Adelaide United Youth have suffered successive National Premier League SA defeats after a 2-0 loss against Adelaide City at Adelaide City Park on Saturday night.
It was a frustrating night for the Young Reds as they struggled to find rhythm in their game and could not create enough sustained pressure to cause City problems in forward areas.
Paul Pezos’ side dominated the corner count early on but lacked potency and failed to trouble the Black and Whites’ back-line.
City opened the scoring approaching the half hour mark in emphatic, yet equally speculative fashion via a Marcos Flores wonder strike.
The Argentine, from the half-way line, caught Young Reds goalkeeper Cameron Cook off his line, and fired his half-volleyed attempt over the stranded Cook.
Before United adequately recovered, they found themselves down 2-0 through Anthony Costa – another former Red.
Benjamin Kovadio showed great wing play before squaring to the striker who clinically finished.
The lead proved unassailable as the Young Reds could not find a way through in the second-half despite controlling possession inside City’s half.
United will now look to bounce back when they host West Adelaide at the VALO Football Centre – The Parks on Saturday.
https://twitter.com/aufc_YouthTeam/status/1104327086536159233
Young Reds full-back, Noah Smith, believed his side started the game in the right fashion before conceding two quick goals – the first arriving out of nothing.
“I thought that in the first-half we played very well,” Smith explained.
“And then they just scored two goals, and didn’t have many chances besides that and it just changed the game completely.
“We were dominating and although we didn’t have many shots on target we were wearing them out.”
Smith said the most disappointing aspect from the defeat was the lack of quality in attack, as United struggled to muster clear-cut chances.
“We were playing well up until the final third,” he added.
“And our final delivery lacked a bit. Our crosses were mishit and our shots were going off target.
“So we were playing well up until the final third, we just couldn’t put any pressure on them.”
Despite back-to-back losses, Smith had little doubt the team will respond in a positive way against West Adelaide.
“It’s not easy having three away games to start the year,” he said.
“Next week we’ve got West Adelaide at home and looking to really improve for that game and we know we can.”
Adelaide United Youth Reserves
Adelaide United Youth Reserves also experienced their first loss of the season, falling 2-0 to Adelaide City Reserves.
Adelaide United Youth host West Adelaide in Round 4 of the National Premier League 2019 season on Saturday, 16 March at VALO Football Centre – The Parks. Kick-off is at 6.00 PM. Reserves kick-off at 3.45pm.
