Redemption was the name of the game as the two previous Federation Cup runner-ups met in the 2024 decider.
Image: Campbelltown City celebrate winning the Federation Cup Final (Image: Ben Blaess/BDb.media)
Both teams have been waiting a long time for the Federation Cup to return to their clubrooms. Modbury Jets last won the trophy in 1989, while Campbelltown City's last cup triumph also came in the previous millennium, when they defeated Salisbury United in 1994.
Tense starts are not foreign to the finals of any sport, but the Campbelltown attack lifted that tension early with a moment of brilliance.
Yohei Matsumoto's intelligent dummy allowed the ball to reach Alex Mullen on the wing before Campbelltown's captain flicked it back to his charging winger. The play caught the Jets backline by surprise, and Matsumoto's delivery put the ball on a silver platter for Marc Marino to open the scoring in the 13th minute.
Image: Marc Marino celebrates opening the scoring for Campbelltown City against Modbury Jets (Image: Ben Blaess/BDb.media)
Yohei Matsumoto continued to stand out in the first 30 minutes and threatened to double Campbelltown's lead, uncharacteristically forcing Maurice Natale to his bench early. The Modbury coach replaced fullback Jokew Wuol with Giuseppe Macheda, a midfielder who was unfortunate not to start, in the same position.
The score stayed the same heading into the break. Matsumoto blasted an opportunity over the bar from close range while the Jets attacking Hamish McCabe and Francesco Schimizzi fed off scraps.
After a meek display in the final third during the first half, the message at the break was clear for the Jets after captain Jesse Francesca forced Alex Woodlands into a reflex save within two minutes of the restart.
The Jets were able to match the Red Devils on the field early in the second half, but their inability to make the most of their chances left the door open for Campbelltown City to put the game to bed.
Despite obviously playing hurt, Alex Mullen continued pushing and making life hard for his markers. When he played a ball into space for Josh Mori, his forward did not disappoint, finishing emphatically past Ryan Neild to make it two in the 66th minute.
The Jets goalkeeper was forced into a strong save in the next Campbelltown attack, but he was powerless to stop Mori from scoring his second goal after Marc Marino picked him out in the box with time and space to find the bottom corner five minutes later.
Image: Josh Mori moments after sealing the Federation Cup Final for Campbelltown City (Image: Ben Blaess/BDb.media)
Campbelltown City's triumph meant the club not only won its first Federation Cup Final since 1994 but also marked Michael Matricciani's first trophy in charge of the Red Devils. The 2024 Federation Cup also ended Campbelltown's trophyless run, which stretches back to the 2020 NPL SA Grand Final.
Meanwhile, while Maurice Natale's Modbury Jets have enjoyed a fairytale rise in the past three seasons, their record continues to disappoint when silverware is on the line. Despite making the 2021 and 2024 Federation Cup Finals and the 2022 NPL SA Grand Final, the Jets have only scored two goals while conceding a whopping 15.
Earlier in the day, Football SA NTC also claimed silverware in the Under 18s Final, defeating Croydon FC 3-2. Adelaide Croatia Raiders also overcame Croydon FC in the Reserves Cup 3-2 in a penalty shootout.