Soccer: United maintain winning streak

The Port Hedland United Football Club maintained its unbeaten run with a comfortable 4-1 away win against Karratha Salt in the Karratha and Districts Soccer Association's senior competition.

Saturday's victory at Tambrey Oval in Karratha was United's fifth unbeaten game and saw them top the table going into the finals.

The result set up a much-anticipated semifinal against Karratha Snow Whites in two weeks time.

During the weekend's game, United were quick to assert themselves over a sluggish Salt team while playing with a strong tail wind.

The victors piled early pressure on and it did not take long for the opening goal from Vishal Singh, who finished a flowing move down the left flank with a measured kick into the corner of the net.

Salt, struggling to cope with conditions, were up against it and only a well-managed offside trap stopped further distance between the two sides.

Constant United pressure eventually undermined the Karratha team with a Salt defender caught dwelling on the ball by Michael Sheridan, who created space for Kuda Ngwerume to finish expertly from the edge of the box.

United continued to press home their advantage with significant physical presence added when Jared Ahlers replaced Singh at centre forward.

Ahlers added the team's fourth goal when he outmuscled the Salt defenders and chased a long ball.

At 4-0, United headed into the second period with a clear advantage, but the second half proved to be a much more subdued affair.

The Hedland teams struggled in the wind, which gave Salt the opportunity to place pressure on the United defence.

Struggling to control the ball, United players were pegged back for long periods, although there were stoic performances from goalie Mike Kelly, Iain Dalitz and John Kane.

Midway through the second half Salt got the goal their performance deserved when their attackers found room to bring the ball down to the box and drove it past Kelly.

The goal proved a catalyst for United, who reasserted themselves and pushed forward into the Salt defence once more.

An expertly struck free kick from Michael Sheridan forced the Salt goalkeeper into a stunning save, before United captain Jamie Higson drove a smart shot down the keepers' left hand side.

With the intensity of the second half peaking during the closing stages, neither side were able to fashion a further goal which left the score at 4-1 at full time.

A strong performance from the United side means the team is likely to head into the finals as favourites to win the inaugural cup for the senior competition.

United president Michael Sheridan said this was the team's inaugural season in the regional competition.