A brave Cumberland United turned on a great performance for their supporters in their penultimate game in PlayStation 4 NPL South Australia.
Cumberland United vs. Para Hills Knights
But as has been the case for the Foxes all season, it took a late controversial decision to give the visitors Para Hills Knights a lucky 2-1 victory and three vital points, in their PlayStation 4 National Premier League Round 21 encounter.
In what can only be described as the heist of the season, Para Hills were like thieves in the night snaring a second half extra time goal to keep their chances of a top six finish alive.
Mother nature was unforgiving for both teams as they had to battle through gale force winds, and a slippery surface that would have been more conducive for ice skating. It took both teams a large portion of the first half to acclimatise to the conditions.
Cumberland with the aid of the wind had complete control of the game for the first half hour of the game as their midfielders Jace Cummins and Jonathan Moore had the mantle over their Para Hills counterparts Tyler Bailey and Alex Mullen.
Cumberland’s central striker Lewis May showed why his presence was sorely missed all season. A 13th minute run where he sliced through the defence like a hot knife through butter was absolutely brilliant. But his unselfishness to bring his team mate into the play allowed the Knights defender to scramble a clearance from the danger zone.
The Foxes had winners through the wing channels. Evan Kournavellis was dominant on the right combining well with his midfielders to create forward assists, as was Peirce Stephens on the left wing.
CLICK HERE for the full match report.
WT Birkalla vs. Adelaide United
Adelaide United will officially continue to play in the top flight next season, following their 2-3 win over West Torrens Birkalla in Round 21 of PlayStation 4 NPL South Australia at The Parks Football Centre on Saturday.
Courtesy of Hamish McCabe’s winner against WT Birkalla, and Croydon Kings’ 3-1 result against Adelaide Blue Eagles at Polonia Reserve, Adelaide United have successfully kept their place in the competition.
Meanwhile, Birkalla will finish just outside the six, trailing three points behind Para Hills Knights and Adelaide Olympic, who will battle it out this weekend for the remaining place in the 2017 finals series.
The Reds’ Lachlan Brook bagged a brace with ease, while Birkalla’s Jake Monaco and Fumiya Suzuki both scored equalisers.
After being subbed on in the 53rd minute, Hamish McCabe almost made an immediate impact, sealing the three points in the 73rd.
The first 15 minutes of the contest was end-to-end, as neither side were able to grab complete ascendency.
Brook opened the scoring for the Reds in the 20th minute, as he teared the oppositions defence apart to blaze through and slot a composed shot into goal.
CLICK HERE for the full match report.
CLICK HERE for all of the Round 21 results.