Northern Demons v Playford City
It will be the Northern Demons fourth consecutive home game on Saturday afternoon when the Byrne Park outfit takes on the Earl Pudler coached Playford City in round 9 of State League soccer.
The Demons who have raced to
second spot on the ladder is experiencing a purple patch and have won their last three games after dropping points to Noarlunga several weeks ago.
However the Reds coach Anthony Brevi points to the game being a tricky one especially with his starting group changing again and co-captain and principal team general Adrian Leet being unavailable and getting married abroad.
The Demons will again be without Adam Giancaspro while the availability of Mick Edwards remains doubtful, whereas John Saler could return.
The Northern Demons owe their latest run of wins to the teams younger and second string players who have been the big movers when most necessary.
Kai Solomon, Nick Capurso and Roy Mezzino and the return of Patrick Saracino have lifted the Reds with the quartet winning their positions against all opponents – no doubt Leet, Daniel Cox and probably John Motley, Sam Salvemini and also Adam Giancaspro have been the best.
After a scare against Toros and a loss to Noarlunga both away the locals have regrouped to display character and now feature strongly on the league ladder.
The Demons have regained some timely momentum after a patchy two weeks and Brevi seems to think there is a better balanced outfit playing on the park today.
Last week Playford City recovered from its 1-7 loss to Seaford by fighting back against Noarlunga to draw 2-2.
The Northern Demons have to check the likes of Chris Nicholls and Tony Reeves who this season have returned to Playford and injected plenty of experience.
Young Scott Bice has been good in his maiden season, while Luke Singlewood, captain Kevin Pullen and Cameron Taylor and keeper Greg Joy can please Playford coach Pudler without surprising.
Saturday’s contest could develop into a close one with Playford City attempting to claw its way into the top five should West Adelaide lose to NAB.
Nevertheless the Demons deserve to start favourites in this game although the starting eleven could fluctuate before the Playford game.
Last season the two teams could not be separated in home and away games – the Demons drew 1-1 at home before a scoreless 0-0 draw in the last round that decided Playford would play in the finals.
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Port Pirie City v Seaford
Port Pirie City takes the gruelling long road trip south and a third straight away game when it plays Seaford in what looms as a demanding situation for coach Joseph Amato on Saturday in round 9 of State League soccer.
City look like having problems where first choice goalkeeper Jayden Corrieri becomes unavailable to play and will stop at home for a special occasion that night.
Amato’s problems continue where Andrea Castello is injured and is interstate, while his skipper Terry McGinnis still remains quite doubtful for the game against the Rangers.
And it is obvious that the City mentor will be forced to reshuffle his under performing team drastically in search of a better result, albeit being an upset should Saturday’s result fall the visitor’s way.
Meanwhile it’s a hope/hope situation that the Green and Whites go to Karingal Reserve with to play the very much improved Seaford.
Both teams had good second periods in the game last week against their winning opponents, with City conceded four first half gaols to lose 0-4, and Seaford was 0-2 down at the break against the Demons before losing 1-2 in a spirited finish at Byrne Park.
However Amato will have Tony Zito returning after serving a one game ban incurred in the Derby game two weeks ago, and the outs certainly out weigh the ins for City.
Nonetheless with keeper Corrieri missing Port Pirie City will wait until late in the week to decide whether Michael Dimou or Matthew McKerlie plays in goals on Saturday afternoon.
City’s inability to snare a striker still haunts it and has indeed been damaging – the locals have not scored since Rhys Gillet headed truly at Ramsay Park against Playford City in round 5.
The Savoy Park camp will be trying different tactics and probably try different players in what seems a forced gamble for City.
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