Adelaide United has defeated Newcastle Jets 5-2 in the National Youth League match played at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night.
The junior Reds fell behind early courtesy of a penalty converted by Jets left back Matthew Sim five minutes in, but didn’t take long to respond with star striker Francesco Monterosso firing home only seven minutes later.
Receiving a sweet low ball from Joseph Wright on the right flank, Monterosso struck the cross with his right boot on the volley, angling it sweetly past Robbie Kolak in the Newcastle goal.
Having drawn parity to the match the South Australians wasted no time in sourcing themselves a lead.
Just three minutes after the leveller, Monterosso steamed into the box before having his cross deflected for a corner. Kristian Sarkies – who’ll wear Melbourne Heart colours next season – swung in the resultant set piece, and scored direct from the corner to send Adelaide 2-1 up.
The Reds, led ably by senior players Sarkies, Paul Reid and Inseob Shin continued on the attack following a short first half drinks break necessitated by hot Hunter conditions, scored their third in the 29th minute.
The impressive Monterosso again proved pivotal to the goal, ghosting past his man wide on the left before cutting the ball back for strike partner Evan Kostopoulos, who met the inch perfect ball with his left boot, clinically finishing past Kolak who had little hope from eight yards.
After the interval Adelaide seemed keen to wrap up the three points which ensured it jumped, at least temporarily, to second place on the National Youth League ladder.
And Kostopoulos did increase the Reds’ buffer, claiming his brace in the process courtesy of a stunning strike from all of 25 yards in the 48th minute. Kolak dived in vain but Kostopolous’ effort was an unstoppable one befitting of any highlight reel.
Saving some face in front of their fans who had turned out early to support them prior to the Hyundai A-League fixture between the two clubs later in the evening, the Jets, to their credit, clawed a goal back.
Substitute Adrian Karakolevski was brought down when one-on-one with Adelaide custodian Nicholas Munro in the 69th minute, with Jason Naidovski stepping up to blast past the Reds stopper and make the score 4-2.
Both sides created ample opportunities in the final 20 minutes of the match before referee Stuart Wolfe called fulltime, with Karakolevski and Iacovelli going close for Newcastle and Shin inches from adding Adelaide-s fifth.
But it was Monterosso who put a full stop on proceedings, heading home a cross from the right side in the first minute of added time to cap what was a stunning individual and team display from Joe Mullen’s men.
Newcastle Jets Youth 2 (Sim 5p, Naidovski 69p)
Adelaide United Youth 5 (Monterosso 12, 90, Sarkies 15, Kostopoulos 29, 48)
