Throughout the 2024 NPL SA season, Front Page Football looks at each week's big winners and losers from the action-packed South Australian top flight. Below are our picks from the first week of the Finals Series.
The Modbury Jets won a hard-fought Elimination Final against Adelaide United. (Image: Pagonis Photography)
Winners
Modbury slay 2023 demons
The Modbury Jets' 2023 fairytale run concluded with a Grand Final drubbing when Maurice Natale's side fell to a heavy defeat against a loaded Adelaide United side. The first week of the 2024 Finals Series saw the two sides meet again, with the Young Reds fielding players such as Ethan Cox, Jonny Yull, Yaya Dukuly, and Luka Jovanovic in their visit to Smith Partners Stadium.
Early goals in each half, courtesy of Liam McCabe and Jesse Francesca, saw the Jets build to a strong lead before seemingly running out of fuel and the Young Reds striking back twice to force extra time. At that moment, it seemed like the younger side would storm home to a win, but not only did Natale's side hang in, they took the lead.
Late in the first period of extra time, a mistimed challenge in the penalty box on Jordan O'Doherty sent Francesca to the spot to put the Jets ahead once again, and he converted for a second time in the match. This time, the hosts held onto their lead to knock out last year's champions and earn another opportunity for revenge on the side that defeated them in the Federation Cup Final, Campbelltown City.
Jesse Francesca (centre) converts his second penalty to restore Modbury's lead. (Image: Pagonis Photography)
City's opportunistic forwards thrive
Adelaide City found themselves behind just 10 minutes into their Elimination Final against the Adelaide Comets after a moment of defensive miscommunication. Moments after conceding the lead, City pulled a goal back out of nowhere in familiar fashion.
Paul Pezos' side rediscovered their execution in a tactic that shocked the MetroStars a fortnight ago: early and direct passes feeding the forward runs of their attacking players.
Seconds after kick-off, Juan Gutierrez launched the ball forward. After failing to clear the danger effectively, the Comets were punished when Daniel Bressan played Raphael Lea'i through on goal before the forward struck for the second time in his career as a member of the black and white.
The script repeated late in the first half when Kerrin Stokes played Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio behind the Comets backline, who put his side in front heading into half-time with an excellent finish. The scoreline did not change, which means Adelaide City will take on the side they brushed aside with that exact tactic only two weeks ago in the MetroStars, over two legs, with a spot in the Grand Final beckoning for the winner.
READ MORE ON FPF
Losers
A moment of madness
Finding themselves two goals down early in the second half, Adelaide United had to roll the dice against Modbury. Airton Andrioli did just that with an attacking substitution, as defender Bailey O'Neil was replaced by winger Amlani Tatu.
Just minutes later, Ryan White pulled a goal back for the visitors before Jake Porter scored his first senior goal of the season six minutes into injury time to equalise and trigger an additional 30 minutes.
Adelaide United's momentum was dashed in the first period of extra time when Vinko Stanisic could not make it to an Ethan Cox pass before Jordan O'Doherty intercepted the ball. This turn of events saw the Modbury midfielder win a penalty for his side, with the subsequent conversion putting the nail in the reigning champions' season, and guaranteeing a new NPL SA winner in 2024.
Adelaide United goalkeeper Ethan Cox attempting to save Modbury's third goal. (Image: Ken Carter)
Comets' promising season fizzles out
Season 2024 began full of promise for the Adelaide Comets. George Tsonis' men were one of the teams fighting for first place in the season's early weeks.
Comets collected four out of four wins in a perfect first month of the season, but that form went missing, with only another four wins collected for the rest of the season, going with eight draws and six losses. While the performances have often been impressive, the killer instinct has often been lacking.
While an early goal from Lachie Stead against Adelaide City in the Elimination Final was important, the game was far from over.
In fact, City's fightback saw them lead at half-time, proving an apt metaphor for the Comets' season. As they bowed out, the biggest disappointment for Tsonis was his side's inability to consistently make Dakota Ochsenham work in the City goal after falling behind.
Adelaide City ended the Adelaide Comets' season at Oakden on Saturday night. (Image: Ben Blaess/BDb.media)
Enjoy coverage of local football in Australia? Click here and read more of Front Page Football's NPL coverage across the country!
Comments