Adelaide United Youth Head Coach, Airton Andrioli has called upon the Reds faithful to show in numbers this weekend for both the Seniors and Reserves RAA NPL SA Grand Finals.
Andrioli’s Seniors made the big dance in remarkable fashion on Saturday, with three goals inside 17 minutes to put the tie to bed against Campbelltown.
The Reds won 2-1 in the first leg, meaning an early Alex Mullen goal in the eighth minute squared things up on aggregate.
A quickfire Ryan White double in response between 34’ and 44’ was capped by a Giuseppe Bovalina goal-poacher’s finish, to ensure the Reds progressed 5-2 overall and with Modbury Jets awaiting on Friday night.
The Reserves won 6-3 and then drew 3-3 against Minor Premiers, Adelaide Comets to earn their qualification to the final match of the season, after an impressive month of football.
They had an even spread of scorers across the legs, highlighted by three Patrick McGregor goals to see them through to this Saturday’s final against Adelaide City.
“We are very pleased and I’m personally very proud of the outcome this year and I think we’re doing really well across both youth teams and as one Club,” Andrioli said.
“We are developing the players and getting them ready for first team football, and now we are combining that with being successful on the field which were benchmarks for us again this season.
“In football, I believe there is always a bigger picture, and it really couldn’t be a better reward for these kids to bring home a trophy or two after working so hard all year.”
Painting the town (Gepps Cross) Red
United’s Seniors will now play Modbury Jets in their Grand Final this Friday night at ServiceFM Stadium at 7:30pm.
The Reserves then face Adelaide City in another enthralling spectacle, on Saturday at 2:00pm, also at ServiceFM.
Andrioli says it would be a ‘huge boost’ to see as many Reds fans as possible in support on both the Friday and Saturday.
“It would be quite something if we could get as many of the fans that go to Coopers as possible to come out this weekend and support these kids who are the future of their Club,” Andrioli added.
“They have been staunch supporters of our Young Reds in the past and we would all love to see them out in full force again.
“I really do hope we have as many people as possible support both matches come the end of the week.”
Turning the tide
United’s Seniors will have to reverse a pair of regular season losses to Modbury to deliver the Club its first NPL title.
The Jets too progressed in spectacular fashion and will have the wind in their sails.
The newly-promoted side comprehensively defeated Minor Premiers and Australia Cup Preliminary Round Champions, MetroStars 3-0 away in their second-leg, progressing 5-3 overall.
Adelaide City are entering the last day on a 5-1 drumming of Modbury’s Reserves.
“Modbury – and Adelaide City – will be very tough opponents this weekend and we know they’ll bring a lot of support, hunger and of course confidence now to win this game after their great results,” Andrioli admitted.
“We’ll have to be primed for the threat, and ready for the impact of the McCabe brothers for Modbury for example who were damaging again in their Preliminary Final.
“City are always tough competition with an experienced squad around the park, so I’m expecting another fierce battle against our rivals so to speak.
“It’s going to be a cracking atmosphere and I expect it to be a high-quality weekend of football from the start.
“I can’t wait to see Adelaide out there in numbers.”
Match details:
RAA NPL SA Seniors – Grand Final
Adelaide United vs Modbury Jets
Friday, 8 September 2023, Kick-off: 7:30pm
ServiceFM Stadium Pitch 1 (Grass)
RAA NPL SA Reserves – Grand Final
Adelaide United vs Adelaide City
Saturday, 9 September 2023, Kick-off: 2:00pm
ServiceFM Stadium Pitch 2 (Artificial)
