The State League Two season is upon us and gets underway today. We take a look at each of the competing clubs in the battle for promotion.
Adelaide Omonia Cobras FC
Last season: 11th (State League One)
Coach: Robbie Ditroia
Captain: TBC
Adelaide Cobras will hope their stay in State League Two is short-lived, as they aim to gain promotion back into State League One after a poor 2021 season. After finishing the season with six wins in 22 games, Adelaide Cobras will look to bounce back and gain promotion on the first time of asking.
Maintaining the majority of their squad from the previous season, the additional signings of former State League Two golden boot winner Aaron Acton and former Adelaide Cobras player Dylan Pickert who returns to the club after a brief stint with Adelaide Croatia Raiders could prove vital in their promotion hunt. Season 2022 is looking positive for Adelaide Cobras as they aim to make their time in State League Two short.
Adelaide Cobras kick-off their season against Seaford Rangers at Karingal Reserve tonight.
Cove FC
Last season: 10th
Coach: Matt Prodanovski
Captain: TBC
After a difficult 2021 season which saw Cove FC finish the season in tenth, ending the year with only five wins, the club will hope that 2022 will bring better fortunes. Cove will be devasted to see 2021 leading goal scorer Jacob Moon move to Seaford Rangers leaving a large 12 goal hole in their forward line.
Cove FC will hope that their new signings can help better their poor 2021 season, as the club looks to climb the ladder. Cove FC will face Pontian Eagles at Smith Partners Stadium.
Gawler Eagles FC
Last season: 8th
Coach: Andrew Burgess
Captain: TBC
After dropping down the ladder in 2021, which saw the club finish the season in eighth, Gawler Eagles will look to bounce back and turn last season into a distant memory. However, the loss of club Best & Fairest and Player’s Player Matthew Di Matteo to Adelaide University could prove costly in their hopes of breaking into the top six. Gawler Eagles have also felt a major loss with the departure of top goal scorer Ousmanou Mohamadou who joins Di Matteo at Adelaide University.
Coach Andrew Burgess must look to get the best out of his team to help them better their eight wins from last season. Gawler Eagles travel to Summit Sport and Recreation Centre in round one as they take on Mount Barker United. Gawler will hope to start the season off strongly.
Modbury Vista SC
Last season: 11th
Coach: Jonathan Negus
Captain: TBC
After missing out on promotion to State League One by four points in 2020, the 2021 season was a massive letdown as the team dropped to eleventh place. In what was a very difficult season, there was not much to celebrate for Modbury Vista, as the team finished the season with only four wins. Lachlan Kusabs with a key performer for Modbury Vista in 2021 as he took home all the club’s major awards.
Coach Jonathan Negus has looked to reshape the Modbury Vista squad with the signings of striker Chad Bugeja from Brahma Lodge and 2021 Adelaide University leading goal scorer Sam Bowman who scored 15 goals in his former club’s promotion to State League One. Modbury Vista takes on a strong Salisbury United squad in round 1 at Newspot Stadium.
Mount Barker United SC
Last season: 12th
Coach: Nathan Fleetwood
Captain: TBC
Mount Barker United will look to improve on last year’s form which saw them finish the season with zero wins, only earning one point. With the new appointment of Nathan Fleetwood, he will look to shake up the Mount Barker United squad to ensure the team does not go a third consecutive season without recording a win.
With access to their amazing new facility Summit Sport and Recreation Park, Mount Barker United will hope that 2022 will have numerous moments to celebrate. Round one sees the side face Gawler Eagles at home. Mount Barker United will hope to get the season off to a great start.
Noarlunga United SC
Last season: 3rd
Coach: Colin Bolto
Captain: TBC
2021 was an impressive season for Noarlunga United as their great form landed them a third-place finish narrowly missing out on promotion to State League One. Noarlunga United ended last season with twelve wins and seven draws, only feeling defeat on three occasions.
With top goal scorers Thomas Foglia and Cameron Gardner remaining at the club for an additional season, 2022 is looking positive for Noarlunga with a promotion to State League one in their sights. If young star Joel Smith can get off to a bright start early this season, Noarlunga United could experience an enjoyable year. Noarlunga United take on last season Grand Finalist Vipers FC in what could be a good insight for things to come this season.
Northern Demons SC
Last season: 9th
Coach: Michael Roros
Captain: Daniel Cox
Finishing the season with only six wins, 2021 was a season to forget for Northern Demons. Their ninth-place finish will be a distant memory as their impressive recruitment this season saw the club bring in two great players. The signing of Yianni Nestoras demonstrates Northern Demons intent to climb the State League Two ladder. Nestoras arrives after an impressive season with Para Hills Knights where he scored four goals as his team finished fifth. While the signing of Cooper Mullins will add great quality to the squad. Mullins enters the team after helping lead Sturt Lions into the RAA NPLSA Semi-Finals while contributing to seven goals.
With their great recruitment, season 2022 is looking up for Northern Demons as they look to break into the top six. Their opening fixture against recently relegated Western Strikers will be a great challenge for the club.
Pontian Eagles SC
Last season: 7th
Coach: Tony Sacca
Captain: Angelo Composto
After improving from their first season in State League Two, 2021 showed numerous glimpses of promise for Pontian Eagles. Finishing the season three points behind the top six, Pontian’s will hope that 2022 is the year that they finally break into a Final Series position and challenge for promotion.
Star player Anthony Dimas returns to the club following a breathtaking 2021 where he scored 30 goals in 21 appearances, while club captain Angelo Composto returns for another season. After losing a couple of key players, Tony Sacca has recruited well, bringing in the likes of Ibrahim Bigirimana (Modbury Vista), Iradi Baragomwa (Gawler Eagles), Domenic Tripodi (Port Adelaide), Kegan Osborne (Playford City) and Jack Mina (Gawler Eagles).
Pontian Eagles begin their season against Cove FC at Smith Partner Stadium Saturday night.
Salisbury United FC
Last season: 6th
Coach: Matthew Gaston
Captain: Scott Bice
Salisbury United 2021 season was a major success for the club. After finishing at the bottom of State League One in 2019 and coming eleventh in State League Two in 2020, the 2021 season was a step in the right direction for the club. After picking up nine wins in the league, Salisbury United finished sixth, gaining entry with a chance of promotion in the Final Series. A round one exit by Noarlunga United saw Salisbury United’s impressive season cut short.
Salisbury United’s top performer of the season was young defender Dermott Harrington who won the clubs Best and Fairest award. Harrington’s exit to Adelaide University will leave a big hole in the squad as Salisbury will now attempt to replace their Player of the Year. The club is fortunate that club leading goal scorer Matthew Taylor will remain at the club, as he attempts to help the club gain promotion.
Salisbury United take on a revamped Modbury Vista side in the first round. Salisbury United will aim for an impressive start like last season.
Seaford Rangers FC
Last season: 5th
Coach: Steve Reed
Captain: Jake Dowsett
Seaford Rangers first season back in State League Two did not go as planned, as their attempts of gaining promotion back into State League One did not eventuate. The club's fifth-place finish did not justify the impressive season Seaford Rangers had, as they picked up eleven wins. The club's round one exit from the final series by eventual Grand Finalist Vipers FC confirmed Seaford’s State League Two status for season 2022.
2022 is looking positive for Seaford Ranger’s as their team remains very similar to last season, with club Best and Fairest Jake Dowsett remaining at the club. Jacob Donk’s impressive 13 goal season was unfortunately not enough to help assist the club to promotion, however, he will be joined by former Cove FC player Jacob Moon who scored 12 goals last season. With the club obtaining two of the league top six highest goal scorers from last season, in the Jacob duo, Seaford will prove a real challenge to other clubs this season.
Seaford Rangers take on recently relegated Adelaide Cobras at Karingal Reserve in Round One.
Vipers FC
Last season: 4th
Coach: Maged Ibrahim
Captain: TBC
After experiencing relegation from State League One in 2020, Vipers FC’s goal to spend one year in State League Two and gain promotion ultimately ended in heartbreak. After an impressive season which saw Vipers FC finish fourth, their final series run was the real highlight, as the team beat all competition including league premiers Port Adelaide to reach the Grand Final. A strong performance in the Grand Final ended in defeat as an Adelaide University penalty win, which saw Vipers FC miss out on the last promotion spot.
The loss of club leading goal scorer Joaquin Torres will devastate the club as the striker was instrumental in Vipers 2021 season. Torres’ presence at Vipers FC will be difficult to replace. After retaining the majority of their squad in 2022, with club Best and Fairest Johnny Moore returning for another season, Vipers FC will once again challenge for automatic promotion.
With their season kicking off tonight against fellow promotion challengers Noarlunga United, beginning the season with three points will be extremely important for Vipers FC.
Western Strikers
Last season: 12th (State League One)
Coach: TBC
Captain: TBC
After experiencing relegation to State League Two in 2021, Western Strikers will look to improve in all areas this upcoming season. After only winning four matches in 2021, the club must look to bounce back as they attempt to reclaim their State League One status. With the State League Two competition continuing to improve each year, Western Strikers must put it all on the line this season to gain promotion.
Western Strikers play Northern Demons at Carnegie Reserve in their round one fixture, in what should be an entertaining game.