A goal in each half sealed a fairly comfortable 2-0 win in Adelaide United Youth’s National Premier League SA season opener against Raiders at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday.
Al Hassan Toure opened the scoring on 33 minutes with a clinical finish across the goalkeeper after Taras Gomulka played the forward in with a lovely through ball.
Goalkeeper, Isaac Richards, was called into action six minutes later and pulled of a stunning save to deny a Rocky Visconte free-kick; the gloveman tipping his effort from around 25 yards onto the post.
And with virtually the last kick of the game, substitute Dom Costanzo converted from close range after a goal-mouth scramble in the box to put the result beyond doubt.
Toure, who featured for the Reds during the Foxtel Y-League 2018/19 season after joining from Croydon, said he was thrilled to score on his National Premier League debut with United Youth.
“It was pretty good especially in my first game for the Club in the NPL,” Toure said.
“It was really good to get a goal and my goal is to score more goals throughout the season, so it’s great to start off in good fashion.”
The young winger believed his side controlled proceedings for the majority of the game and were able to tire Raiders out by retaining possession.
“In the first ten minutes we were a bit shaky,” he continued.
“But after a while, after playing together, we developed confidence and were able to break them down, especially in the midfield.
“Throughout the game I think they came out harder, and considering we’re younger we were able to outrun them especially in the second-half.
“Our defenders, midfielders, and attackers were up to the challenge and handled the pressure from the start.
“We were able to pass the ball around them and make them tired because we were using more of the ball.”
Adelaide United Youth Reserves
Earlier that day, Adelaide United Youth Reserves produced a thrilling 3-2 win after initially throwing away a two-goal lead against Raiders Reserves.
Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio was on hand to score the winner at the death.
Adelaide United Youth host Campbelltown City in Round 2 of the National Premier League 2019 season on Saturday, 2 March at VALO Football Centre – The Parks. Kick-off is at 5.00 PM. Reserves kick-off at 2.45pm.
