R19 Preview - Campbelltown City vs. MetroStars

We preview Round 19 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as MetroStars travel to Steve Woodcock Sports Centre face Campbelltown City on Saturday afternoon.

MetroStars come into this game following an entertaining 1-1 with Raiders at T.K. Shutter Reserve last Friday night.

Tom Strain put the hosts ahead on 19 minutes. Christian Esposito's strong free kick could only be parried by young goalkeeper Tryfopoulos and Strain was the first to react and pounced on the rebound.

Raiders were level only 5 minutes later. Referee Daniel Elder awarded a penalty for handball after the ball struck Michael D'Aloisio's arm. Jospeh Costa confidently converted the spot kick.

An uneventful second half came alive in stoppage time when Elder harshly awarded Raiders a second penalty as Kamara was adjudged to have been fouled.

It was nervy run up from Kamara as he stepped up to take the penalty and Carmody went the right way and denied Raiders a late winner.

There was further drama minutes later as Michael D'Aloisio had his header cleared off the line moments before full time.

Campbelltown City last weekend defeated Adelaide Comets at the SA Athletics Stadium. A 3rd minuted Alex Mullen goals was enough to seal all 3 points for the defending NPL SA title holders.

Tim Henderson has completed his suspension and will return to the squad. Joshua Mori is out after sustaining a hamstring strain. Nahuel Bonada is out with a groin strain. Justin Davis and Cohan Morris will likely to return to action in the Reserves game.

MetroStars Squad: 1. Isaac Carmody, 3. Cohan Morris, 7. Michael D'Aloisio (c), 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Tom Strain, 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Luis Benedetti, 12. Benjamin Head, 14. Dylan Smith, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O’Donnell, 21. Alessio Melisi, 22. Hamish Gow, 23. Christian Esposito, 26. Stefan Cali, 40. Jayden Spruyt (GK)

Injured: Joshua Mori (hamstring), Nahuel Bonada (groin)

Campbelltown City Squad: 2. Shaun Harvey, 4. Connor Centofanti, 5. Matthew Mullen, 6. Dion Kirk, 7. Joel Allwright, 8. Alex Mullen, 9. Marc Marino, 10. Luigi Ditroia, 11. Joshua Barresi, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 15. Antony Piscioneri, 16. Daniel Mullen, 18. Christian Cardinale, 19. Lachlan Barr, 20. Nick Harpas (GK), 23. Jake Halliday

Highlights: MetroStars 1-1 Raiders Footage: Football South Australia

Form (last 5 games):

MetroStars 1-1 Raiders

Para Hills Knights 0-0 MetroStars

MetroStars 5-4 Adelaide Comets

MetroStars 2-0 White City

MetroStars 2-0 Adelaide Blue Eagles

Adelaide Comets 0-1 Campbelltown City

Campbelltown City 4-2 Cumberland United

Adelaide Olympic 5-2 Campbelltown City

Modbury Jets 1-0 Campbelltown City

Campbelltown City 1-1 Croydon Kings

Last 5 meetings:

17.1.20 - Campbelltown City 2-3 MetroStars

13.7.19 - MetroStars 1-2 Campbelltown City

5.4.19 - Campbelltown City 2-0 MetroStars

25.1.19 - Campbelltown City 0-0 MetroStars

19.5.19 - Campbelltown City 2-1 MetroStars

Fabian Barbiero has been in fine form since the restart of the season 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 South Australia YouTube channel.

Referee Appointments:

Christian Verdicchio - Referee

TBA - Assistant Referee 1

Ian Crossing - Assistant Referee 2

Campbelltown City vs. MetroStars Saturday 25th July 2020

Steve Woodcock Sports Centre

Kick off 3:00PM

Reserves 12:45PM | Under 18 10:30AM