MetroStars have claimed a sixth win in succession and top spot thanks to a 2-0 success against a gallant 10-man Croydon in Round 17 of the South Australia Premier League at TK Shutter Reserve on Saturday.

In the battle between second and third, the home side got off and running in the 10th minute as Anthony Solagna netted. The Kings task was made all the more difficult seven minutes later with the dismissal of Jarrod Brazzale. Matthew Deegan then added to the advantage, as MetroStars overtake West Adelaide as league leaders on goal difference.

MetroStars attacker Perry Mitris admits they have played better games this term but was happy nonetheless.

“We didn’t play as well as we have been in recent matches. It was good to get the win, but we could have given more. In saying that, sometimes you play well and don’t get the points, so you take them when they come,” Mitris noted.

“We haven’t changed much in recent matches, but the difference is we are taking out chances. You score goals and you win games.

“We want to hit our peak when it matters, as we get to the finals. We believe we can go far.”

Croydon Coach Mark Brazzale praised his team’s determination.

“We started slowly and the send off made it difficult. I was happy at the end because we didn’t give up against a very talented team,” Brazzale said.

“The effort was good, we kept to the structure and had heart.

“I don’t see consistency as an issue. We have a fantastic record away from home and got two good wins last week.

“It’s a tough league and we are still up there. We’ve got some big games coming up, but every week is difficult.”

The home side got the early break when Solagna burst past two players and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Young defender Brazzale was shown a red card soon after for denying a goalscoring opportunity, making it more of an uphill climb for Croydon.

MetroStars doubled the lead just past the half hour mark, with Jackson Groves sliding the ball across for Deegan’s finish.

Elsewhere, Raiders returned to the winners list with a 2-0 success over West Torrens Birkalla at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday.

Mimi Saric found the target with half-time approaching to give the hosts the lead, while Michael Doyle secured the points in the 56th minute. The win is Raiders first in four games.

Adelaide Comets ended their mini-slump with a 2-0 win against Western Strikers at Carnegie Reserve on Saturday.

A first half Mahari Tesema goal sent Comets on their way, while Matthew Bouraee’s strike just past the hour mark ended a two-game losing run and keeps Strikers bottom.

Campbelltown City earned a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Cumberland United at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.

After Ben Moore denied a Cumberland penalty, Luigi Ditroia’s goal with just over 20 minutes remaining was all the Red Devils required to bounce back from consecutive defeats. The Foxes stay 13th, inside the relegation zone.

Adelaide City grabbed a last-gasp winner to secure a 2-1 win over Para Hills at Adelaide City Park on Saturday.

Anthony Costa opened the scoring for City after 15 minutes, who kept the lead at the interval after the Knights spurned a spot-kick. The visitors did equalise through Alex Mullen, but Costa’s second in injury time sealed the points for the black and whites.

Adelaide Blue Eagles had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with South Adelaide at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.

Jonathan Moore gave the Panthers an early advantage, but it was soon cancelled out by Calvin Mbarga. However, neither side could push on to claim maximum points.

West Adelaide fell to second following a 2-1 defeat versus White City at Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Sunday.

All goals arrived in the first half. The visitors took the lead, before Nathan Andijanto equalised. However, the Warriors hit the front shortly after and claimed a second consecutive win. Nikola Mileusnic and Miroslav Petkovic were on target.