Reds return to form with smart display

In a clash that would provide continued momentum for either side Adelaide United prevailed two goals to one over the in-form Gold Coast United in the Round 16 Hyundai A-League opener at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Both sides came into the encounter with unbeaten records as Adelaide had not lost a match at home whilst Gold Coast United had not lost a match on the road. Gold Coast United were without first choice goalkeeper Glen Moss as Scott Higgins stepped in between the posts whilst, at the top of the park, 23 year old Socceroos striker Bruce Djite returned to cover for the injured Joel Porter.

Adelaide though returned to form which had deserted the Reds in recent weeks with a very tactically assured, very compact display that will stand them in good stead going into the second half the season.

Reds Captain Travis Dodd is returning to form in the second half of the season and fired Adelaide to the win in the second half with an excellent headed goal which was laid on by the precocious young talent, Iain Ramsay.

The tyro has been slowly improving form in the last month building on an already very solid foundation of pace, trickery and the element of the unknown in his game. Now that he is being better understood by opponents, Ramsay’s trajectory has not diminished as last night’s performance would attest. His crosses into the box were a feature throughout and indeed his contribution from a wide position provided the match winner for Rini Coolen’s rampant Reds outfit as Dodd headed home from 6 yards

Adelaide opened the scoring on ten minutes through an excellent piece of play between Paul Reid and Marcos Flores; two men which unlocked eleven. Reid played it from a holding position to Flores who had his back to goal. The Argentine held the ball up, superbly evading the attention of Bas van den Brink, whilst Reid continued his run unchecked into the box. Flores peeled left drawing centre half Kristian Rees out of position to block the run, leaving Reid advancing into the box all alone. Flores, without looking, chipped the ball onto a five cent piece for Reid to smash home on the half-volley. Stand in ‘keeper Higgins could only look on as Reid wheeled away celebrating one of the goals of the season.

Van den Brink atoned later in the half when he fired Gold Coast back into the match from distance with a superb shot into the roof of Socceroos ‘keeper Eugene Galekovic’s goal. Gold Coast were back in the match at half time.

In the second half, Adelaide retained shape and built further momentum in front of an adoring Hindmarsh crowd, taking all three points through Travis Dodd late on.

Coolen was full of praise for his chargers who trail Hyundai A-League leaders Brisbane Roar by three points with a match in hand.

“We can only be happy with the points we needed” said Coolen smilingly.

“Tactically we were perfect, keeping the ball well”.

Adelaide have a difficult trip to New Zealand in eight days time whilst the Gold Coast will host North Queensland Fury in a midweek match up at Skilled Stadium.