Jordan O’Doherty struck late against Croydon Kings to spark wild celebrations for Adelaide United as they recorded their first win since round 11 in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League SA.

O’Doherty said it was a performance that had been a long time coming for the young side.

“It was the most enjoyable game to be involved in this season, I think it was the best we have played as a collective for the whole season and it was great to get the three points.

“When you go so many games without a result, it feels so good to finally get that winning feeling again and it felt even better to do it the way we did, I think we completely deserved it.

“If we continue to play like we did on the weekend, there won’t be many teams that can stop us, so I’m confident we will do well for the rest of the season.”

United are now only four points off of a place inside the top 6 and a berth in the post-season, a goal that is now firmly in their sights, according to O’Doherty.

“Of course every team in the league wants to play finals football and that doesn’t exclude us,” he said.
“We aren’t in the league to just avoid relegation or stay safe, we are in the league to give it a proper shot.

“Finals is definitely in reaching distance, so we will be going out to win every game we have left so that we can get a spot in that top 6.”

Croydon Captain Luke Klimek said the lost was difficult to take after the way his side performed and the lateness of the goal.

“It was a very tight game with both teams dominating periods of the game, unfortunately we conceded late and it cost us the game.

“Conceding so late did make the loss harder to take but it is something we have to learn from and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“Their keeper had an outstanding game and had some great saves so full credit to him.”

Klimek said the Kings were only looking ahead one game at a time and not worrying about the look of the ladder.

“We are focused purely on Blue Eagles on Saturday, we know we must get a result out of that game and if we do that the rest will take care of itself.”

It was a see-sawing affair at the Elite Systems Football Centre as both sides enjoyed periods of dominance as they flashed their attacking prowess.

Croydon’s attacking trio of Elvis Kamsoba, Shaun McGreevy and former red Antoni Trimboli troubled United’s defence early on but failed to really test Daniel Margush between the sticks.

Two of the best chances for the Kings in the opening 45 came from set pieces as United were caught napping at corners.

First Trimboli spurned a golden chance to open the scoring as he left his marker to meet a corner ball, but couldn’t direct his header goal ward. Rocky Visconte attempted to keep the ball alive but United were more aware as it was played back in.

Later in the half, Jarrod Brazzale was left unmarked as he made his run into the box as United were again caught out from a corner, but they were let off as the ball was a touch too high for the commanding centre back.

Marc Marino was everywhere for United in its attacking third in the first half, making some intelligent runs and picking up important touches as United pushed for the opener.

He twice displayed excellent footwork to lose his defender and create space for himself, but couldn’t squeeze his shot goal ward.

United almost broke the deadlock courtesy of Croydon Keeper Nick Munro, as O’Doherty’s strike proved too hot for him to handle as he spilled his shot, but the back four cleared before danger arrived.

Both sides passed the ball around nicely but remained locked at the half.

Margush’s ability was truly tested in the second half, as he made three key saves to keep the scores level and United firmly in the contest.

McGreevy tested the young keeper shortly after the restart as he attempted to play the ball back dangerously into the six yard box but a crucial hand from Margush cut it out and United promptly cleared.

Kamsoba, a constant threat all afternoon, played in Klimek whose shot looked sure to break the deadlock, but Margush instinctively got down low to keep it out at the near post.

Not long later, a poor clearance attempt fell to Michael Doyle who attempted to neatly place the ball into the top corner at the back post but Margush pulled a save right out of the top drawer to keep it out.

United coach Mark Jones decided to switch things up in the attacking third, brining on Apostlos Stamatelopoulos early in the second half and striker Ryan Strain midway through, which proved to be key substitutions.

Strain picked up where Marino left off, with his runs causing trouble put misplaced a few of his attempted flick ons.

United wasted a counter attack deep into the second half, as Blake Carpenter broke with Strain and Josh Mori either side of him. Mori was played in but was quickly closed down by two Croydon defenders who blocked his attempted shot.

Kamsoba looked to have won it for Croydon in the last few minutes as he turned his defender inside the box but shot straight at Margush when all he had to do was placed it either side.

The rebound fell to McGreevy but his shot was blocked and cleared to avoid further danger.

As time wound down, a share in the points for both sides looked the most likely outcome, but a moment of brilliance from the substitute Strain played in the over-lapping O’Doherty with a delightful back heel.

The playmaker cut in to the box from the right hand side, dropped his shoulder and rolled the ball between the legs of Munro into the back of the net to spark jubilant celebrations from the Reds as they sealed the three points.