Adelaide United’s Reserves achieved the highest honours of the National Premier League Reserves campaign, becoming both Premiers and Champions of 2017 in a pulsating season.
The Champions were a quality side at the start of the NPL season, and when Head Coach, Paul Pezos, took hold of the reign’s mid-season, these young prodigies only shun brighter.
Pezos’ side wreaked havoc, and left many of their opponents in their wake.
The talented squad included Ninko Beric, Peter Katsambis, Charlie Devereux, Noah Smith and ‘keeper, Cameron Cook, who along with their teammates became a strike-force.
The season began in mid-February where Round 1 saw Adelaide United thump their visitors, Adelaide Olympic, 6-0. They then made it two from two, with a 3-1 win against Adelaide Comets.
A laser-guided performance against Adelaide City saw Adelaide put past another 6 goals against an opposing side.
Continuing their red-hot form, United stunned the Red Devils, 3-0, and were top of the league standings with 12 points after four games.
The Reds recorded two more fabulous wins against Para Hills and West Adelaide, but the following week was where they suffered their first loss, to Adelaide Blue Eagles in Round 7.
A sudden drop in momentum and confidence fell upon the team, as they sustained a run of losses up until Round 10 when they recovered.
After some good results, forwarding to Round 15, the Reds were third, five points behind Croydon Kings.
United jetted through Rounds 17 to 22 undefeated in a remarkable run of form that saw the talented side claim the Premiership, and a spot in the Finals.
Adelaide United proved superior to the Major Semi-Final opponents, MetroStars, with 2-0 and 4-0 victories.
The Reds Reserves’ fate led them to face Metro again, but this time, in the Grand Final.
With momentum and poise on their side, United took out the league’s most prestigious prize, which was never in doubt.
