Adelaide United’s Young Reds were forced to settle for a second consecutive draw, sharing the points with Adelaide Comets after a sensational second-half strike from Liam Stam at ServiceFM Stadium.
Head Coach Paul Vanis made four changes to the starting XI from last week’s draw with Adelaide City, with Harry Crawford, Daniel Wojcik, Amlani Tatu and Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki coming into the side. Luka Blazevic took on the captain’s armband, while Laris Cesko continued in goal. On the bench, Chris Irakoze and Mitch Knight were added to the matchday squad, alongside Fabian Grelli, Campbell Mattner, Riad Rarhidi and Keron Longhe.
Comets created the better of the early chances, with Cameron Hayes heading over the bar before Harry Thomas brought down a through ball moments later, only for Crawford to recover well and block the danger.
On 17 minutes, Karakafiris went down in the area and, while on the ground, somehow managed to scoop the ball towards goal, with the effort looping just over Cesko’s crossbar.
United’s first sight of goal came through Crawford on 21 minutes, but his long-range effort was comfortably collected by Tramontin.
Straight after the break, Comets should have taken the lead when Spadavecchia fired over from close range following a goalmouth scramble.
The visitors did eventually find the breakthrough when Irabona’s lofted free kick was initially cleared, only for Thomas to thump a volley home from the edge of the box.
United responded in spectacular fashion on 63 minutes. Stam picked up the ball centrally outside the area and curled a superb strike into the top corner, wheeling away in celebration after scoring his first NPL goal for Adelaide United this season.
The midfielder nearly doubled his tally five minutes later from almost the same position, but his powerful strike was palmed away by Tramontin.
Comets came close to snatching all three points deep into stoppage time when substitute Cameron Carlton’s looping header clipped the crossbar, but both sides ultimately had to settle for a point.
The result keeps the Young Reds in seventh place, just outside the Finals positions behind Croydon FC, who they face next Friday night at Regency Park.
Squad
Starting XI
#15 Israel Mbula-Monga
#45 Alex Battistella (off 71’)
#46 Ali Mohtashami (off 52’)
#57 Liam Stam (off 79’)
#58 Harry Crawford
#63 Daniel Wojcik (off 71’)
#67 Luka Blazevic (C)
#70 Laris Cesko (GK)
#74 Amlani Tatu
#77 Sajjad Nasiri
#85 Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki
Substitutes
#47 Mutsa Mupandawana (on 83’)
#75 Fabian Grelli (on 71’)
#80 Campbell Mattner (GK)
#82 Chris Irakoze (on 71’)
#83 Mitch Knight
#91 Riad Rarhidi (on 79’)
#93 Keron Longhe (on 71’)
