Temelkovski Hat Trick Sets Up Win
Written by Antonis Pangonis
FK Beograd is one of the few sides that has gotten the better of the MetroStars in Season 2023, and after falling short in its last encounter against Josh Mori and Co, Danny Graystone’s men were always going to enter Frank Mitchell Park fired up on Friday night.
Just 20 minutes into the game, James Temelkovski, as he does so often, found himself at the right spot to convert Austin Ayoubi’s cross, opening the scoring for the MetroStars.
The visitors largely contained Beograd to no major chances in the first half, undoubtedly pleased to keep Josh Mori, a player that relishes scoring against his former side, quiet.
MetroStars continued in their damaging, high-scoring ways in the second half with Michael Cittadini resuming his purple patch of form in front of goals to double his side’s lead before James Temelkovski recorded his brace from the penalty spot minutes later.
As if his goalscoring exploits were not impressive enough already, Temelkovski pulled off his second scissor-kick goal in the last month to seal his hat trick, making it 17 goals in 13 games, and confirming a comprehensive victory against what has been a bogey opponent for his team. With 12 goals in the last three league games, it is no surprise to see the MetroStars continue cruising at the top of the NPL SA.
A sour takeaway from this match is that both sides finished with 10 men. MetroStars defender Christian D’Angelo received a second yellow card in the 69th minute, while Beograd’s Yared Abetew was dealt a similar fate for a foul on Cam Woodfin in the 83rd minute.
It does not get any bigger than when the two Norst Eastern clubs clash in Round 14. A match filled with quality sees the top two sides on the table clash in Newton, with the MetroStars having the opportunity to extend their lead at the top, while Campbelltown can leapfrog its rivals at the summit if the result goes its way.
Danny Graystone’s side is the best in the league defensively and offensively, but with Michael Matricciani’s men not far behind, second in both categories, it is sure to be an exciting match. MetroStars have had the wood over Campbelltown in the past year and will be feeling confident, but the Red Devils would love nothing more than to knock their rivals off their perch in front of a home crowd in Newton on Saturday afternoon, in what is potentially shaping up as a potential Federation Cup Final preview.
Beograd 0
MetroStars 4 (Temelkovski 3, Cittadini)
*This match report is written by a third party and not written by MetroStars. We thank Antonis for his match reports.
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