Hat-trick hero Bonada seals victory for MetroStars
By Thomas Perrotta
MetroStars earned an emphatic 4-0 victory over Modbury Jets on the weekend to cement their credentials as a top NPLSA side and further compound their opponents’ woes.
The home side surrendered top spot last week with defeat to Croydon Kings, having won twice in the six matches since the resumption of the season, but faced a Jets side who had collected just one point in the same period.
It didn’t take long for MetroStars to stamp their authority on the game, with Timothy Henderson nodding home a looping corner from former Red Fabian Barbiero to take the lead in the sixth minute.
Nahuel Bonada doubled his side’s advantage on 45 minutes after a neat one-two with Hamish Gow, beating the keeper one on one by calmly sliding the ball into the bottom corner.
It was another fast start to the second half as Bonada doubled up in the 50th minute, latching onto a low Christian Esposito cross and firing in off the far post.
The striker saved his best for last, however, as he controlled a Dylan Smith clearance with his head before lobbing the keeper from range to complete his hat-trick and seal a four-star performance for MetroStars.
Adelaide Comets and Campbelltown City held onto first and second thanks to wins over the Kings and Adelaide United respectively, while Adelaide City leapfrogged Adelaide Olympic and moved into the top half thanks to a 1-0 victory.
Raiders sealed all three points against last placed Para Hills Knights and Cumberland United and Adelaide Blue Eagles played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.