The Adelaide United Youth Team has started its NPL State League campaign off with an impressive 4-0 victory over the Adelaide Hills on Wednesday Night.
In perfect conditions, The Young Reds started the match with confidence enjoying possession in the midfield as well as exposing their flanks through wingers Alec Maiolo and Antoni Trimboli.
In the 8th minute Adelaide United found themselves up a goal to nil, as Alec Maiolo’s clever footwork enabled him to surge past his defender and put in a low driven cross which Dylan Smith was first to react to and calmly slot the ball home from 6 yards out.
As Adelaide maintained their possession and dominance of the football they had their second goal 4 minutes after, as some outstanding work by Alec Maiolo on the right hand side saw him skip past his defender to cross for the arriving Doni Pollock whose side foot finish handed The Young Reds some early breathing space.
The Baby Reds were firmly in control throughout the opening stages, Hawk’s defence and midfield struggling to keep up with United’s speed and sharpness in attack.
The chances created throughout the rest of the first half were seemingly half chances, as the United Youth grasped a strong hold of the game through its dominance in possession and willingness to hold the football.
Yet, nine minutes after the restart The Adelaide Hills had an early opportunity from 8 yards out which was Hit Square across the goal forcing the Adelaide Youth Team into a moment of panic.
The Adelaide Hills throughout the early going of the second half created chances however, Adelaide United were not to be denied as substitute Samed Altundag crossed a teasing ball into the box which found its way into the bottom of the net, awarded as an own goal.
In the 64th minute a nice passage of play from the Hawks saw a ball crossed in from the right and was met by a rising header, forcing keeper Daniel Margush to pull off remarkable save tipping the ball over the bar.
This moment triggered the Young Reds into action once again, as a lovely waited pass through the middle of the pitch enabled Doni Pollock to latch onto the ball and finish in style rounding off a superb 4-0 victory.
After the match, Adelaide United Coach Michael Valkanis said he was happy with the side’s performance but believes they need to play the full 90 minutes.
“I think the last 20 minutes was very good, we started playing again the way we played at the start of the game. So it was the first 30 minutes and the last 20 minutes but that’s where it’s going to be a development for our kids but we have to learn how to play consistently for 90 minutes.”
“Overall though first game (in the NPL) we didn’t know what to expect and the players didn’t know what to expect against these sort of teams but we are really happy to win 4-0, play reasonably well, create some good chances and take the three points.”
Midfielder Adam Piscioneri was also pleased with the result but concedes it wasn’t an easy match for the team.
“They were on top of us (Adelaide United Youth) in first 15 minutes of the second half and we were under the pump but when we scored our third goal we controlled the game and finished reasonably well.”
“It’s a bit of challenge playing against older players because they are much more physical in comparison to the Youth League but it’s a good learning curb and we look forward to next week.”
Match Details
Wednesday, 18 February 2015
NPL 2015 State League – Round 1
Adelaide Hills 0
Adelaide United 4 (D.Pollock 2, D.Smith, TOG)
Venue: Hawks Nest
