Sturt Lions crowned State League One Champions

STURT LIONS SECURE PROMOTION TO THE NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE SOUTH AUSTRALIA COMPETITION FOR 2021.

Sturt Lions have defeated White City 2 – 0 in front of a sell-out crowd at VALO Football Centre to book their place in the top tier of South Australian football next season. 

A stand-out performance from overseas import Gonzalo Rodriguez the difference, who was awarded man of the match honours after scoring a delightful double. 

You could hardly hear the opening whistle over the bustling crowd, both teams taking their time to settle into the match under the high intensity, with promotion and the championship on the line.

After an end-to-end opening, the first half-chance of the game fell to White City Captain Chahine Noujaim, his inside of the boot effort floating over the bar without troubling the keeper.

Sturt soon settled into the game and looked threatening, with Alex Sortini picking up the ball between the lines and feeding the dangerous Rodriguez. The striker’s first effort on 21 minutes did little to trouble the keeper but it didn’t take much longer for him to stamp his mark on the game.

Only seconds later, Jacob Atkinson’s cut-back fell directly into his path before rifling the ball into the back of the net from close range. His fifth goal of the final series and 22nd for the season.

Sturt


White City kicked back into gear after falling behind and on 28 minutes had their best chance of the game. Young gun Rastko Ljujic with a delightful ball into the box to meet the head of Shannon Day only for Sturt’s shot-stopper James Klappers to athletically tip the ball over the bar to safety.

Mori’s side continued to press leading into half time without any real reward for their effort. 

In the final passage of play for the half, Sortini nearly doubled the lead for Sturt, his point-blank shot driven straight at Deale Chamberlain who fisted the ball clear.

The first 15 minutes after the restart went by in a flash, as Sturt pushed to extend their lead and White City battled to get back into the match.

Rodriguez looked closer and closer to getting his second goal, going very near on 63 minutes before his ensuing strike deflected out for a corner.

Damian Mori had a talented and experienced bench at his disposal and injected Alexei Essex and Anthony Dimas on 65 minutes to help spark the Woodville based club’s revival. Dimas’ impact was immediate, his first shot alarmingly close to levelling the tie. 

Veteran Jace Cummins was pushed up the park to help spark the revival but Lions’ stalwart Akira Kobaishi held the midfield well, controlling the tempo of the game as Sturt held off the mounting pressure.

The game was sealed in the 86th minute for Sturt. A delightful chip from Anthony Taylor found the running Rodriguez, who sold some candy before calmly slotting his second goal for the match.

sturt lions


After a two-year absence, Sturt will now return to the top flight of local football.

sturt lions