Round nine of the FFSA NPL State League saw West Adelaide travel south to face the improved Noarlunga United. With two starting eleven players on the sidelines, Matthew Kemp through suspension and Michael Alexandrou through injury, Dimitri Toumazos and Zac Elliott returned into the starting lineup as Hellas looked to continue their blistering form.

The match began on a knife’s edge, with former West Adelaide striker Kin Maclean going close to punishing West Adelaide, however custodian Kon Tsacos stood firm and ensured that the visitors were not down by an early goal.

In form striker Harry Skoumbros was in fine form, constantly troubling Noarlunga’s defence with his presence, and his partner up front Faustin Machochi kept coming at Noarlunga with his lightning pace. Midfield General Tom Guttormsen continued to have a commanding presence in the middle of the park, and youngster Dimitri Toumazos did not miss a beat in his role.

Just when it looked to be a deadlock heading into half time, Hellas striker Machochi burst through the line and was one on one with the keeper, and through a great strike sent the ball roaring into the back of the net to give West Adelaide a one goal lead.

Happy with the way his chargers recovered from a sluggish start, senior coach Ross Aloisi insisted that complacency would not become a factor, and in order to continue their winning run, they would have to lift a gear away from home.

And the Hellas boys did just that, right from the outset the attacking intent was evident and through that play Dimitri Toumazos beat the evaded his marker and broke free heading into a one on one with the Noarlunga keeper, only to be fouled by Noarlunga’s last defender. The referee had no other option other than to give him his marching orders, leaving the battling hosts down to 10 men.

From then on Hellas pushed hard for a two goal buffer, and a resulted penalty gave Tom Guttormsen the second goal of the day, in what would be the final nail in the coffin.

Noarlunga United 0 (Tom Guttormsen, Faustin Machochi) v West Adelaide 2 (HT 0-1)
Reserves – Noarlunga United 2 v West Adelaide 1 U18 – Noarlunga United 1 v West Adelaide 2