Croydon move to third after emphatic win | RAA NPLSA Goals Wrap | Round 10
Croydon Kings have snatched third spot in emphatic fashion, scoring five times past MetroStars on their own turf to secure a stunning win.
The Kings entered the contest on a four-match winning streak but sat two points below MetroStars, which raised the stakes of the contest as potentially crucial in the finals race.
The Kings drew first blood in the 21st minute as a powerful in-swinging free kick by Domenic Costanzo was met by Nathan Munro, whose glancing header cannoned into the back of the net.
It took only a matter of seconds for MetroStars to fire back, with Christian Esposito running onto an Anthony Solagna pass and beating the keeper at his near post.
Croydon had regained their lead within ten minutes, however, as an errant pass in defence was pounced on by Antoni Trimboli and teed up for Costanzo to hit first time, whose chipped shot made it 2-1.
It went from bad to worse for the hosts in the second half, as two goals in as many minutes by Peter Mercurio and Munro increased their deficit to three with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Costanzo capped off a five-star performance by Kings with a delightful curled strike into the bottom corner in the 75th minute, sealing an incredible 5-1 triumph for the visitors.
Campbelltown City survived a scare from last-placed Para Hills Knights to claim a 3-2 victory, while ladder leaders Adelaide Comets returned to winning ways with a resounding 4-0 win over Raiders.
Cumberland United scored a late winner to defeat Adelaide Olympic 2-1 and the spoils were shared at 1-1 between Adelaide City and Modbury Jets, with Adelaide United and Adelaide Blue Eagles earning the same result.