A stuttering MetroStars failed to get in to top gear against Adelaide Olympic in what was billed as a must win for both teams at T.K. Shutter Reserve, in their PlayStation 4 National Premier League Round 8 fixture.

In a game that failed to reach any great heights in the first half, it was Olympic who made the early running dictating proceedings through the midfield. The visitors were pressing up high forcing Metro to defend deep. But for all their hard efforts, Olympic would find themselves chasing the game at the half-time break.

In perfect conditions for football, both teams were finding it difficult to get into any rhythm, as the game unfolded into a real scrap. Officiating FIFA Women’s Referee, Queenslander Casey Reibelt kept a tight rein on the contest as frustration crept into the game.

Olympic seemed to get the early momentum through some great work by the dynamic Sean Brennan who seemed to have the ball on a string. He was well supported by Manni Katopodis, David Signore, and Jairus Wyten.

Metro found themselves chasing shadows as Olympic denied their opponents the ball. But for all their hard work through the midfield, Olympic struggled to pierce the solid Metro defence led by Michael D’Alosio, Adam Van Dommele, Justin Davis and Timothy Henderson.

Olympic nearly found an opening in the 15^th minute when a George Aslanidis’ chip cross found unmarked striker Fausto Erba on the edge of the box, but his shot was well saved by Metro keeper Calum Piantadosi.

Both teams had an opportunity to hit the score board within moments of each other. An Aslandis shot hit the cross bar and ricocheted into the path of Liam Wooding who raced down the park into the penalty box only to have his attempt on goal denied by veteran keeper Gino De Lucia.

Metro opened their scoring when Henderson won the ball with a great tackle in the centre of the park and threaded a neat pass into the path of Donni Pollock, who slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Metro nearly added a second goal moments later only to be deprived by some excellent glove work by De Lucia.

The hosts closed the first half full of running with their tail up and a one goal buffer, Wooding, Henderson and Pollock the standouts.

Olympic coach Maurice Natale swung the changes at half-time, bringing on midfielders Kosta Mantis, and Oliver Totani to add more grunt in the centre of the park.

The substitutions paid early dividends for Olympic, as Mantis and Totani joined Brennan in winning plenty of the ball, and setting up plenty of opportunities for their forwards. In contrast Metro’s Fabian Barbiero, Bailey Truscott and Anthony Sologna were struggling to have any impact on the game which was being played in a stop start mode.

Olympic continued to exert their influence on the contest, and were rewarded when Erba pounced on a loose ball in the box and blasted home the equaliser.

Both teams had opportunities to break the dead lock, but good goal keeping by both glove men kept their opponents at bay.

Michael Pirone turned to his bench for some inspiration, in the likes of Travis Dodd and Johnathan Negus.

But it was Olympic who had all the answers, and they were rewarded when player of the match Brennan was bought down by Metro keeper Piantadosi, sending Erba to the penalty spot who converted the spot kick with a sublime strike.

A relieved Kosta Mantis said after the game that they always knew that they had control of the game, but just couldn’t put Metro away early in the game.

“We took early control of the game, but we found ourselves behind on the score board at half-time” mantis said.

“The equalising goal reignited our belief, and we were never going to give up without a fight.”

“We have won 3 straight now so it puts us in a good position to challenge for a spot in the top six.”

MetroStars’ talented midfielder Fabian Barbiero lamented after the final whistle of a game that got away. He acknowledged that it was a match that players struggled to get any rhythm.

A Notable match winner in his own right, Barbiero had a dirty day by his standards.

“We were all frustrated on how we played today. We couldn’t get our game going for long periods, which kept Olympic in the contest” Barbiero said.

“It was a stop start game with lots of cautions and yellow cards, which had a real influence on how the game was played. We scored early, but couldn’t hold onto the momentum after half-time.”

“We have to put this one behind us and focus on next week’s game.”

Olympic have another acid test next week when the play host to second placed Campbelltown City who are in really good form.

Michael Pirone has seven days to turn around the mini form slump his side is experiencing, before their away clash against Croydon Kings in the round 9 fixture, to keep any finals aspirations alive.

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