Round 3 National Premier League Wrap
Brandon Reeves scored a dramatic late winner to give Raiders a 2-1 win against Cumberland United in Round 3 of the South Australia National Premier League at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday.
The visitors took an early lead through Brad Grayson’s superb free kick, yet Raiders captain Michael Doyle was on target before the half hour. Reeves secured their first win of the season with a goal in the second minute of injury time.
Adrian Macolino said Raiders were happy to notch their first win.
“We got the desired result, but weren’t ecstatic about the performance. However, we are on the right path,” noted Macolino.
“It was tough out there and given we played twice last week and again on Monday it took some man management to balance the squad, yet give ourselves the best possible chance. Cumberland play a hard and tough style, they didn’t give us time on the ball.
“We are happy to get off the mark, but also go out there expecting to get wins, so we did what was needed.”
Cumberland captain Robby Lippett said the match will serve as a learning experience for the Foxes.
“We are disappointed with the result and the performance,” claimed the defender.
“We scored early but then took our foot off the gas and let them back in. At half-time Brooksy [coach Michael Brooks] let us know he wasn’t too happy with our defending. You can’t give quality players time on the ball. Then at the end we conceded an easy goal.
“It was a learning experience for the guys. We know we cannot sit back and take our foot off the pedal, we need to keep pushing all game.”
In the 11th minute Grayson curled a fantastic free kick around the wall and beyond the reach of Raiders goalkeeper Anthony Stam to give the Foxes the lead.
The home side hit back in the 29th minute. Michael Marchi found Doyle and the captain’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was perfectly placed to sneak inside the post.
Ben Eustance-Smith did well to get clear on goal but failed to restore the lead as he dragged his shot wide just a minute before half-time.
Reeves was twice denied in the second half. He was alert to pounce on an errant backpass, only to be denied point-blank by Navarro Panozzo. The custodian was again up to task shortly after when Reeves had another clear sight of goal.
Yet Raiders No 9 would have the last laugh, finishing off a sweeping move just outside the penalty area to give the home side maximum points with time ticking away.
Elsewhere, Adelaide Blue Eagles returned to the winners list with a convincing 3-0 victory over Adelaide City at Adelaide City Park on Friday.
Defender Chris Annicchiarico fired the visitors into a half-time lead. After the interval they completed the rout, with Calvin Mbarga and Yvan Boyokino on target for Blue Eagles second win of the term.
MetroStars claimed their first win of the season with a 2-1 success versus West Torrens Birkalla at TK Shutter Reserve on Friday.
First half goals from Perry Mitris and Alex Capel set the home side on the path to victory. Matthew Yieng’s second half strike proved merely a consolation for Birkalla.
Champions Campbelltown City recorded a thrilling 2-1 victory against White City at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.
Captain Vas Parhas fired the home side into the lead just past the hour mark, but the Warriors thought they had secured a late draw when Miroslav Petkovic found the back of the net. Deep into injury time Tommas Dama broke White City hearts with the winning goal.
Para Hills bounced back from last week’s loss to notch a convincing 3-0 win over Adelaide Comets at The Paddocks on Saturday.
Michael Mullen gave the Knights an early lead, which was doubled before the break by Todd Leahy. Para Hills ensured a third successive three-goal defeat for Comets when Dylan Centrone found the target.
West Adelaide moved to seven points following a hard-fought 1-0 triumph against South Adelaide at Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Saturday.
Tom Briscoe scored the only goal of this encounter between the two promoted clubs via a second half free kick. It was his second goal in as many games.
Croydon continued their fine start to the season as they defeated Western Strikers 2-1 at Carnegie Reserve on Saturday.
Rocky Visconte and Jarrod Brazzale were on target either side of Adrian D’Alfonso’s equaliser. The result leaves Croydon top of the Premier League and the only club with maximum points from three matches.
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