R22 Preview - West Adelaide vs. MetroStars

We preview Round 22 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as North Eastern MetroStars host Metro United and West Adelaide on Saturday evening.

NOTE: As this fixture is a West Adelaide home game, MetroStars members do not get free entry or car park for this fixture.

MetroStars are coming off a hard fought 4-2 win against Adelaide City (match highlights here) last Saturday. Metro were behind early when Fabio Ferriera lifted the ball over Isaac Carmody. The 'Stars responded superbly and were level on 22 minutes when Nahuel Bonada fired home for his second goal in consecutive weeks. Matthew Dawber gave Metro a deserved lead on the brink of half-time. Christian Esposito struck with a precise free kick minutes into the second half. Anthony Costa pulled one back for City before defender Tomas Maricic was sent off for a horrendous challenge on Nahuel Bonada. Esposito then sealed the win with a powerful right footed shot which blazed past keeper Delengas.

Meanwhile West Adelaide are coming off a 1-1 away to Adelaide Olympic. Pounendis gave Olympic the lead in the first half before Tito Bontor equalised for West Adelaide. West Adelaide could've won it had it not been for a spectacular goal line clearance. This upcoming game is the definition of must win for West Adelaide. Anything less than 3 points will see Hellas relegated to State League 1. Even with the win, they will need to hope that Comets defeat Adelaide City.

Rob Saraceno will also be letting his squad know that MetroStars are also in a must win situation, with the club still chasing a finals spot, currently sitting in seventh place, one point off sixth placed Blue Eagles. A win will most likely see them play finals football next week. Dylan Smith, Lachlan Barr, Tom Strain and Michael D'Aloisio will face late fitness tests this week. Justin Davis and Nick Menechella are both out with season ending injuries.

MetroStars Squad: 1. Isaac Carmody, 3. Cohan Morris, 6. Lachlan Barr, 7. Michael D'Aloisio (c), 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Matthew Charalambous, 12. Benjamin Head, 14. Dylan Smith, 15. Liam Wooding, 16. Alexander Jakob, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O’Donnell, 20. Cameron O'Doherty, 22. Hamish Gow, 23. Christian Esposito, 24. Nahuel Bonada 25. Jackson O’Donnell, 26. Stefan Cali

West Adelaide Squad: 1. Lewis Moss, 3. Gatlat Tongyik, 4. Matthew Di Matteo, 5. Zachary Hristodoulopoulos 6. Eli Vlassis, 7. Perry Mitris (c), 9. Theo Balomenos, 10. Kosta Mantis, 11. Ibrahima Kamara, 12. Matthew Bouraee, 15. Asad Kasumovic, 16. Jordan Maricic, 17. Tzoi Tsarkani 18. Tito Bontor, 19. Jaiden Diamantis, 20. Thanasis Lesi, 21. Roan Gillam, 23. Roan Gillam

Nahuel Bonada and Matthew Dawber both got themselves on the scoresheet against Adelaide City. Photo credit: Adam Butler

Form (last 5 games):

MetroStars 4-2 Adelaide City

Adelaide Blue Eagles 0-2 MetroStars

MetroStars 0-2 Raiders

MetroStars 1-2 Adelaide Olympic

MetroStars 1-2 Campbelltown City

Adelaide Olympic 1-1 West Adelaide

Campbelltown City 1-0 West Adelaide

West Adelaide 4-1 South Adelaide

West Adelaide 1-3 Croydon Kings

West Adelaide 1-5 Para Hills Knights

Last 5 meetings:

11.5.19 - MetroStars 4-1 West Adelaide

16.6.18 - MetroStars 5-2 West Adelaide

10.3.18 - West Adelaide 0-2 MetroStars

5.8.17 - West Adelaide 3-5 MetroStars

6.5.17 - MetroStars 3-2 West Adelaide

6.8.16 - West Adelaide 3-1 MetroStars

MetroStars will be looking for victory to ensure qualification for the finals series. Photo credit: Adam Butler

Come and join us Saturday afternoon for a massive game of football! The game will be live streamed on the Football Federation South Australia Facebook and YouTube pages. Alternatively, you can follow live updates on our Twitter @NE_MetroStars or by using the hashtag #MetroStars.

Referee Appointments:

TBA - Referee

TBA - Assistant Referee 1

TBA - Assistant Referee 2

West Adelaide vs. MetroStars Saturday 10th August - 7PM

Reserves 2:45PM | U18 12:30PM

T.K. Shutter Reserve