Before the main game a git doing a Rod Stewart impersonation, and two glitter clad ladies doing a dance routine entertained the smallish crowd which, as I explained to the Newcastle troop and unlike Breakers Stadium, rolls in about the last 15 minutes. By kick off about 6,500 were in.
EC: Marconi-Fairfield Stallions 3 v. Adelaide City Zebras 0
Game: 8/10
Crowd: 7,309
Scorers: Craig Foster 20min, Vlaso Zoric 75 min, Andy Harper 82min
Ref: ? 7/10 - quite a few yellows for the remaining rounds.
Adelaide City came to score a quick goal and then close up shop. This was not to be as Marconi (looking nothing like the side thumped in Newcastle 3 weeks ago) weathered the short storm and then quickly got on top. The first goal was a particularly fine piece of work. Spying Awaritefe free wide on the right Zoric placed a perfectly weighted lob into his path, Francis took it up and swung the ball in and back to Foster who powered it past an advancing Petkovic. Adcity tried to peg one back but were very devoid of ideas and with an odd formation, which when Tobin came off late in the first half (injured?) became even odder. This change was notable for bringing Angelo Costanzo on after his eye injury in Melbourne, but with him going back into defence instead of midfield and with Menillo playing up front and Hassell deep Adcity never looked in the hunt. The return of Longo (brief - off early with bad injury) and Bingley added early steel.
The half time entertainment was the usual U8's game, which showed some fine skills.
Marconi came back on not content with their lead and with Sean Babic leading the charge they drew many great saves out of Petkovic. It wasn't his fault when in the 78min approx Vlado Zoric was rewarded for his masterly contribution in the middle of the park with a goal. In the 85min Andy Harper who had been very quiet popped up in the right spot to put away a Babic cross. Adcity tried to come back from the dead but just didn't have it! Marconi had displayed three qualities not seen in them for a long, long time: Cohesion, Commitment, and Creativity. They also interchanged well and led Adcity markers a merry chase.
Best: Marconi - Zoric, Babic, and Foster.
Bingley did well in his first game back.
Adcity: Petkovic, Mennilo, Costanzo