A second-half hat-trick from veteran striker Matt Derbyshire was accompanied by a goal from Mark Milligan as Macarthur FC beat Adelaide United to register their first ever A-League win at the Campbelltown Stadium.
Adelaide United came into this game following a loss at home to Perth Glory with the knowledge that their away record left much to be desired, going winless in their previous five fixtures on the road.
The Bulls were chasing their first home victory in the Australian top flight having been unable to take away all three points in Campbelltown until this match.
Four minutes into the game, Derbyshire found himself in the six-yard-box at the far post, heading the ball towards goal. But defender Jordan Elsey put in an excellent block to deny the effort.
The former Nottingham Forest hitman was through on goal after 36 minutes with the ‘keeper already beaten, but young defender Noah Smith put in a last ditch goal line clearance to keep the ball out.
Yet the 34-year-old did not give up as Ante Milicic’s men piled on the pressure in the hope of breaking the deadlock. For all the good work done in attack, the opener did not come in the first period of play. But Adelaide eventually fell prey to the first of a few goals when Denis Genreau set up Derbyshire for the opener after 66 minutes.
The opening goal appeared to open the floodgates as the visitors tried to push forward leaving the back line more open, allowing Tommy Oar to assist Derbyshire for a simple tap in to make it a double.
The veteran English hitman was having a sensational evening as he played an exceptional through ball to skipper Mark Milligan, and the latter proceeded to calmly put the ball past goalkeeper James Delianov to make it 3-0 for the home side.
With only a minute left in normal time, Oar sent in a cross from the left that Derbyshire latched onto to and headed it past a helpless ‘keeper to get his hat-trick and make it a resounding 4-0 result for the Bulls.
Macarthur surged upward in the standings to go up the second place in the A-League, albeit having played more matches than any other club so far. They are expected to take on Western United in Ballarat next Saturday. Meanwhile, Adelaide United play host to table toppers Central Coast Mariners a day earlier on Friday.
