Soccer: Kingz fall under hex yet again

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The hex Adelaide City Force have enjoyed over the Football Kingz continued at Hindmarsh Stadium yesterday with the 2-1 win that continued City's unbeaten start to the season.

After competing well in the first half and getting back to 1-1, the fight was drained from the rearranged Kingz lineup and they rarely tested Adelaide goalkeeper Daniel Godley.

A strong midfield effort, sparked by captain Chris Jackson, marked the Kingz' first half, but as the effects of a difficult two-day trip to South Australia and the warm on-field conditions took over, much of the grit and determination from their early-season showings waned.

The two goals scored by the home side punished the Kingz for defensive lapses as players switched off.

Coach Ken Dugdale, forced to make changes with defenders Jonathan Perry, Riki Van Steeden and Johnny Foundulakis - for one reason or another - missing, introduced debutante James Pritchett.

His pace and ability to cross from the right gave the Kingz some go-forward which, sadly, was rarely turned into something more productive.

"Sure, we are a bit disappointed," said Dugdale after his team's second loss of the season.

"It was not an easy trip. We arrived in Adelaide five hours before the game and had to sit around. With the players we had out, we did not have many options."

When Dugdale was forced to go to the bench as legs tired, much of that early impetus was lost.

Patricio Almendra and Jackson were wayward with early chances, and Andy Vlahos just failed to provide the finishing touch from an Almendra cross.

Scott Tunbridge and Claudio Pelosi had their chances for the home side but were also wide of the mark.

The breakthrough came on the half hour.

Adelaide won a free kick. As the Kingz dithered, the ball was played to veteran midfielder Aurelio Vidmar who surprised everyone.

The Kingz protested long and hard to referee Craig Zetter, claiming he had instructed them to retreat the mandatory 10 yards before the kick could be taken.

Those protests fell on deaf ears and resulted only in Raf de Gregorio being booked.

Seven minutes later the Kingz were back on terms.

Almendra weaved some of his magic in breaking into the penalty area, where he was brought down in a challenge from behind by Michael Valkanis.

Zetter had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Ignoring the stalling tactics from the home side, Almendra whipped home his second spot kick in as many games for 1-1.

A shocking defensive mix-up six minutes into the second spell handed the South Australians their second gift.

Pelosi pounced, won possession and played the ball to Tunbridge, who was unchallenged in scoring.

Harry Ngata had a half chance for the Kingz but his weak finish did not test Godley while Vlahos, who, by his standards, had a quiet game, produced one magical moment. His attempt too came up short.

Dugdale used all three substitutes, including a debut outing for Darren Young, but they could not reignite a generally lethargic second-half effort as the Kingz slumped to their second loss of the season.

"We struggled a bit in the second spell," said Dugdale. "For the first time Jonathon Taylor was roasted at left back and we had to try and do something about that.

"On the positive side, James [Pritchett] did well."

The team now face a testing trip home and a quick turnaround before meeting the Melbourne Knights in Hamilton on Friday night.