Para Hills v South Adelaide
South Australia National Premier League Round 24

When: Saturday, August 2nd, Kick-off 3pm
Where: The Paddocks, Bridge Road, PARA HILLS

Teams:

Para Hills: D. Centrone, T. Leahy, F. Marafioti, M. Marchioro, J. Mottram, A. Mullen, L. Mulvaney, D. Parhas, T. Ramsey, B. Selga, S. Ward, J. Williams

South Adelaide: M. Canny, H. Gepp, M. Goode, S. Hoyle, A. Mezzino, J. Moore, R. Parker, J. Quaynor, C. Reed, J. Rideout, H. Robbins, D. Torr, C. Zacharopoulos

Form:

Para Hills: W D W

Round 21: Campbelltown City 0-2 Para Hills, Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Round 22: Para Hills 1-1 West Adelaide, The Paddocks
Round 23: Adelaide Blue Eagles 0-1 Para Hills, Marden Sports Complex

South Adelaide: D L L

Round 21: South Adelaide 2-2 West Torrens Birkalla, O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex
Round 22: Croydon 3-0 South Adelaide, Polonia Reserve
Round 23: South Adelaide 1-2 Adelaide Comets, O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex

Preview:

Both Para Hills and South Adelaide are aiming to help their bid to survive relegation when they meet in Round 24 of the South Australia Premier League at The Paddocks on Saturday.

The Knights boosted their chances thanks to accumulating seven points from recent matches against Campbelltown City, West Adelaide and Adelaide Blue Eagles.

Frank Marafioti says team unity is driving Para Hills forward.

“It was a very good result against Blue Eagles, a well deserved win,” he noted.

“You don’t go into games with West and Blue Eagles expecting to win, but we believe in our ability. Team unity is our biggest thing right now. Everybody wants to work for each other.”

Para Hills can seal their top-flight status should results go their way on Saturday. Currently five points clear of the bottom duo, a victory against the Panthers will put them in a great position.

Marafioti says they need to maintain recent form.

“We did ourselves a favour by creating this gap, but we need a few more results. The key is to keep doing what we are doing.

“Our focus is on each game as it comes. The main thing is to go out there and give our best.

"Every week has and will continue to be a grand final. You could probably say the same for South. They want a result, but I believe in the guys.”

A second half red card was the turning point as South Adelaide saw a single-goal lead against Adelaide Comets turn into an eighth successive winless encounter, finishing 2-1.

Defender Chris Reed believes the Panthers played well enough to get something from the game.

“I thought the performance was good. We were in control until an unfortunate red card swung the game,” he said.

“Now we need to look ahead and not worry about what has or hasn’t happened. We need two wins from three games to guarantee our spot. We are confident we can get the points.”

South had looked in a comfortable position to survive the drop but the situation was complicated by Cumberland United’s win last weekend, reducing the gap to three points.

Reed says they can take plenty from the last meeting with Para Hills.

“Our form has been up and down. We are capable of doing well, but haven’t been consistent enough.

“We beat Para last time and that will give us a lot of confidence.

“They are in the same boat as us in playing for survival and have done well to claw out of a bad situation. Everything is on the line for both teams.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Western Strikers will be relegated with a defeat against finals-bound Adelaide Blue Eagles at Carnigie Reserve.

Seven points from safety, Strikers can only keep their slim chance of survival alive with maximum points. Meanwhile, Blue Eagles will hope to get back on track following a shock loss to Para Hills.

Both Raiders and Campbelltown City need to triumph at the Croatian Sports Centre to stay in the hunt for the top six.

Raiders situation is the most precarious, with numerous results needing to fall their way to make the finals. The Red Devils are better placed, but are three points and goal difference behind Adelaide City, having lost a week ago.

West Torrens Birkalla can assure survival when they face Adelaide City at Jack Smith Park.

Mike Barnett’s team missed that chance last week with a loss, yet are within touching distance of mathematical safety. City will look to strengthen their claim for the last finals place, after last week defeating Raiders.

Croydon are chasing second spot but come up against a desperate Cumberland United side at Polonia Reserve.

With Blue Eagles faltering, the Kings moved three points clear of the pack in the race for the double chance. The Foxes maintained their hopes of survival and are just three points from 12th spot with nine available.

Adelaide Comets are eyeing those above, while White City need three points at Santos Stadium.

Comets are mathematically still in the hunt for second after their win at South Adelaide, but their main aim is to reach the finals in good form. The Warriors chances of making the six are slim after successive losses, now seven points adrift.

MetroStars can continue their march towards the minor premiership when they face West Adelaide at TK Shutter Reserve.

Ivan Karlovic’s side last tasted defeat in the first meeting with West Adelaide, winning all 12 games since. West have fallen four points behind Croydon, so need to do the double to keep the pressure up.

Saturday August 2

Western Strikers v Adelaide Blue Eagles
3pm - Carnegie Reserve, Kingston Avenue, ROYAL PARK

Raiders v Campbelltown City
3pm - Croatian Sports Centre, State Sports Park, off Main North Road, GEPPS CROSS

West Torrens Birkalla v Adelaide City
3pm - Jack Smith Park, Morphett Road, NOVAR GARDENS

Croydon v Cumberland United
3pm - Polonia Reserve, Essex Crescent, CROYDON PARK

Adelaide Comets v White City
3pm - Santos Stadium, Railway Terrace, MILE END

MetroStars v West Adelaide
7pm - TK Shutter Reserve, Fourth Avenue, KLEMZIG