ding into Round 16, West Adelaide Hellas visited Adelaide Olympic in yet another top of the table clash. The last encounter three weeks prior saw a tight contest in trying conditions, and a goal from former Adelaide United midfielder Ricardo Da Silva handed Hellas the three points.
Unbeaten since June 2012, coach Ross Aloisi made use of the versatile players in the squad, switching Matthew Kemp to the midfield and also placing livewire Eli Vlassis to right side of the midfield.
From the match start, West Adelaide’s attacking intent was clear, and within two minutes, in form striker Harry Skoumbros latched onto a loose ball in the 18 yard box and put it beyond the Olympic keeper to give the visitors an early one goal lead.
Captain Paul Pezos was once again a rock in defence, and controlled the line to ensure the early lead would not be surrendered. The incoming Yianni Sarris was his partner, and worked in tandem with Pezos to leave the Hellas keeper, former AFL Gold Coast Sun Lewis Moss, with little to do.
Midfielder Tom Guttormsen delivered an inch perfect ball, splitting the defence and finding Vlassis, who volleyed the ball home and gave the visitors a well deserved two goal lead.
After half-time, Hellas’ Skoumbros yet again found himself on the scoresheet, with a well taken volley which trickled past the Olympic custodian. Centre back Sarris also got on to the scoresheet, when he headed home from a well taken corner.
In a memorable day for Skoumbros in his 202nd appearance, he capped off his performance with yet another goal to hand the striker a hat trick, after some fantastic open passing delivered the ball within his reach.
Adelaide Olympic did breach the defensive line of West Adelaide, and through their speed were able to expose the visitors on the break, and a good finish saw them peg a consolation goal.
Central midfielder Kosta Mantis displayed his strength in the middle of the park, and was very effective moving the ball forward. When substitute Faustin Machochi was brought down in the box, it was Mantis who stepped up to the spot to calmly take the penalty and hand Hellas a convincing five goal victory.
Ricardo Da Silva was judged best on ground for Hellas, closely followed by captain Paul Pezos and the punishing striker Harry Skoumbros.
In the quest to push for promotion to the Premier League, West Adelaide now sit on an eleven point lead at the top of the FFSA NPL State League table with 14 games remaining.
