West Adelaide SC secured their return to the RAA National Premier Leagues (NPL) South Australia in 2023 with a historic 4-3 victory over Para Hills Knights on Saturday, September 10 at ServiceFM Stadium.
It was a tense start to the match but West Adelaide broke the deadlock in the 18th minute thanks to striker Joe Gatting.
Para Hills Knights found their equaliser only minutes before the half-time break with the help of Keshav Shrestha.
Coming out from the half-time break, West Adelaide took the lead in the 57th minute as Gatting secured his second of the night after he turned the ball into the net when the ball landed perfectly at his feet in the six-yard box.
Para Hills Knights promotion hopes looked to have faded away in the 76th minute as West Adelaide captain and forward Ricardo Da Silva, pounced on a ball into the box, turning in his first of the night and his team’s third.
Holding a two-goal lead, West Adelaide’s promotion and championship dreams were almost made a reality in the 81st minute as Gatting secured a hat-trick, with his goal increasing the scoreline to 4-1.
Para Hills Knights’ fight for a comeback began in the 89th minute with Omid Musawi’s finish taking the score to 4-2, while the team was awarded a penalty which saw William Mitev convert the scoreline to 4-3 in the third minute of injury time.
In the end, West Adelaide came out victorious ending their three-year stay in State League One, and ultimately securing their return into the RAA NPLSA in season 2023.
Source: Football SA.
