Campbelltown clinch SA National Premier League title after 1-0 win over Adelaide City
CAMPBELLTOWN City has clinched the South Australian National Premier League title after a 1-0 win over Adelaide City at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday night.
CAMPBELLTOWN City has capped off a sensational season to clinch the South Australian National Premier League title after a 1-0 win over Adelaide City at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday night.
The Black and Whites failed to score against Campbelltown in their five meetings this year, while their grand final curse continued having lost the decider for the third straight year and fifth time since 2010.
Joel Allwright’s missed penalty moments before the break proved costly as Campbelltown broke the deadlock minutes into the second-half.
A sliding finish from Yohei Matsumoto handed the Red Devils a third championship in five years.
Joe Mullen’s side started the brighter of the two sides as they looked to assert their dominance early by dictating the rhythm of the game.
Lui Ditroia’s stinging cross caught City custodian Ryan Veitch by surprise, who had to quickly adjust low to his right, parrying the ball out for a corner.
But Veitch was a lot more convincing minutes later when he produced a spectacular, reflex save to tip over Dion Kirk’s deflected strike from distance.
It seemed a certain goal after Kirk’s left-footed effort ricocheted off the head of Allwright, standing on the six-yard box.
However, the Black and Whites slowly found their groove and began to enjoy lengthy spells of possession before Shannon Day registered City’s first shot on 36 minutes. The right-back forayed forward and fired a powerful shot which was held by Campbelltown gloveman Nick Harpas.
The Black and Whites were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute after Matthew Mullen brought down Anthony Costa inside the box.
But Damian Mori’s men were unable to capitalise on the stroke of halftime after the resultant penalty from Allwright smashed the crossbar.
The Red Devils made City pay immediately after the restart.
Matsumoto, arriving late at the back post, met Ditroia’s superbly floated cross into area.
Harpas produced a brilliant double save to deny Valentino Yuel and then Anthony Costa following Joseph’s Costa set-piece.
City threw players forward late in the match to no avail.