In hot repressive conditions the “Strain” was on show in more ways than one for a disappointing South Adelaide against a rampant Campbelltown City at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday evening.

Campbelltown City’s Tom Strain had a day out collecting a hat trick along the way in helping his new teammates crush the Panthers 5-0.

Considering the warm conditions, the players had to endure, the game opened up in a lively pace with Campbelltown exerting early pressure, which saw the first scoring chance of the game coming in the 4^th minute, when a cross from an attacking run by Jake Halliday on the left side of the park found Strain unmarked in the penalty box, but his glancing header went wide of South Adelaide goal.

Campbelltown continued their attack on goal and nearly had the opening score of the match, when South Adelaide defender Christopher Reed lost his footing allowing Luigi Ditroia to take possession of the ball and run into the box, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Addison Rogers in the Panther’s goal.

The heat was taking its toll and both teams welcomed the drinks break after 22’ allowing the coaches to address their players and reassess their structures.

Adam Piscioneri was getting important touches through the midfield for City, as he became the go to man due to the close marking by Daniel Sullivan on Campbelltown’s playmaker Minomura. Piscioneri had a golden opportunity to put Campbelltown ahead just after the drinks interval in the 26’ when his attempt on goal from outside the box hit the wood work.

South Adelaide’s best scoring opportunity came in the 35’ when a beautifully weighted through ball by Sullivan found Guy Miller in a perfect forward position, but his attempted strike was deflected for a corner.

Campbelltown opened the scoring in 38’ when Panther’s keeper Rogers lost possession of the ball in the six-yard box, and in the scramble to retrieve it he bought down Strain delivering a penalty kick for Campbelltown. Strain stepped up and converted the spot kick.

Strain nearly had a second goal moments later when he attempted a long range chip shot over Rogers who was caught off his line, but the execution let Strain down.

South Adelaide had the chance to go into the halftime break on level terms in extra time, when Jonathon Rideout stole the ball away from Vasilis Harpas after some poor defending. Rideout made good position in the box and was bought down. Referee Christian Verdecchio had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot. Daniel Varma stepped up to take the kick which was well saved by keeper Nicholas Harpas diving to his left in the Campbelltown goal.

Piscioneri, Ditroia, Strain, and Monaco had a good opening half for Campbelltown, while the Panthers were well served by Sullivan who blanketed Mimomura’s influence, Johnathon Rideout on the left wing, and Adam Horner at left full back.

South Adelaide came out after the break chasing the game. Greystone pushed Sullivan a little higher looking for an equaliser, and the move nearly paid dividends when Sullivan’s long range strike brushed the upright. But the move of Sullivan allowed Minomura to get off the leash and he began to create numerous opportunities for his teammates up field.

Strain was relishing the opportunities being presented to him, and in the 49’ scored his second goal when he got onto a cross from Ture to head the ball home. He was on the score sheet again in the 65’ when he attempted another long range chip shot, and unlike his first attempt, he was able from 30m to put it into the back of the net for his hat trick.

Late goals in the 82’ to Hara Kento (who replaced Parhas off the bench) and Ditroia in the 87’ completed the Campbelltown rout.

A disappointed Sullivan said after the game that South Adelaide just allowed Campbelltown to jump them at the start of the game.

”We just let them play their own game, and we found ourselves chasing the ball. We had a chance to get on level terms before the break which would have given us some belief, but we missed the penalty. Nonetheless we really didn’t deserve to be on equal terms the way we were playing”

A very jovial Tom Strain was pleased with his side’s performance although he thought it took them some time to get into stride.

“We wanted to score early to keep the pressure on them, but we didn’t take our chances. In the second half the game opened up, and Keita (Minomura) took control of the midfield and we used our pace to get on top of them” Strain said.

Danny Greystone would be disappointed with the result after a great win against the Raiders last week. While Joe Mullen will have to try and keep the lid on his young side so they stay focus for the long journey to September.

Written by:   Joe Pangallo 5RTI Sports 531am