City and Campbelltown surge up the table | Round 18 Wrap & Highlights

Round 18 of NPLSA action saw Adelaide City stake their claim as a title threat with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Croydon Kings at Adelaide City Park on Saturday.

City’s return to the pitch after the COVID-19-enforced season break initially lasted just one match, as their fixture against the Young Reds last week was postponed due to health concerns.

It was clear they were keen to make up for lost time, however, as the Black and Whites snatched the lead in dramatic fashion after just 42 seconds thanks to a clearance by Kings goalkeeper John Hall landing at the feet of forward Perry Mitris.

Seeing Hall off his line, Mitris, an off-season recruit for City, struck the ball first time on the half-way line, sending his sumptuous looping shot over the head of the scrambling keeper and into the net.

City held their lead until just after half-time, when Domenic Costanzo’s low-hit free kick from the corner of the penalty area squeezed through a congested box without meeting a boot and nestled into the far corner to restore parity.

A match of fine goals was rounded out by City on 73 minutes courtesy of a blistering counterattack completed by Terence Carter, who rounded the keeper to slot home after meeting Austin Ayoubi’s defence-splitting through ball.

Elsewhere, Campbelltown City claimed their second consecutive win, with an early goal by Alexander Mullen enough to defeat the Adelaide Comets away from home.

Cumberland United and Para Hills Knights both returned to the winner’s list in resounding fashion, registering 3-0 victories over Modbury Jets and Adelaide United respectively.

Adelaide Blue Eagles notched their first win of the season against Adelaide Olympic with a 2-1 triumph, while MetroStars held onto first place despite sharing the points with Raiders in a 1-1 draw.