In a match riddled with yellow cards, with the Jets the major offenders, Adelaide United dominated the match from start to finish and constantly made the Jets defence look sluggish across the back.

Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, new signing Kristian Sarkies and Richie Alagich all found the back of the net in an exciting, dominant display that is a sign of what Reds fans can look forward to in the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.

In a match that featured three penalties and two Newcastle red cards, Jason Spagnuolo was brought down in the penalty area in the 5th minute after a clumsy challenge by Andrew Durante.

Burns’ spot kick was saved onto the cross bar by keeper Ante Covic, with the rebound luckily falling to the feet of Burns who smacked it into the net to give United the lead.

Adelaide had the upper hand with a number of half chances in the first half to Robert Cornthwaite, Djite and Cassio, who unleashed a cracking left foot drive from a free kick which is quickly becoming his trade mark.

In the second half Adelaide began to take total control and their dominance finally paid off again in the 66th minute.

Olyroo Kristian Sarkies, making his debut appearance for United having come on as a substitute for Bobby Petta, had an immediate impact a few minutes later when he curled a free kick over the wall and smashed the ball onto the cross bar, the rebound kindly falling to the feet of Djite who thumped in his first goal in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup.

Newcastle were then reduced to ten men in the 69th minute when Mark Bridge received his second yellow card for dissent and from that point on Adelaide took total control.

The Reds’ third goal came 10 minutes later with another penalty after Djite, who was about to pull the trigger, was pushed off the ball by Adam Griffiths earning the defender his second yellow card and Newcastle were down to nine.

This time Sarkies stepped up to the spot, sending Covic the wrong way, scoring his first goal for his new club which brought a loud cheer from the 3,800 people at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The demolition was complete in the 86th minute when defender Richie Alagich got on the end of a terrific volley from Burns to give Covic absolutely no chance, making it 4-0.

Newcastle were awarded a consolation penalty at the death when Joel Griffiths was brought down in the box, which he converted to make the final score 4-1.

Adelaide now sit top of the group and picked up six points for the victory (with the bonus point system).

Coach Aurelio Vidmar was pleased with the performance but will not get carried away with the victory as there is still plenty of work to be done.

If Adelaide remain top of Group A after the Melbourne v Perth game, who play tomorrow night in Darwin, The Reds will host the semi final next Sunday afternoon at 5pm at Hindmarsh Stadium.


Match Details
Adelaide United FC 4
(Burns 6’, Djite 66’, Sarkies (pen) 80’, Alagich 86’)
Newcastle Jets 1
(Griffiths 90+2’)

Crowd: 3,800 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
Referee: Craig Zetter

Adelaide United Squad: 20.Robert BAJIC (gk), 2.Richie ALAGICH, 4.Angelo COSTANZO (17.Isyan ERDOGAN 74’), 6.CASSIO, 10.Nathan BURNS, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Travis DODD, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 16.Bobby PETTA (8.Kristian SARKIES 63’), 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO (7.Lucas PANTELIS 57’).

Substitutes not used: 40.Scott HIGGINS (gk).

Newcastle Jets Squad: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 3.Jade NORTH, 6. Andrew DURANTE (4.Steve EAGLETON 62’), 8.Matt THOMPSON, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 12.Paul KOHLER, 14.Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 15.Scott TUNBRIDGE (11.Tarek ELRICH 79’), 17.Troy HEARFIELD, 18 Noel SPENCER (13.Adam D’APUZZO 45’), 19.Mark BRIDGE.

Substitutes not used: 30. Justin PASFIELD (GK)