The Young Reds Reserves march onto the PlayStation 4 National Premier League Reserves Grand Final, following a 4-0 thumping of MetroStars at Adelaide City Park on Saturday.
Adelaide United Reserves will grace Coopers Stadium, for a chance claim the Championship, and achieve the double this season.
A brace to Aladin Irabona, and goals to Ninko Beric and Bradley Ballentine further accelerated Paul Pezos’ side to the Grand Final.
The four goals added to the existing 2-0 aggregate from the First Leg, the final score being 6-0 on aggregate.
It was a tight opening to the game, before it became fairly one-sided in the Young Reds’ favour.
12 minutes in, Irabona caught onto a deflected Beric effort, and with an anticipating second touch, finds the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Cameron Cook kept another clean sheet, protecting the penalty area with ease.
Irabona’s opener was the only goal in the first 45 minutes, but it took seconds for the flamboyant forward to complete his brace.
A smooth through ball from Noah Smith found a bolting Irabona, who struck for his second.
In the 54th minute, Beric tapped in a nice ball after some neat work by Irabona and Peter Katsambis, to make it 3-0.
The fourth came from Ballentine, as he thumped a supreme Beric assist into the net.
Head Coach, Paul Pezos, is elated with the spot in the Grand Final and said that the experience will be fundamental for the young players.
“It is exciting for everyone involved, myself, the staff and players, to reach the Grand Final,” Pezos said.
“They are young boys and it will be a great experience for them.
“We are delighted with today’s result, but we are not looking too far ahead and we will stay focussed and prepare for the next challenge ahead.
“We have a great group of players, and a good morale, and they are willing to learn which serves a good vibe.
“We have some good staff around us as well, it is a happy place and Club to be a part of.
“We’ll keep our philosophy and nothing will change ahead of the Grand Final, and come game day, we will take our opportunities.
“Those being on goal, as we achieved today, and also being ruthless defensively.”
The Young Reds Reserves will now enjoy a week off while they wait to see who they will play in the PS4 NPL Reserves Grand Final.
