Round 5 National Premier League Preview
Raiders v Croydon
South Australia National Premier League Round 5
When: Sunday, March 16th. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Croatian Sports Centre, State Sports Park, off Main North Road, GEPPS CROSS
Teams:
Raiders: D. AveryD. BakewellM. DebonoM. DoyleJ. ElliottN. FleetwoodE. KamsobaA. MacolinoM. MarchiE. MetanomskiJ. O'DohertyD. PickertD. PritchardB. ReevesM. SaricA. StamJ. StephensM. Stokes
Croydon: A. BoccaccioJ. BrazzaleA. DimasN. FarrellM. KamalL. KlimekS. McgreevyN. MunroJ. PanagarisM. PapacharalambousC. PepeJ. PunturieriJ. ReynoldsF. RinaldoA. SapioD. ScordoC. Scott-MillsF. VioliR. VisconteA. WelshA. Wiens
Form:
Raiders: D W W
Round 2: White City 1-1 Raiders, Frank Mitchell Park
Round 3: Raiders 2-1 Cumberland United, Croatian Sports Centre
Round 4: West Torrens Birkalla 2-4 Raiders, Jack Smith Park
Croydon: W W L
Round 2: Croydon 1-0 Para Hills, Polonia Reserve
Round 3: Western Strikers 1-2 Croydon, Carnegie Reserve
Round 4: Croydon 2-3 MetroStars, Polonia Reserve
Preview:
Just one point separates Raiders and Croydon as they prepare to battle in Round 5 of the South Australia National Premier League at the Croatian Sports Centre on Sunday.
Raiders are just one of three remaining unbeaten sides after four matches. Following a last-gasp victory over Cumberland United, they produced a stirring comeback against West Torrens Birkalla on Monday.
Coach Carl Maynard says the manner of the wins is pleasing.
“We had such a slow start with Birkalla, although we remained positive. I thought we could get back in it, so long as we scored before the break. That’s what we did,” said Maynard.
“We aren’t yet at peak fitness, so to win as we are means we’re lasting. What’s pleasing is that we continue to play our style in order to get back into games. Still, it’s early days and there is room for improvement.”
The fifth-placed Raiders have endured a tough fortnight in which they played four times between the League and Coca-Cola Federation Cup.
Maynard says his side must outplay Croydon to claim maximum points.
“The last two weeks have killed us. We’ve had to ease off in training this week in order to recover.
“We face a Croydon side opposite to ours. They are super fit, and stronger at this stage. It will be some game. It’s a clash of styles - they attack very quickly. A lot of it will be about what we do with the ball.”
Croydon started with three successive wins – including a victory over Western Strikers last Saturday – but lost their perfect record and top spot on Monday against MetroStars.
Coach Mark Brazzale says his side were beaten by a good opponent.
“We put in a good performance against a tough team in MetroStars,” noted Brazzale.
“In the end we were beaten by a better side. If we had taken our chances early it would have been a different game, however it was not to be.”
The Kings are third following their impressive opening to the campaign. Having been littered with injury problems last term, Croydon are looking to rekindle their form 2012 best, when they were crowned Minor Premiers.
Brazzale believes it’s too early to make comparisons and knows they face a tough task to return to the winners list.
“There’s a long way to go. It’s nice to get a few wins on the board, but we have to take it one game at a time.
“It’s still early and it’s a tough league, so anything can happen. Yet we don’t have injuries hampering us and the players are positive. They feel confident and are working hard, so that is pleasing.
“I’m expecting a tough game with Raiders. I watched them a few weeks ago and saw a well-drilled side.”
Elsewhere, White City are still searching for their first win as they welcome Adelaide Blue Eagles to Frank Mitchell Park on Friday.
The Warriors have recently been on the wrong side of two close results and have just two points. Meanwhile, Blue Eagles are looking a force following successive wins last weekend. They are the leading scorers, with nine in four games.
Cumberland United are looking to hit back when they take on West Adelaide at A.A Bailey Reserve on Saturday.
The Foxes claimed no points last weekend as they fell to successive injury time defeats. Newly promoted West Adelaide moved to the top of the Premier League following a trio of wins, most recently against White City.
Sitting bottom, Western Strikers are hoping to open their account against Para Hills at Carnegie Reserve on Saturday.
Strikers have lost all four matches to date, most recently against Adelaide Comets. In contrast, the Knights are struggling for consistency. Their two wins have been followed up by losses, leaving Para Hills mid-table.
Campbelltown City are beginning to gain momentum as they welcome West Torrens Birkalla to Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.
The Champions earned two dramatic victories in the space of three days to climb to fourth. Opponents Birkalla have won just once so far. They coughed up an early lead against Raiders on Monday.
MetroStars and Adelaide Comets are both looking to build on recent results at TK Shutter Reserve on Saturday.
Ivan Karlovic’s side, still unbeaten, won successive matches last weekend to kick-start their season. Comets enjoyed their first win on Monday with a good performance against Western Strikers.
South Adelaide’s difficult start to top-flight life continues as they square-off against Adelaide City at O’Sullivans Beach Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Panthers have lost three matches in succession, including contests against the Champions and the current leaders. Adelaide City bounced back from a loss to Blue Eagles with a good win against Para Hills.
Friday March 14
White City v Adelaide Blue Eagles
8pm - Frank Mitchell Park, Minns Street, WOODVILLE WEST
Saturday March 15
Cumberland United v West Adelaide
3pm - A.A. Bailey Reserve, Winona Avenue, CLARENCE GARDENS
Western Strikers v Para Hills
3pm - Carnegie Reserve, Kingston Avenue, ROYAL PARK
Campbelltown City v West Torrens Birkalla
3pm - Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Stradbroke Road, NEWTON
MetroStars v Adelaide Comets
3pm - TK Shutter Reserve, Fourth Avenue, KLEMZIG
Sunday March 16
South Adelaide v Adelaide City
3pm - O'Sullivans Beach Sports Complex, Galloway Road, O'SULLIVANS BEACH
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