Adelaide United has recorded its first National Youth League win since Round 4, ending the Gold Coast’s unbeaten run with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.
The Reds led 2-0 at the long break and 3-1 midway through the second half but after surrendering the lead and settling for a draw in four home games this season, Joe Mullen’s boys were under pressure.
And when Andrew Barisic scored from a penalty kick in the 79th minute there was a scary case of deja vu for the home side.
Adelaide didn’t get the jitters this time however and continued to play positively until the final whistle, pleasing coach Mullen.
“The boys got what they deserved today, they played terrific football in the first half and they took the same attitude into the second half. We did let them back into game with that penalty but I think at the end of the play we were just happy to get the points,” Mullen said.
The efforts of Lloyd Owusu, who spent his second week in the NYL, also pleased Mullen.
“I think today he was fantastic, he showed what the club brought him in for, his work-rate was good, his involvement around the boys was terrific,” he said.
The Gold Coast made a promising start to the contest with three corner kicks in as many minutes, some neat passing in the front third and the first shot on target through Golgol Mebrahtu.
But the Reds were alert in defence and were creating plenty of opportunities of their own. Owusu proved a strong focal point and deflected a number of high balls in the direction of team-mates.
The first goal was scored in the 20th minute after Joel Allwright received a shove from Steven Topalovic in the right hand corner of the box.
Matthew Mullen took the resulting penalty and guided the ball into the right hand corner of the net.
Francesco Monterosso then got into the act 11 minutes later, the striker showing great poise to lob a bouncing ball over goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson.
The visitors came out all guns blazing in the second half and were rewarded with a scrappy Benjamin Wearing score from close range.
Alex Sunasky’s weaving effort into attack and low finish in the 68th minute steadied the Reds but there was one last twist to the contest.
Michael Doyle gave away a penalty in the box and Barisic, on the second attempt, found the back of the net from the spot.
Adelaide United 3 (M. Mullen 20, Monterosso 31, Sunansky 68)
Gold Coast United 2 (Wearing 48, Barasic 79)
@ Hindmarsh Stadium
