Adelaide United overcame A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners and referee Matthew Breeze to record its first win of the season in an exciting match at Hindmarsh Stadium today.
Adelaide started the game strongly and almost took the lead in the 10th minute thanks to Nathan Burns' superb piece of skill to reverse nutmeg Central Coast defender Heffernan. Burns crossed to Djite who scuffed his shot just wide of the back post.
Adelaide's young starlet duo was at it again when Adelaide did take the lead in the 19th minute. Nathan Burns started the move when he glided past two Central Coast defenders on the right flank. Burns picked out the unmarked Djite on the penalty spot with a low cross. Djite cleverly flicked the ball past the outstretched hands of Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic to give Adelaide the lead.
Adelaide dominated the opening half hour but in last 15 minutes the Mariners began to find their feet. The Mariners earnt their reward in the 37th minute when goal poacher Sasha Petrovski scrambled the ball into the back of the net after Adelaide failed to clear the ball from a corner.
In the second half Adelaide raised the tempo of the match and created a series of opportunities.
Adelaide went very close in the 54th minute after Burns snapped a shot goalwards only to be denied by the outstretched hand of Danny Vukovic. The rebound fell to Djite who tried the slot the ball home. But the scrambling Vukovic somehow got a hand to the shot. The touch took just enough pace off the shot to allow Central Coast to clear the ball off the goal line.
In the 65th minute Adelaide finally grabbed the second goal it deserved. Nathan Burns streaked goalwards only to be clattered by defender Tony Vidmar on the edge of the box. Burns hit the deck but the ball rolled into the path of Djite who slammed the ball into the back of the net. Djite and Burns celebrated with the Hindmarsh crowd before being stunned by a diabolical decision from referee Matthew Breeze. In all his wisdom Breezed opted to award a free kick to Adelaide and disallow the perfectly valid goal.
Fifteen minutes later Tony Vidmar was the villan again. Adelaide's Cassio cleverly turned past Vidmar and headed goalwards. The promising move came to naught when Cassio was dragged down from behind by Vidmar. The Central Coast defender was already on one yellow card and did not wait for the decision of referee Matthew Breeze. He headed straight to the sidelines for an early shower.
Adelaide turned up the pressure on the ten men of Central Coast in the closing 15 minutes.
Djite was not going to be denied a deserved second goal in the 88th minute. The young striker met a cross and smashed a diving header past Vukovic that flew into the back of the net off the post.
Referee Matthew Breeze blew for full time and was probably relieved that his 65th minute gaffe had not determined the final result.
It was a crucial first win of the season for Adelaide and new coach Aurelio Vidmar. It relieves some of the pressure that has been building around the club and keeps Adelaide in touch with the top half of the table.
Aurelio Vidmar will be pleased with his team's performance particularly in the second half. Young duo Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite are proving to be unstoppable when they are in tune. The return of goalkeeper Beltrame has shored up the defence while Diego, Sarkies and Salley are controlling the middle of the park. One area of concern is the continued poor form of vice captain Travis Dodd who was a passenger for most of the game.
Central Coast coach Lawrie McKenna will have little complaint about the result. Adelaide deserved all three points.
Best for Adelaide was Nathan Burns followed closely by Bruce Djite. Costanzo was very solid in defence and fellow defender Alagich is starting to show the form that made him the club champion in Adelaide's first season. Shotstopper Beltrame put in a confident performance in his first start for the season.
Best for Central Coast was brilliant young goalkeeper Danny Vukovic. Damian Mori toiled up front with little support while Heffernan did his best to combat the rampaging Nathan Burns.