Adelaide United’s Young Reds secured their first win of the RAA NPLSA season on Friday night, edging Adelaide Comets 1–0 at LJ Hooker Park – Mile End (Ellis Park) thanks to a second-half penalty from Joey Garuccio.
Paul Vanis made two changes to the starting XI that drew with Adelaide City the week prior, with Joey Garuccio and Sajjad Nasiri coming into the side. Bailey O’Neil moved to the bench, while Harry Crawford missed out due to injury after starting at City Park.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Adelaide Comets threatened first, with Phillip Spadavecchia driving into the box on 16 minutes, but his effort was comfortably held by Ethan Cox.
Just after the half-hour mark, the lively Amlani Tatu produced a moment of quality, collecting the ball in the Comets’ half, weaving past four defenders and firing on goal — only for Gianni Tramontin to gather cleanly.
Image: Antonis Pagonis
Minutes later, Cox showcased his agility at the other end, producing an outstanding save to tip a looping Jake Porter header over the bar. Aside from a Fabian Talladira free-kick on target, the first half remained cagey and evenly fought.
The second half continued in a similar rhythm, before United began to find more fluency in the final third. On 64 minutes, good build-up play saw Garuccio and substitute Liam Stam combine, but Crawford couldn’t quite apply the finish under pressure.
Soon after, Tatu was again causing problems down the left, cutting inside and being brought down in the area. Garuccio stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to make it 1–0.
The Young Reds nearly wrapped it up late, with Tatu picking out Garuccio inside the box with five minutes to play, but the attacker’s volley was palmed away in a strong save.
United managed the closing stages well and held firm to claim their first three points of the campaign.
Image: Antonis Pagonis
Head of Youth Football Paul Vanis said:
“I am really pleased for the group to get our first win of the season. It was a tight, scrappy game but I thought we stayed patient and organised, and took our moment when it came. We made some adjustments at half time and felt we gained control of the game in the second half, creating good opportunities to score. Joey showed great composure with the penalty, and we defended well to see it out. It’s a good platform for us to build on.”
The Young Reds now start their preparations to face Champions Croydon FC next Sunday afternoon at ServiceFM Stadium.
FULL MATCH REPLAY
Starting XI
#36 Panashe Madanha (C)
#40 Ethan Cox (GK)
#45 Alex Battistella (off 62’)
#62 Fabian Talladira
#65 Joey Garuccio
#67 Luka Blazevic
#74 Amlani Tatu
#77 Sajjad Nasiri (off 91’)
#78 Malual Nichola
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
#88 Kalan Alagich (off 46’)
Substitutes
#15 Israel Mbula-Monga
#47 Mutsa Mupandawana
#54 Bailey O’Neil (on 46’)
#57 Liam Stam (on 62’)
#60 Hugo Ng (GK)
#75 Fabian Grelli (on 91’)
Header Image: Antonis Pagonis
