Adelaide United Youth’s four-match unbeaten streak has ended after a pair of late goals handed Croydon a 2-0 win at Smith Partners Stadium on Sunday.
Carlo Armiento twice hit the crossbar, once in each half, for the Young Reds with the match still in the balance, before the Kings stole all three points in the dying stages of the Round 16 clash.
James Skeffington bundled a ball across the line for the visitors from a corner on 81 minutes and four more later 1-0 became 2-0 thanks to a thunderous effort from Luke Klimek.
It was a slow start to proceedings until Armiento brought the match to life as his magnificent volleyed effort from a long way out thudded against the crossbar.
Kusini Yengi then had a couple of chances of his own but Croydon’s gloveman, Nick Munro, was determined not to be beaten.
Jarrod Brazzale came close for the Kings as his glancing header flashed wide of the post just before half-time.
Adelaide ‘keeper Isaac Richards, was called into action after half-time, palming away a stinging drive from distance as the score remained 0-0.
On the hour mark, free-kick specialist, Armiento would again be denied by the woodwork as his set-piece rattled the crossbar and rebounded off Munro.
Ninko Beric had a one-on-one chance repelled by Munro as United simply could not find a way past the Kings’ goal.
And the Young Reds’ were left to rue their inability to convert their opportunities as Croydon duly profited – first through Skeffington and then Klimek.
United Youth will look to bounce back when they face South Adelaide in Round 17 of the 2018 National Premier League season at O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex this Saturday.
Key moments:
23’ | Armiento is inches away from scoring had it not been for his audacious volleyed attempt smacking the crossbar.
43’ | A header from Brazzale goes inches wide from finding the far corner.
60’ | Armiento is again denied the opportunity to break the deadlock as his brilliant free-kick ricochets off the crossbar and bounces off the goalkeeper.
76’ | Beric is played through on goal but his shot is saved and cannot follow up his effort at the second time asking as the defender clears the ball.
81’ | GOAL: Skeffington opens the scoring for the Kings from the corner.
85’ | GOAL: Klimek rifles a shot from range that clips the underside of the crossbar and into the top corner.
Reserves:
Adelaide United 3
Croydon Kings 4
