Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Brisbane Strikers’ Westfield FFA Cup dream is over after falling 1-0 to Adelaide City in the Round of 16 on Tuesday at Marden Sports Complex in Adelaide.

Anthony Costa’s first half goal was all that stood between the sides, with the result ending Strikers’ 2014 season.

Both teams started in positive fashion, with Strikers goal machine Matt Thurtell directing his early attempt directly at City goalkeeper Ryan Veitch from outside of the area.

Defender Dan Partridge cleared off his own goal line nine minutes in as City threatened from a free-kick by Alex Rideout.

The team’s went for tit-for-tat without a breakthrough as former Hyundai A-League player Matthew Mullen grazed the crossbar for City and Veitch having to rush off his line to shut down a neat combination from Thurtell and Strikers’ teammate Jheison Macauce.

City’s midfield pairing of Joel Allwright and Thomas Love were increasingly causing Strikers problems, however neither side was clearly in the ascendency.

Allwright faded an attempt just wide of the top corner for City while Macauace volleyed over the crossbar for Strikers after David Salin and Thurtell combined to create the chance.

City finished the half the stronger of the teams as full back Shannon Day grazed the outside of the post from distance before Strikers goalkeeper Michael Turnbull produced a sharp save to deny Allwright.

Three minutes before the break, Turnbull again delivered a telling save from Nick Budin’s headed effort following a City set-piece, however Costa pounced to turn in the rebound for the hosts.

Turnbull, who previously played for high-profile European clubs Standard Liege and Roma, denied Costa a second just prior to the break in a busy night for the former Australian representative.

Strikers struggled to get back into the contest after the restart before a tactical reshuffle and the introduction of Alex Schiavo added more impetus to their forays.

However, City remained a constant threat – Rideout forcing another telling save from Turnbull of 57 minutes for the hosts.

As the hour neared, half chances fell for Macauace and Jackson Hall for Strikers, before Salin directed a headed an effort at Veitch.

Schiavo benefitted from Thurtell’s nod on 72 minutes for Strikers’ best chance of an equaliser, however couldn’t strike his shot past Veitch.

Strikers hopes were effectively dashed on 83 minutes with the dismissal of Salin for a second bookable offence, reducing the visitors to ten men.

Love dragged a shot just wide of the target in the dying stages, as the hosts effectively saw out the remainder of the contest to secure passage to the Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Finals in front of 2000 supporters.

Adelaide City 1 (Anthony COSTA 42’)
Brisbane Strikers 0