The day after Adelaide United claimed its first NPL SA Championship, ServiceFM Stadium was once again the stage as the rest of the men’s competitions concluded. An action packed State Leagues Grand Final Day saw eight new Champions crowned.
The first senior Grand Final of the day saw State League Two Premiers Salisbury United take on Western Strikers, and with both sides already promoted the sole focus became the silverware at stake. Salisbury United put aside the disappointment of star Liam Bebbington missing out on the club’s big day due to suspension to start off the stronger of the two sides, but despite that it was their opposition that struck first.
In the 17th minute of the decider, Frank Violi’s free kick, which was positioned closer to the touchline than the penalty box, travelled all the way into Ben Dalwood’s top corner to spark celebrations for Western Strikers. That was to be Strikers’ only shot on target in the first half, and despite a strong defensive effort a lapse of concentration allowed Salisbury to equalise.
A ball over the top allowed Yusuf Ahmed to power past the Strikers’ backline, and a desperate lunge from Tariq Eltahir allowed Salisbury’s Matt Taylor to equalise from the spot heading into the break.
The two sides exchanged blows in the second half, Salisbury hitting the crossbar twice and forcing a tremendous save from Seth Buttery, but they could not be separated as the clash entered extra time.
The tension was palpable in extra time and with the crowd growing larger, due to the arrival of Adelaide Croatia Raiders and Para Hills Knights fans for the State League One Grand Final, the game seemed to inevitably be heading for the penalty shootout, until a moment of desperation from the Western Strikers defence prompted referee Liam Miller to point to the penalty spot.
In the 115th minute, Salisbury’s Connor McLaughlin got on the end of a loose ball, that originated from long throw into the box, before being unceremoniously sandwiched by two Western Strikers defenders. Matt Taylor converted the forthcoming spot kick, his second of the night, to hand Salisbury United the State League One Championship, sealing his first piece of silverware for the club he has been a part of since Under 16s age group.
Salisbury United Senior Men's SL2 | 2 - 1 | Western Strikers Senior Men's SL2 |
Taylor44' Taylor117' | Violi18' |
If the State League Two Grand Final was a slow burn, its State League One counterpart was anything but. In just the first minute of the game, Ricardo Da Siva had combined with Joey Coasta, with the former opening the scoring, before Para Hills received a penalty for a foul on Keshav Shrestha, that league top-scorer Riley Stam cannoned off the crossbar.
The hectic nature of the first 10 minutes of the game continued, and Riley Stam made amends for his miss by picking out the bottom corner from range to level proceedings. Just shy of the half-hour mark, Stam continued stamping his authority, in what has turned out to be a breakout season, to capitalise on a loose Donatien Niyonkuru touch in the box, before slotting home a goal that, despite a nightmare start, gave Para Hills the lead heading into the break.
Vlado Blažeka’s Raiders had it all to do in the second half, but as the half wore on the Premiers were thwarted by Lachlan Fusco in the Para Hills’ goals, the goalkeeper pulling off a string of strong saves to ensure his side retained the lead. With minutes to go in the game, a Donatien Niyonkuru cross forced yet another save from Fusco, but the ball fell in the path of Jimmy Odenwalder who smashed home the equaliser to set up a grandstand finish.
As the match entered injury time, Joey Costa latched onto a perfectly weighted ball from Matt Majetic before being fouled by Fusco, who went from hero to villain, in the box. Captain Ricardo Da Silva took his chance from the spot with both hands and seemingly sealed the Championship for the Raiders.
When all the drama seemed over, Riley Stam curled home yet another equaliser, this time for the Knights, but it was swiftly ruled out for offside. The Para Hills players did not accept the decision and Diego Santos De Oliveira was sent off for remonstrating.
A rollercoaster of emotions culminated shortly after with Adelaide Croatia winning the State League One Championship, and Para Hills Knights facing disappointment on their big day for the second season in a row, with the only silver lining being that they will be competing in the NPL SA in 2024.
Earlier in the day the Under 18s and Reserves honours were also contested, with MetroStars (NPL), Cumberland United (State League One), and Noarlunga United (State League Two), all victorious in their Grand Finals against Adelaide City, Adelaide Blue Eagles, and Seaford Rangers respectively. The Adelaide City (NPL), West Torrens Birkalla (State League One), and Adelaide University (State League Two) Reserves sides claimed their respective league Championships at the expense of Adelaide United, Playford Patriots, and Salisbury United.
Adelaide Croatia Raiders | 3 - 2 | Para Hills Knights |
Costa1' Odenwalder87' Da Silva95' | Stam14' Stam30' |