R19 Preview: Croydon Kings v South Adelaide Panthers
Croydon v South Adelaide
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 19
When: Saturday, July 23rd. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Polonia Reserve, Essex Crescent, CROYDON PARK
Teams:
Croydon: 1. Nicholas Munro (GK), 2. John Panagaris, 3. Anthony Francesca, 4. Michael Doyle, 5. James Skeffington, 6. Nathan Farrell, 7. Shaun Mcgreevy, 8. Rocco Visconte, 9. Elvis Kamsoba, 10. Luke Klimek (C), 11. Peter Mercurio, 12. Frank Marafioti, 13. Hosine Bility, 14. Steven Pepper, 15. Dion Gazettas, 16. Jesse Francesca, 17. Mohammed Sumaoro, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 19. Antoni Trimboli, 21. Jackson O'Donnell
South Adelaide: 1. Addison Rodgers, 2. Mitchell Sumnall, 3. Christopher Reed (C), 4. Robert Parker, 6. Jonathan Moore, 7. Alexander Rideout, 8. Sam Carmichael, 9. Philip Rideout, 10. Jonathon Rideout, 11. Kurtis Rowe, 12. Joey Taylor, 13. Daniel Varma, 14. Blake Lindsay, 16. Brayden Micallef, 21. Matthew Towns (GK)
Form:
Croydon: L L L
Round 16: Adelaide United 1-0 Croydon, Elite Systems Football Centre
Round 17: Croydon 0-3 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Polonia Reserve
Round 18: West Torrens Birkalla 3-1 Croydon, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
South Adelaide: L W W
Round 16: West Torrens Birkalla 6-1 South Adelaide, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Round 17: South Adelaide 4-1 Adelaide Olympic, O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex
Round 18: South Adelaide 2-1 MetroStars, O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex
Preview:
Both Croydon and South Adelaide are out to ease relegation fears in this must-win Round 19 showdown in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Polonia Reserve this Saturday.
Croydon plunged to a third successive defeat last weekend, a 3-1 result against West Torrens Birkalla moving it closer to what would be a shock relegation.
Defender Michael Doyle said the Kings did not show enough fight.
“It was disappointing, like the season has been,” he said.
“We prepared as well as we could have, but they were too good on the day. Individual errors cost us. We gave them a two goal head start and it was hard to come back from that.
“I think a lack of concentration has hurt us. That, and expecting a win. We lost the fight we had last year. We will need it back this week.”
Usual finalists and Cup contenders in recent seasons, Croydon is currently four points from safety with only four matches remaining.
Doyle maintained the squad is ready for the challenge of climbing from the drop zone, ahead of this crucial match.
“The belief is there, we know we need to win. We won’t be playing finals this season – these are our finals matches.
“We believe we have the players to get out of this mess we have put ourselves in.
“South are difficult to play against. They will come at us and put us under pressure. They will think we are low on confidence. It will be a fast-paced game that is exciting to watch for the neutrals, but maybe not the coaches.”
South Adelaide downed MetroStars 2-1 last Saturday, recording consecutive wins for the first time this season. The Panthers previously defeated Adelaide Olympic.
Coach Danny Graystone said it gives his team breathing space.
“It was an excellent win. To get another three points against the in-form Cup winners was important,” he said.
“We are in a much healthier position overall after these results.
“We played extremely well. It was not down to luck. We went into the break ahead and I can say we outplayed them, not just outfought.
“The guys held them off when they came at us in the second half.”
South is locked on 19 points alongside Adelaide Olympic and Adelaide United, four points clear of the Kings.
The Panthers claimed maximum points in the reverse fixture and Graystone said they approach this contest in a confident frame of mind.
“We are brimming with confidence and have hit form at the right time, like last season. We need to now match our recent performances.
“The aim is to keep winning. A few more wins should see us safe. This is an important game coming up for both teams.
“Croydon are a tough side. I’m not sure why they are in the position they are, because they have a very good squad.
“We have to be at our best and the guys know that. We are not resting on our laurels.”
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