Barossa was looking to make it a clean sweep over Pitbulls this season with a win on the road, and though they made it more difficult
than expected, the result was never in doubt.
Barossa started the game with kickoff and looked a bit off the pace, giving a corner away in the second minute of the game.
Pitbulls scored the opener directly from the corner despite Barossa claiming that goalkeeper Fletcher Noack had been pushed in the
back to stop him from taking an easy catch.
That goal seemed to kick Barossa into gear, and for the rest of the first half, Barossa would be on the attack.
Ethan Nolan made a smart run down the right, cut the ball inside to Neil Beach, whose shot was saved. The clearance dropped at the
feet of James Ruwoldt, and from the edge of the penalty area, placed a lovely low shot through multiple bodies into the bottom corner to
level the game up in the fifth minute.
Barossa continued to put pressure on Pitbulls but couldn’t get the ball over the line.
With just over half an hour gone, Ethan Nolan again made a tantalising run down the right and delivered the perfect cross for Daniel
Hibbert to run onto and side foot home to take the lead.
Barossa took a 1-2 lead into the break, knowing they probably should’ve been up by more, but it was hard going on a pitch that had
definitely seen better days.
The homeside looked for a way back into the game and had a couple of chances, but Fletcher Noack pulled off a couple of great saves to
keep Barossa out in front.
In form, Jack Binyon picked up the 3rd goal in the 46th minute when he was allowed time and space to pick his spot from outside the
18-yard line. Binyon controlled a pass, took one look at the goal, and curled the ball into the far corner to extend the lead to two goals.
With 57 minutes played, Fletcher Noack came off his line to make a clearance up field, his long kick bounced just over the half way line
and whilst two defenders went to meet the ball Neil Beach waited for them to miss it. They did, and Beach pounced on the loose ball and
made a run on goal. Beach smartly cut inside, nutmegging his marker and, with his right foot, picked out the bottom corner to make it
1-4.
Pitbulls got a scrappy goal to give themselves a lifeline in the 60th minute.
Barossa still wanted more and continued to go forward, and they were rewarded when Alex Griffiths made it 2-5 in the 68th minute.
Griffiths scored from close range, and Barossa could now see the three points out.
Pitbulls managed to pull another goal back but wouldn’t be a threat on the scoreboard again.
The player of the match was given to Ethan Nolan for his outstanding efforts on the right wing and two beautiful assists.