Adelaide United dominated against the reigning champions Croydon, but were unable to find an equaliser in Round 5 of the South Australian National Premier League, with a 2-1 loss at Polonia Reserve.
In the latest of United’s tough run of fixtures, the Young Reds took on Croydon Kings away from home in a 2-1 loss.
Dominating the possession in the opening half and with a share of chances, United appeared to be on top of the Champions.
Croydon’s ability to attack quickly on the break was too much however, and after a driven low ball across the box, took the lead through Nicolo Interieri in the 21st minute.
Another period of United supremacy followed but the Young Reds were unable to break through what was a strong Croydon back line.
A free-kick from just outside the penalty area from Interieri was headed in at the back post, giving Croydon a more comfortable two-goal lead 4 minutes from the break.
In the second half, Croydon were happy to allow Adelaide time on the ball, and continued with their strong defensive effort.
In the last 20 minutes the chances came thick and fast for the Reds, but a lack of clinical finishing was United’s downfall.
Kristin Konstandopoulos was unlucky after the ball rebounded off the Croydon goalkeeper, just rifling his chance over the bar on the half-volley.
Aladin Irabona broke-through one-on-one and had his shot denied by the woodwork after chipping the Croydon goalkeeper in the 75th.
Finally, a goal came in the 79th for the Reds through Apostolos Stametolopoulos, smashing the ball into the top of the net after Croydon were unable to clear the ball from the 6 yard box.
A final chance for an equaliser for the Reds skewed off Stametolopoulos’ head in injury time, with the ball narrowly bouncing past the back post.
Key Moments:
16’ | Margush makes a diving save after Croydon cut the ball back to the top of the box, keeping it goalless.
21’ | Goal for Croydon after a tidy bit of play down the right wing, a low cross is passed in at the near post by Interieri.
41’ | A free kick from Interieri flies over the box and is headed into the goals to double Croydon’s lead.
70’ | King-Byrne unleashes a shot from outside the box but is denied by a diving save from the Croydon goalkeeper
72’ | Konstandopoulos smashes a shot from inside the box after a rebound off the keeper, which just narrowly flies over the bar.
75’ | Irabona one-on-one dinks it over the keeper but is denied by the post.
79’ | Apostolos smashes the ball into the top of the net after a flurry of shots were blocked by the Croydon defenders
90+1’ | Apostolos heads the ball back across the goalkeeper, narrowly missing the back post.
