United Overcome Stars' In NPL Clash

Adelaide United have defeated MetroStars 2-1 in their Round 14 National Premier League - SA contest at Smith Partners Stadium today.

MetroStars got off to the perfect start, when United defender Aladin Irabona brought down Cohen Morris inside the box. Christian Esposito stepped up and slotted the penalty past Issac Richards after 8 minutes to give MetroStars the lead.

Esposito nearly doubled the lead two minutes later, but his free kick just sailed over the crossbar.

United went close to equalising when Kushi Yengi cut the ball back to Louis D'Arrigo, but his shot went over the head of Issac Carmody and out for a goal kick.

United eventually did find that equaliser, when Pacifique Niyongabire hit a sweet shot past Carmody after 24 minutes.

On the stroke of half time, Carlo Armiento should have given United the lead going into the break, however his close range shot was perfectly saved by Carmody.

It was United who came out the stronger of the two teams after the break, when Armiento saw Carmody off his line and tried his luck from the half way line, but his shot hit the crossbar.

Five minutes later, Esposito could have put MetroStars up, but his looping header was tipped over the bar by Richards.

It was Armiento's stunning free kick 12 minutes from time that ended up sealing the victory for the home side.

Tom Strain had a golden chance to equalise minutes before full time after a Hamish Gow cross found Strain free, but his header was well saved by Richards who parried the ball away to safety.

Adelaide United 2 (Niyongabire 24' Armiento 78')

MetroStars 1 (Esposito 8'P)

United - Richards, Irabona, Carpenter, Wilson, Yates, Armiento, Clark, D'Arrigo, Devereux (Bressan 96'), Yengi (Beric 92'), Niyongabire.

MetroStars - Carmody, Barr, D'Aloisio, Cali, Davis (Jakob 86'), Callisto (Shaksi 66'), Esposito, Solagna, Dawber, Morris (Gow 85'), Strain.

Photo - Chris Kelly