R4 Preview - Adelaide Comets vs. MetroStars

We preview Round 4 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as Adelaide Comets host North Eastern MetroStars at Jack Smith Park on Saturday night.

Adelaide Comets are coming off a 2-0 loss to in-form Adelaide Olympic but can be encouraged by their performance after a draw away to Para Hills. They are currently 6th on the ladder with 4 points.

On the other hand, MetroStars bounced back from a disappointing in a 3-1 defeat to Adelaide Olympic to beat South Adelaide 4-0 last Friday night (highlights here) and will be hopeful of a positive result to keep us close to the top of the table..

MetroStars, as expected, started strongly and began to dominate possession early. We were boosted by the return of fitness to captain Michael D'Aloisio, who went straight back into the starting XI. Anthony Solagna made some great tackles in the opening 15 minutes to really help establish our control on the game. Dylan Smith pounced on a loose ball and slotted home nicely to open the scoring on 20 minutes. 10 minutes later we were 2-0 up as Rocky Calisto smashed home a great cross from D'Aloisio. Tom Strain could have made it 3-0 before half time but was denied by Costa Zacharopoulos.

The second half was much of the same. Smith was brought down on the edge of the area and many were surprised to not see a red card. Up stepped Christian Esposito whose sweet strike from the resulting free kick made it three. Subsitute Matt Charalambous punished Panthers with a fourth goal and put the rest of the league on notice.

Photo credit: swannsong

Coach Robbie Saraceno will be expecting more of the same from his players this Saturday night. Fabian Barbiero faces a late fitness test as he recovers from a thigh injury. Tim Henderson is still on the long term injury list. If selected, Cohan Morris is set to make his 50th appearance for MetroStars.

Come and join us Saturday for a huge day of football! 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

Adelaide Comets vs. MetroStars Saturday 16th March - 5:00PM

followed by Adelaide Comets vs. Metro United - 7:30PM Jack Smith Park, Novar Gardens