Croydon Kings coach Angelo Costanzo believes NPL SA title is ‘anybody’s game’ in 2020
Just one win separates the top eight sides in the NPL SA and one top flight coach believes the crown is well and truly up for grabs. Check out The Messenger’s reports from all the weekend action.
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The National Premier Leagues SA title is well and truly up for grabs this season with no real standout sides so far, says Croydon Kings coach Angelo Costanzo.
Just one win separates first to eighth on the ladder after six rounds and the top flight’s unpredictability was on full display on Saturday.
Croydon secured its first win following the coronavirus shutdown by downing promoted club Modbury Jets 2-1 at Jack Smith Park.
While the Kings sit sixth on the table with two victories, three draws and just one loss, Costanzo believed his side was yet to hit its straps.
“We probably deserved to win but didn’t play good football, that will come though” Costanzo said.
“Considering we’ve had a big break that better football will come for us in the next few weeks.
“It’s has brought everyone pretty close I think … everyone’s pretty much starting the season again.
“There’s only a few points between the top seven or eight teams, so it looks like it’s anybody’s game and there’s no real standouts,”
Croydon came into the clash off a 3-3 draw with Adelaide Blue Eagles and faced a Modbury side which sat top of the table prior to the shutdown.
But the Kings got off to a dream start in the third minute.
Patrick Caraccia had his initial shot blocked but the rebound fell kindly, allowing him to neatly tuck the ball away in the bottom corner.
Shaun McGreevy levelled the score for the Jets in the second half with a delightful half-volley after a Kur Kur cross found him unmarked at the back post.
But it was the coach’s son, Domenic Costanzo, who gave Croydon the win when held his nerve in the 61st minute.
Constanzo picked the ball up on the right flank and floated inside before calmly slipping the ball underneath Jets keeper Kieran Griffiths.
Croydon moved to sixth on the ladder with the victory, just one point behind the Jets, who have now lost two straight.
In other results, Campbelltown City got back on track with a 4-2 win over Cumberland United in an enthralling contest at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday night.
The Foxes jumped the reigning champions when they intercepted a loose pass in the Red Devil’s half and Josh Harvey pounced to open the scoring.
A deflected shot from Dion Kirk levelled things up for Campbelltown before the break.
Marc Marino then submitted his contender for goal of the week early in the second half when he somehow found the back of the net from well wide and outside the box.
.@MarcMarino with another 🚀 last night for @campbelltowncsc 🔥🔥🔥#NPLSA pic.twitter.com/Sl2XYRcZzh
— NPL SA (@FootballSA_NPL) July 12, 2020
Declan Gray pegged one back for the Foxes from a corner in the 52nd minute but Campbelltown’s Joshua Barresi made sure of the win with a strike in the 84th.
Raiders moved one point off top spot after a confidence boosting 2-0 victory over early season pacesetters Adelaide Olympic at the Croatian Sports Centre.
A first-half double from Alun Webb was enough to give the home side their second-straight win since the season restart.
Adelaide Comets played out a 0-0 draw with the winless Adelaide Blue Eagles, while Para Hills and MetroStars also could not be split in a scoreless stalemate at the Paddocks.
Adelaide City’s clash with Adelaide United Youth was postponed after Reds players were required to quarantine ahead of the resumption of the A-League season.
SCOREBOARD
PREMIER LEAGUE
■ Croydon Kings 2 Modbury Jets 1
■ Raiders 2 Adelaide Olympic 0
■ Adelaide Blue Eagles 0 Adelaide Comets 0
■ Para Hills Knights 0 MetroStars 0
■ Campbelltown City 4 Cumberland United 2
■ Adelaide United Youth v Adelaide City – postponed
STATE LEAGUE ONE
■ Western Strikers 2 Adelaide Victory 1
■ South Adelaide 2 White City 1
■ Playford City 3 West Torrens Birkalla 1
■ West Adelaide 1 Sturt Lions 3
■ Fulham United 3 Adelaide Hills 0
■ Vipers 4 Seaford Rangers 2
STATE LEAGUE TWO
■ Mount Barker United 0 Noarlunga United 2
■ Cove 1 Modbury Vista 1
■ Gawler Eagles 2 Adelaide University 1
■ Salisbury United 2 Eastern United 4
■ Pirates 1 Northern Demons 0
■ Pontian Eagles 1 Adelaide Cobras 1
WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
■ Metro United 0 West Adelaide 4
■ Adelaide University 0 Adelaide Comets 0
■ Adelaide City 6 Football SA NTC 0
■ Fulham United 4 Salisbury Inter 5