Campbelltown City v Adelaide Blue Eagles
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia  - Round 11 

When: Saturday, May 14th. Kick-off 3 pm
Where: Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Stradbroke Road, Newton 

Form: 

Campbelltown City: W D W 

Adelaide Blue Eagles: L D W 

Preview: 

It will be the battle of the Eastern suburb rivals when Campbelltown City plays host to Adelaide Blue Eagles at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre in Round 11 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia. 

Campbelltown Coach Joe Mullen will be exultant with the good form of his chargers in the past month, with three wins from four outings, as we enter the back half of the season. 

In this week’s encounter, Mullen’s men take on a Blue Eagles side who on their day can be a destructive unit, as we witnessed last week in their 4-1 demolition of Raiders with the usual culprits Anthony Dimas, Yvan Boyokino and Mathew Dawber doing the damage on the score board, while Alemayo Kebede and Damien Crettenden dominant in the midfield. 

But as good as Blue Eagles have been of late they have yet to take a big scalp this season, and on Saturday they will get their chance against second placed Campbelltown. 

Blues Eagles welcomed back Fortunato Filletti last week, his influence on the game was instrumental in their win, and they hope his good form continues on Saturday. 

Talented Blue Eagles winger Mathew Dawber was full of praise for Filletti’s return game. He said Filletti, Alemayo, and Crettenden were the real barometers of the team, when they are on song we are hard to beat. 

“We have a strong hard running midfield who are always setting up good opportunities for the forwards to score,” Dawber said. 

“Fortunato (Filletti) was really good last week in his return game from injury. We really missed his speed on the ball. He really adds another dimension to our game. 

“We will need everyone up and firing on Saturday to take on Campbelltown. They will be up for the challenge, and we will need to be on the attack from the first whistle.” 

Blue Eagles will not have it all their own way, Campbelltown players of the calibre of Keita Minomura, Vas Parhas and Adam Piscioneri will see to that;. The midfield trio more than capable of turning a game in the blink of an eye. And let’s not forget their number ”9” Tom Strain who is so sublime in front of goal it is frightening for any defence. 

Strain’s elusive partner up front Lui Ditrioa believes both teams are evenly matched. He said the game will be won in the midfield, the team that can get on top in the middle of the park will give their side a big edge. 

“We come up against a rejuvenated Blue Eagles this week. The game will be played in a very attacking mode, with the midfielders to dictate the final outcome,” Ditrioa said. 

“We just have to keep it simple up front. Tommy (Strain) has been great for us this season, he is always a chance to score which makes him a dangerous forward. 

“I feel we have a real balanced team, our defence being our strongest pillar, and the midfield more than capable of bursting a game open. But we know we have to be wary of Boyokino, Alemayo and company.” 

Coach Gianluca Legati will be looking for a hit and run mission from his boys to get maximum points and give his side some breathing space from the pack below.

While Campbelltown will be looking to inflict some pain on the visitors, as they eye top spot. 

Written by: Joe Pangallo - 5RTI Sports 531AM
Twitter: @JoJo_ontheball