Double Hat-Trick Seals Fury's Fate

Adelaide United have annihilated the North Queensland Fury, with a record 8-1 win at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.

The win, almost certainly will end the Fury as a club, and sends a warning to the rest of the A-League that the Reds are still attempting to earn their first premiership.

Argentine Marcos Flores and Dutchman Sergio Van Dijk both scored hat-tricks, a feat occurring for the first time in A-League history. Iain Ramsay and captain Travis Dodd each chipped in with one goal each.

It was an entertaining game which also broke the record for the highest score by a club in history, beating the previous record of Melbourne Victory's 6-0 drubbing in the 2007 Grand Final.

In an opening 20 minutes, dominated by attackers from both clubs, it was Flores who opened the scoring with a header in just the fourth minute.

The next 20 minutes were dominated by Fury front men David Williams and Jason Spanguolo, both spraying chances in front of the net.

Goals from Dodd, Ramsay and Flores again ended the first half with the score at 4-0.

The demoralizing amount of goals weren't finished heading into the second half as Sergio Van Dijk put his first goal on the board less than a minute into the second half.

The man on top of the A-League goal scoring charts added another, deceiving goalkeeper Justin Pasfield to shoot across goal and add Adelaide's sixth.

An almost unnoticed goal from youngster Panagiotis Nikas restored little pride in the Fury's even more damaged reputation.

Consecutive goals from Van Dijk and Flores only added more to the pain as the two imports finished off the night, smashing the goal scoring record by two goals.

Captain David Williams and coach Franz Straka, clearly disappointed and speechless following the loss.

"Too many silly individual mistakes" said Straka of the big loss, adding a heart felt apology to all Fury fans.

Williams said he is highly embarrassed and humiliated, adding the he, too, does not know where the club is going.

"I'm the only player signed to the club for next season"

Adelaide have now scored 12 goals in their past two games following last weeks 4-1 drubbing of the Melbourne Victory and it comes in good stead as the Reds prepare to take on the high flying Central Coast Mariners on Saturday Night.

That game is a must-win for the newly revived Reds side if they want to finish in the top two and gain a double chance for finals.

Adelaide United
Goals: Flores 4', Dodd 28', Flores 37', Ramsay 42', Van Dijk 47'/67'83', Flores 87'

North Queensland Fury
Goal: Nikas 71'


Jack Molloy.

Adelaide smash arch rivals Melbourne to end run of losses

Adelaide United has defeated Melbourne Victory for the first time since late 2007, with an emphatic 4-1 victory over their arch rivals.

The Reds kept their perfect winning record at AAMI Park intact with the stunning victory, meaning it was the first time they have received a point in eleven consecutive outings against the Melbourne side.

The traveling Adelaide fans received their first moments of joy since the 2007 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium, following a first half strike from Marcos Flores, before a goal-of-the-season contending free kick from Dutch striker Sergio Van Dijk was hit from a distance.

Any hopes of a Melbourne comeback were all but diminished in the 64th minute, as Kevin Muscat was given his marching orders for his second bookable offence after a stray arm on United midfielder Adam Hughes.

Adelaide then added two more goals, courtesy of Fabian Barbiero's first touch after coming on as a substitute, before Van Dijk's second was luckily popped into the net.

The Victory were never in the game, as Adelaide were on the attack from the very beginning with an early strike from debutant Uruguayan Francisco Usucar heaping the pressure early.

Melbourne were lucky not to be reduced to ten men early in the game, after what looked to be a deliberate handball by Grant Brebner.

Defensive pressure and the clinical strike from Flores proved the difference heading into the main break, as the Reds were high on confidence walking into the sheds.

Following the break, as Muscat received his first caution, the resulting free kick from Van Dijk thundered into the top corner of the net, as it smashed through the wall and past 'keeper Michael Petkovic.

As captain Travis Dodd came off the park, Barbiero himself would've been shocked to realise his first touch of the game was into the back of the net, effectively ending their run of losses against Melbourne.

Van Dijk then secured his status at the top of the A-League scoring charts, with his second goal. It was not all pretty however, as Petkovic nearly caused Van Dijk serious damage in the groin, following an attempt to save the ball with his studs up.

Even with the three points secured and Muscat off the field, the clash still exhaled plenty of fire, with Evan Berger kneeing Usucar in the head, leading to a sideline melee.

Melbourne were lucky not to have Berger sent off following the unnecessary incident.

The Victory also scored a late goal, with the last kick of the game, with a laid back Adelaide defense succumbing to a strike from substitute Mate Dugandzic.

The win keeps Adelaide in a strong position to claim second spot on the A-League ladder, whilst the Victory are now in danger of missing the finals following two losses in five days.

Adelaide's next game is on Friday week at Hindmarsh Stadium against the North Queensland Fury, who will be looking to keep their own finals hopes alive.

Adelaide Starting Lineup: 2. Robert Cornthwaite, 4. Iain Fyfe, 6. Cassio, 8. Adam Hughes, 9. Sergio Van Dijk, 10. Marcos Flores, 13. Travis Dodd (c), 14. Cameron Watson, 19. Iain Ramsay, 20. Mark Birrighitti (gk), 21. Francisco Usucar.
Substitutes: 18. Fabian Barbiero (73'), 12. Paul Reid (78'), 7. Lucas Pantelis (81'), 1. Eugene Galekovic (Not used)
Yellow Cards: Usucar 46', Barbiero 76', Flores 79'
Goals: Flores 12', Van Dijk 56', Barbiero 73', Van Dijk 78'

Melbourne Starting Lineup: 1. Michael Petkovic (gk), 2. Kevin Muscat (c), 8. Grant Brebner, 9. Ricardinho, 12. Rodrigo Vargas, 13. Diego Ferreria, 14. Billy Celeski, 16. Carlos Hernandez, 18. Danny Allsopp, 19. Evan Berger, 23. Adrian Leijer.
Substitues: 11. Marvin Angulo (46'), 3. Mate Dugandzic (73'), 6. Leigh Broxam (87'), 20. Sebastian Mattei (Not used)
Yellow Cards: Ricardinho 26', Muscat 56', Muscat 64', Berger 76', Allsopp 81', Angulo 86'
Red Card: Muscat 64'
Goal: Dugandzic 90+4'

Crowd: 18558 at AAMI Park
Referee: Peter Green