RAA NPLSA & State League Preview | Final Series - Week 2

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Although holding the RAA NPLSA premiers Adelaide City goalless in the first leg of this season’s Semi-Final, Campbelltown City will be devasted with how the match panned out. Losing Marc Marino to injury within the opening 40 minutes of the match, it was evident that Campbelltown City was sorely missing the striker’s presence in the forward line, with the team unable to penetrate Adelaide City's defence without a true striker. In addition to the loss of Marino, Campbelltown City will also be without the experienced Joel Allwright in their second leg clash with Adelaide City after he received a red card in last week’s match. With their sights set on another Grand Final appearance, Campbelltown City must hope the tremendous depth in their squad can pull them over the line this weekend.

Having got through their first leg without conceding an away goal, Adelaide City will be pleased with their performance knowing they played in a gruelling 120-minute clash with Adelaide United FC only days earlier. With their players now fully fit, Adelaide City will look to utilise their dangerous frontline to book their place in this season's Grand Final. Heading into the second-leg clash with Campbelltown City, Adelaide City holds a great advantage as they will look to utilise the away goals rule to book their second consecutive Grand Final appearance. With the possibility of being without their captain Matthew Halliday who picked up an injury in their Australia Cup clash against Adelaide United FC, Adelaide City will hope that the new partnership of Thomas Brown and Bradley Corbo can help gain the victory this weekend.

Campbelltown City line-up: 1. Alexander Woodlands (GK), 2. Shaun Harvey (C), 3. Mario Orrico, 4. Connor Centofanti, 5. James Boffa, 6. Adam D'Agostino, 8. Alexander Mullen, 9. Nicholas Graves, 9. Marc Marino, 10. Luigi Ditroia, 12. Nicholas Francese, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 15. Antony Piscioneri, 16. Daniel Mullen, 17. Santana Bartkowski, 18. Yohei Matsumoto, 19. Joshua Barresi, 21. Jordan Maricic, 23. Jake Halliday, 35. Luca Meggetto
Coaches: Michael Matricciani, Adrian DAloia, brenton hiern, Edward Scalzi
Team Staff: Agelo Kapnistis, Liam Oates, Corey Artone

Adelaide City line-up: 4. Matthew Halliday, 5. Zakariah Waters, 6. Bradley Corbo, 7. Daniel Bressan, 10. Nicholas Bucco, 14. Aladin Irabona, 15. Darcy Dawber, 17. Thomas Brown, 20. Charlie Devereux, 22. JUAN GUTIERREZ, 23. Jai King-Byrne, 25. Mohammad Mekawir, 33. Dakota Ochsenham (GK), 44. Henry Filsell, 92. Josch Muscio, 99. Ayom Ayom Majok
Coaches: Paul Pezos, George Tsonis, Lewis Vallelonga
Team Staff: Fabian Garuccio, Nik Hagicostas, Luis Fernandez Astudillo

Adelaide Comets vs MetroStars
Elimination Final
3:00 pm | Saturday 27 August | ServiceFM Stadium
Last Meeting: (2/7/22) Round 17, Adelaide Comets 1 v MetroStars 0

With a hard-fought, 1-0 win over Croydon FC last week, Adelaide Comets' race for the Grand Final is still on after an Allan Welsh goal sent them into the next round. Entering the game without a fully fit goalkeeper, Daniel Vaughan produced an admirable showing in the Adelaide Comets net to hold a clean sheet against a threatening Croydon FC attack. In what was a strong defensive performance, Adelaide Comets must be at their very best to withhold a strong attacking outfit in MetroStars.

Having already faced off twice this season, MetroStars have been unable to find an answer for the threat posed by Adelaide Comets, with the games finishing 1-1 and most recently 1-0 in Adelaide Comets' favour.

After gaining a 2-1 victory over Adelaide United FC last week, MetroStars secured their place in the second week of the Finals Series for the first time since 2019. Taking an early lead through Christian Esposito in only the third minute, MetroStars were unable to withhold Adelaide United FC’s attack for too long as the game went level in the tenth minute. Trying to find an answer for most of the match, MetroStars found their breakthrough through Alessio Melisi whose volley found the back of the net with only ten minutes left to play. Without a victory over Adelaide Comets since their 5-4 win in Round 16 of the 2020 season, MetroStars will be hoping to erase their drought and book a place in this season's Semi-Final.

Adelaide Comets line-up: 4. Logan Marley-McFall, 5. Adam Le Cornu, 6. Boris Glushkov, 7. Augustus Williams, 8. Ryan Yates, 9. Ryan Cook, 10. Anthony Mavrolambados, 11. Thomas Briscoe, 12. Lukas Ikonomopoulos, 14. Nathan Andijanto, 16. Stelios Zacharakis, 18. Thomas Giannakopoulos, 19. Jaiden Diamantis, 21. Nikolas Ikonomopoulos, 22. Allan Welsh (C), 23. Scott Nagel, 24. Lachlan Stead, 31. Daniel Vaughan, 50. Harry Findlay, 66. Jayden LoBasso
Coaches: Barney Smith, John Falidis, Peter Eleftherakis
Team Staff: Evangelo Katsambis, Andrew Furner, Emma Gericke, Andreas Wiens, Ilias Tsakiris

MetroStars line-up: 1. Isaac Carmody, 2. Connor O'rielly, 4. Justin Davis, 5. Timothy Henderson, 6. Paul Blefari, 7. Hamish Gow, 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Thomas Strain, 10. Anthony Solagna (C), 11. Ariath Piol, 12. Alessio Melisi, 14. Philip Cash, 15. Nicholas Pedicini, 16. Francesco Schimizzi, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O'donnell, 20. Luke Ostbye (GK), 21. Cameron Woodfin, 22. Jackson Walls, 23. Christian Esposito, 26. Ren Nagamatsu, 27. Jackson Fortunatow
Coaches: Robert Saraceno, Nicholas Bouzalas, Adam Van Dommele, Michael Rende
Team Staff: Giorgio Capoccia, Joseph Polisena, Breanna Schultz, George Laoutaris

State League One

With a 3-0 win in their first leg clash with Modbury Jets last Saturday, West Adelaide is in pole position in gaining the first spot in this season's Grand Final and potentially secure promotion back into the RAA NPLSA. It was a masterclass in attacking by West Adelaide which saw Kosta Mantis, Peter Katsambis and Joe Gatting all secure goals each. Gatting has been an incredible addition to the West Adelaide squad as, since his arrival from Para Hills Knights midseason, the striker has scored eight goals in only six appearances. The striker will be looking to fire West Adelaide back into the RAA NPLSA for the first time since 2019.

Although already being promoted back to the RAA NPLSA, Modbury Jets will still be disappointed that they now must overcome a three-goal deficit to gain the first spot in this season's State League One Grand Final. Dominating throughout the entirety of the 2022 season, Modbury Jets have now only won one of their last four matches, losing three. Although being 3-0 down on aggregate, Modbury Jets should not be written off in gaining the first Grand Final place as we have seen the team score four or more in ten games this State League One season.

Para Hills Knights vs Fulham United FC
Elimination Final
3:00 pm | Saturday 27 August | The Paddocks
Last Meeting: (9/7/22) Round 18, Fulham United FC 0 v Para Hills Knights 0

A 3-0 win over Adelaide Croatia Raiders last week has seen Para Hills Knights go one step closer to a chance at promotion back into the RAA NPLSA. It was a dominant second-half display by Para Hills Knights which saw the team enter the second week of the Finals Series as goals by Adam Savetta, William Mitev and Keshav Shrestha booked their place in this week’s Elimination Final clash with Fulham United FC.

The clashes between the two sides this season have been relatively close. In their first encounter in Round Seven, Para Hills Knights secured a 2-1 victory over Fulham United FC, while their last clash finished in a goalless draw.

Although coming into the Finals Series as the lowest ranked team, Fulham United FC may no longer be seen as the underdog in this fixture. A first-half Connor Gollan goal saw Fulham United FC knock third-place Adelaide Blue Eagles out of the Finals Series. Last week’s win over Adelaide Blue Eagles has now extended Fulham United’s unbeaten run to eleven games, also securing their third consecutive 1-0 victory. Having never participated in the RAA NPLSA, Fulham United will hope to continue their unbeaten run and secure promotion this season.

State League Two

Adelaide Cobras' seven-game unbeaten streak came to an end last week, as they fell to a 3-1 defeat in their Semi-Final first leg encounter with Vipers FC. Although having to overturn a two-goal deficit, Adelaide Cobras will be pleased that it was not three after the trusty head of Daniel Scorsonelli secured a valuable away goal in the third minute of injury time. Securing a 2-0 victory over Vipers FC in their first meeting at Pro Paint & Panel Oval – Weigall Oval, Adelaide Cobras will be eager to replicate this performance to secure their place in this season's State League Two Grand Final.

Vipers FC will be extremely pleased to have taken the lead in their two-leg series with Adelaide Cobras last week as they secured a 3-1 victory. It was goals by Dylan Centrone, Jordan Mugford and Matheus Borges Rodrigues that have helped take Vipers FC one step closer to the Grand Final and promotion. Matheus Borges Rodrigues is one to watch, with the attacker scoring seven goals in his last eight appearances. Already holding a two-goal advantage over Adelaide Cobras, we are most likely in store for a strong defensive performance by Vipers FC as they look to hold their lead.

Western Strikers vs Cove FC
Elimination Final
3:00 pm | Saturday 27 August | Carnegie Reserve
Last Meeting: (4/6/22) Round 13, Western Strikers 1 v Cove FC 0

Western Strikers will be pleased to see their Finals Series journey continue after last week’s scare against Northern Demons. Falling 2-0 behind in the opening 20 minutes of last week’s match, things took a massive change in the 33^rd minute when Northern Demons received a red card. Western Strikers captain Adrian D’Alfonso was able to restore one back as he converted from the penalty spot, while Jacob Lavery found the equaliser in the 60^th minute. Keeper Seth Buttery was the hero for his team as his incredible performance in the penalty shootout saw his team enter the next round of the Finals Series.

Having not played against each other since Round 13, much has changed for both sides since their last meeting. Cove FC got the better of their opponents in a 4-2 victory in Round Two, while Western Strikers secured a 1-0 victory in their last meeting.

Cove FC continued their great run of form last week as their 2-0 win over Seaford Rangers took their unbeaten run to seven games while putting an end to their three-game drawing streak. Two early first-half goals by Thomas King and Conner Higgins, saw Cove FC take a valuable 2-0 lead, while their victory was basically secured as their opponents were shown two red cards with just under 30 minutes to play. Having been absent from State League One for a few years now, this is Cove FC’s best opportunity at promotion since their relegation in 2018, with a win this week taking them to only a game or two off a return up the ranks.