Match Report: MetroStars 0-0 Adelaide City

Top of the table clash ends in a goal-less stalemate

Round 18 was set to be a crucial clash in the NPL SA 2021 competition. Adelaide City went into the clash in first place with MetroStars only trailing by a short distance.

The start of the game was very even with neither team giving anything away. The game was always going to be a strong tactical affair with both teams showing something different to normal.

12 minutes in, MetroStars won themselves a corner. Fabian Barbiero swung a corner in from the left and found the head of Timothy Henderson who only just put the ball over the top of the goal.

22 minutes in it seemed that MetroStars would take the advantage. Josh Mori combined with Melisi who got around his defender and shot from 20 yards out. His powerful right foot strike beat the goalkeeper, however it struck the crossbar, just preventing it from going in.

Shortly after Adelaide City got themselves a free kick in a good position. Kur struck the ball over the wall and it snuck just wide of the post. This was their best opportunity of the game so far and showed how important their set piece play was.

MetroStars went in at half-time even at nil-all. The game was very calm and played at a slower pace than normal. Both teams knew the importance of the game and neither wanted to give an inch to each other.

After 58 minutes MetroStars won an attacking free kick in a dangerous area. Hamish Gow delivered a testing ball that the City defenders couldn’t get their head on, however the ball bounced away from the goal.

With 20 minutes left in the game MetroStars had a chance to take the lead. Justin Davis crossed a ball from the right into Gow who headed the ball goalwards but it was stopped by the defence, the home side were really pushing for a victory.

Despite the pressure that the home side was building up they just could not push through the defence of City. There were very few strong chances throughout the game for either side.

Notwithstanding an imminent result as a draw, MetroStars still continued attacking and piling on the pressure, most notably the substitute, Christian Esposito, having opportunities on goal throughout the closing minutes.

The game ended nil-all with both teams going home without satisfaction. Adelaide City are now 5 points clear at the top of the table while MetroStars are in third place, 2 points behind the Comets in second. Next week's match will be away against the Sturt Lions on Saturday afternoon. This is another top of the table clash, this time 3rd vs 4th. With 5 games left in the season this match can determine the final outcome of the table in this thrilling 2021 season.