Dandy City Winning Streak Ends With Loss to Northcote

Zoran Juraj SABLJAK Photos Dražen JURINA

Dandy City’s impressive run of four consecutive victories came to a halt last Friday night at John Cain Memorial, as they were defeated 3-0 by Northcote City. The loss was a signi�icant blow to Dandy City’s hopes of �inishing in the top two, as they slipped down to sixth place on the ladder.

Despite coming into the game with recent momentum, Dandy City was unable to take the points against a determined Northcote City side. The �irst half was a tight affair, with Northcote holding on to their 1-0 lead at the break. However, Northcote came out �iring in the second half and doubled their lead in the 58th minute. By the 66th minute, Northcote had scored their third and �inal goal, leaving Dandy City with a mountain to climb.

The defeat was made all

Adelaide Croatia Thrash Vipers FC

Maks JURKOVIĆ

Adelaide Croatia are back on the winners list with a resounding 5-0 win over Adelaide Vipers. Adelaide Croatia without a win in their last 3 matches needed a statement at home in front of an expectant crowd.

Omari Didero returned to the line-up from injury, which strengthened the balance of the young Adelaide Croatia out�it. Omari Didero broke the deadlock for Adelaide Croatia, Didero �irst to react after a goal mouth scramble.

Adelaide Croatia would then go onto control the game, with Vipers unable to gain any rhythm moving forward.

Noah Blažeka who was Croatia’s best on ground during the �irst half, was unfortunate to have potentially suffered a severe injury.

Croatia’s vice-captain had his legs wedged between the Vipers attacker after landing awkwardly from a challenge.

Blažeka’s replacement Callum Campbell made it 2-0 on the stroke of half time

Donatien Niyonkuru cutting the ball back to Campbell whose �irst touched dragged the defender away giving him time to �ire past the goal keeper. Joseph Costa made it 3-0 for Croatia on the hour mark, Costa started the play which set up his goal. Costs played Niyonkuru out wide who squared the ball to Nico Andre whose deft touch played through Costa, who placed his strike in the bottom left hand corner. Ricardo Da Si- lva made it 4-0 for Croatia moments later. Costa’s classy �lick played through full back Rhys Thompson whose cross back post was met by Da Silva with the easiest of tap ins.

Croatia squandered numerous opportunities and on another night this could have been 8/9-0, Da Silva, Campbell and Niyonkuru all missing clear chances. Both sides in the last 15 minutes missed their respective penalty kicks. the more painful for Dandy City as it was against their former coach, Željko Kuzman, who is now at the helm of Northcote City. Kuzman’s side produced an excellent performance, and his out�it proved too much for his former team.

Da Silva �inally got his brace, with 5 minutes to spare. Campbell’s pressure to much for the Vipers defence, with Ricardo intercepting inside the box to �ire his shot into the bottom right hand corner.

Adelaide Croatia coach Vlado Blažeka will have every right to be pleased with their performance, the �irst time this season a game was dominated for the full 90 mins.

A con�idence booster heading into a tough clash away to Cobras, this Saturday night 7pm at Weigall Oval. Adelaide Croatia jump to 2nd on the ladder, 1 point behind leaders Birkalla in what is the most tightly contested promotion race in years.

Wishing a speedy recovery to Vice Captain Noah Blažeka who has been one of Croatia’s best players this season. All the players will need to lift in his absence.

Dandy City will now look to bounce back quickly, with a home game against struggling FC Bulleen scheduled for this Friday night at Frank Holohan Reserve. The game presents an opportunity for Dandy City to return to the winners’ circle and reignite their hopes promotion. Kick off for this game is scheduled for 19:45.