Adelaide United Youth have produced an incredible second-half comeback to draw 3-3 against Sturt Lions at Smith Partners Stadium on Sunday.
The Young Reds were staring down the barrel of a 3-0 deficit at half-time but scored three goals during an 11 minute period after the interval to rescue a point in Round 12 of the National Premier League.
Carlo Armiento proved the catalyst in the comeback after bagging a brace before Ninko Beric had United back on level terms in the 61st minute.
Adelaide fell behind early through Lachlan Duffy after a bright start from the Lions.
However, Paul Pezos’ side began to create chances as Lachlan Brook and Armiento showed good initiative going forward.
The Young Reds would be indebted to goalkeeper Daniel Margush for pulling off a stunning reflex save from point blank range to deny Sam Shoemark.
Though minutes later, Sturt’s lead grew when Duffy headed past Margush to grab his second.
Two-nil became 3-0 after Shoemark found the back of the net to put Sturt into a seemingly unassailable position.
However, it could not have been further from the truth as United mounted a brilliant rally to begin the second stanza.
Armiento dispatched a penalty before completing his double with a cool finish four minutes later.
And Sturt’s lead would not last much longer with Adelaide carrying all the momentum.
Ninko Beric clinically finished, netting the equaliser just beyond the hour mark.
Not content with the score all square, Adelaide continued pushing for a winner and came close a couple of times through Blake Carpenter and Beric.
However, neither team could find an opening in the action-packed affair with United remaining in fifth spot on the league table.
The Young Reds face Adelaide Comets in Round 13 at Loxton Football Oval this Sunday.
Key moments:
4’ | GOAL: Duffy breaks the deadlock early after a positive start from the cellar-dwellers.
17’ | Margush instinctively saves a guilt-edge chance from Shoemark after connecting with a cross.
26’ | GOAL: Duffy makes it 2-0 with a textbook glancing header to bag an early brace.
33’ | Margush denies Shoemark a second time in what is another solid save from the gloveman.
38’ | GOAL: Third time’s a charm for Shoemark, who this time beats Margush to give the Lions a 3-0 advantage.
49’ | PENALTY! Armiento executes a silky turn and is fouled in the process.
50’ | GOAL! Armiento buries the subsequently spot-kick to kick-start the comeback.
54’ | GOAL! The deficit is reduced again as Brook cuts the ball back to Beric, who display composure to pick out Armiento and he converts in clinical fashion past the ‘keeper.
61’ | GOAL! Beric turns from provider to scorer with a ruthless finish after meeting Pacifique Niyongabire’s low cross to restore parity.
64’ | Carpenter almost puts the home outfit in front with a stinging shot from distance which is inches away from finding the top right corner.
84’ | Beric has a late chance to steal the three points only for his strike to be astray.
Reserves:
Adelaide United 3
Sturt Lions 1
