Round 19 National Premier League Wrap - Campbelltown City v Croydon Kings
Croydon claimed a commanding 4-2 victory over Campbelltown City in Round 19 of the South Australia Premier League at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.
Chris Pepe sent the Kings on their way, while Shaun McGreevy added a second half double and Rocky Visconte netted a penalty to see Croydon keep hold of third spot. Michael Paleka and Michael Matricciani scored late on for the home side.
Visconte said everything went right for the Kings.
“It was one of those games where everything clicked. We did the hard work and everything, especially in the first half, worked for us. Credit to the squad and coaching staff,” Visconte said.
“The way we closed Campbelltown down and were helping each other out was impressive. We look dangerous going forward, so we have to make sure we keep it tight at the back.
“The goals have been shared around. Nobody is trying to be a hero, but are willing to work for each other. This win will give us a lot of confidence.”
Campbelltown captain Vas Parhas praised a clinical Croydon side.
“We played decent in the second half, but it was a bit too late. Croydon came out of the blocks and they took their chances. They are a good side and were up to it,” Parhas said.
“I felt we were a bit sluggish and gave their players a bit too much room. Their finishing was also clinical. But we had an encouraging last 30 minutes, maybe if the game had gone on a bit longer we could have done more.
“We have to continue to work hard and believe. If we do that then we can turn our form around.”
The Kings enjoyed the best of the opening stages and took the lead in the 14th minute when Pepe fired past Ben Moore from a tight angle.
McGreevy put Croydon in command just after half-time, following up to finish after Visconte’s effort was saved by Moore.
The visitors made the game safe in the 66th minute, just as Campbelltown started to apply pressure. McGreevy added to his tally by flicking a Visconte pass into the top corner.
Todd McSorley conceded a penalty soon after and Visconte sent Moore the wrong way to seal the comprehensive victory.
Substitute Paleka poked a late consolation past Nick Munro to deny Croydon a clean sheet.
Matricciani added further respectability to the scoreboard by bundling a second goal over the line.
Elsewhere on Saturday, West Adelaide returned to the winners list with a 5-0 thumping of West Torrens Birkalla at Adelaide Shores Football Centre.
They shared the goals around, with Tom Briscoe, Kosta Mantis, Matthew Hiern, Jace Cummins and Ricardo Da Silva on target to ensure West stay two points ahead of Croydon.
MetroStars remain two points clear at the top thanks to a 6-0 demolition of Para Hills at TK Shutter Reserve.
Perry Mitris was on fire, grabbing a hattrick. There were two own goals and a further strike from Scott Tunbridge in the big win.
Western Strikers picked up a shock and much needed 1-0 victory versus Adelaide City at Carnegie Reserve.
Yasmin Sudic netted the only goal of the game in the second half, ending a four-match losing run. City remain outside the top six.
Adelaide Blue Eagles squeezed past Cumberland United, winning 2-1 at A.A Bailey Reserve.
Matthew Charalamobous opened the scoring for the visitors, only for Johann Smith to ensure the teams were level at half-time. Blue Eagles claimed the points when Fortunato Filletti scored just after the interval.
White City secured a narrow 1-0 win over South Adelaide at O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex.
Julio Abidia gave the Warriors a half-time advantage they did not relinquish, to go just four points behind sixth-placed Campbelltown.
Raiders versus Adelaide Comets was postponed due to adverse pitch conditions.
Croydon claimed a commanding 4-2 victory over Campbelltown City in Round 19 of the South Australia Premier League at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.
Chris Pepe sent the Kings on their way, while Shaun McGreevy added a second half double and Rocky Visconte netted a penalty to see Croydon keep hold of third spot. Michael Paleka and Michael Matricciani scored late on for the home side.
Visconte said everything went right for the Kings.
“It was one of those games where everything clicked. We did the hard work and everything, especially in the first half, worked for us. Credit to the squad and coaching staff,” Visconte said.
“The way we closed Campbelltown down and were helping each other out was impressive. We look dangerous going forward, so we have to make sure we keep it tight at the back.
“The goals have been shared around. Nobody is trying to be a hero, but are willing to work for each other. This win will give us a lot of confidence.”
Campbelltown captain Vas Parhas praised a clinical Croydon side.
“We played decent in the second half, but it was a bit too late. Croydon came out of the blocks and they took their chances. They are a good side and were up to it,” Parhas said.
“I felt we were a bit sluggish and gave their players a bit too much room. Their finishing was also clinical. But we had an encouraging last 30 minutes, maybe if the game had gone on a bit longer we could have done more.
“We have to continue to work hard and believe. If we do that then we can turn our form around.”
The Kings enjoyed the best of the opening stages and took the lead in the 14th minute when Pepe fired past Ben Moore from a tight angle.
McGreevy put Croydon in command just after half-time, following up to finish after Visconte’s effort was saved by Moore.
The visitors made the game safe in the 66th minute, just as Campbelltown started to apply pressure. McGreevy added to his tally by flicking a Visconte pass into the top corner.
Todd McSorley conceded a penalty soon after and Visconte sent Moore the wrong way to seal the comprehensive victory.
Substitute Paleka poked a late consolation past Nick Munro to deny Croydon a clean sheet.
Matricciani added further respectability to the scoreboard by bundling a second goal over the line.
Elsewhere on Saturday, West Adelaide returned to the winners list with a 5-0 thumping of West Torrens Birkalla at Adelaide Shores Football Centre.
They shared the goals around, with Tom Briscoe, Kosta Mantis, Matthew Hiern, Jace Cummins and Ricardo Da Silva on target to ensure West stay two points ahead of Croydon.
MetroStars remain two points clear at the top thanks to a 6-0 demolition of Para Hills at TK Shutter Reserve.
Perry Mitris was on fire, grabbing a hattrick. There were two own goals and a further strike from Scott Tunbridge in the big win.
Western Strikers picked up a shock and much needed 1-0 victory versus Adelaide City at Carnegie Reserve.
Yasmin Sudic netted the only goal of the game in the second half, ending a four-match losing run. City remain outside the top six.
Adelaide Blue Eagles squeezed past Cumberland United, winning 2-1 at A.A Bailey Reserve.
Matthew Charalamobous opened the scoring for the visitors, only for Johann Smith to ensure the teams were level at half-time. Blue Eagles claimed the points when Fortunato Filletti scored just after the interval.
White City secured a narrow 1-0 win over South Adelaide at O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex.
Julio Abidia gave the Warriors a half-time advantage they did not relinquish, to go just four points behind sixth-placed Campbelltown.
Raiders versus Adelaide Comets was postponed due to adverse pitch conditions.
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