Result: Adelaide 2 – Mariners 1
In the third game ‘on the road’ this time in the South Australia capital, the Mariners attacked forcefully with all guns blazing. Numerous chances were created but to the chagrin of their supporters, only one was converted in the first half.
In the 34th a miss hit high ball by an Adelaide defender was brought down expertly by Jason Cummings and laid of superbly to Beni N’Kololo who lashed the ball into the target.
In earlier action. Adelaide were awarded a penalty half way through the first half after the ball touched the arm of Mariners defender Jacob Farrell. However, the pena;ty amounted to nothing after Mariners custodian Mark Birighitti made an excellent save with a dive to his right.
The Mariners went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.
The Reds drew the game level in the 51st from a goal mouth scramble, despite close attention from the whole visiting team.
N’Kololo was a continuing menace to the United defenders with his jinking runs at top speed. In the 71st he found himself inside the area, lined up the target , fired but it sailed over the top. A good chance missed.
Unfortunately, late in the game, the home side found the means to threaten the Yellow’s goal which they converted with a bullet of a shot from an angle.
The Mariners now return home from this trip without any points from the three away games, positioned at 11th on table. This makes the coming game important which is against Brisbane Roar who are the only team positioned beneat the Mariners in 12th place.