Modbury Vista Secure Promotion in HPG Homes State League 2 Thriller
Modbury Vista has finally secured promotion to the State League 1 competition after a dominant 5-1 victory over Western Strikers in the 2026 HPG Homes State League 2 Promotional Playoff at ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday, September 12.
Both sides entered the contest on the back of impressive finals campaigns, with everything on the line and promotion the ultimate prize. For Modbury Vista, the occasion carried added significance after narrowly missing out on promotion twice last season.
A bumper crowd created an electric atmosphere at ServiceFM Stadium, with both clubs receiving strong support from the stands. It was a tightly contested opening 40 minutes before Vista finally broke the deadlock.
A long ball from Modbury goalkeeper Kieran Griffiths was headed on by Ben Trotta, allowing Sindahalaye to power his way past two defenders before sliding the ball through the goalkeeper's legs to open the scoring. The goal was followed by an equally impressive celebration, with Sindahalaye wheeling away before performing a front-flip cartwheel.
Western Strikers responded just five minutes later, with leading goalscorer Pilon-St-Louis bringing the scores level. A low ball across the back found Pilon-St-Louis unmarked, and he lifted his finish over the outstretched Modbury goalkeeper to ensure the sides went into half-time level.
The second half, however, was a completely different story.
Vista regained the lead just seven minutes after the restart when Trotta found himself in the right place at the right time, tapping home after Wegener's initial effort had been saved.
Just three minutes later, Modbury extended its advantage. Cooper Wegener followed up to poke the ball past the goalkeeper at the near post, putting Vista firmly in control.
The fourth goal was arguably the pick of the afternoon. Isaac Martin launched a long ball forward towards substitute Linsenmeier, who had only recently entered the field. Linsenmeier allowed the ball to bounce over his shoulder, took a touch and unleashed a powerful strike into the far post, sending the Modbury faithful into celebration.
Wegener then put the result beyond doubt with his second of the afternoon. With Strikers committing players forward in search of a way back into the contest, Wegener found himself in space and was able to drive into the box, beat the final defender and finish at the near post.
The full-time whistle sparked an outpouring of emotion from the Modbury Vista players, staff and supporters.
After the disappointment of falling short twice last season, Vista had finally completed the job, earning promotion in emphatic fashion and securing their place in the HPG Homes State League 1 competition for 2027.
Adelaide Croatia Raiders Crowned HPG Homes State League 1 Champions
Adelaide Croatia Raiders have been crowned the 2026 HPG Homes State League 1 champions after defeating Modbury Jets 4-1 in the Grand Final at ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday, September 12.
The premiers entered the decider against second-placed Modbury Jets, with both clubs already guaranteed promotion to the RAA NPL for the 2027 season. With promotion secured, the only prize left to claim was the championship, and both sides arrived at the Grand Final following impressive finals campaigns in which they comfortably accounted for their respective opponents.
It was the premiers who struck first after the 5:00pm kick-off. Zganec delivered a dangerous cross from the right, with Matikulas getting his boot to the ball and lofting his finish towards the far post to give Raiders an early advantage.
The Jets refused to be rattled and found their way back into the contest in the 29th minute. Tasotti collected the ball just outside the box before skipping past two defenders. The ball then flicked off another defender and fell back into his path, allowing Tasotti to unleash a powerful, high strike towards the back post, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Raiders regained the lead nine minutes later, with Zganec adding his name to the scoresheet. His initial effort was saved, but the goalkeeper could only parry the ball back into his path. Zganec made no mistake with the second opportunity, calmly passing the ball into the back of the net to restore the premiers' advantage.
Adelaide Croatia Raiders took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break and looked increasingly capable of adding the championship trophy to their premiership.
The decisive moment came in the 75th minute. Chikwuba produced an impressive run, skipping past three defenders before slipping the ball across to Kurikwimana. Unable to get a clean strike away, the ball instead rolled into the path of Raiders captain Jai King-Byrne.
King-Byrne made no mistake, striking the ball first time with the outside of his boot and sending it curling into the top corner. The effort carried so much movement that even two goalkeepers would have struggled to keep it out, giving Raiders a crucial two-goal cushion.
With Modbury committing numbers forward in search of a way back into the match, Laird found himself with space on the right. After taking a few touches to settle himself, he unleashed an absolute thunderbolt from 22 yards, sending the ball beyond the goalkeeper and putting the result beyond doubt.
It was a fitting finish to a dominant performance from the premiers and ultimately secured the HPG Homes State League 1 championship for Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
The final whistle confirmed Raiders as both premiers and champions, completing a memorable season for the club. Both Adelaide Croatia Raiders and Modbury Jets will now make their return to the RAA NPL in 2027, the same two clubs relegated from the competition the previous season.
For both sides, promotion represents an opportunity to go one better than their previous NPL campaign and establish themselves back at South Australia's top level.
The Grand Final brought the curtain down on a huge day of football at ServiceFM Stadium, with more than 6,000 patrons attending across the day to watch a full program of Grand Final action.
Under 18 and Reserves Saturday Grand Final Roundup
A host of other Grand Finals were contested at ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday, with plenty of goals, late drama and penalty-shootout tension providing an action-packed day of football.
In the HPG Homes State League 1 Under-18 Grand Final, Adelaide Olympic recorded a convincing 5–1 victory over Fulham United to claim the championship. Vipers FC also secured silverware in the HPG Homes State League 2 Under-18 decider, overcoming Adelaide Hills Hawks.
The RAA NPL Under-18 Grand Final produced one of the most entertaining contests of the day, with Campbelltown City completing a remarkable comeback against MetroStars. Campbelltown found themselves 2–0 down after just 19 minutes but fought back to claim a thrilling 6–3 victory in a nine-goal contest.
There was late drama in the HPG Homes State League 2 Reserves Grand Final, with Pontian Eagles securing the championship with a 90th-minute winner against Port Adelaide.
The HPG Homes State League 1 Reserves Grand Final required an even more dramatic finish, with Adelaide Olympic and Cumberland United unable to be separated after regulation time. The championship was ultimately decided from the penalty spot, with Cumberland United prevailing 5–4 in the shootout to claim the title.
The day also featured another meeting between MetroStars and Campbelltown City, this time in the RAA NPL Reserves Grand Final. Unlike the Under-18 decider, it was MetroStars who emerged victorious, securing a 3–1 win to round out a memorable day of Grand Final football.
