The wait is finally over, State League football in South Australia is back! This year’s competition is the fiercest to date. With numerous teams of NPL pedigree all battling for promotion, there has been an influx of high-quality players; all trying to show us what they can do. The talent is high this year, and there’s not much to split the majority of the league.
A look at what happened in Round One
Words by Fin Dunford
We’ll start off with White City’s trouncing of Fulham. It was a poor start to 2021 for United, the home side seemed to run out of legs late in the game and were unable to keep out the ever-persistent Beograd. One of last season’s stand out players Stefan Simic stamped his authority in the 63rd minute, opening his account for the season. Markham sealed the deal in the 91st, and was complimented by Pudler in the 94th, much to Fulham’s dismay.
Fulham have a real chance to bounce back this week against new boys Eastern United. Eastern appear to be no pushover, however, and Fulham will have it all to do if they want to go 1 / 2. White City are back home this week against Adelaide Hills, and with their tales up; are poised to go 2 / 2.
With a very young, albeit very talented Para Hills side, round one served up one of the league’s toughest challenges, West Adelaide. The Knights rode valiantly and flexed their muscles to secure an impressive 2-0 win. Yuichi Hasegawa snuck one in just before the sheds, whilst Jaweed Muradi got the second in the 73rd. If they continue in this vein, Para Hills will be the ones to beat. It's only round one so it’s no cause of panic for West Adelaide, on paper they have one of the best sides in the state; but have yet another tough fixture ahead, taking on fellow relegation-ists Modbury in the next round.
Many are tipping Adelaide Victory to be this season’s Darkhorse; and the steeds from Blair Athol were minutes away from starting their campaign with a bang. Domenico Talladirra was up to his old tricks. Victory’s talisman kicked off the season in the 31st, opening his account as well as his teams. His opener was then cancelled out by Eastern’s Marcus Ellul in the 56th. Paul Blefari looked as if he’d stolen the points in the 85th, but a decisive penalty 3 minutes later by Diego Ramos; rendered the match a draw. Both teams were playing some good football, and both have the talent within their ranks to fly under the radar this year and secure a high finish.
Playford and Modbury will be tough to beat this year. The Patriots continue to develop and improve and were real contenders last season; they’ll be seriously considering themselves for an NPL berth. Modbury showed glimpses of brilliance in division one last year but weren’t able to consistently perform. Alas, it’s safe to say, both of these sides should be right in amongst it come finals time. The majority of the game was a stalemate, and the first Northern derby of the season looked destined to play out as a sleepy 0-0 draw. However, Modbury mainstay Daniel Ditroia silenced Ramsay park in the 93rd, with ice in his veins. Playford will look to bounce back against Strikers, as Modbury look to make it 2 / 2 against West Adelaide.
Birkalla certainly underperformed last year and have come into 2021 with a point to prove. Their vendetta commenced against a Cobras side who may have a tough year, the final score 2-0 to the away side. Trimboli was huge last year for Birks, and got his side up and running once again, with a well-taken goal in the 57th. Polli finished the job in the 92nd, giving him and his side huge confidence heading into round two. …
The Fortress of the Hawk’s Nest was a huge advantage for Adelaide Hills last year, although Western Strikers had no trouble scaling its walls this week, coming away 2-0 winners. Strikers came out all guns blazing, as Kosta Mantis wasted no time, scoring in the 2nd minute. Things went from bad to worse for Hawkies, as Rastovac converted the second goal in the 20th minute. Strikers showed quality and composure for the rest of the game and were able to see it out until full-time.
Round Two Preview
Words by Marco Krantis
Modbury Jets vs West Adelaide
Venue: Smith Partners Stadium
Date: Friday 16 April, 8:15 pm
Modbury kicked off their return to State League 1 with a tight 1-0 victory over Playford last weekend and will be looking to replicate that winning form when they meet West Adelaide tonight in Round Two.
Modbury’s upcoming rivals West Adelaide saw themselves fall to former NPL team Para Hills 2-0, thanks to goals from Yuichi Hasegawa and Jaweed Muradi on either side of half time.
West Adelaide will look to turn the tide and return to winning form against the Jets, pushing them up the ladder where many expect them to be at the end of the season.
West Torrens Birkalla vs Adelaide Victory
Venue: Jack Smith Park
Date: Saturday 17 April, 2:30 pm
After last year’s misfortunes, where Birkalla only recorded two clean sheets, the yellow and blacks looked to address such problems with a 2-0 win over newly-promoted side Cobras last weekend.
Trimboli’s side will now shift their focus to Adelaide Victory, who were left disappointed after drawing 2-2 to Eastern United thanks to an 88th-minute penalty.
Victory are looking to resurrect their draw with a win this weekend but will face a difficult challenge ahead, with Birkalla seeming to address problems that plagued them of a top-six finish last season.
Eastern United vs Fulham United
Venue: Athelstone Recreation Reserve
Date: Saturday 17 April, 3:00pm
Eastern United’s coveted return to State League 1 saw them grab a point in the opening round as they drew to Adelaide Victory 2-2 at Rushworth Reserve.
Eastern will look to build upon the draw, adding three points this week against Fulham, as after this round, they will face a list of teams looking to be around the top six this year, where points won’t come easy.
Fulham enters Round Two with their tail between their legs after losing 3-0 to White City. The black and white’s will look to quickly right their wrongs and adjust their 2021 season course, pushing them higher up the table and further away from a relegation battle that plagued them last season.
Western Strikers vs Playford City
Venue: Carnegie Reserve
Date: Saturday 17 April, 3:00pm
Last year, Playford fell 4-0 to West Adelaide in the opening round of the 2020 season. Shortly after that, they picked up 16 of a possible 21 points—pre and post COVID-19 lockdown.
The Patriot’s will be looking to replicate this after falling to Modbury 1-0 last round but will face it tough, as they meet a Western Strikers side full of confidence thanks to their 2-0 win over Adelaide Hills.
The game is looking to be one of the matches of the round, as both teams will be looking for a win to springboard themselves into a top-six position early in the season.
Para Hills Knights vs Adelaide Cobras
Venue: The Paddocks
Date: Saturday 17 April, 3:00pm
Cobras first appearance in State League 1 since 2015 wasn’t one to remember, falling to Birkalla 2-0. The green and gold will now look to overcome an in-form Para Hills team expected to push for promotion this year.
Keeping West Adelaide’s Ricardo Da Silva and Aaron Acton at bay gives the Knights confidence in ensuring Cobras remain scoreless in the opening rounds of the season, taking them one step closer to three points.
Cobras are hoping veteran Perry Mitris can push past the Knights’ backline, spurring them onto a win in SL1, something they haven’t felt since 15 August 2015.
White City vs Adelaide Hills
Venue: Frank Mitchell Park
Date: Saturday 17 April, 4:00pm
White City’s 3-0 defeat of Fulham United last round quickly notified the rest of the League that their promotion hopes are to be taken seriously this year.
City will now face an Adelaide Hills side that failed to impress last round, falling to Western Strikers 2-0.
The Hawks are looking to stop City whilst finding the back of the net, something they will need to improve on after losing attacking players Kyle Markham and Louis Farquhar— essential players in their seventh-placed finish last season.