeper Alex Dunn.
Another chance came in first half injury time when a low cross from Jesse Fuller found an open Dannie Richman whose first-time effort sailed over the bar.
Armadale came out firing after the break and it was Michael Domfeh heading home the equaliser on 52 minutes, much to the delight of the home fans.
The joy was short-lived, however, as Inglewood found the lead again just six minutes later.
Pritchard found Woodall at the back post, who brought the ball down before snatching his second.
Anthony Skorich had the opportunity to draw his side level in spectacular fashion when he volleyed the ball from distance, forcing Dunn to make an acrobatic save.
Armadale assistant coach Tony Castiello said his side’s performance was a testament as to why it deserved to stay in the state’s top league.
“I believe anyone watching would have said that we deserved to get something out of the game,” he said.
“I think what we keep proving week in and week out is that we shouldn’t be where we are.
“We are not losing games by huge margins and we are very competitive but sometimes in football you have to get the rub of the green, and we just haven’t been getting it all year.”