- Ryan Kitto - 14'
Ryan Kitto scores again as Adelaide beat Central Coast
Adelaide United beat the Central Coast Mariners 1-0 at Coopers Stadium to move up to fourth in the A-League.
The Boxing Day clash kicked-off with temperatures in the low 30s and the game was just as hot with both sets of players going toe-to-toe in a thrilling first half.
United and the Mariners traded blows and there were opportunities at both ends but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock.
With 14 minutes on the clock, some brilliant interplay from Ryan Strain and Nikola Mileusnic brought the 10,313-strong crowd to their feet.
Strain and Mileusnic linked up on the right flank before Strain whipped in a low, first-time cross which Ryan Kitto knocked in from close range with a neat finish -- for his fifth goal of the campaign.
Kwabena Appiah-Kubi tested Paul Izzo from 20 metres but the Adelaide keeper pushed it around the post with a smart save. From the resulting Mariners corner, Izzo was forced into an impressive reflex save after the ball skimmed off Jordan Elsey's head and was travelling goal-bound.
A minute later and Izzo was called upon again, keeping out a cheeky attempt from Andrew Hoole who went for goal with his free-kick from the edge of the area when a ball into the box looked more likely.
Appiah-Kubi had another chance before the break with Izzo again equal to the task before United almost doubled their lead in first-half injury time when Kitto's volley from close range was superbly kept out by Ben Kennedy. After an energy-sapping first half, the second 45 minutes failed to reach any great heights.
The Mariners dominated much of the early stages with neither side able to carve out any real clear-cut opportunities.
Hoole asserted his authority in midfield while Daniel Da Silva was also prominent as the Reds seemed content to hit on the counter.
Connor Pain looked lively and on 74 minutes he worked his way into the area and stung the palms of Izzo with a powerful shot.
Central Coast had another opportunity 10 minutes later when a cross from Kye Rowles was met by fellow substitute Trent Buhagiar but his header flew over the bar.
Reds skipper Isaias was again a standout while young fullback Strain continued to impress, as did the lively Kitto.
Adelaide coach Marco Kurz was happy to collecting maximum points after the hard-fought win.
"It was a good game for both teams," he said. "It was very offensive, a very offensive line up from both teams."
His counterpart Paul Okon was disappointed to be leaving Adelaide empty handed but praised his troops on their performance.
"Disappointing from that perspective," he said. "But the attitude of the players, and the approach, was first class."
Game Information
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