Adelaide United’s Youth Team secured three points against West Adelaide in a 2-1 win in Round 6 of the National Premier League at Renmark Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Young Reds produced a strong performance against a tough West Adelaide outfit in a game that was full of action.
Both sides showed high intensity and urgency to win the ball, but it was the Young Reds that outclassed their opponents, a penalty from Jordan O’Doherty and a great finish by Captain, Dylan Smith, enough to see United past their opponents.
An exceptional defensive display from Man of the Match, Ruon Tongyik, and Reds’ goalkeeper, Daniel Margush, denied West Adelaide any chance to equalise in the dying minutes.
United started the first 45 minutes off with early pressure on West Adelaide, forcing them backwards often. It was not long before both teams added immense pressure and started to test the abilities of one another.
Mark Ochieng was quick to test Lewis Moss in goal for West Adelaide from a couple of direct free-kicks, but the winger was unable to convert.
After countless saves and forward pressure from the teams, it was the speed of the Young Reds that created their first through an O’Doherty penalty in the 29th minute.
West Adelaide looked for a quick equaliser, but an intelligent save from Margush kept the score in the Reds’ favour.
After an action-packed first-half, it was much of the same as play resumed for the second-half, but fantastic defending from the Young Reds ensured the score remained 1-0 in their favour.
Twenty minuted after the restart, Smith’s long-range strike busted the back of the net and deservingly gave his side a 2-0 lead.
Thomas Briscoe broke through United’s lines and pulled one back for West Adelaide seven minutes later, but the Young Reds held on in a tense finish to the match.
After the game, United Head Coach, Mark Jones, said he was pleased with the result, going as far as stating it was his squad’s best match of the season.
“It was our best performance, and against such an experienced and good side it was a pleasure to win,” Jones said. “Everything that we needed to work on was done well, we were defensively disciplined and had control. It was fantastic to see.
“We communicated well and to be two nil up was exceptional, but credit to West Adelaide as they also played well and had many chances.
“But we held on until the end, and now we can see where we are in the competition against these top teams, we deserved the win.
“I hope we can perform the same against Adelaide City next week, and I believe we can.”
