R4 Wrap: Campbelltown City v Croydon Kings
Croydon ended Campbelltown City’s winning start with a 2-1 victory in Round 4 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.
The Kings took the lead through captain Luke Klimek inside 20 minutes, but were pegged back by Adam Piscioneri after half-time. Elvis Kamsoba sealed the victory with only minutes remaining to give the visitors their second win of the season.
Croydon coach Mark Brazzale was pleased to come away with maximum points.
“We started well, got ourselves ahead and then defended the lead. Campbelltown were very good and we had to be at our best towards the end to get the result,” he said.
“It’s good to get a win against a quality side away from home. It will give us confidence. But I don’t read too much into it as it’s still early. Campbelltown will be up there at the end of the season.
“I felt we could score, but had to be mindful defensively. We were on tenterhooks for a bit, but did well to get the goal at the end.”
Campbelltown’s Shaun Harvey said the disappointment was etched on the player’s faces after suffering a first loss of the campaign.
“I thought we played a decent game and were unlucky to come away with nothing,” he stated.
“We need to work on what we do defensively as we conceded the two goals, and want to convert our chances.
“The boys were disappointed, that’s a good sign and it shows we care about losing. Now we need to come out hard at training and bounce back.
“If we keep doing what we’re doing the results will come. It was a good performance.”
Rocco Visconte whipped in a dangerous 12th minute cross only for Shaun McGreevy to head over the top of Nicholas Harpas’ goal.
Yet the visitors took the lead in the 18th minute. Kamsoba and Frank Marafioti combined to give captain Klimek the chance to dispatch a low shot beyond the reach of Harpas.
Marafioti spurned the opportunity to double the lead moments later, firing straight at the Red Devils custodian when through on goal.
Thomas Strain forced a save from Costa Zacharopoulos as the home side tried to find a way back into the contest.
Campbelltown had more of an influence on proceedings closing in on half-time and Jake Monaco found Piscioneri on the edge of the penalty area, with the No 14 curling a shot just wide of the post.
The Red Devils started the second half brightly and equalised just before the hour mark as Jake Halliday’s cutback was expertly volleyed in by Piscioneri.
Piscioneri continued to cause Croydon problems as he turned on to his left foot and forced a good save from Zacharopoulos.
Campbelltown was denied a second goal with 12 minutes remaining when Piscioneri’s cross was met by Kento Hara, only for a superb reflex save from Zacharopoulos.
At the other end Michael Doyle stretched to reach Kamsoba’s cross, but could not make clean contact with the goal at his mercy.
Kamsoba then sealed Croydon’s second win in succession, finishing well from a tight angle in the 86th minute after Visconte’s lay-off.
Written by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta
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