Adelaide United Youth surrendered an early advantage as they went down 2-1 to Melbourne City Youth in the final round of the Foxtel Y-League 2018/19 at Marden Sports Complex on Friday.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, back from injury, scored within minutes into proceedings before Dario Vidosic and a late goal from Dylan Pierias secured the win for the visitors.
It did not take long for Adelaide to take the lead. Stamatelopoulos cleverly volleyed Louis D’Arrigo’s set piece to the far corner in the third minute, leaving James Delianov stranded in goal.
Stamatelopoulos had another chance to add to his haul but this time saw his shot parried by the City gloveman.
The visitors responded though, through Vidosic as a mistimed shot fell into his path of the veteran. His fleet-footed skills allowed him to evade the Reds defender, despite appearing to come back from an offside position.
Both sides continued to have opportunities in the end-to-end affair but it remained deadlocked at the interval.
Aladin Irabona – last week’s match-winning hero for the Reds – was summoned at half-time and thought he had given his team the advantage.
The speedster was released but his one-on-one effort was saved by Delianov.
Melbourne had chances via Vidosic, Lucas Portelli and Pierias but goalkeeper Isaac Richards was never troubled.
In the 70th minute, Adelaide thought they had regained the lead when Irabona rounded the City shot-stopper and finished into an empty net. Domenico Costanzo’s audacious flick played in the winger and he surged forward at pace, taking on two defenders and the ‘keeper. However, in the process of evading Delianov the referee deemed the whole ball had gone over the byline.
But the visitors had the final say five minutes from time when Pierias clinically smashed home Stefan Colakovski’s low cross to seal the victory.
It was a disappointing way to end the campaign for the Young Reds as they finished fourth in the Conference A standings.
Match details:
Friday, 25 January 2019
Foxtel Y-League 2018/19 – Round 10
Adelaide United Youth 1 (Stamatelopoulos 3’)
Melbourne City Youth 2 (Vidosic 17’ Pierias 85’)
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
