State League Wrap
Game of the Weekend – White City v Birkalla
The hype surrounding Saturday’s top of the table clash between White City and Birkalla was somewhat curbed by a pitch that was not conducive to fast-paced football. The home team got the better of their opponents in this scrappy affair, but Birkalla were rather unlucky not to get a result considering how much of the play they had.
The first twenty minutes made difficult viewing for the quintessential football purist; the bobble was proving difficult for players all across the park and long-ball was the method of choice.
After 25 minutes of action, White City broke the deadlock. After a foul just inside the corner of the box, Evan Kounavelis stepped up to take the penalty; and slotted it bottom right, 1-0.
Birkalla responded with sporadic pockets of effective build-up play, despite the conditions they endeavoured to play football. Jake Monaco was pulling strings in the midfield, and through him, Birks were gaining momentum.
Then against the run of play, White City's number 7 Jace Cummins won it in the middle of the park, then split the defenders with a clever ball to Simic on the left. Simic proceeded to cut inside past two defenders and put it back across the keeper low into the bottom left corner, 2-0. White City’s compact style was highly effective in soaking up pressure and then launching counterattacks. By taking their chances, they led at the break 2-0.
In the second half, Birkalla came out of the blocks with clear intent. Mbarga was unlucky not to pull one back in the 50th minute, with his glancing header narrowly avoiding the far post. Seven minutes later Monaco made a smart run and received the ball on the edge of the box, before taking a forward touch past the defender and cutting it to Mbarga who tapped it in, 2-1.
Birkalla continued to play their way through and created a few late chances, but ultimately it was White City who played to the conditions and attained the three points.
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Western Strikers were able to snap a three-game losing streak by thumping Cobras 5-1 at Carnegie Reserve. Austin Scambiatterra helped himself to a stunning hattrick, spearheading the win for Strikers and keeping his team within touching distance of the top six. Cobras’ temporary ascent in form comes to an end, and they now slide down to last place.
Playford continue their meteoric rise to the top of state league football. Flexing their muscles and demolishing Adelaide Hills 5-1, they once again showed that their NPL aspirations have merit. The league’s joint-top goalscorer, J Farrell, started proceedings with a goal in the 21st, which was supplemented by Kurtz in the 40th. An own goal got the Hawks off to a horrid start to the second half, and from there talisman Daniel Ryan put it beyond doubt with a brace in the 56th and 58th. Playford now sits pretty in 2nd, whilst Hills slump to 9th.
Modbury Jets blew away Adelaide Victory 4-0 at home, an impressive win considering the context of the table. This result sees Jets up to 3rd whilst Victory narrowly holds onto 5th.
Para Hills recent encouraging run of results continued over the weekend, overcoming strugglers Eastern United 1-0 through Y. Ahmed in the 54th minute. The Knights are now back into 5th and can make another run at the top spots. Eastern’s struggles see them into second last, a massive effort will be required to turn the ship around.
West Adelaide continues to falter and what were once cracks appearing are now chasms, they fell 3-0 at home to Fulham through goals from Voss Piotto, Makris and Takos. West Adelaide now slump to 9th, just a point off relegation. Fulham however have climbed up to 8th, a sight for sore eyes no doubt.
State League Two
Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw with Modbury Vista, a disappointing result for the league leaders considering where Vista sit on the table. Augustus Williams put the home side ahead in the 75th, but Vista stole a point in the 89th minute through M. Cocca. Pirates are still on top of the pile, whilst Vista slide to 11th thanks to a big win from Northern Demons.
Salisbury went down to Adelaide Uni 1-0 in an important top six clash. S. Bowman got the winner for the away side, Uni now move up to second and are looking the goods. Despite the loss, Salisbury still hold on to 3rd, and have the opportunity to bounce back this week against Noarlunga.
Noarlunga and Cove played out a 1-1 stalemate in this week’s Southern derby. Noarlunga will be disappointed as they miss out on third spot, they now sit in fourth. Cove sit in 9th, six points off relegation.
The Eagle derby was won by Gawler, with Redwood, Mina and Berg the goal scorers in an impressive 3-0 away win. This puts Gawler into the top six, and equal on points with Pontian in 7th.
Northern Demons lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a convincing 5-0 home win over Mt Barker.
Seaford are amidst a dip in form, they were brushed aside by Vipers 5-1 at home. Vipers themselves are acquiring momentum, they now sit in 5th.