Adelaide edge Roar in NYL

A late goal from Liam McCormick was not enough to salvage a draw for the Brisbane Roar, as the home side fell 2-1 to a rejuvenated Adelaide United FC outfit in Round 11 of Youth League action on Saturday.

A late goal from Liam McCormick was not enough to salvage a draw for the Brisbane Roar, as the home side fell 2-1 to a rejuvenated Adelaide United FC outfit in Round 11 of Youth League action on Saturday.

Adelaide held the upper hand throughout, despite coming off two successive defeats in which they conceded a total of 11 goals.

The game was an open and flowing affair from the outset, with both sides demonstrating their attacking intentions in the opening moments.

Adelaide right back Jordan Elsey capitalised on a pressing Brisbane backline in the ninth minute, when he latched onto a precise through-ball only to drive his shot just wide of the target.

However, it was a tenth-minute blunder by goalkeeper Matthew Acton which gifted Adelaide the match-s opening goal.

The Brisbane keeper, promoted from the bench while first-choice keeper Andrew Redmayne travels with the senior side to Central Coast, botched a short goal-kick, passing it directly to a prowling Francesco Monterosso at the top of the box, who coolly converted the gift to open Adelaide-s account.

Brisbane looked for an immediate response through midfielders Kenneth Dougall and Christopher Bush, however the Roar-s efficient passing game was stymied throughout the first half by a lively Adelaide side.

Still, Brisbane nearly drew level on 34 minutes in the form of Luke Brattan, who broke free and unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 metres out.

Adelaide goalkeeper Mark Birighitti could do nothing but watch as Brattan-s brace slammed off the crossbar and out of harm-s way.

Just 30 seconds later the Roar were made to rue their missed opportunity, as Adelaide doubled their lead through striker Inseob Shin.

The striker produced an audacious chip after some neat one-touch interplay on the edge of the box.

Goalkeeper Acton was left stranded off his line and was unable to recover in time to push the ball over the crossbar.

The boys in orange pressed forward searching for an equaliser in a chippy second half.
Rocco Visconte-s pace tested right back Jordan Elsey, who brought the Roar winger down on the edge of the area in the 53rd minute.

However, the resulting free kick by Kenneth Dougall flew well over the bar, never challenging Birighitti.

Two minutes later the home side came much closer; skipper Christopher Bush displayed showed poise on the ball to shimmy between two defenders and unleash from ten metres out.

The strike was parried by Birighitti, but only as far as Visconte, whose header was cleared off the line by an Adelaide defender.

Adelaide continued to frustrate the Roar, who were unable to sustain possession in the opposition half.

Evan Kostopoulos nearly settled the match in the 82nd minute, sprinting 30 metres into Brisbane territory only to fire a shot straight into the arms of Matthew Acton.

McCormick pulled one back for the Roar in the 91st minute, pouncing on the right side of the box to slot one inside Birighitti-s right post and create a nervy ending for Adelaide fans.

Brisbane coach John Sime praised Adelaide for their strong performance.

“Give Adelaide full credit; they came and played well,” he said.

“They pressed us high up the field, didn-t give us time to play, and we couldn-t react. They dominated the first half and deserved to win, there-s no doubt about that.”

Brisbane Roar 1
Adelaide United 2