Raiders Punish St George FC with Late Knockout Blow
SD Raiders FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St George FC in a tense clash at Ernie Smith Reserve on Saturday evening.
Harrison Farrow threatened early with an ambitious first-time effort, attempting to chip SD Raiders FC goalkeeper Michael Figueira from distance.
St George FC continued to make the early running, with Troy Danaskos firing a low effort that was comfortably gathered by Figueira. Moments later, Chris McStay showed excellent vision to pick out Jaden Casella, whose powerful strike was again claimed by the alert Raiders keeper in the 24th minute.
SD Raiders FC gradually grew into the contest. Noah Chianese and Martin Fernandez combined well, with Fernandez sweeping an effort straight at St George FC goalkeeper Marcus Petrovski.
Chianese looked to ignite the hosts, arrowing an effort that fizzed narrowly past the left post. The Raiders thought they had found the opener soon after when Fernandez’s initial shot was turned home, but celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
As the half drew to a close, Luka Knezevic dug out a shot from just outside the box, but Petrovski stood tall to make the save.
SD Raiders FC suffered a setback early in the second half when Chianese was forced off with a hamstring injury. Fernandez continued to push forward, producing a slick solo run before whipping an effort just past the post in the 57th minute.
St George FC made changes after the 70th minute as they chased a breakthrough, looking increasingly dangerous with substitute Justin Poon providing width.
The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute. Knezevic found space inside the box and coolly guided his shot off the post and into the back of the net to give the hosts a crucial 1-0 lead.
The Saints pushed hard for a late equaliser. Kota Toyooka’s low ball caused problems in the box, but Figueira reacted sharply to smother the danger. Poon then delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Jayden Seeto, whose effort was directed straight at the keeper.
SD Raiders FC held firm under late pressure to claim three vital points and bounce back from last weekend’s result.
Post-match, SD Raiders FC coach Goran Ljuboja reflected on the important win.
“Previous weeks, we tried to dominate the ball, but we knew we couldn’t do that against these guys tonight. We had to stay compact and hit them on the counter, which worked for us. We knew last week wasn’t good enough, and the boys worked hard—there will be some sore bodies tomorrow,” said Ljuboja.
St George FC’s Jaden Casella acknowledged his side’s control but lack of cutting edge.
“Yeah, it was one of those games where we felt comfortable on the ball and moved it well, but we just couldn’t find the back of the net,” said Casella.
Match Stats
SD Raiders FC 1 (Knezevic ’82)
St George FC 0
Ernie Smith Reserve
Saturday 18 April 2026
Referee: Blake Sanchez-Cruz
Assistant Referees: Lucy Hungerford & Jayden Downs
Fourth Official: Tom Seldon
SD Raiders FC: 1. Michael Figueira, 4. Cooper Hanagan, 6. Lachlan Everett, 8. James Letta, 10. Luka Knezevic, 12. Lachlan Mcgrath, 14. Noah Chianese (9. Jakov Malbasa ’48), 17. Martin Fernandez, 18. Charlie Ragg (37. Robert Eremugo ’68), 23. Thomas Makko (21. Sebastian Malfara ’68), 47. Ehan Beaven
Unused subs: 11. Thomas Santarossa, 15. Matthew Lee, 22. Yonathan Sebhatu, 40. William Loucas
Yellow cards: Hanagan ’24 Knezevic ’76 Fernandez ‘85
Red cards: nil
St George FC: 3. Troy Danaskos (15. Mark Rodic ’62), 4. Jayden Seeto, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 8. Evangelo Souris, 10. Jaden Casella, 16. Kaidyn Wright, 20. Kota Toyooka, 23, Javier Rodriguez (14. Katuyoshi Kimishima ’77), 25. Harrison Farrow (9. Jake Trew ’73), 40. Marcus Petrovski, 88. Christopher Mcstay (7. Justin Poon ’62)
Unused subs: 6. Patrick O’Shea,12. Stevan Stanic-Floody, 13. Sebastian La Luz
Yellow cards: Mcstay ‘4
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Martin Fernandez (SD)
2: Michael Figueira (SD)
1: Jayden Seeto (St George)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
