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By Luca CettaRaiders 0-4 MetroStars
MetroStars striker Michael Matricciani scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 win against Raiders at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday in Round 8 of the Devine Super League.
Scott Tunbridge, making his 100th Super League appearance also notched up his 50th goal in the competition as MetroStars took home a deserved three points.
The visitors sat in third place knowing a win would allow them to leapfrog Adelaide Galaxy into second while Raiders came into the match equal last with Para Hills.
In a dominant performance from the visitors it took until after half time to make the game safe against a stubborn opponent. The young Raiders side battled hard but were ultimately beaten by a well-drilled team.
Jackson Groves, best on ground for MetroStars, was busy in midfield while the opener arrived on 17 minutes when Steve Grelli found Francesco Monterosso and his low cut-back was tapped in by Matricciani.
The game was effectively over as a contest shortly after the break with Scott Tunbridge following up a saved effort to knock home a simple finish in the 50th minute.
Just four minutes later and Matricciani had his second as he headed in a cross that floated over Raiders goalkeeper Dan Atkins.
The former Adelaide United striker notched up his hat-trick nine minutes from time to complete the scoring and has now bagged seven goals this season. The two goal scorers also picked up votes for their performance.
MetroStars coach David Terminello was happy with his side's showing while also recognising it was a significant victory with a tough fixture to come next week.
“It was a good game for us; the boys put in and worked hard. It was a team effort,” he said.
“Our form has been up and down so it was important to get a win here with our match next week [against Galaxy].”
Adelaide City have streaked ahead early in the season but Terminello is not ready to give up the fight, however acknowledging it will be a difficult ask.
“Adelaide City will be tough to catch but anything can happen. It’s an old cliché but we will just take it week by week.”
For Raiders, striker Mimi Saric was the standout followed by Mesur Delkic and Daniel Hain. They have a chance to move away from the relegation zone when they host Para Hills next weekend.
Modbury 1-1 Adelaide Galaxy
Modbury halted the charge of Adelaide Galaxy on Friday night at Jet Park, moving off the bottom of the ladder as the sides drew 1-1.
A first half Shaun McGreevy strike gave Galaxy the advantage but the hosts fought back and grabbed a point with Michael Francis’ equaliser.
Dan Elekwachi, Chris Dean and David Crowl were best on ground for the Jets while it was McGreevy, Scott Weidenbach and Nick Munro for Galaxy.
Croydon 0-2 Adelaide Blue Eagles
Evenly poised going into the match, it was Adelaide Blue Eagles who collected the three points against Croydon at Polonia Park on Saturday.
Nicholas Bucco gave Blue Eagles a 1-0 half-time lead. Croydon’s concerns in front of goal came to the fore and their inability to finish chances cost them when Fortunato Filletti added a second to seal the result.
Bucco and Filletti were joined by goalkeeper Gino De Lucia in grabbing votes while Ermias Tekle, Daniel Christison and captain Michael Papacharalambous were in the top three for Croydon.
Para Hills 0-1 Campbelltown City
Campbelltown City player-coach Jason Trimboli was up to his usual tricks netting a last-gasp winner for his side which saw them down Para Hills at The Paddocks on Saturday.
A tight match, it was decided by the veteran and gives Campbelltown a much needed boost. They are equal fifth on 11 points while Para Hills remain at the foot of the ladder with four points.
For Para Hills Rhys Townsend, David Bounds and Brett Selga were best on ground and it was Michael D'Alosio, Michael Menechella and William Russell who collected votes for the visitors.
Adelaide City 1-1 Western Strikers
A nine-man Western Strikers became the first team to take points off Adelaide City in the Devine Super League this season after a 1-1 draw at Adelaide City Park on Monday night.
Adelaide City had enjoyed a perfect start to the season winning seven matches from as many starts before being held by a resilient Strikers outfit.
Strikers weathered an early storm from the home side with shot stopper Takumi Takahashi pulling off a host of stunning saves to keep City scoreless.
The visitors managed to control large parts of the first half and took the lead on the stroke of half time when Cameroon goal machine Calvin Mbarga poked his shot into the back of the net after City keeper Luke Ostbye parried a shot into his path.
Strikers exploded into the second half and looked to double their lead with speedster Jordan Spadavecchia in fine form out wide, as was captain Michele La Stella who battled hard in midfield.
The game was turned on its head on the hour when Strikers' Eritrean international Ermias Haile was shown a second yellow card.
Mbarga followed within seconds after he was cautioned twice in quick succession for persistent protesting, leaving the Striker to defend their 1-0 lead with 25 minutes remaining.
City peppered Western Strikers goal but couldn't find a way past Takahashi whose heroics denied the hosts time and time again.
With 75 minutes gone, City grabbed an equaliser from the penalty spot with Nicky Orr coolly converting the spot kick.
City continued to pour forward but couldn't steal a winner as they coughed up points for the first time this season.
Strikers keeper Takahashi was a clear best on ground with Spadavecchia and Adrian D'Alfonso also collecting votes.
City's best were Matt Mullen, Jono Negus and Nicky Orr.
Full Ladder
| 1 | Adelaide City | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 22 | |
| 2 | Metro Stars | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 16 | |
| 3 | Adelaide Galaxy | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 15 | |
| 4 | Adelaide Blue Eagles | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | |
| 5 | Campbelltown | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 11 | |
| 6 | Croydon | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 11 | |
| 7 | Western Strikers | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | |
| 8 | Modbury | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -22 | 5 | |
| 9 | Raiders | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -8 | 4 | |
| 10 | Para Hills | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -9 | 4 |