The Adelaide United Youth Team has drawn 1-1 against Sturt Lions on Saturday afternoon at the Elite Systems Football Centre.
In wet and windy conditions, the match started at a ferocious pace as both teams were quick to shut down the opposition and keep possession at all times.
For the opening 15 minutes, United were undoubtedly the more active of the two teams and had numerous opportunities to beat Sturt Lions goalkeeper, Mirza Sljivo.
Dylan Smith came close to finding the opener, after a lovely chip ball by Tom Love found the playmaker whose shot was expertly saved by Sljivo.
However, on the stroke of halftime an in swinging corner by the Sturt Lions was too much to deal with, allowing Toby Nelson to force the ball in from point black range giving Sturt a one goal advantage.
After the restart, the Young Reds looked the more controlling of the two sides, as Jordan Pudler and Adam Piscioneri tried chances from outside the box.
Furthermore with Mark Ochieng and Antoni Trimboli also looking incredibly dangerous and creating clear chances on the flanks, United definitely deserved a goal for their efforts. And on the stroke of the 72nd minute, their hard work and determination paid off when Doni Pollock popped up at the back post to slide the ball past Sljivo, after a perfect corner delivered by Oliver Zafridis.
From then on Adelaide upped the tempo playing the ball sharp and fast around the pitch forcing Sturt to defend with numbers.
United refused to give up on the three points and almost found a winner, as Oliver Zafridis was the catalyst for the Young Reds to go on and nearly get their second of the afternoon. Persistent work from the Reds on the left wing saw the ball curled in, with Antoni Trimboli producing a glancing header which hit the cross bar and out allowing Sturt to clear the ball.
The Young Reds could only share the spoils at the end, the match ending at 1-1.
Coach of the Young Reds, Michael Valkanis, was pleased with his side’s effort and commends Sturt Lions in the way they defended throughout the 90 minutes.
“We were a bit disappointed with the result at first but after analysing the game I thought we played quite well and created enough chances to win the game” said Valkanis.
“I give credit to Sturts goalkeeper he was brilliant and their side because they defended really well and didn’t give us much room, so we move onto to next week and hopefully we get the points against Seaford.
Match Details
Saturday, 25 July 2015
NPL 2015 State League – Round 24
Adelaide United 1 (D.Pollock)
Sturt Lions 1 (T.Nelson)
Venue: Elite Systems Football Centre
