Raiders v Croydon Kings
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia - Round 14

When: Sunday, June 12^th. Kick-off 3 pm
Where: Croatian Sports Centre, Gepps Cross 

Teams:

Raiders: Paul Karittevlis, 2. Mason Robinson-Norwood, 3. Andrew Tamburrino, 5. Matthew Mullen, 6. Pietro Piantedosi, 9. Mario Marcinko, 10. Justin Bralic, 11. David Carosi, 12. Jake Mccabe, 13. Deale Chamberlain (GK), 14. Shekubah Hutton-Addy, 15. Pierce Stephens, 17. Yasmin Sudic, 20. Zack Doyle

Croydon Kings: Thomas Dichiera, Dominic Matricciani, Antoni Trimboli, 1. Nicholas Munro (GK), 2. John Panagaris, 3. Anthony Francesca, 4. Michael Doyle, 5. James Skeffington, 7. Shaun Mcgreevy, 8. Rocco Visconte, 9. Elvis Kamsoba, 10. Luke Klimek (C), 11. Peter Mercurio, 12. Frank Marafioti, 14. Steven Pepper, 15. Dion Gazettas, 16. Jesse Francesca, 17. Mohammed Sumaoro, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 21. Jackson O'Donnell

Form:

Raiders: L W L

Round 11: Raiders 0 v West Torrens Birkalla 1
Round 12: Raiders 3 v South Adelaide 1
Round 13: MetroStars 1 v Raiders 0

Croydon Kings:   L L L

Round 11: West Adelaide 3 v Croydon 2
Round 12: Croydon 0 v Adelaide City 1
Round 13:   Croydon 2 v Adelaide Comets 3

Preview:

It will be the battle to avoid relegation when 12^th placed Raiders host the 10^th placed Croydon Kings at the Croatian Sports Centre, in their PlayStation 4 National Premier League Round 14 encounter.

Both teams come in to this game having had a poor season. Raiders have battled their way through the first half of the 2016 fixture without being convincing. A desperate coaching change hasn’t delivered the results to resurrect their season.

While the Kings have come crashing down from their former dizzy heights. The loss of key personnel at the start of the season has not helped their cause as they hover in a precarious position at the bottom end of the ladder.

Croydon come into Sunday’s game hoping their signing of journeyman Anthony Trimboli to bolster their attacking structure, pays immediate dividends if they are to dig themselves out of the black hole they find themselves in at the moment. They will also be looking for Rocky Visconte and James Skeffington to give them some early momentum through the midfield, and be creative for their forwards. 

Raiders have also been active in bringing in new blood to the club to help resuscitate their season. Andrew Tamburrino has been creative through the left channel, while Mathew Mullen has been solid in defence since joining the club.

On Sunday, Raiders will be looking to Mario Marcinko and David Carosi to create some magic in front of goal. Goal scoring opportunities for Raiders will be limited, given the tight Croydon defence, so chances will need to be converted.

Tamburrino was upbeat about Raiders chances of taking maximum points on Sunday. He was positive with his analysis of the past few weeks where results haven’t gone their way for one reason or another.

“The match results of the past few weeks aren’t indicative of how well we have played,” he said.

“We have been playing some good football, but at crucial times in games the referee’s decision hasn’t fallen our way, and we have been penalised on the score board.

“We are aware that Croydon are a quality side, but we will be desperate to get the win and lift ourselves off the bottom of the ladder.”

With only eight matches remaining in the season both these sides can’t afford to gift teams around them on the ladder with easy points, to do so will make their quest for survival impossible.

On paper a Croydon win looks probable, but an optimist will give Raiders an even chance at home.

This promises to be another classic encounter between two proud clubs, both looking for three vital points, and restoring some lost pride.

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