Adelaide United Youth defender, Noah Smith, is confident they can use their performance against Adelaide Olympic as a springboard to get their season back on track.
The Young Reds were without all players contracted to the Hyundai A-League side as they earn a well-deserved break ahead of the upcoming pre-season. Nevertheless, they managed to end their four-game losing streak with a valiant 1-1 draw.
Despite the number of changes enforced upon the starting eleven, United more than held their own and jumped to a shock 1-0 lead through Jai King.
Smith said it was an impressive display, particularly from a defensive standpoint.
“We were losing quite a few players but I think the boys that stepped in did a really good job,” Smith said
“We made a focus as a team to defend really well and I thought that whole game we defended really, really well.
“Conceding a penalty which was probably their only shot the whole game, there were very good signs to take out of that.
“So it’s a good result and hopefully it can kick start a good run of form.”
He added the players promoted from the Club’s NPL Reserves team are hungry to succeed and desperate to grab their opportunity with both hands.
Smith felt that fearless mentality from the likes of King, Domenic Costanzo, and Taras Gomulka in the team has and will continue to be beneficial.
The aforementioned trio among others have tasted top-flight football before, but could now see an extended run in the team over the next few weeks.
“I think for a lot of these boys this is the first of their few games in the NPL,” he said.
“So they really want to show what they’re about and they’re giving everything for the team and that’s really benefiting us.
“And we’re all getting around each other and making it such a team environment and it’s really helping us.
“It’s not like they lack experience because they haven’t played. They’ve been in the NYL (National Youth League) and they train with us all the time.
“So these players are very capable and now they’re just getting their chance and as you saw on Saturday night, they’re starting to show what they can do.”
However, Saturday’s match against MetroStars will be an even tougher test, as they lie in third place and have won four of their last five matches, including a 5-0 rout over Adelaide Blue Eagles last round.
“We know they’re a very good team no matter what,” he said.
“They’ve been playing really well and just beat the ladder leaders 5-0, we know we’re going to get a tough game.
“But after seeing what we did on Saturday night with the depleted squad we know that if we give one hundred per cent, then there’s no reason why we can’t win this game.”
Adelaide United Youth face MetroStars in Round 13 of the National Premier League 2019 season on Saturday, 8 June at TK Shutter Reserve. Kick-off is at 3.00 PM. Reserves kick-off at 12.45pm.
