Adelaide United suffered a discouraging 2-4 loss to Adelaide Comets in their Round 2 clash of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues at SA Athletics Stadium on Friday night.
The Young Reds were almost certain to steal the Comets’ spotlight, following a Ryan Strain brace to put the scores level, but conceding two late goals late in the second-half, diminished all hope for the boys in Red to cross the finish line as winners.
Allan Welsh opened the scoring for Adelaide Comets, as well as a double from Andreas Wiens and a solidifying Nathan Andijanto strike, sealed all the three points for the home side.
Adelaide United Youth Head Coach, Huss Skenderovic, handed winger, Blake Carpenter a starting XI call-up, as well as defender, Jordan Maricic who featured in the second-half.
Solely on the opening 25 minutes of play, it was judged there would be no shortage of goals based on the galvanising efforts in attack from both sides early on. It was an intense start, with both United and Comets looking energised before Wiens found the back of the net in the 10th minute. Celebrations were cut short, as the goal was ruled out due to a collision with Reds’ keeper, Cameron Cook, resulting in a free-kick.
Both sides continued their press, and it was Comets who jumped the first hurdle, revitalising their missed goal through Welsh in the 23rd minute to make it 0-1. Only two minutes after the opener, Strain thumped the ball past Comets shot stopper, Alexander Woodlands for an inspiring equaliser, courtesy of an Alec Maiolo assist.
Moments following, Comets would be awarded a golden opportunity to once again take the lead, as they were awarded a penalty, only for Cook to dive the right way for a spectacular save to deny Weins once more.
In the latter minutes before half-time, Weins was able to claim the lead back to his side, and the momentum to head into the second stanza.
The Young Reds were motivated after coming out of the change rooms for the second-half with Strain, Carpenter, Maiolo and Lachlan Brook all running a marathon of attack in the space of 20 minutes. Their resistance paid off when Strain placed his stinging spot-kick away with pin-point accuracy on 76 minutes.
It seemed bothtteams were headed for a share of the spoils, but an experienced Comets side caused havoc inside two-minutes when Wiens scored a thunderous goal to take back the lead in the 88th minute, and a minute later, Andijanto took his chance to get his side a fourth.
