The Australia Cup came to the South East on the weekend with the Naracoorte United Soccer Club taking on the Adelaide Omonia Cobras in what was billed as a David vs Goliath battle.

The game was a part of the SA Preliminary Round 3 with many teams across the state competing on Saturday.

The winner of the game progressed to the next round, one step closer to competing in the Australia Cup on a national level.

Naracoorte’s opposition was full of talent with six of their players having played in the Adelaide United youth team.

Naracoorte United President and 2019 Football SA Volunteer of the Year Jon Thurlow said it was an exciting opportunity for the local side.

“This game is an opportunity for our players to play a team outside our association that plays at a high standard and to see a level of soccer we do not get to experience and for our juniors to see what’s possible if you work and train hard,” he said.

Despite putting up a valiant fight, it was a task too difficult for Naracoorte to overcome, losing 5-0 to the travelling Adelaide side.

The game was a great event for the local competition, even with the unfortunately one sided contest.

Thurlow was pleased with Naracoorte’s effort against a tough opponent.

“The boys played really well, we had to defend for lots of the game, they never gave up,” he said.

Thurlow said the score did not accurately reflect the contest on the pitch.

“We were two-nil down at half time but it could have been 2-1, we just missed an opportunity late in the half,” he said.

“I think they would have been a little bit worried at half time.”

Thurlow was very impressed by the performances of two players who faced a lot of pressure due to the quality of the opposition.

“There were definitely two highlights, our goalkeeper Dan Owen and our centre back Andrew Diment, they were definitely the standouts, they both played really well,” he said.

Thurlow said the event had been well supported.

“It went good, we had a reasonable crowd, we would have liked some more but there was a lot on in Naracoorte that weekend, with the Taste weekend,” he said.

While a disappointing result for the side, it was a great opportunity for a team to play against a higher level and improve their soccer, ensuring the side will shape up well ahead of the 2023 season.