The Adelaide United Youth Team was defeated by the Western Strikers 2-1 on Wednesday Night at the Elite Systems Football Centre.
In pristine conditions Adelaide United started the more promising of the two sides, having most of the early possession not allowing Western Strikers near the football.
In the 15th minute a darting run by winger Mark Ochieng allowed himself to dribble past two defenders and shoot on an acute angle which saw keeper Navarro Panozzo save the ball straight into his arms.
The Young Reds grew of confidence which sparked explosive midfielder Nathan Konstandopoulos into action as he set up Niko Apostolopoulos whose was saved expertly again by Panozzo.
However, Western Strikers ruled on the wasted chances from the Young Reds and in the 34th minute a sublime header by striker Calum Flanagan found the back of the net giving the visitors an unexpected lead.
The Young Reds continued to search for an equaliser but the Western Strikers defence were not to be undone as the score at half time read 1-0.
As the second half began it was the Western Strikers who started the more dangerous, as a lovely one-two between Michele Lastella and Callum Flanagan saw keeper Daniel Margush pull off an excellent save keeping the Young Reds within a goal.
In 55th minute, defender Oliver Zafridis made an attacking run on the left side which allowed him to curl in a marvellous ball for the arriving Doni Pollock whose downward header just went wide of the post.
As Adelaide failed to capitalise on opportunities a corner kick taken by the Western Strikers was impeded by Headman Dadzie as his toe-poke found the bottom of the net giving the Strikers a 2-0 advantage with 20 minutes to play.
Adelaide became dominant in possession after the goal and got their reward in the 83rd minute. A pinpoint set piece delivery found the head of Antoni Trimboli who reduced the margin back to one goal.
However, the Young Reds were not able to overcome the score line which the Western Strikers won the match 2-1.
Adelaide United Youth Team Coach Michael Valkanis expressed his disappointment reinstated the fact that they need to score early goals.
“It’s a frustrating result but I am very happy with our performance and the way we played,” said Valkanis.
“The boy’s effort was there, they are working very hard, they are trying to break these teams down but we need to find solutions to overcome this barrier of 10 players behind a ball every week.
“If we had taken our chances early on and didn’t conceded against the run of the play, the game would have been different. However, by conceding this goal, it allowed the opposition to sit back and make it hard for us to find spaces.
“In the end though we are very happy with the style and the performance, and we will continue playing this way and we continue to win more games. We will learn from this, and move forward.”
Match Details
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
NPL 2015 State League – Round 9
Adelaide United 1 (A.Trimboli)
Western Strikers 2 (C.Flanagan, H.Dadzie)
Venue: Elite Systems Football Centre
