Round 18 of the FFSA SA NPL State League saw West Adelaide Hellas travel north of Adelaide’s CBD to visit third placed Salisbury United. The game had some added feeling for Hellas coach Ross Aloisi, as Salisbury is coached by his father, Rocky Aloisi.
Unbeaten so far this season, West Adelaide knew this game would be a focal point when looking back at the season. Ross Aloisi had a welcome problem at the selection table, with Ricardo Da Silva and also Kosta Mantis coming back into the squad.
The first 15 minutes of the match saw Salisbury come out with an explosive intensity, taking the game to the visitors. Taking note of this, the ever experienced Paul Pezos instructed his defence to sit deep to minimise the risk of Salisbury’s strikers catching West Adelaide on the break.
In an even opening, West Adelaide’s goal keeper Lewis Moss kept things relatively in control, whilst Yianni Sarris was again partnered up with Joe Wright and Michael Alexandrou at the back. The combination contained any threat the hosts threw at Hellas, and combined well with the midfield.
Ricardo Da Silva was yet again lively, and capitalised on a defensive error from Salisbury in the 25th minute to give West Adelaide a slender lead. Just 5 minutes later, it was again Da Silva who scored the goal of the day, after an enthusiastic run down the left hand side of the pitch saw him fire off a tantalising shot which beat the Salisbury keeper to give West Adelaide a deserved two goal lead.
Sensing the opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, Hellas’ midfield, consisting of Matthew Kemp, Kosta Mantis and Tom Guttormsen continued to push forward and provide the service to the wide midfielders Eli Vlassis and Da Silva.
Late in the opening half, in form striker Harry Skoumbros was fouled at the edge of the 18 yard box, and it was Guttormsen who stepped up to take the free kick, and confidently struck the ball past the keeper to give Hellas a convincing three goal lead heading into the rooms for the half-time break.
The intensity in the second half had notably dissipated due to the lead, however West Adelaide were still cautious and contained Salisbury’s strikers to ensure there were no nervous moments. In the 60th minute, Hellas defender Joe Wright suffered a deep head gash after contesting for the ball just before the half way line. He was quickly substituted off, and transported to hospital, where he would later receive eight stitches.
With Ross Aloisi unleashing Dimi Toumazos, Faustin Machochi and Spero Koulianos into the fray, he was after the final nail in the coffin to finish the fine afternoon off. In a goal mouth scramble, it was centreback Yianni Sarris who again popped up to pick up his second goal of the season, and hand West Adelaide Hellas a convincing four goal victory, and also its 18th league game unbeaten.
