Croydon Kings v Adelaide United
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia, Round 5

When: Saturday, March 26th. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Polonia Reserve, 7 Essex Cresent, Croydon Park

Teams:

Croydon Kings: Hosine Bility, Jackson O'Donnell (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), 12. Frank Marafioti, 14. Steven Pepper, 15. Dion Gazettas, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 21. Costa Zacharopoulos (GK)

Adelaide United: Samed Altundag, 1. Daniel Margush (GK), 2. Zack Gomez, 3. Ruon Tongyik, 4. Jordan Pudler, 5. Tommy Stokes, 6. Jordan Elliott, 8. Jordan O'Doherty, 9. Nicholas Polli, 10. Dylan Smith, 12. Mark Ochieng, 14. Blake Carpenter, 15. Benjamin Warland, 17. Clifford Maina, 18. Johnny Koutroumbis, 19. Alec Maiolo, 20. Isaac Richards (GK), 21. Paul Wilson, 22. Riley Mcgree, 30. John Hall (GK)

Form:

Croydon Kings: L W W

Adelaide United: L W D

Preview:

Croydon Kings will look to extend their winning streak out to three games as they host Adelaide United in Round 5 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia on Saturday.

Having handed Campbelltown City their first loss of the season in Round 4, the Kings have turned their fortunes around over the last two weeks after taking two losses from the opening rounds of the season.

Michael Doyle said Croydon would not get carried away with the win, despite knocking off one of the early leaders in the competition.

“Obviously it’s always good getting a win against one of the best teams in the league but we didn’t get carried away.

“We have a long way to go to be back to our best.”

A big part of Croydon’s turn around has been the form of Costa Zacharopoulos in between the sticks in the absence of first choice keeper Nick Munro.

Zacharopoulos was named as Croydon’s best player for Round 4, a great symbol of recognition for the player on his last appearance for the club as he departs due to work commitments.

Doyle had nothing but positive comments for the gloveman.

“Costa is a great person to have at the club and done extremely well with Munro serving his suspension.

“Unfortunately we lose him now due to work, but we have signed young Jackson O’Donnell who will push Munro throughout the season.”

Adelaide United currently sit in in 7th place, one point above this week’s opponents Croydon.

The young side has made a decent start to the season, having taken two wins and can consider themselves unlucky not to have added a third last Sunday after Adam Van Dommele’s late equalizer for MetroStars.

Playmaker Riley McGree agreed that the side has made a decent start, but said they were still a ways off of being able to compete with the top sides.

“We have taken seven points from the 12 available.

“We’ve had a taste of what it’s like to play in this league and I think once we start playing at a consistent level we will be able to compete with the top sides.

“We always play to win but we conceded that late equaliser last week, we were all very disappointed in the result and the way in which the game ended but these things happen.”

United were missing two key positional players last week in Clifford Maina and Ben Warland as they served suspensions for picking up red cards against South Adelaide the week before.

McGree praised the players that stood up in their absence, but said he was looking forward to having them back in the first eleven.

“Their presence, size and experience will bolster our defence, however I believe the lads that stepped up in their absence have done a very serviceable job.

McGree said that this week’s encounter would be a big test for the young squad.

“At Croydon’s ground, the game will be a very demanding challenge and we are expecting a very physical and tough encounter.

“Team work and structure (are key), we will also need to play to our attacking strengths which is fast-attacking, possession football and our level of fitness.”

Doyle said he was wary of the attacking threat that United possess, having watched them play a few times so far this season.

“They have players like Jordan O’Doherty who are of A-League standard so it won’t be an easy game, I expect them to try and dominate possession and slowly break us down.

“Our wide players can really hurt teams in our attacking third.

“We probably have the best two wide players in the league in Elvis (Kamsoba) and Rocky (Visconte), so if we can look to get the ball out wide, we should find gaps to cause some damage.”

Written by Brendan Simpkins - @RealSimpkins