Match Report: Cumberland United 0-3 MetroStars

Strong 3-0 win puts MetroStars one point off 1st place

A.A. Bailey Reserve was the location for the Saturday afternoon clash between Cumberland United and MetroStars. MetroStars are in fine form and hoping to consolidate their position right near the top of the table.

The game couldn’t have started better for MetroStars as they found their first goal within the first 3 minutes. Justin Davis found Barbiero down the right wing who centred the ball into Christian Esposito to finish it for his 6th goal for the season. A fantastic start for the away side.

12 minutes in it seemed Cumberland had to hit back. A huge throw came in from the left hand side and it was headed into the advancing striker's path, only for him to dribble a shot at Carmody’s feet.

Shortly after MetroStars found themselves down the other end again. Esposito combined with Melisi inside the area before getting a shot away that was nicely saved by the goalkeeper.

Other than these strong opportunities, neither team had any other chances throughout the first half. It was end to end football without clinical movements inside the attacking third. The home side finished with 6 shots in comparison to MetroStars 4.

Straight after the break MetroStars had their second. The ball was thrown into Fabian Barbiero who centred the ball to Gow who acrobatically spun in the air and hit the ball past the goalkeeper. It was a great team goal to start the second half and put the visitors up 2-0.

56 minutes in Cumberland came close to scoring their first. A curling chipped shot just cleared the crossbar from 18 yards out and left Carmody scrambling inside his goal area.

10 minutes later MetroStars looked to have their third. Cooper O’Donnell combined with Hamish Gow before sending Mori through who tried to replicate something very similar to the second goal. It was well saved by Luke Schoen and turned away for a corner.

74 minutes in Isaac Carmody had a scare when the left winger hit a misplaced cross just over the bar. It left the big goalkeeper scrambling backwards, before the ball deflected off the crossbar and went over.

As the half progressed MetroStars began to dominate possession and field position. Multiple shots went wide of the goal, until in the 81st minute O’Donnell showed off some beautiful skills beating 2 defenders, before turning provider for Josh Mori who rolled it past the goalkeeper for a spectacular goal. This was also his 6th goal of the season.

MetroStars ended up finishing 3-nil victores and largely dominated the second half finishing with 15 shots to 10, and 10 of them on target compared to Cumberland’s 2.

This victory leaves them in second place, only 1 point behind first. The upcoming game was meant to be against South Adelaide Panthers however due to the COVID lockdown it has been postponed.