Finals Football continued on Sunday as the NPL SA Finals Series for Reserves and Under 18s played out in front of 3,026 spectators at VALO Football Centre.
Adelaide United proved to be the dominant side following an enduring, well-fought match against Adelaide Comets. A cagey affair saw United score first in the second half, Domenic Costanzo putting his side 1-nil up. Comets were eager to bring the game back to level terms, and on the 69th-minute mark, Kosta Tsalamangos scoring to even the ledger. The 2019 NPL Reserves Grand Final reached full-time with a 1-1 scoreline. United produced their best football in extra-time after goals from Daniel Bressan, Alexandra Popovic and Luis Lawrie-Lattazino secured a 4-1 win and the Championship for Adelaide United.
Preceding this, Adelaide Uni dominated Adelaide Comets in the WNPL Reserves Grand Final to claim the 2019 Championship. The first of Uni’s goals came in the 27th minute, to the credit of Pirrie Weeks. The remainder of the first half saw missed chances for both sides, however, the same couldn’t be said for the second half. Weeks’ second goal came in the 72nd minute, and ten minutes later, she scored a third – marking her hat-trick. Comets stood defeated by this stage, however, Uni’s Alysia Panagakos wasn’t done yet, scoring their fourth in added time to mark the end of Comets’ Grand Final journey.
Modbury Jets overcame WT Birkalla in the State League 1 Reserves Grand Final. The match was underway with the Jets taking an early lead through a Zack Gomez goal. No other chances were successful in the first half for either side. The spectators had to wait until the 78th minute for the Jets to extend their advantage, Dylan Tripodi finding back of the net. Immediately, the Jets followed up with another goal, this time Stephen Maio converting in the 79th minute, which proved enough to carry the Jets to the Championship.
The NPL Under 18s Grand Final saw SA NTC take on Campbelltown City in a thrilling 4-2 win. Campbelltown’s Adam De Ieso scored the first of the match in the 22nd minute, taking a one-goal lead into the half-time break. Once the second half kicked off the goals began to flow; NTC’s Mohamed Toure was the standout player with an exceptional second 45 minutes. Toure helped himself to a bag of four goals, securing NTC’s Championship. Late in the game, Campbelltown’s Jaek Coleman scored, yet merely a consolation.
The State League 2 Reserves Grand Final ended with a win for Adelaide Hills over Modbury Vista. Early in the first half, Hills opened their account through Jayden Miller before Vista’s Aboubacar Kallon scored an own goal, giving Hills a 2-nil lead on the stroke of half time. There were few notable chances in the second half in a frustrating period for both sides. Ryan Migliaccio pegged one back for Modbury Vista, providing a much-needed boost in the 84th minute. However, in additional time Miller secured the trophy for Adelaide Hills with his second goal, to round out comfortable 3-1 victors.
Cove FC defeated Eastern United 2-1 in the State League 2 Under 18’s Grand Final. Cove took the lead before half time, with a goal by Connor O’Brien in the 29th minute. In the second half, Cove produced a second goal courtesy of Andre Papp with 30 minutes remaining. Almost 20 minutes later, James Marrone scores Eastern United first goal of the game. Eastern United despite their efforts were unable to score a second and the match concluded with Cove FC crowned the champions of the State League 2 Under 18s.
Modbury Jets outshone WT Birkalla in the Under 18 State League 1 Grand Final. Neither team were able to convert chances into goals in the first half but the second half would prove vastly different. The game started to open up as chances began to flow for both sides. Five minutes into the second half, Luca Trimboli broke the deadlock for Modbury, scoring his first of the afternoon. On the hour, Birks’ Zac Bilsborow scored to tie proceedings once again. Their joy was short-lived when Trimboli scored a second in the 78th, and a third in the 85th, claiming a hat-trick with five minutes remaining. A triple from Trimboli secured Modbury Jet’s 2019 Championship, marking a special day for the Modbury Reserves and Under 18s.
Congratulations to all the clubs who took part in an exciting weekend of finals football and a huge thank you to all 7814 spectators who came to support SA football over the two-days at Coopers Stadium and the VALO Football Centre. Your support of local football is greatly appreciated.