Campbelltown City v South Adelaide
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 2

When: Saturday, March 5^th. Kick-off 5.30pm
Where: Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Stradbroke Road, NEWTON

Teams:

Campbelltown City: 2. S. Harvey, 4. I. Fyfe (C), 6. V. Parhas, 7. L. Ditroia, 9. T. Strain, 10. J. Monaco, 14. A. Piscioneri, 16. A. Ture, 18. K. Minomura, 20. N. Harpas (GK), 23. J. Halliday, 1. N. Guglielmucci, 8. K. Hara, 12. J. Williams, 15. A. Kaine, 17, J. Wilson

South Adelaide Panthers: 1. A. Rodgers (GK), 3. C. Reed (C), 4. R. Parker, 5. A. Horner, 6. B. Micallef, 7. C. Fagan, 8. S. Carmichael, 9. P. Rideout, 10. J. Rideout, 11. G. Miller, 12. J. Dowsett, 13. D. Varma, 14. J. Hawker, 16. D. Sullivan

Form:

Campbelltown City: W

W.T. Birkalla 0  vs Campbelltown City 2

South Adelaide: W

South Adelaide 4  vs Raiders1

Preview:

Campbelltown City will play host to South Adelaide at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday in Round 2 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia.

The game promises to be one of the highlights of the round, with both teams to go at it like two middleweight boxers, exchanging blow for blow right to the final bell – or as one would say, final whistle.

Both sides had good first up games to kick off their new season. Campbelltown found a solid win away to West Torrens Birkalla, while South Adelaide went on a goal fest against Raiders at home.

On paper Campbelltown look strong all over the park, and the inclusion of Tom Strain (Modbury Jets) into the squad during the off season, further strengthens what already was a herculean midfield. But South Adelaide bring with them the “never say die attitude”, and the hustle and bustle style of their play, which has in the past worn down a lot of sides.

South Adelaide English import Daniel Sullivan said that he expects Campbelltown City to be a tough challenge, but was confident that the Panthers could steal the points.

“If we play to our strengths and stick to our game plan we can walk away with a win.

“Campbelltown like to play a possession game, if we can deny them the ball and keep the pressure on their defence we can win the game,” he added.

The off season signing of Guy Miller (Adelaide United) and the return from overseas of Sam Carmichael has given the South Adelaide team more strength and stability.

A cautious Campbelltown will have to be on their mantle to smother any quick counter attacks that the Panthers will throw at them during the course of the game. Campbelltown will have to keep Joshua Hawker, Connor Fagan, and the hard running Daniel Sullivan on a tight leash as the trio, if left unchecked could turn the course of the game in the Panther’s favour.

South Adelaide coach Danny Greystone will have some planning to do himself to try and combat the influences of the Campbelltown playmakers, Keita Minomura, Jake Monaco and Anthony Ture. The trio capable of causing a lot of carnage through the midfield. The impregnable Campbelltown defence led by Iain Fyfe will also be of concern for Greystone, as he maps out his game day strategies.

Veteran Campbelltown defender and Captain Iain Fyfe is wary of a South Adelaide side that has shown vast improvement.

“If we go out onto the park switched on from the start, we will give ourselves every opportunity of taking the three points. If we do what we have to do and keep our team structures the results will follow.”

“We have a good young squad eager to learn, and hungry for success. There is a good vibe around the club at the moment.”

Campbelltown farewelled goal sneak Michael Matricciani who retired at the end of last season, but signed Adam Piscioneri from the Adelaide United Youth team to fill the void up front. And it seems Piscioneri is more than capable of doing so, hitting the score board in his maiden appearance for Campbelltown against Birkalla in Round One.

This is going to be a great encounter between two talented sides eager to build early season momentum.

Written by: Joe Pangallo - 5RTI Sports 531AM

Twitter:      @JoJo_ontheball