R6 Preview - MetroStars vs. Para Hills Knights

We preview Round 6 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as MetroStars host Para Hills Knights at T.K. Shutter Reserve this Saturday afternoon.

MetroStars come into this game following an emphatic 4-0 win over Modbury Jets last Friday night.

The home side sat three points clear of their opponents at the top of the table coming into the match after snatching top spot from MetroStars two weeks ago.

It was Comets who broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when a reflex save from Julian Torresan led to a rapid counter-attack out of defence, culminating in a beautiful finish by Anthony Mavrolambados.

Welsh doubled his side’s advantage early in the second half, sending the keeper the wrong way and scoring from the spot after Mavrolambados was brought down in the area.

MetroStars halved the deficit on 54 minutes when star striker Nahuel Bonada won, and duly converted, a penalty for his sixth goal of the season from just four games.

The comeback stayed on the cards for only three minutes as a second for Welsh dealt a hammer blow to the visitors’ hopes of salvaging a result.

The captain’s third, another poacher’s effort in the box, was the icing on the cake as Comets widened their buffer over their opponents to six points.

Bottom placed Para Hills will be desperate for points following their 2-0 loss at home to Adelaide City. First half goals from Terrance Carter and Alladin Irabona were enough to condem the Knights to their 9th loss of the season.

Defender Tim Henderson is set to make his 100th appearance for the club, having played 190 matches in total. Anthony Solagna is set to make his 200th club appearance, He has played 285 games in total and will become only the 7th player play play 200 matches for club.

Striker Tom Strain is fit and ready to return to the first team. Justin Davis and Cohan Morris both made their first appearances of the season last weekend. Christian Esposito will face a late fitness test ahead of Saturday's game.

MetroStars Squad: 1. Isaac Carmody, 3. Cohan Morris, 4. Justin Davis, 5. Tim Henderson, 7. Michael D'Aloisio (c), 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Tom Strain, 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Luis Benedetti, 12. Benjamin Head, 14. Dylan Smith, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O’Donnell, 21. Alessio Melisi, 22. Hamish Gow, 24. Nahuel Bonada, 45. Jayden Spruyt (GK)

Injured: Stefan Cali (ACL:)

Para Hills Knights Squad: Brima Kamara, Ryan Hanson, Paul Wilson, 2. Will Hendon, 3. James Wilson, 4. Kieran Mcnally, 6. Mohamed Conneh, 7. Ali Rayez Muradi, 8. Luka Chikwuba, 10. Isaac Mullen, 11. Andrew Maio, 12. Mohamed Donzo, 13. Jagajeet shrestha Shrestha, 14. Lochlan Czapla, 16. Tito Bontor, 18. Franz Pjetri, 19. Logan Marley-Mcfall, 21. Jordan Findlay