Striker Nicholas D’Agostino was twice denied by the woodwork as Brisbane Roar Youth suffered their first defeat of the Foxtel National Youth League season with a 1-0 loss to Adelaide United Youth at Elite Systems Football Centre on Sunday.
A powerful shot by D’Agostino an hour into the game smashed onto the crossbar before bouncing out of the goalmouth.
Young Roar claims that the ball crossed the line were waived away by referee Daniel Cook.
D’Agostino (below) hit the woodwork again in the 90th minute as his team surged forward in the final 10 minutes seeking an equaliser to Antoni Trimboli’s goal for the Young Reds midway through the first-half.
Despite the result, Young Roar hold their position in top spot of Conference A on goal difference after the opening four rounds.
Chances were limited in a high pressure and frantic start to the contest before Trimboli headed the hosts ahead after meeting a pin-point delivery from Oliver Zafiridis’ free-kick on 22 minutes.
The remainder of the half proved a disjointed affair though as a number of fouls prevented either side from finding their rhythm.
After the restart, the game’s physicality and stop-start nature continued before Young Roar’s perseverance threatened to pay dividends.
Young Roar goalkeeper Tomislav Bilic kept his team in the contest shortly after with a telling save to deny a sliding finish from Young Reds substitute Donovan Pollock.
However, Young Roar were left frustrated as a pair of late chances to D’Agostino failed to fall – the recent Hyundai A-League debutant striking the crossbar before a last-gasp strike was tipped over by Young Reds goalkeeper Daniel Marquish.
In the other match from Conference A, a 10-man Melbourne Victory Youth held on to record a 5-4 win in their derby fixture against Melbourne City Youth.
In Conference B, Sydney FC Youth remain top following a 1-0 win over FFA Centre of Excellence, while Newcastle Jets Youth prevailed in the F3 Derby with a 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners Youth.
Young Roar continue their campaign with an away match against Melbourne City Youth next Saturday (3pm kick off Qld time).
Words by MICHAEL FLYNN and JOSEPH MARCIANO
Images: ADAM BUTLER and ANDREW SHAW
Match stats
Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016 Round 4, Sunday, November 29, Elite Football Systems Centre, Adelaide
Adelaide United FC Youth 1 (Antoni TRIMBOLI 22’)
Brisbane Roar FC Youth 0
Adelaide United FC Youth: 1. Daniel MARGUISH (gk), 4. Jordan PUDLER, 5. Oliver ZAFIRIDIS, 7. Antoni TRIMBOLI, 8. Jordan O’DOHERTY, 10. Dylan SMITH, 11. Samed ALTUNDANG, 12. Mark OCHIENG, 14. Adam PISCIONERI, 15. Benjamin WARLAND, 17. Thomas LOVE
Substitutes: 2. Nicholas APOSTOLOPOULOS, 9. Donovan POLLOCK, 16. Riley MCGREE, 20. Sergio SERRET (gk)
Yellow Cards: 8. Jordan O’DOHERTY 25′, 11. Samed ALTUNDANG 30′, 7. Antoni TRIMBOLI 37′, 14. Adam PISCIONERI 71′, 12. Mark OCHIENG 73′, 15. Benjamin WARLAND 89′; Red Cards: 15. Benjamin WARLAND 90′.
Brisbane Roar FC Youth: 1. Tomislav BILIC (gk), 2. Jaiden WALKER, 3. Cameron CRESTANI, 4. Mark RODIC, 5. Tom JARRARD, 7. Dane INGHAM, 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 10. Adam SAWYER, 3. Mitch HORE, 14. Shannon BRADY, 15. Jesse DALEY,
Substitutes: 11. Jayden PRASAD 12. Joseph CHAMPNESS, 18. Harrison SAWYER, 20. Finn MATHESON (gk)
Yellow Cards: 3. Cameron CRESTANI 39′, 15. Jesse DALEY 85′; Red Cards: Nil
Match Officials: Daniel COOK (referee), Andrew KITE (assistant), Samuel KUYS (assistant), Aaron GALANTI (fourth).saef
