After starting the RAA NPLSA season with a solid win away at Adelaide Croatia Raiders, Adelaide United played a second consecutive away game, this time away at the Adelaide Comets.
Playing a part in a special occasion
In Round 2, Adelaide United had the privilege of being involved in the first official game at Ellis Park, the home of the Adelaide Comets. After years of work and negotiation with the council while playing out of the SWDSM and ServiceFM Stadium, the Comets got the all-clear to debut their home in 2025
The occasion was kicked off with an official event at The Crossbar, before Adelaide United CEO Nathan Kosmina, Football South Australia CEO Michael Carter, and Adelaide Comets President Jim Tsouvalas greeted the players before kick-off. RAA NPLSA football in the CBD parklands was a sight to behold, especially at the location a proud local club has used to develop players for years.
When local clubs hit facility milestones, the South Australian football community as a whole becomes a big benefactor. It was fitting that Adelaide United, the state’s professional club that has enjoyed the services of former Comets juniors, such as Kusini Yengi and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, in a senior capacity over the years, played a part at the first senior game at the ground they were developed in.
Caption: Adelaide Comets President Jim Tsouvalas unveiling the plaque announcing the grand opening of Ellis Park as an NPL venue (Pagonis Photography)
Great goalkeeping and needless reds
The fact that this game only ended with one goal is not an indictment on either team’s forwards but a credit to both goalkeepers. Max Vartuli and Dan Vaughan kicked off, proceeding at the coin as each team’s respective captain, but they also starred throughout the night.
Both goalkeepers commanded their boxes well in set pieces and were called into action, making impressive saves in one-on-one situations. It was fitting that the only goal on the day came in the game’s final minutes and through the penalty spot.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the scale, both Comet Minsung Park and Young Red Frank Busasa would want their times again after they both saw reds for two needless bookable offences in the first and second half, respectively. Both will miss their next match and will have to work to regain the trust of their coaches.
Caption: Dan Vaughan (right) and Max Vartuli (left) share a moment before the game (Pagonis Photography)
A moment of desperation decides the game
The first game at Ellis Park seemed destined to end in a scoreless draw after 90 minutes of end-to-end action bearing no fruit when it came to goals. As the match entered injury time, the Adelaide Comets launched one final, hopeful attack.
Caption: Jayden Lobasso (left) and Mutsa Mupandawana (right) battle for the ball. (Pagonis Photography)
The ball fell to substitute Philip Spadavecchia on the edge of the box before he dribbled past his marker and was dispossessed by a contentious tackle. Before the Comets could stake their claims for a penalty, substitute Jake D’Orsi pounced on the ball. In a desperate attempt to safeguard his goal, Adelaide United fullback Malual Nichola desperately lunged at the Comets player, collecting him before the ball.
Referee Regis Queffelec did not hesitate before pointing to the spot. With the last major opportunity of the game, Adelaide Comets vice-captain Jayden LoBasso beat Max Vartuli from the penalty spot to make history as the venue’s first goal scorer in this new era while also sealing a famous three points for his side to conclude an entertaining encounter.
Final score
Adelaide Comets 1-0 Adelaide United – CLICK FOR MATCH DETAILS
J. Lobasso 93′
