Having won their last two matches, Adelaide were growing in confidence and looking to put a disappointing 1999 behind them. The Falcons on the other hand, after an impressive victory away at the Knights were keen to continue their push up the ladder which has seen them become a realistic contender for a finals berth.

The match began with the experienced Adelaide team taking control and dictating the pace of the game from the outset. The Adelaide players where closing down and chasing hard, giving the Falcons players no time on the ball and no opportunity to settle into any pattern of play.

The early midfield dominance by Talladira, Sabljak and Hassell lead to the first real chance of the match in the 8 minute. Great link up play by Hassell and Sabljak lead to a teasing cross that flashed across the Falcons goal only to see Mori slide in only centimetres short at the far post with the Falcons keeper and defenders caught ball watching.

This early dominance by Adelaide lead to the first goal of the match in the 16 minute. A free kick some 15 metres outside the box was played wide to an unmarked Costanzo when all the Falcons players were expecting a shot. Costanzo proceeded to deliver a perfect cross into the six-yard box to an unmarked Pelosi to head a simple goal while Jevdjevic in the Falcons goal remained flat-footed. 1-0 Adelaide Force.

Adelaide continued to dominate play with the Falcons unable to string any moves together due to the midfield pressure being applied by the Force. The defensive combination of Tobin, Costanzo, Veart and Kim were well on top with the Falcons attack of Nilo, Kakos and MacNicol unsighted.

The Falcons slowly began to get back into the game through their determined captain Durakovic. His presence at the back was keeping the Falcons in the game and his courageous play was bringing his teammates into the match. The Falcons almost levelled the score in the 25 minute after a great run and cross by Hutchinson after a half-cleared corner. The cross found MacNicol who finished well on the volley only to be adjudged offside.

The Falcons through Vargas and Bell in midfield were now having more of the play, with the Adelaide players happy to sit back on their lead and try to catch the Falcons on the break. As they almost did in the 31 minute when a quick break by Pelosi found Mori who managed to beat his man, only to be well tackled by Bell in the last line of defence.

Adelaide lifted the tempo of the game towards the end of the half with both Vidmar and Pelosi coming close with headers from inside the six-yard box. The best chance falling to Pelosi in the 43 minute when his header was cleared off the line by Vargas after a well taken corner yet again found an Adelaide player unmarked in the six yard box. Half –time 1-0 Adelaide Force.

The second half began in total contrast to the first with the Falcons players well on top and in control of the midfield. Jeff Hopkins had obviously got the message through to his players during the half time break and they responded with a magnificent goal in the 50 minute. A foul on Nilo just outside the box saw Hutchinson curl a perfect left foot shot around the Adelaide wall into the bottom left corner of the goal with Knezevic unsighted and unable to make ground; 1-1.

The game opened up after the equaliser with play flowing from end to end and chances falling to both sides. Mori made a great run in the 55 minute, beating several defenders and cutting the ball back from the goal line almost causing an own goal as the Falcons defence got in each others way. In the 58 minute a great ball by Nilo put Kakos behind the Adelaide defence, confusion at the back after Kakos was thwarted left Knezevic stranded off his line and a clever Vargas chip was well saved by the keeper.

Falcons were having the better of play after their equaliser, however they could not penetrate the well marshalled Adelaide defence. Long range shots by Gotis and Vargas went well wide and the introduction of Mandic for Kakos up forward for the Falcons had no impact. As the Falcons tired, Adelaide came back into the match to dominate the last 10 minutes only to be thwarted by the a desperate Falcons defence lead by Durakovic who put his body on the line time and time again.

Zoran Matic would not have believed what he saw in the 89 minute when a slice of luck for the Falcons kept Adelaide from stealing the three points. A great run into space by Kim down the right lead to a perfect cross to Vidmar at the far post, his header beat a flat footed Jevdjevic in the Falcons goal only to rebound off the upright back into the keepers arms.

The match was one of contrasting halves with Adelaide dominating the first half and the Falcons having the better of the second half. Both sides showed enough to suggest they will be amongst those battling for finals placings later in the year.

The best player on the night was the Falcons captain Mehmet Durakovic. His courage kept the Falcons in the game and his leadership ensured the Falcons players never gave up the battle. Nick Sabljak in midfield for Adelaide worked tirelessly and was behind many of their attacking moves. Angelo Costanzo in the last line of defence for Adelaide showed his composure and maturity in a solid display.

Jevdjevic – Fak – Gotis – Durakovic – Marcina - Vargas – Bell – Hutchinson – Kakos (Mandic 68min) – Nilo - MacNicol

Knezevic – Tobin – Costanzo – Veart – Kim – Talladira (Kemp 75min) – Sabljak – Hassell – Vidmar – Mori (Brain 71min) – Pelosi

Yellow Cards: Mori (AF) 30 min, Tobin (AF) 41 min, Pelosi (AF) 52 min

Votes: 3 Durakovic (Gippsland Falcons); 2 Sabljak (Adelaide Force); 1 Costanzo (Adelaide Force)