Adelaide United were excellent against a strong Para Hills Knights team, in a thrilling Round 8 of the South Australian National Premier League 2018 Season, winning 3-2 at home for another crucial three points.
The Young Reds are flying, coming away this week with their third win in a row, this time against Para Hills Knights in Round 8 of the NPL.
A slow first-half saw little for the spectators to cheer for, with rare scoring opportunities for both teams.
The first real chance of the game fell to the skipper, Paul Wilson, in the 19th minute, with his shot being denied by a sliding block at the back post.
After some tidy dribbling through midfield in the 28th minute, a shot opened for Kristin Konstandopoulos, who unleashed from outside the box, but was denied by a diving save from the Para Hills ‘keeper.
After the break the Young Reds came out guns blazing, with some free-flowing football resulting in numerous chances for the front three.
Carlo Armiento, finding himself on a ridiculous angle in the first minute of the second-half, attempted the spectacular, smashing the ball across the goalkeeper and was denied by the post.
With an instant impact off the bench, Pacifique Niyongabire beat his man, then drove the ball across the box with a low cross finding the feet of Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, who tapped it over the goalkeeper for an easy opener.
The United lead lasted only a minute however, as Para Hills’ number 9 Michael Ndjekompte flung himself at a cross, heading it past Isaac Richards to equalise.
The Reds had their lead restored immediately a minute later as Niyongabire won a free kick just outside the box on the right wing. Armiento expertly curled his attempt to the near post, catching the Para Hills keeper off guard to make it 2-1.
In the 82nd minute, after a defensive error, Lachlan Brook found himself in on goal, dribbling past two defenders, dispatching the ball into the corner to extend United’s lead.
Two minutes later, Para Hills won a penalty against Noah Smith for a contentious handball. The first attempt was saved by Richards, but the rebound fell back to Tyler Bailey, who was successful on the follow-up.
Key moments:
19’ | Carlo Armiento smashes a ball over the box from a free kick to Wilson at the back post, who is denied by a sliding block from the Para Hills centre back.
28’ | Kristin Konstandopoulos unleashes a strike from the just outside the box, but is denied by a diving save from the Para Hills keeper to keep it.
46’ | Carlo Armiento with an early chance from a spectacular angle, smashes the ball across the goalkeeper but is denied by the post.
49’ | GOAL! Pacifique Niyongabire with an instant impact as he crosses the ball into Stamatelopoulos, who taps it over the goalkeeper from on the line to give the Reds the lead.
50’ | GOAL: An instant reply from Para Hills as Michael Ndjekompte dives at a cross, heading it past Richards to equalise.
51’ | GOAL! A cheeky effort from Armiento, catching the Para Hills keeper sleeping with a free kick, tucking it in at the near post to restore United’s lead.
57’ | Armiento with another free kick is denied again, this time by the crossbar as it rattles off back into play.
75’ | GOAL! Brook dribbles past two Para Hills defenders to slot the ball into the back of the net after a defensive mistake in the Para Hills box, doubling our lead.
77’ | GOAL: After a harsh penalty call is given against Noah Smith for a handball in the box, Richards makes a heroic save, but the rebound falls to Tyler Bailey, who smashes it into the goal.
Reserves:
Adelaide United 4
Para Hills Knights 0
