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Report by Luca Cetta
Western Strikers enjoyed a 3-0 win over a gallant Para Hills in Round 11 of the Devine Super League at Carnegie Reserve on Saturday to go fourth on the Super League ladder.
Calvin Mbarga opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, with Callam Flanagan doubling the advantage before Sunjin Julardzija sealed the result in the 77th minute. Strikers finished the game with ten men following the dismissal of Ermias Haile.
Strikers coach Aldo Maricic said his side were not at their best in the opening 45 minutes but stole a crucial goal on the stroke of half time after a classy finish from Mbarga.
"I’m happy to get the win, not entirely happy with the performance," he said.
"Para Hills probably shaded the first half but luckily we got the goal right on half time. We got caught in midfield in the first half but we fixed that at the break and then controlled the game in the second half."
Maricic acknowledged the significance of the victory and how it helps in shaping Strikers' campaign, but feels the upcoming games against Raiders and Adelaide Galaxy will be season defining.
"We did discuss before the game that we can get a buffer over the sides below us if we win. It was crucial to win and the next few weeks will be season-defining matches," he said.
Para Hills captain Aaron Goulding lamented his team’s inability to finish their chances, but says all hope is not lost just yet.
"Their goalkeeper [Takumi Takahashi] did very well. We made chances but could not score.
"We are fortunate in that it is close at the bottom and we still have two chances – firstly to avoid relegation and secondly, to make the top five. We play well in patches but it needs to be more consistent if we want to do well."
A midfield battle made for an even first half before the contest was turned on its head by a moment of Mbarga magic.
The Cameroon goal machine used his chest to bring down a long ball from Julardzija and burn off his defender in the process, before taking a touch and rounding goalkeeper Ben Moore to finish into an empty net.
The Knights found Takahashi at his usual energetic best and were frustrated at their inability to find a way past the goalkeeper.
Strikers doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Flanagan turned in a near-post corner past a desperate Moore after a scramble inside the six-yard box.
Julardizija sealed victory with a quarter hour remaining, finishing off a Strikers counter-attack started by man-of-the-match Ambesager Sium Yosief.
Mbarga was again part of the action, with his cross/shot blocked by Moore but knocked home by Julardizija.
Haile received his marching orders in the dying stages for a second bookable offense.
The Knights pressured Strikers in the final ten minutes but were denied a consolation goal as Sean Brennan thumped the crossbar from distance.
Yosief was a clear best on ground for Strikers while goalscorer Julardzija and young defender Tom Maricic were standouts. For the visitors, Brett Selga, David Bounds and captain Goulding were impressive.
Raiders 4 -0 Adelaide Galaxy
Raiders secured their second win in succession as they defeated Adelaide Galaxy 4-1 at Con Makris Park on Saturday.
Captain Mimi Saric grabbed a hat-trick and Nik Kuzman was also on target for Raiders, with Tom Dittmar finding the back of the net for Galaxy.
Best on ground for the home side were Tom Briscoe, Scott Weidenbach and Lwandiso Cele while Daniel Hain, Saric, and Dan Atkins were best for Raiders.
Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-0 Modbury
Adelaide Blue Eagles picked up an important 1-0 win over Modbury at the Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.
Fortunato Filletti got the only goal of the game seven minutes before half time to ensure Blue Eagles keep in touch with the top two.
Filletti was joined by Kym Harris and Dean Kendrick as Blue Eagles best while the standout performers for the Jets were Matt Kelly, Todd McSorely and Anthony Solagna.
Fortunato Filletti got the only goal of the game seven minutes before half time to ensure Blue Eagles keep in touch with the top two.
Filletti was joined by Kym Harris and Dean Kendrick as Blue Eagles best while the standout performers for the Jets were Matt Kelly, Todd McSorely and Anthony Solagna.
Croydon 0-2 MetroStars
MetroStars continued their winning run with a 2-0 triumph over Croydon at Polonia Park on Saturday. A goal in each half sealed the win for the Stars, with James Yong and Francesco Monterosso on target.
Jimmy Okello, Andrew Harous and Dion Gazettas were Croydon’s best, while for MetroStars, Scott Tunbridge, Steven Grelli and Adam Van Dommele picked up votes for their performance.
Campbelltown 0-3 Adelaide City
Adelaide City maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 away win against Campbelltown at the Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.
Jace Cummins gave the defending champions a half-time lead, with Ricardo Da Silva and Nicholas Orr adding goals after the break.
Captain Michael D’Aloisio was joined by Kosta Mantis, Dino Kristo as Campbelltown’s best while for City, Jordan D’Arsie, Jonathon Negus and captain Nicky Budin were the best.