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NYL: Late equaliser nets a draw for Gold Coast

It was the least United deserved for another good display in what were wet and blustery conditions in South Australia, but the visitors persevered and again showed their growing character and spirit.

Mike Mulvey’s youngsters have now only lost one of their last six outings and are building momentum nicely in this season’s National Youth League competition.

Gold Coast started much the better of the two sides and created two decent openings in the early stages. The first fell to Mebrahtu who fired in a well struck shot from the edge of the box and the second to Tahj Minniecon, but neither could find the target.

Adelaide withstood Gold Coast’s bright start and against the run of play they hit the front midway through the first half. Teeboy Kamara, who made his Hyundai A-League debut on Friday night in a cameo role for the senior side, was the beneficiary after Gold Coast lost the ball in the middle of the park.

The youngster then set off on a weaving run before producing a low shot that beat Brendan White in the visitors’ goal and cap a good weekend for the young Liberian.

Kamara was at it again just before the break although his second goal was shrouded in controversy. As Kamara retreated from what was clearly an offside position, the ball was whipped over the top of the Gold Coast defence prompting Kamara to rejoin the attack and drill home from the edge of the box as da Silva’s pass was laid into his path.

But deep into first half injury time Gold Coast deservedly pulled a goal back thanks to Kamara’s Australian Under 17 teammate Mitch Cooper. When the home defence cleared a corner Mitch Bevan picked up the loose ball and set up Cooper who thumped a fierce dipping drive past Birighitti to set the second half up nicely.

Gold Coast began the second half much as they ended the first, but really stepped up their dominance in the final 30 minutes. Their never-say-die attitude took time to bear fruit however and they had to wait until a minute from time to level the scores.

A great run down the right from local youngster Chris Lucas created the chance as he burst past the Adelaide defence and laid the ball on a plate for Mebrahtu to smack home decisively and win a point for Gold Coast.

Assistant Coach Pat Hedges said after the game that the players stepped up once again when faced with a mountain to climb at 2-0 down.

“They never gave up and kept going right until the end when we got our reward,” he said.

“We did well in the first half but played with a lot more purpose and aggression in the second, which is what paid off for us when Golgol scored.

“Our substitutions worked well for us also. When Adelaide made theirs they were taking off quality players while we were bringing them on, which says a lot about the depth in our squad.

“Many of the newcomers to the NYL are getting more and more used to the league and now that they’re settling in they’re showing their quality,” he said.

Gold Coast’s Youth Team will have to wait until January 6^th for their next match as the league goes into a short recess for the Christmas period.

National Youth League Week 9

At Burton Park, Burton, SA

ADELAIDE UNITED YOUTH 2 (Kamara 2)

GOLD COAST UNITED YOUTH 2 (Cooper, Mebrahtu)

HT: 2-1