‘Spotless’ Stadium not spotless

Following an R&B concert a week prior, it was understandable that the pitch may be a little worn down when Western Sydney Wanderers hosted Newcastle Jets at so-called Spotless Stadium.

But the stadium’s staff had apparently failed to clean the stands, resulting in shards of broken plastic cups being blown onto the pitch by the wind.

That resulted in the pitch that was more of a dangerous health hazard than a playing surface on Friday night – and more should be done to penalise those who left it in such a state.

It’s easy to say the same wouldn’t have happened had the sport been AFL or NRL, but it highlights the need for A-League clubs to have purpose-built stadiums as soon as possible.

The contrast with the pitch and atmosphere at Jubilee Stadium in the Big Blue two days later showed the difference a little respect and lot of care can make.

Ilso opens account for Reds

Marco Kurz’s Adelaide United faced a tricky trip to Wellington on Saturday, which was made even more difficult after they went behind through Mandi’s opening strike.

However, after being given a lifeline through Tom Doyle’s comical own goal, the Reds came roaring back to win 3-1, with off-season Danish recruit Ken Ilso opening his account with a match-winning brace.

The Dane met Michael Marrone’s enticing cross brilliantly to guide in Adelaide’s second just after halftime, before he supposedly got the last touch off of Ryan Kitto’s cross following a rapid counter-attack.

It has been well documented that Kurz is in need of a lethal striker, particularly with Baba Diawara and George Blackwood sidelined. Although Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has looked lively this season, shifting Ilso from a centre-attacking midfielder to a centre-forward may be the answer for the German.

The self-proclaimed ‘Viking’ will be looking for another when Adelaide host Brisbane on Friday night.