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Three Qantas Socceroos inspired Adelaide Blue Eagles to a 1-0 victory against Campbelltown City in Round Nine of the Devine Super League at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.
Qantas Socceroos captain Lucas Neill tossed the coin with ABE captain Gino De Lucia and Campbelltown captain Michael D'Alosio while striker Robbie Kruse and 'keeper Adam Federici were also present. Club Presidents Rep Giordano of the Blue Eagles and Mario Scalzi of Campbelltown, along with FFSA CEO Michael Carter were involved in a photo opportunity with the Qantas Socceroos trio and both teams prior to kick-off.
The only goal of the match arrived ten minutes after half time with Kym Harris beating Campbelltown 'keeper Les Pogliacomi at the near post. Harris skipped past a defender before firing into the bottom corner to nail the eventual winner.
There was more than just bragging rights on the line, with both teams locked in the battle for a top five finish and separated by a single win heading into the contest.
ABE had been undefeated since Round Three, winning three and drawing two in their past five matches, whilst their opponents had battled inconsistency with two wins, two defeats and a draw.
The Red Devils were without several key players and struggled for rhythm throughout as the first half saw the hosts carve out the better chances but failing to convert.
Fortunato Filletti was kept out by the sharp reflexes of Pogliacomi before rattling the crossbar midway through the first half.
The next chance fell to Evan Kounavelis, but he too was unable to beat the veteran goalkeeper as the scores remained dead-locked at the break.
ABE were presented with the opportunity to extend the lead after Harris' opener, but Dean Kendrick saw his penalty saved by Pogliacomi.
When the shot stopper was finally beaten the woodwork came to Campbelltown's rescue for a second time as yet another chance went begging.
Blue Eagles coach Vojo Gluscevic was pleased with the win, although lamented the number of opportunities his side failed to convert.
"I am happy with the win and performance as we dominated the game," he said.
"However we made a lot of chances that we should have scored. It was great to see a lot of people at the match and great to beat our rivals but there should have been more goals."
Gluscevic remains confident about ABE's crunch match against league leader Adelaide City in Round 10 of the Devine Super League.
"We play Adelaide City next week, it is a big game and anything can happen. We are in good form and are going there to win."
Best on ground for the Blue Eagles was match-winner Harris while Filletti and Christopher Atsikbasis also collected votes. For Campbelltown Michael Paleka starred alongside goalkeeper Pogliacomi and captain Michael D'Aloisio.
Adelaide Blue Eagles 1 (Kym Harris) v Campbelltown City 0 (HT 0-0)
Adelaide City def Croydon 3-1
Adelaide City keep their buffer at the top of the table with a 3-1 against Croydon at Polonia Park on Saturday.
Scoreless at the break, a second half blitz saw goals from Jace Cummins, Eli Vlassis and Anthony Costa give City the points while Andrew Harous replied for the Kings.
Harous was also Croydon’s best with Dion Gazettas and Ben McLoughlin and for City, Jonathon Negus, Nicky Budin and Matthew Mullen were the standouts.
Croydon 1 (Andrew Harous) v Adelaide City 3 (Jace Cummins, Eli Vlassis, Anthony Costa) (HT 0-0)
MetroStars def Adelaide Galaxy 4-0
Keeping in touch with Adelaide City are MetroStars, who thumped Adelaide Galaxy 4-0 at Con Makris Park on Saturday.
Ominous strike-duo Michael Matricciani and Francesco Monterosso both bagged doubles for the visitors.
The goal scorers were in the top three players, along with Dave Menechella while putting in strong performances for Galaxy were Scott Weidenbach, Kodi Madeley and Tom Dittmar.
Adelaide Galaxy 0 v MetroStars 4 (Michael Matricciani 2, Francesco Monterosso 2) (HT 0-1)
Western Strikers def Modbury 1-0
Western Strikers moved above Campbelltown into fifth position on the ladder with a 1-0 victory over Modbury at Carnegie Reserve on Saturday.
Modbury was left to rue a number of missed chances as Adrian D’Alfonso scored the only goal of the match just on the quarter hour.
Michele Lastella was best on ground for the victors and he was joined by Michael Russo and Joseph Ciarla.
For Modbury, the top three were Adrian Giacomelli, Dave Crowl and Todd McSorley.
Western Strikers 1 (Adrian D’Alfonso) v Modbury 0 (HT 1-0)
Parra Hills def Raiders 1-0
In the relegation battle, Para Hills grabbed three important points to keep Raiders in last place after a 1-0 win at the Croatian Sports Center on Saturday.
The winner arrived in the second half courtesy of a Simon Catanzaro strike.
Catanzaro was joined in the top three by Rhys Townsend and Ben Moore while for Raiders Daniel Scordo, Ante Jerkic and Dylan Willcocks collected votes for their efforts.
Raiders 0 v Para Hills 1 (Simon Catanzaro) (HT 0-0)