MetroStars v Croydon Kings

PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia

When: Saturday, 30 July. Kick-off 3PM.
Where: TK Shutter Reserve, Fourth Avenue, Klemzig.

Teams:

MetroStars: 1. Isaac Carmody, 3. Andrew Dyer, 4. Justin Davis, 5. Timothy Henderson, 6. Anthony Solagna, 7. Michael D Aloisio, 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Jonathan Negus, 10. Liam Wooding, 12. Terry Theodorou, 13. Bailey Truscott, 14. Stefan Simic, 15. Yuki Nakaki, 16. Alexander Jakob, 17. Doni Pollock, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Joseph Polisena, 21. Adam Van Dommele (C), 22. Matthew Crooks, 23. Christian Esposito, 24. Travis Dodd, 25. Callum Piantadosi (GK)

Croydon Kings: 1. Nicholas Munro (GK), 2. John Panagaris, 3. Anthony Francesca, 4. Michael Doyle, 5. James Skeffington, 6. Nathan Farrell, 7. Shaun Mcgreevy, 8. Rocco Visconte, 9. Elvis Kamsoba, 10. Luke Klimek (C), 11. Peter Mercurio, 12. Frank Marafioti, 13. Hosine Bility, 14. Steven Pepper, 15. Dion Gazettas, 16. Jesse Francesca, 17. Mohammed Sumaoro, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 19. Antoni Trimboli, 21. Jackson O'Donnell

Form:

MetroStars: W L W
Round 17: MetroStars 2-0 WT Birkalla, TK Shutter Reserve
Round 18: South Adelaide 2-1 MetroStars, O’Sullivans Beach Sports and Community Centre
Round 19: Adelaide Olympic 0-4 MetroStars, Elite Systems Football Centre

Croydon Kings: L L W
Round 17: Croydon 0-3 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Polonia Reserve
Round 18: West Torrens Birkalla 3-1 Croydon, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Round 19: Croydon 1-0 South Adelaide, Polonia Reserve

Preview:

With only three weeks left in season 2016 of the National Premier League South Australia, it iss do or die for Croydon Kings in their hunt for survival.

Having downed fellow relegation candidates South Adelaide 1-0 in round 19, only one point separates the Kings and another season in South Australia’s top flight of football.

Standing in their way though is MetroStars, a team who were alongside Croydon in the bottom half of the ladder until a midseason turn around thrust them into the hunt for a top four spot.

Croydon Skipper Luke Klimek said last week’s result was massive for the team, and would set the benchmark for how they need to perform if they are to stand a chance of survival.

“Last week was like a cup final for us we knew we had to get the win otherwise we were pretty much starring down the barrel of relegation,” he said.

“It has given us some belief but we know the job is not done yet and we know we probably need a couple more wins to stay away from relegation.

“Without a doubt we are playing every game like a cup final, we all know the importance of each game a positive result this week would be massive for us as a club.”

For their opposition on the weekend, MetroStars, round 20 also holds importance.

Currently sitting in sixth position, the Klemzig club is only two points off of Adelaide Comets in fourth place, and for Anthony Sologna, the position is there for the taking.

“We aren’t going to settle for sixth,” He said.

“We want to win the rest of our games and finish as high as possible.”

Though Metro have an upcoming FFA Cup clash with Victorian outfit Bentleigh Greens, Sologna said Croydon were at the fore front of their minds, expecting a tough battle against a team with everything to play for.

“I’m sure Croydon will come out firing, we always have exciting games with them.

“The FFA Cup game has been mentioned at trainings but we are completely focused on Croydon until Saturday night.”

Written by Brendan Simpkins - @RealSimpkins