George Blackwood says he is thrilled to have helped his Adelaide United teammates secure a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory on Friday night.
The striker broke his goalless drought with a clinical finish off the bench, which proved to be the match-winner.
His 72nd minute strike was assisted by a low cross from Nikola Mileusnic following some exceptional wing play to evade Stefan Nigro.
His maiden league goal for the Reds could not have come at a better time, but Blackwood said he was simply happy that the team returned to winning ways.
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“Ultimately it’s just good to get a win on the board for the team,” he told Fox Sports after the match.
“After last week (against Sydney FC) I felt like we could have got something out of that game.
“So it was just good to get a win, I’m so happy.”
When two of Marco Kurz’s men were sent off for second yellow cards – Daniel Adlung and Ben Garuccio late on – Blackwood said surviving the relentless pressure from the Victory made the three points even more rewarding.
“It was ridiculous, I was on the six-yard line the whole time, but it just makes it all the more sweeter to get the win,” he said.
“And I’m just happy for the boys, it’s just awesome.”
That result provisionally lifts Adelaide into fourth place with 14 points after the opening 10 rounds.
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Blackwood insisted he believes the team is tracking along nicely under the new style and philosophy Kurz is trying to impart.
“I think we are going well, I think a lot of the games we could have got more out of,” he said.
“And either we conceded a sloppy goal off a set piece or we weren’t finishing our chances.
“So I think we are playing really well, especially last week it was probably the best we played all year against Sydney but we just couldn’t get the win.
“But it’s just good to get the win tonight.”
Adelaide United will face Newcastle Jets in Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Saturday, 16 December at McDonald Jones Stadium. Kick-off is at 5.05pm ACDT.
