Adelaide City v Adelaide Blue Eagles
South Australia National Premier League Round 3

 

When: Friday, March 7th. Kick-off 7:30pm
Where: Adelaide City Park, Corner Fosters Road & Hilltop Drive, OAKDEN

 

Teams:

 

Adelaide City: 1. Luke Ostbye (GK) 2. Michael Acton 3. Alex Sunasky 4. Shane Tobias 5. Matthew Halliday (C) 6. Matthew Mullen 7. Joel Allwright 8. Paul Blefari 9. Anthony Costa 10. Paul Radice 11. Nicholas Bucco 12. Alex Rideout 13. Vincent Talladira 14. Josh Mori 15. Shannon Day 16. Jonathan Rideout 18. Thomas Love 19. Marco Mittiga 20. Jackson O’Donnell (RGK)21. Fabian Garuccio (RGK) 23. Nick Budin

 

Adelaide Blue Eagles: 1. Michael Catford (GK), 2. Adam Harris, 3. Stephen Annicchiarico, 5. Christopher Annicchiarico (C), 7. Yvan Boyokino, 8. Damien Crettenden, 9. Fortunato Filletti, 10. Sheku Saccoh, 11. Johnny Giannitto, 12. Adam Vizzari, 14. Fabio Cona (GK), 15. Mitch Nicholson, 17. Calvin Mbarga, 18. Kym Harris,   23. Dean Kenrick, 24. Milos Tosic

 

Form:

 

Adelaide City: D W
Round 1: West Adelaide 1-1 Adelaide City, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Round 2: Adelaide City 3-0 Adelaide Comets, Adelaide City Park 

Adelaide Blue Eagles: W L
Round 1: Campbelltown City 1-2 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Round 2: West Adelaide 2-1 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Adelaide Shores Football Centre

 

 

Preview:

 

Two giants of the competition clash as Adelaide City welcome Adelaide Blue Eagles to Adelaide City Park on Friday for Round 3 of the South Australia National Premier League.

 

City gained their first win of the season last weekend against Adelaide Comets. Joel Allwright, Nicholas Bucco and Thomas Love were on target in the 3-0 win.

 

Defender Matthew Mullen says the opening goal calmed their nerves and he believes Adelaide City have enjoyed a good start to the season.

 

“It took us a while to get going and to play our own game,” noted Mullen.

 

“Once we got the first goal through Joel we settled down, controlled the game and picked up the three points.

 

“We’ve played three games between the League and Federation Cup for two wins and a draw. It’s a good start. Also, this season we can count on a very strong squad, with plenty of depth.”

 

City enjoyed a crushing 4-1 victory over Raiders in their rescheduled first round Coca-Cola Federation Cup contest. Between that and playing twice this weekend, City take the field four times in 11 days.

 

Mullen says the team is only focusing on Blue Eagles and he is wary of their attacking threat.

 

“It’s a big week for us, but we’ll certainly have our strongest side out there against a tough opponent.

“We’re expecting a Blue Eagles side with a very strong attack. They have a front four who all have pace and can all score. So we must be wary.”

 

Blue Eagles started the season with a fantastic victory over title holders Campbelltown City, but could not add to that against West Adelaide. Despite Kym Harris’ strike, they went down 2-1 to the newly promoted club.

 

Defender Chris Annicchiarico laments the result, but isn’t overly concerned at this stage.

 

“West Adelaide are a top team and it was a tough game,” stated Annicchiarico.

 

“The opening half hour was keenly contested, then we settled but were unlucky to concede from a set piece. We came out after half-time and played good football in patches, but unfortunately could not get the result we wanted.

 

“We had a good win over Campbelltown and obviously were hoping to be on six points after two games, but we’ll pick up. We have new faces in the squad so it will take some time to gel.”

Blue Eagles have lost just one of their last five Premier League meetings with the black and whites, the 2012 Second Semi-Final.

 

Annicchiarico doesn’t believe City’s packed fixture list will be an advantage and is expecting a battle.

 

“I don’t think that extra game will have much of an impact at this stage of the season.

“We’re going to get what we usually do from City – they’re a terrific football team, they are good in possession and will give you a battle too.”

 

Elsewhere, MetroStars are still searching for the first victory as they welcome West Torrens Birkalla to TK Shutter Reserve on Friday.

 

Last season’s Minor Premiers have opened the new campaign with two hard-fought draws, while Birkalla got off the mark with a come-from-behind victory over Western Strikers last weekend.

 

Two of 2013’s most enterprising sides meet as Raiders host Cumberland United at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday.

 

Carl Maynard’s men are yet to register their first victory, sharing the spoils with South Adelaide and White City. The Foxes were unable to make it two wins in succession last weekend, but have enjoyed a positive start.

 

Champions Campbelltown City will be looking to build on their first win against White City at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.

 

The Red Devils recovered from a first-up loss versus Blue Eagles to overcome newly promoted South Adelaide, while the Warriors are just a point behind following two battling draws.

 

Para Hills will be hoping to bounce back when they entertain bottom side Adelaide Comets at The Paddocks on Saturday.

 

The Knights were halted last weekend as they went down to Croydon, but take on a side which has conceded six goals in its two defeats to date.

 

Both promoted in 2013, West Adelaide plays host to South Adelaide in the top-flight at Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Saturday.

 

The State League winners edged past the Panthers in both meetings last campaign, while they have amassed four points from a testing start. South Adelaide have collected a point, suffering a defeat against Campbelltown last Sunday.

 

Two sides in contrasting form clash as Western Strikers host local rivals Croydon at Carnegie Reserve on Saturday.

 

Strikers have started the new term on the wrong foot, suffering two slender losses, most recently against Birkalla. In contrast, the Kings have rekindled their 2012 form in notching two successive victories to head the Premier League.

 

 

Friday March 7

 

MetroStars v West Torrens Birkalla
7:30pm - TK Shutter Reserve, Fourth Avenue, KLEMZIG

 

 

Saturday March 8

 

Raiders v Cumberland United
3pm - Croatian Sports Centre, State Sports Park, off Main North Road, GEPPS CROSS

 

Campbelltown City v White City
3pm - Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Stradbroke Road, NEWTON

 

Para Hills v Adelaide Comets
3pm - The Paddocks, Bridge Road, PARA HILLS

 

West Adelaide v South Adelaide
7pm - Adelaide Shores Football Centre, West Beach Road, WEST BEACH

 

Western Strikers v Croydon
7pm - Carnegie Reserve, Kingston Avenue, ROYAL PARK