After claiming a late win in their first encounter of the season at Coopers Stadium, Adelaide United took on Croydon FC at Regency Park in Round 15.
A forced change gets compounded by an early injury
When the starting lineups came out for Adelaide United’s visit to Croydon FC, the Young Reds had made one noticeable change. The ever-present captain, central defender Sotiri Phillis, was out with soreness, replaced in the lineup by Frank Busasa, a winger.
This change saw Vinko Stanisic drop from midfield to the heart of the defence, and forward Alex Battistella moved into a more central position to accommodate Busasa out wide. As the Young Reds began to feel out their altered system, disaster struck when Henry Lynch suffered an ankle injury and was unable to continue.
Understandably, Adelaide United looked slightly disjointed in the first half, which eventually cost them. Croydon managed to take the lead in the 36th minute when Luca Trimboli pounced on an errant defensive header to smash home the opener from a close range, with the hosts taking the lead into half time.
Vinko Stanisic was moved to the backline to fill in for the absence of Sotiri Phillis (Image: Pagonis Photography)
Pasia John’s continues to trouble Adelaide United
When Adelaide United and Croydon FC met in Round Four, it was the Young Reds who made the fast start, with Croydon having to chase a two-goal deficit in the second half. In Round 15, the roles were reversed, and the Young Reds entered the second half at Regency Park fired up in search of an equaliser.
Airton Andrioli’s side threatened their hosts on multiple occasions, but notably, despite many crosses being placed in Daniel Margush’s box, no red shirt could get a crucial touch on them. As a result, the Young Reds were once again punished for their inability to capitalise on their chances, this time by a familiar face.
In Round Four, Pasia John came off the bench to score a quickfire brace, bringing Croydon level with Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium. George Tsonis’ side absorbed pressure without conceding in the second half of Round 15, but that pressure dissipated when John intercepted an Oscar Page pass to score his third goal of the season against the Young Reds.
Pasia John had another successful day out against the Young Reds (Image: Pagonis Photography)
A loss of composure sees United punished by high-flying Croydon
Adelaide United’s confidence was shaken after John’s goal, and the situation deteriorated further quickly. Right from kick-off, full of confidence, Croydon pressed their visitors, and Santana Bartkowski forced an interception, audaciously chipping Page from distance for his side’s third.
Brody Burkitt pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Amlani Tatu was fouled in the box by Junior David, but even that silver lining was fleeting. Minutes later, substitute Alex Goode was picked out by an intelligent cutback from James Polli, with the young forward continuing an impressive first season in senior football by scoring his third goal of the campaign, with two of them coming in his last two games.
Goode’s goal sealed an impressive win for Croydon FC, with Polonia sealing its fifth victory in a row. The three points saw George Tsonis’ side climb to second on the ladder at the end of the round, with the side’s new coach well on track to bring finals football back to a proud local club after missing out on the top six in recent seasons.
Santana Bartkowski celebrates his goal with teammate Andre Carle (Image: Pagonis Photography)
Full Time
Croydon FC 4 (Trimboli, John, Bartkowski, Goode)
Adelaide United 1 (Burkitt)
