A second-half Brody Burkitt penalty earned Adelaide United’s Young Reds a hard-fought point on Sunday afternoon, cancelling out a stunning long-range strike from Croydon’s Pasia John in a 1–1 draw at ServiceFM Stadium.
Head Coach Paul Vanis made three changes to the side that faced Adelaide Comets, with Bailey O’Neil unavailable through injury and Brody Burkitt and Sotiri Phillis coming into the starting XI for their first NPL appearances of the season. Phillis also took on the captain’s armband for the clash, while Kalan Alagich shifted to the substitutes bench. Chris Irakoze and Luke Hurst were added to the bench, replacing Mutsa Mupandawana and Liam Stam.
Image: Chris Kelly
The opening half was even with Adelaide gradually gaining ascendency in the game. Brody Burkitt was looking sharp and combining well through midfield as the Young Reds worked to build momentum. The best early opportunity arrived on 18 minutes when Panashe Madanha was slipped in behind after a ball from Joey Garuccio, but Croydon defended strongly to deny the skipper a shot. Garuccio followed up, only to fire straight at Margush in the Croydon goal.
Croydon broke through on 35 minutes in extraordinary fashion. Pasia John collected the ball and launched an audacious effort from just inside his own half, the looping strike catching Ethan Cox and dropping into the net.
Image: Chris Kelly
Croydon nearly doubled their advantage just before the break, with Oliver Trimboli forcing Cox into a strong save to keep the Young Reds within touching distance.
United emerged from half-time with patience and purpose, and the move that led to the equaliser was built with real composure. A 14-pass sequence beginning from Cox saw the Reds work the ball side-to-side before Alex Battistella found Luka Blazevic on the left. Blazevic nutmegged his defender and was then brought down in the box, allowing Burkitt to step up and coolly convert from the spot for his first RAA NPLSA goal of the season.
Burkitt was forced off soon after with cramp and was replaced by Irakoze, as the match tightened in the final stages and chances became limited. Battistella went close, while Croydon also threatened late through Yuya Kuta, but Cox held comfortably.
Vanis introduced Alagich, Hurst and Israel Mbula-Monga as the Young Reds searched for a winner, but it wasn’t to be, with the sides ultimately sharing the points.
Image: Chris Kelly
Head Coach Paul Vanis said:
“Croydon made the game difficult as they were well organised and defended their lines well. We weren’t clinical with our final pass and could have created many more opportunities if the decision making and execution was better. We stayed patient, made some adjustments to our build up play which allowed us to break through Croydon resulting in more chances including our goal.
The Young Reds now turn their focus to an away trip to Campbelltown City next Saturday.
Starting XI
#35 Brody Burkitt (off 78’)
#36 Panashe Madanha (C)
#40 Ethan Cox (GK)
#45 Alex Battistella
#52 Sotirios Phillis
#62 Fabian Talladira
#65 Joey Garuccio (off 72’)
#67 Luka Blazevic (off 72’)
#77 Sajjad Nasiri
#78 Malual Nichola (off 72’)
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
Substitutes
#15 Israel Mbula-Monga (on 78’)
#60 Hugo Ng (GK)
#75 Fabian Grelli (on 58’)
#82 Chris Irakoze (on 72’)
#86 Luke Hurst (on 72’)
#88 Kalan Alagich (on 72’)
Header Image: Chris Kelly
Full game replay:
