Words: Michael Flynn & Joseph Marciano
Image: Adam Butler

Brisbane Roar Youth suffered their first defeat of the Foxtel National Youth League season, falling 1-0 to Adelaide United Youth at Elite Systems Football Centre on Sunday.

Antoni Trimboli delivered the decisive goal for the Young Reds midway through the first-half before seeing off a late surge from the visitors despite being reduced to ten men.

Young Roar leading goal scorer Nicholas D’Agostino twice came close to levelling terms in the second half, however was denied both times by the crossbar.

Despite the result, Young Roar hold their position in top spot of Conference A on goal difference after the opening four rounds.

Chances were limited in a high pressure and frantic start to the contest before Trimboli headed the hosts ahead after meeting a pin-point delivery from Oliver Zafiridis’ free-kick on 21 minutes.

The remainder of the half proved a disjointed affair though as a number of fouls prevented either side from finding their rhythm.

After the restart, the game’s physicality and stop-start nature continued before Young Roar’s perseverance threatened to pay dividends.

Just prior to the hour D’Agostino nearly found the equaliser only for his powerful shot to hit the crossbar before bouncing out of the goalmouth – Young Roar claims the ball crossed the line waived away by referee Daniel Cook.

Young Roar goalkeeper Tomislav Bilic kept his team in the contest shortly after with a telling save to deny a sliding finish from Young Reds substitute Donovan Pollock.

However, Young Roar were left frustrated as a pair of late chances to D’Agostino failed to fall – the recent Hyundai A-League debutant striking the crossbar before a last-gasp strike was tipped over by Young Reds goalkeeper Daniel Marquish.

The Young Reds finished the contest with ten men after the dismissal of Benjamin Warland for a second bookable offence in the final minutes.

In the other match from Conference A, a ten man Melbourne Victory Youth held on to record a 5-4 win in their derby fixture against Melbourne City Youth.

In Conference B, Sydney FC Youth remain top following a 1-0 win over FFA Centre of Excellence, while Newcastle Jets Youth prevailed in the F3 Derby with a 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners Youth.

Young Roar continue their campaign against Melbourne City Youth next Saturday in the Victorian capital.

Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016
Round 4 – Sunday, November 29
Elite Football Systems Centre, Adelaide

Adelaide United FC Youth  1 (Antoni TRIMBOLI 21’)
Brisbane Roar FC Youth  0

Adelaide United FC Youth: 1. Daniel MARGUISH (gk), 4. Jordan PUDLER, 5. Oliver ZAFIRIDIS, 7. Antoni TRIMBOLI, 8. Jordan O’DOHERTY (9. Donovan POLLOCK 60'), 10. Dylan SMITH (16. Riley MCGREE 69'), 11. Samed ALTUNDANG (2. Nicholas APOSTOLOPOULOS 46'), 12. Mark OCHIENG, 14. Adam PISCIONERI, 15. Benjamin WARLAND, 17. Thomas LOVE

Unusued Substitutes: 20. Sergio SERRET (gk)

Yellow Cards: 8. Jordan O’DOHERTY 25', 11. Samed ALTUNDANG 30', 7. Antoni TRIMBOLI 37', 14. Adam PISCIONERI 71', 12. Mark OCHIENG 73', 15. Benjamin WARLAND 89'

Red Cards: 15. Benjamin WARLAND 90'

Brisbane Roar FC Youth: 1. Tomislav BILIC (gk), 2. Jaiden WALKER, 3. Cameron CRESTANI, 4. Mark RODIC, 5. Tom JARRARD, 7. Dane INGHAM (12. Joseph CHAMPNESS 60'), 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 10. Adam SAWYER (18. Harrison SAWYER 67'), 3. Mitch HORE, 14. Shannon BRADY (11. Jayden PRASAD 60'), 15. Jesse DALEY

Unused Substitutes:  20. Finn MATHESON (gk)

Yellow Cards: 3. Cameron CRESTANI 39', 15. Jesse DALEY 85'

Red Cards: none

Match Officials: Daniel COOK (referee), Andrew KITE (assistant), Samuel KUYS (assistant), Aaron GALANTI (fourth)