Adelaide United have returned to the winners circle with a 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets in the National Youth League at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.
The Baby Reds bounced back from their 2-1 loss to Melbourne Victory last week to record their second win of the season.
United led 3-1 midway through the second half before a Jets goal in the 70th minute made for a nail biting finish.
Evan Kostopoulos got the Baby Reds off to the perfect start finding the back of the net from close range.
The nimble striker neatly finished from close range to hand United an early 1-0 lead.
The Baby Reds continued to dominate play and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half with Joe Costa outstanding in United’s midfield.
On the half-hour mark, the young gun doubled the Baby Reds lead with a brilliant overhead kick.
United’s left back Bradley Norton whipped in a corner to the back post and after a clash of bodies, the ball bobbled up nicely for Costa.
With his back to goal, the Baby Reds midfield maestro coolly found the back of the net with a delightful bicycle kick.
Dual NYL golden boot winner, Francesco Monterosso nearly made it three but his close range header bounce back of the post.
The Jets lifted their intensity in the second half nearly pulled a goal back within five minutes of the restart.
A dangerous cross inside the box eluded the Baby Reds defenders and Newcastle striker Sean Rooney blasted his shot onto the bar from six metres out.
In the 55th minute, the Jets found the back of the net through James Virgilli.
The Jets were able to find a way through Baby Reds defence and a square ball found Virgilli inside the box who slotted the ball past United keeper Nick Munro.
Two minutes later the home side nailed their third and a Jets comeback looked unlikely.
Winger Liam Wooding found some space for Unite out wide and put through an inch-perfect cross to the top of the box where Monterosso buried his shot from 15 metres, leaving Newcastle keeper Robbie Kolak with little chance.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Jets pulled another goal back courtesy of a Blake Green strike and ensured a frantic finale.
Rooney was again involved, whipping in a cross from the left and finding Michael Finlayson on the back post.
The substitute teed it up nicely for Green who smashed his shot into the top corner from 12 metres out.
