R10 Wrap: MetroStars v Para Hills Knights
Adam Van Dommele scored twice as MetroStars defeated Para Hills 3-0 in Round 10 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at TK Shutter Reserve on Saturday.
The captain netted the opener shortly after half time and rounded out the scoring with 16 minutes remaining. Fabian Barbiero curled in the second. Both sides ended the match with nine men as tempers flared in the latter stages.
MetroStars coach Michael Pirone said the match showed his side needs to make the most of their opportunities.
“We dominated from start to finish. If we were a bit more clinical in the first half it would have been different. We turned the screw after half time and put scoreboard pressure on them,” the coach stated.
“At half time I explained to the guys that we needed to make the most of what we had in the final third, because we hadn’t been taking our chances. I wasn’t disappointed with the work-rate.
“The game didn’t show me more than what I already knew. We have dominated games and here we saw what happens when we finish what we create. I was happy with how we played.”
Para Hills striker Frank Marafioti thought his side was unable to put enough pressure on MetroStars.
“It was a tough battle. The first half could have gone either way, but I thought we conceded possession too often,” he said.
“Then our distribution let us down. We didn’t get enough of the ball going forward and weren’t able to create chances. We lacked composure and our defensive awareness wasn’t there.
“It’s not just one area where we need to improve. We need a collective effort from the entire squad.”
The Knights had the first opportunity inside 60 seconds as Sherwin Emmanuel prodded a corner towards goal, only for the ball to be forced off the line by Rocky Callisto.
Barbiero and Liam Wooding’s interplay led to a chance for the central midfielder, who could only hit the post from inside the penalty area.
MetroStars started the second half with attacking intent, as Callisto was denied by Knights custodian Tim Ramsey when given space in a good area.
There was nothing the goalkeeper could do in the 49th minute as Van Dommele received a return pass from Wooding and slotted in the opening goal from a tight angle.
The home side extended the lead just before the hour mark as Barbiero curled a magnificent shot from outside the penalty area into the far corner.
Andrew Orphanou nearly sealed the match shortly after, but could only strike the top of the crossbar.
Van Dommele netted his second as he once again combined with Wooding and made no mistake when through on goal to finish past Ramsey in the 74th minute.
Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta
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