A blistering start to the second-half has given Adelaide United an impressive 3-2 win over MetroStars at the VALO Football Centre on Sunday.
Carlo Armiento was the main protagonist for the Young Reds – involved in all three goals – having just made a brief cameo appearance against Melbourne City in the Hyundai A-League a day earlier.
Ninko Beric’s opener was cancelled out before the break but two goals in as many minutes from Pacifique Niyongabire and then Armiento after half-time saw the hosts regain the momentum.
An own goal from Jared Clark in stoppage was merely a consolation for Metro, who could have easily have lost by more.
Head Coach, Paul Pezos, made just the solitary alteration to his starting line-up which drew with Croydon Kings a week ago as Armiento was selected ahead of Al Hassan Toure on the wing.
And the winger showed no signs of fatigue, immediately making an impact as the architect behind United’s opening goal.
Adelaide won back possession in midfield before Armiento’s low cross found Beric arriving at the front post and he clinically finished past goalkeeper Isaac Carmody.
https://twitter.com/aufc_YouthTeam/status/1117337180651700224
But Adelaide could not add any goals to reflect their dominance with Metro struggling to get out of their half.
However, the visitors levelled against the run of play in the 36th minute through Thomas Strain.
The striker received the ball and expertly half-turned his defender to rifle the ball beyond Isaac Richards inside the box.
Adelaide responded in dramatic fashion to begin the stanza.
Niyongabire scored a team-leading sixth goal of the season when he headed in Armiento’s parried free-kick on the rebound.
And in the 49th minute the lead was doubled after Armiento profited from a shot that was going wide from Beric for a simple tap-in.
The Reds were awarded a penalty eight minutes from time but Louis D’Arrigo was unable to extend the lead as his spot-kick was well saved.
Metro netted in injury time after Dylan Smith’s shot took a wicked deflection off Clark for an own goal.
The result lifts United into equal second with 13 points and prolong their unbeaten streak to four matches.
Adelaide United Youth Reserves
Dom Costanzo scored a hat-trick as Adelaide United Youth Reserves routed MetroStars Reserves 6-2 earlier in the afternoon.
Adelaide United Youth host Adelaide Comets in Round 8 of the National Premier League 2019 season on Saturday, 27 April at VALO Football Centre – The Parks. Kick-off is at 3.00 PM. Reserves kick-off at 12.45pm.
