Match of the Round
Adelaide Comets vs FK Beograd
3:30 pm | Saturday 23 April | State Centre for Football
Last Meeting: (1/8/15) Round 24 | Adelaide Comets 2 v FK Beograd 0
The State Centre for Football is now open, and we'll see the first men’s game at South Australia’s newest State of the Art facility on Saturday afternoon as Adelaide Comets host FK Beograd.
After their Australia Cup campaign was cut short as they experienced a 3-1 loss to Adelaide Olympic, Adelaide Comets will hope to get back to their winning ways as they look to remain unbeaten in the league. Adelaide Comets remains the league’s outstanding defensive side, currently holding the best defensive record with only three goals conceded, with goalkeeper Julian Torresan contributing to four clean sheets in seven games.
In their last league outing, Adelaide Comets picked up their fourth win of the season as they beat Adelaide Olympic 1-0 last Tuesday night, with the win taking them to two-point off the top spot. Without a home ground to start the 2022 season, Adelaide Comets have now found a new home for the time being, with the team set to play nine out of their next ten games at the new State Centre of Football.
Adelaide Comet's opponents FK Beograd will be looking to regain their form after their early exit from the Australia Cup as WT Birkalla beat them 1-0. FK Beograd has looked like an exciting attacking outfit early in the season. Currently sitting in sixth, FK Beograd has quickly demonstrated their intentions of securing a Final Series place in their first season back in the RAA NPLSA. In their first seven games, the team has picked up victories over top-six rivals MetroStars and Croydon FC, while reframing from defeat against fourth-place Campbelltown City.
In their previous fixture, FK Beograd was able to record an important 3-2 win over MetroStars, with new signings Joshua Mori recording his first hattrick of the season against his former club. Having scored two or more in their last six league games, FK Beograd will face one of their toughest challenges yet, with their opponents currently only conceding three goals in their opening seven matches.
Croydon FC vs South Adelaide
8:15 pm | Friday 22 April | Jack Smith Park
Last Meeting: (21/8/21) Round 18, South Adelaide 1 v Croydon FC 2
Croydon FC looks to continue their tremendous early-season form as they search for a place amongst the league’s top two. Taking on South Adelaide at Jack Smith Park tonight, Croydon FC will hope to continue their four-match unbeaten run, which includes their 3-1 win over State League One side Adelaide Blue Eagles in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds. Dion Kirk has been a vital part of Croydon FC’s early success as he continues to impress for his new club early in the season, recording five goals in his first seven games in all competitions. Croydon FC’s last league fixture saw them record a 4-0 win over Sturt Lions with winger Antoni Trimboli recording his third of the season, while fellow winger Kristos Stefanopoulos secured his first goal of the season.
Their opponents South Adelaide enter Round Eight in struggling form, experiencing four consecutive league defeats after they started the season with three wins in three. South Adelaide was able to record their first win since the 4th of March, as two late goals from Alex Rideout and Taine Muscroft secured a 2-0 win over State League Two side Pontian Eagles in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds. Without a win in their last four games, South Adelaide is currently goalless in their last three league matches and may struggle to find goals against Croydon FC who have kept a clean sheet in the last two league matches and currently hold the joint second-best defensive record.
Cumberland United vs Sturt Lions
3:00 pm | Saturday 23 April | A.A Bailey Reserve
Last Meeting: (11/9/21) Round 21, Sturt Lions 4 v Cumberland United 0
After starting the season with five losses in their first six games, Cumberland United was able to pick up their first win of the season as they beat WT Birkalla 1-0 as they closed the gap at the bottom of the RAA NPLSA ladder to one point. Although picking up their first league win of the season, Cumberland United was knocked out of the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds by State League Two side Vipers FC. Not scoring more than one goal in any of their opening seven games, Cumberland United must find a source of goals quickly as they search to remove themselves from the bottom of the RAA NPLSA ladder.
Sturt Lions have experienced a bad run of form in recent weeks which has seen them without a win for their last three fixtures, including their 3-2 Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds defeat to MetroStars and recently their Round Seven 4-0 defeat to Croydon FC. Currently outside the top six on goal difference, Sturt Lions will hope to secure their first three points since their late comeback against Adelaide Olympic in Round Five of the RAA NPLSA. Without a clean sheet thus far this season, Round Eight is a perfect opportunity for Sturt Lions to secure their first of the season as they face off against the team with the worst attacking record in the competition.
Adelaide City vs WT Birkalla
3:00 pm | Saturday 23 April | Adelaide City Park
Last Meeting: (3/6/18) Round 14, WT Birkalla 0 v Adelaide City 2
Currently holding a two point lead at the top of the RAA NPLSA, Adelaide City will be hoping to increase this margin as they verse a currently struggling WT Birkalla. Adelaide City is yet to lose in 2022, as they enter Round Eight with five wins and only two draws, with their most recent win coming against Adelaide United FC, as they beat them 4-2 at Summit Sport and Recreation Park. Adelaide City currently has the league’s best attack, with 20 goals being scored in their opening seven games, with eleven squad players securing at least one or more goals this season. Adelaide City will be without their new signing Ayom Ayom Majok who will miss their matchup with WT Birkalla after receiving a suspension against Adelaide United FC.
Entering Round Eight, WT Birkalla are without a league win since their Round Two victory against Sturt Lions. Although progressing into the next round of the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds after Nicholas Harpas’s 16th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win over FK Beograd, WT Birkalla must be slightly concerned with their current league position as they sit one point from the bottom spot. Without a goal in their last three RAA NPLSA matches, WT Birkalla will be hoping for a hero to rise to the occasion, with none of their players scoring more than one goal this season.
Campbelltown City vs Adelaide Olympic
5:00 pm | Saturday 23 April | Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Last Meeting: (14/9/21) Round 15, Campbelltown City 0 v Adelaide Olympic 0
Campbelltown City is eager to continue their unbeaten streak as they host Adelaide Olympic at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre Saturday afternoon. Currently, without a loss since Round Two, Campbelltown City is experiencing a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions, with their most recent wins coming against South Adelaide in Round Seven and against Cove FC in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds. Alex Mullen’s tremendous goalscoring record that has seen him score in all of his last five matches in all competitions, has been vital in Campbelltown City’s recent resurgence of form, removing any doubts from their opening two defeats.
Adelaide Olympic is currently experiencing an unfortunate run of form that has seen them win only one of their last five league matches. Finding goals has not seemed to be a major problem thus far, however, leaking goals at the other has seen the sides drop many points to start the season. In recent weeks Adelaide Olympic has looked like a tough opponent, as they beat South Adelaide 4-0 and their 3-1 win over Adelaide Comets to knock them out of the Australia Cup . Although losing 1-0 against Adelaide Comets in Round Seven of the RAA NPLSA, Adelaide Olympic proved to be a strong side, only conceding from a first-half own goal. Currently sitting in ninth, Adelaide Olympic is searching to gain their third win of the season to enter the top six.
Adelaide United FC vs MetroStars
5:45 pm | Saturday 23 April | State Centre for Football
Last Meeting: (4/9/21) Round 20, MetroStars 2 v Adelaide United FC 3
To close Round Eight, we see the second matchup at the new State Centre for Football as Adelaide United FC faces MetroStars.
Adelaide United FC faced their fifth defeat of the season in Round Seven as they were beaten by league leaders Adelaide City 4-2. After a week off, Adelaide United FC will be refreshed and ready to battle with MetroStars. Adelaide United FC has found no issues scoring goals in recent weeks, as they have scored two or more goals in all their last five games. However, defensively they have been worrying, conceding less than three goals a game in only two of their opening seven games. Only two points currently remove themselves from the bottom of the RAA NPLSA, so three points are vital for Adelaide United FC in Round Eight.
After starting the season with two massive wins, MetroStars have dropped off in recent weeks, only winning one of their last five matches, which sees them sit in fifth. After their Round Seven loss to FK Beograd, MetroStars bounced back as they beat Sturt Lions 3-2 in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds to see them enter the Round of 16. Ariath Piol was the star in MetroStars last outing against FK Beograd as he recorded his first two goals of the season, however, it wasn’t enough to rescue a point for the club. Three points are vital for MetroStars in Round Eight as they look to remain in the top six heading into Round nine.
State League One
Another weekend of exciting State League action is upon us. We take a quick look at some of the exciting matchups in Round Eight.
Playford City host Para Hills Knights on Saturday afternoon at Ramsay Park in an exciting top-six showdown. Playford City has had a mixed start to the season, winning three and losing three of their opening six matches, which currently sees them sit in fifth place. After their 3-1 win over Adelaide University SC in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds, Playford City will hope to continue this form into Round Eight against Para Hills Knights. Playford City’s opponents are in great spirits to start the season, with Para Hills Knights winning five of their last six league games, which has earnt them second spot in State League One. As the standout defensive side in the division, oppositions have struggled to break their ever-reliable defensive partnership of Franz Pjetri and Kieran Mcnally. Para Hills Knights will hope to close the gap between league leaders Modbury Jets, while Playford City will look to cement their place in the top six.
In other action sees Modbury Jets who look to continue their great start to the season as they take on a rejuvenated Port Adelaide. Starting the season with six wins in their opening six games, Modbury Jets dropped their first points of the season as they drew with West Adelaide 1-1 mid-week. Last season's Sergio Melta Medal winner Hamish Mccabe has quickly adapted to his new club, playing a starring role, scoring six in seven games, while last season’s State League One Golden Boot winner Joshua Farrell has matched Mccabe’s tally with six goals. Currently the league’s best attacking and defensive side, Modbury Jets will look to continue their unbeaten run in Round Eight against Port Adelaide. Port Adelaide has proven to be a strong side in recent weeks, as they have gone three matches unbeaten in all competitions since the arrival of new coach Steve Hughes. Port Adelaide has not conceded in their last two State League One games, which has seen them record a win and a draw, while they have progressed to the Round of 16 in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds.
State League One football continues as Eastern United face West Adelaide at TK Shutter Reserve, while Adelaide Croatia Raiders travel to West Beach Parks Football Centre to take on Fulham United FC.
Adelaide Blue Eagles vs Adelaide Hills and Adelaide University SC vs Adelaide Victory have both been postponed due to COVID outbreaks.
State League Two
It’s a top-two showdown as league leaders Salisbury United host second-place Adelaide Cobras at Steve Jarvis Park – Burton. Salisbury United couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the 2022 season, as they currently sit first in State League Two undefeated while making it to the Round of 16 in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds. Salisbury United currently sit as the league’s joint-top attacking side, scoring 19 in their opening seven games, which has seen them win three of their last four games. Their opponents Adelaide Cobras are experiencing a bad period of form, which has seen them win one of their last four matches. Although the drop in form, Adelaide Cobras still sit only one point off the top spot, with a win this weekend taking them to the summit of State League Two. Will the current best defensive team in the competition Adelaide Cobras, be able to withhold the best attack in Salisbury United?
Vipers FC will look to continue their great run of form as they take on third-place Northern Demons. Vipers FC remains unbeaten in their last seven games, with their only loss this season coming against Adelaide Cobras back in Round Two. This form has seen the team earn a place in the Round of 16 of the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds, however, only have a seventh-place league position to show for their efforts. Vipers FC will face a difficult challenge as they take on a Northern Demons side who are aiming to jump into the top two of State League Two. Northern Demons are currently experiencing a three-game winning streak, with their most recent coming against second-place Adelaide Cobras. Attacker Yiannis Nestoras has scored a goal in all his last six matches, which has earnt him eight goals in seven matches, assisting his new club to an impressive start to the season.
In other State League Two action sees Seaford Rangers battle Pontian Eagles SC, Gawler Eagles FC host the unbeaten Cove FC at Karbeethan Reserve, Western Strikers travel to Newspot Stadium to face Modbury Vista and Mount Barker United SC face Noarlunga United at Summit Sport and Recreation Park.