White City are crowned State League One Champions as they beat WT Birkalla 2-0 at VALO Football Centre.
The State League One Grand Final began in the fast-paced nature expected from the competition’s two best teams. White City had two early scares as West Torrens Birkalla target man Luca Trimboli eye for goal forced White City goalkeeper Deale Chamberlain and captain Charhine Noujaim to make goal line clearance.
It was White City who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute as Kyle Markham towered over his opponent to turn the ball into the back of the net with a thunderous header from a perfectly delivered Jordan Pudler corner.
The early goal did not faze WT Birkalla as their class on the ball was shown, managing to breakdown the White City squad with quick passes helping them to move from the defensive line into their attacking half. However, White City’s rock-solid defence proved a major problem for the WT Birkalla attack, as it seemed they could not find a way through, showing why White City had the joint best defence in the league.
WT Birkalla’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 28th minute as Trimboli met a well delivered corner with his shot cleared off the line from Shane Tobias. However, White City’s trouble didn’t stop there as the ball landed to a WT Birkalla attacker whose header was again cleared off the line by Chamberlain in goals. WT Birkalla was heartbroken not to go into the half-time break level.
White City’s corners continued to prove dangerous throughout the fast half as Pudler’s front post crosses provided multiple goalscoring opportunities. White City felt unlucky not to double their lead on more than one occasion, however, still went into the break 1-0 up.
Markham continued causing numerous issues for the WT Birkalla defence early in the second half. He was unlucky not to double his tally for the night as his shot from the edge of the box was blazed wide after making an incredible run through the centre of the park.
Tyreece Conway was unfortunate not to pull his side level in the 68th minute as he was unable to keep his header down after fullback John-Paul Cirillo delivered a wonderful cross into the 6-yard box.
White City was given an opportunity to double in the 74th minute White City as Markham’s cross deflected off the WT Birkalla’s players hand sending them to the penalty spot. Markham could not convert from the spot sending the ball over the bar. WT Birkalla still had a fighting chance.
White City was happy to sit back and defend their lead for the majority of the second half as they dropped most players into the box to defend at all times, as they looked to catch their opposition on the counterattack.
White City sealed the win in the 89th minute as a perfectly weighted through ball by Antonios Natsiopoulos found its way to Stefan Simic who had a clear run through on goals putting the ball past John Solari in goals securing the win and the State League One championship for White City.
A fantastic night of football at VALO Football Centre where a crowd of 1,352 were treated to an outstanding game which showed the qualities of both sides. The State League One Grand Final gave a great preview of what South Australia’s top tier competition will show next season as the league continues to get stronger. A congratulations must go to White City, Damian Mori and his team for becoming State League One Champions for 2021 and earning promotion to the RAANPLSA for the first time since 2015.
White City: 2(Kyle MARKHAM 13', Stefan SIMIC 89')
WT Birkalla: 0
Venue: Valo Football Centre
Date: 21/10/2021 07:30
White City Substitutes: Shannon DAY on Hayden WALTER off(77'), Jace CUMMINS on karl PHELPS off(85')
WT Birkalla Substitutes: Anthony QUICI on Michael CAMACHO off(46'), Noah BENOUZEKRI on Luca TRIMBOLI off(54'), Calvin MBARGA on Jake MONACO off(54'), William PLUSH on Nicholas HARPAS off(77'), Daniel CROSSING on Tyreece CONWAY off(77')
White City Yellow cards: Antonios NATSIOPOULOS 90+3'
WT Birkalla Yellow cards: Tyreece CONWAY 56', Yasmin SUDIC 75', Christopher ASHWOOD 84', Daniel CROSSING 87'
White City Red cards: Nil
WT Birkalla Red cards: Nil
Images: Adam Butler