West Torrens Birkalla retained third spot as it cruised to a 3-1 success over Croydon in Round 18 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Saturday.

Fumiya Suzuki gave Birkalla an early lead, which was followed up by a goal in each half from Taro Kawamura. Dominic Matricciani scored a late consolation for the Kings, who remain in the relegation zone.

Birkalla coach Steve De Giovanniello praised an all-round team performance keeping his side four points clear in third.

“It was a good performance from the guys. We were good all over the field,” he said.

“Playing at the Shores is a big plus for us. The surface suits our style and the players we have. Knowing we are playing there gives us a lift.

“Croydon are still a good team and there were times when they were on top. They were good in midfield, but just lacked a cutting edge. I don’t think they deserve to go down.

“I don’t look at our place on the table, just each game at a time. We will focus on what we need to do.”

Striker Frank Marafioti said a lack of concentration is hurting the Kings, who are now four points from safety.

“It’s disheartening and disappointing to lose again, but it is what it is,” he said.

“Birkalla are a good side offensively and at the back. They are a very good unit. But we needed to be hungrier at the back. We have given away cheap goals all year. A lack of concentration in those moments hurt us.

“The only thing we can do is get on the park and get the win. You need to create that good luck. Who knows once you get the first win.

“We are working hard and putting in the hard yards, but the lack of concentration has cost us games and put us in the position we are in.”

Marafioti had a big chance to open the scoring when through on goal, but was denied by a fine Julian Torresan save.

It proved a decisive stop from the captain, as Kawamura flicked the ball on for Suzuki to slot in and give Birkalla the lead in just the eighth minute.

Suzuki’s cross soon after was met powerfully by Lawrence D’Arrigo, but Nicholas Munro was able to acrobatically palm the ball over the top.

The Kings goalkeeper had to make a double save just prior to the half hour mark to keep his team in the hunt. He narrowed the angle to deny William Plush and then picked himself up to beat away a Suzuki attempt.

Birkalla doubled their lead in the 37th minute. A short corner was headed into the path of the onrushing Kawamura by Tom Dittmar and the Japanese striker finished coolly.

Scott Nagel galloped down the left three minutes into the second half and cut the ball back for Kawamura, who side-footed it past Munro to make the game safe.

Rocco Visconte’s error gave Suzuki an opening, but he was denied by a good Munro save.

Visconte found space outside the Birkalla penalty area inside the final 10 minutes, but Torresan denied Croydon the chance to get on the scoresheet.

Yet the Kings would pull one back in the 82nd minute. Alexander Metanomski’s loose pass was pounced upon and Matricciani clipped the ball over the onrushing Torresan.

There was still time for substitute Paul Radice to force a save from Munro, with Kawamura lifting the rebound over the top from close range to miss out on his hat-trick.