Match Report: MetroStars 3-0 Campbelltown City

The Round 16 clash between MetroStars and Campbelltown City was set to be a thriller as both teams had a fortnight off due to COVID. MetroStars sat 2nd on the table and were in really strong form heading into the break.

It was a cold and wet night at TK Shutter Reserve but MetroStars got off to an excellent start when they won an early corner. The ball was swung in and Henderson’s header went just wide of the post.

A minute later the home side were in again. This time Callisto put a lofted through ball in for Barbiero who put a shot on goal that was somehow deflected wide by Nick Harpas in goal.

MetroStars had complete dominance of the game early on as they constantly attacked the City goal. Multiple shots were saved or deflected wide off the boot of Gow, Barbiero and Esposito.

17 minutes in, Marc Marino found himself with some room on the edge of the box. He shot low at Carmody who managed to get down well and parry the ball away from the corner of the goal. City weren’t afraid to show they were willing to attack.

In the 21st minute Connor O’Rielly sent a gorgeous 50 metre through ball for Hamish Gow who hit the volley first time and found the woodwork, ending up just inches wide.

As the half progressed the game slightly slowed down as both teams came to terms with each other's playing styles. The ball movement however continued to be strong as the ball flew off the wet synthetic pitch.

At halftime the scores were somehow still level despite MetroStars having 15 shots of which 9 were on target, a dominant first half display.

58 minutes in, Marino found himself open on the edge of the 6 yard box after a cross was swung in from the right, luckily for MetroStars, he blazed the shot over the bar from close range.

Throughout this first period of the 2nd half Campbelltown gained some dominance over the match, very different to the first half.

Despite this early dominance a substitute in the 60th minute changed the game. Alessio Melisi was bought on for Ariath Piol and the flow of the game changed.

Shortly after running on Melisi won the ball deep inside his own half and found Christian Esposito out on the left wing. The defenders gave him too much room and struck the ball into the right hand side of the goal, finally putting the home side ahead.

71 minutes in Isaac Carmody caught a free kick and launched a huge counter attack for the home side. Melisi pressured his defender into a poor back pass that he jumped on and rounded the goalkeeper before finishing into the back of the open net leaving the home side up 2-nil.

A minute later the super sub Melisi found himself pressing in the corner of the attacking half. He stole the ball off his defender and squared the ball back to Fabian Barbiero who put the game beyond doubt. Just like that MetroStars were up 3-nil.

83 minutes in it looked as though MetroStars would get another goal. Josh Mori took on 3 defenders down the right hand side and whipped in a cross. It was parried to the on-waiting Callisto who struck it at the bottom corner but a wonderful diving save by Harpas prevented a 4th goal.

The game finished with MetroStars taking a 3-nil lead putting them unbeaten in 7 league games. They stay in second place, one point behind Adelaide City and one point ahead of Adelaide Comets. Next week's game will be away against Adelaide Blue Eagles who are in last place with no wins yet this season. Hopefully no more COVID issues leads to a full season and MetroStars push towards the Minor Premiership.