After successive defeats Adelaide United Youth responded in the best possible fashion with a stirring 4-2 win against West Adelaide at the VALO Football Centre – The Parks on Saturday.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos opened the scoring via the penalty spot and Ryan Yates expertly slotted a cross from the right to ensure Adelaide were two goals up at half-time.
Stamatelopoulos completed his brace following the re-start with a clinical finish before West scored two goals in quick succession, changing what was a relatively comfortable outing.
However, Pacifique Niyongabire had the final say with a composed strike nine minutes from time.
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It was cagey start to the game with both teams exchanging periods of possession until Paul Pezos’ side drew first blood 16 minutes into proceedings after a foul in the box.
Stamatelopoulos stepped up and made no mistake, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way as he dispatched his penalty.
In the 29th minute United extended their advantage. Yates made a late run into the box to meet a low cross from the right and expertly guided his shot past ‘keeper Lewis Moss.
The Young Reds carried their ascendancy into the second-half with Stamatelopoulos placing Carlo Armiento’s delivery beyond the shot-stopper.
But just as the game was seemingly out of reach, West scored twice over a seven-minute period.
Matthew Bouraee followed up an initial parry from Isaac Richards after the hosts failed to clear their lines and then they grabbed a second through Ryuta Hamamatsu.
To Adelaide’s credit they regained control with the match delicately poised, and ultimately secured the three points courtesy of a thumping close-range shot from Niyongabire for his third of the campaign on 81 minutes.
The result provisionally lifted the Young Reds into sixth spot with Adelaide Blue Eagles facing Para Hills on Monday night.
Adelaide United Youth Reserves
Adelaide United Youth Reserves also bounced back inflicting a 5-1 rout on West Adelaide Reserves.
Adelaide United Youth face Para Hills Knights in Round 5 of the National Premier League 2019 season on Saturday, 23 March at The Paddocks. Kick-off is at 3.00 PM. Reserves kick-off at 12.45pm.
