Adelaide United have progressed to the Round of 16 of the Westfield 2017 FFA Cup following a 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Marden Sports Complex on Wednesday night.
Michael Marrone’s bullet second-half header off Johan Absalonsen’s in-swinging corner proved the difference in an evenly contested clash.
In his first official match with the Club, Reds Head Coach, Marco Kurz named two debutants in the starting line-up. George Blackwood was entrusted to lead the line up front, while Danish winger Absalonsen featured on the left flank.
It was a largely uneventful opening half hour with both sides enjoying spells of possession as proceedings ebbed and flowed.
However, it was Newcastle who had Adelaide camped in their own half for lengthy periods at times, with the hosts looking to exploit them on the counter-attack at every possible moment.
In the second-half, United rode its luck at times as the visitors struck the woodwork and saw a shot saved off the line.
But Adelaide’s steadfast determination and ability to take their chance through Marrone ultimately settled the affair.
Key moments:
31’ | Dimitri Petratos hits the post with a strike from a fair way out from the 18-yard box.
35’ | Marrone’s persistence to try and deliver a cross into the area causes the ball squirt out to George Blackwood, who snatches his effort into the side netting on a slight angle 6 yards out.
40’ | Adelaide’s best chance of the first-half sees Blackwood get in behind the Jets defence to latch on to a brilliant ball from Taylor Regan before the striker hits the bottom of the post.
49’ | Andrew Nabbout peels off at the back stick to see his looping header smack the crossbar after connecting with Petratos’ curling cross.
57’ | Nikola Mileusnic drives a venomous strike on the angle at the near post but is unable to beat goalkeeper Jack Duncan.
63’ | The Reds break the deadlock when Marrone headed home Johan Absalonsen’s expertly whipped corner – allowing the defender to arrow his effort into the top right corner. Incidentally it was just the 30-year-old’s second goal for the Club and first since Boxing Day in 2015.
86’ | Jordan Elsey blocks a shot from Petratos, virtually off the goal-line, to preserve his side’s slender advantage.
Match Details:
Wednesday, 9 August 2017
Westfield FFA Cup 2017 Round of 32
Adelaide United 1 (Marrone 63’)
Newcastle Jets 0
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Attendance: 2,551
