Campbelltown City have claimed their spot in the NPLSA Grand Final after a thumping 4-0 victory in their blockbuster Preliminary Final clash against Adelaide City.
Campbelltown entered the contest off the back of a 3-0 defeat to minor premiers Adelaide Comets in the second leg of their semi-final playoff, while City had recorded consecutive knockout wins despite only finishing sixth on goal difference.
It was Campbelltown who drew first blood, though, as Blake Carpenter latched onto a piercing Luigi Ditroia through ball on the right-wing before cutting onto his left to score via the post in the 23rd minute.
It took only six minutes for the home side to double their lead, as Ditroia once again created a killer chance with a long-range set-piece that picked out Alexander Mullen at the back post.
Campbelltown’s third was created by a penetrating kick from keeper Nicholas Harpas that split City’s defence and landed at the feet of Marc Marino, who rounded the onrushing keeper and slotted into an empty net on 37 minutes.
Ditroia got on the scoresheet himself in the second half, rounding out the 4-0 triumph with a mazy run down the left and picking up his own deflected ball to fire home in the 79th minute.
The crushing victory sees Campbelltown return to the Grand Final to face off against Comets on Friday night at Coopers Stadium, a repeat of the 2019 decider which Campbelltown won 3-0, and attempt to complete an incredible hat-trick of championships.