An Apostolos Stamatelopoulos brace has fired Adelaide United Youth to a commanding 4-1 win over 10-man West Adelaide at Rushworth Reserve on Saturday.
Stamatelopoulos scored a goal in each half while Carlo Armiento and Lachlan Brook also found the back-of-the-net in Round 10 of the National Premier League.
The emphatic triumph means Paul Pezos’ side extended their unbeaten streak to five matches, winning four of those during this current stretch.
The sixth-ranked Young Reds knew a victory over fifth-position West Adelaide would see the two sides exchange places in the league standings.
And from the outset it was Adelaide who looked to stamp their authority on proceedings.
Stamatelopoulos calmly converted a penalty inside five minutes to give United the ascendency.
Gloveman, Daniel Margush was called into action as West almost provided an instant response.
However, Armiento gave United some breathing room in the 27th minute and they carried a 2-0 buffer into the break.
In the second-half, Robby Lippett was dismissed for a deliberate handball, and the Young Reds immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage as Stamatelopoulos bagged his second of the afternoon in the 62nd minute.
Five minutes later, Brook made it 4-0, slotting home his follow-up attempt after initially having a shot saved.
Adelaide’s goal would eventually be breached when Michael Alexandrou hit a decent strike from distance, though by then, the damage was already done.
The Young Reds will look to continue their rich vein of form against West Torrens Birkalla at Smith Partners Stadium in two weeks’ time.
Key moments:
4’ | PENALTY: United receive a penalty after Kristin Konstandopoulos’ cross strikes the hand of a West Adelaide defender.
5’ | GOAL! Stamatelopoulos confidently buries the ensuing spot-kick to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.
8’ | Margush pulls off a brilliant save to deny a blistering effort from West Adelaide, tipping the shot over the crossbar.
27’ | GOAL! Armiento is sent through on goal by a lovely threaded through ball from Brook and clinically dispatches his finish into the bottom-right corner.
60’ | RED CARD: Lippett justifiably receives his marching orders for trying to bundle the ball past Margush with his hands.
62’ | GOAL! Stamatelopoulos grabs his second courtesy of a well-taken finish.
67’ | GOAL! Louis D’Arrigo shows immense awareness to feed a pass for Brook and after his initial shot is parried he converts at the second time of asking.
76’ | GOAL: Alexandrou pulls a goal back for West but it is merely a consolation.
Reserves:
West Adelaide 2
Adelaide United 0
