By Ethan Habru in Adelaide
Solomon Islands international footballer, Junior David and his club’s journey in the Hahn Australia Cup came to an end last Thursday as his team, Croydon FC who are currently fifth in the South Australia (SA) National Premier League (NPL) lost against 12th placed WT Birkalla.
David was featured in the 3-0 defeat to WT Birkalla on Thursday 17th April in the Hahn Australia Cup SA preliminary round five fixture.
Another Solomon Islander Javin Wae has recovered from his injury and is looking to feature regularly for his club, Campbelltown City FC in the SA NPL.
Wae returned to the lineup as an unused substitute against Ghan United in round five of the Hahn Australia Cup on Saturday. This match resulted in a 3-1 win for Wae’s Campbelltown City which qualify them into round six with seven other clubs in the Hahn Australia Cup SA preliminary stage.
This now places Wae as the lone Solomon Islander to feature in the Hahn Australia Cup, a title previously held by David during Wae’s absence due to injury.
SA State League One players Micah Lea’alafa, William Komasi and Rovu Boyers had a rest over the long Easter weekend as their clubs were knocked out of the Hahn Australia Cup in the fourth preliminary rounds last month.
Following the Easter weekend Hahn Australia Cup fixtures is the seventh round of SA NPL and SA State League One, which is commencing this week, Friday 25th April 2025. All five Solomon Islanders based in Adelaide are expected to feature for their respective clubs in this round.
First up is David’s Croydon FC against Adelaide City on Friday 25th April in the SA NPL level. Adelaide City has only lost once in their last five matches and sits second in the SA NPL table with 11 points. Croydon FC has nine points so far.
“Cup done for 2025. Full attention moves to the league for the rest of the year. Up next, a trip to Oakden (Adelaide City home-ground),” Croydon FC stated in their social media page following their knockout in the Hahn Australia Cup, last Thursday.
Also this Friday, in State League One round seven match, Rovu Boyers and his club West Adelaide will face Cove FC. Cove FC sits 10th on the table having won two in their last five. Cove FC and Boyer’s West Adelaide Hellas both share seven points, only losing out on goal difference.
On Saturday 26th April, Wae is expected to make a return for Campbelltown City since picking up an injury in round four of SA NPL on 21st March 2025. Campbelltown will face Para Hills Knights who are seventh on the table with eight points having won two in their last five games. Campbelltown are currently 10th with seven points.
Also on Saturday is Micah Lea’alafa’s Vipers and William Komasi’s Adelaide Cobras matches in the SA State League One round seven fixtures. Lea’alafa and his club Vipers FC will face Pontian Eagles. Pontian Eagles are 11th on the table having lost four and drew one in their last five matches. They are three points behind Lea’alafa’s Viper FC.
Komasi’s Adelaide Cobras will face Adelaide Olympic. With Boyer’s West Adelaide sitting in between both clubs on the table. Adelaide Olympic who are fifth on the table are on a mixed performance going into this match. Having only one victory, lost one and drew three matches in their last five outings.
Meanwhile in the New South Wales (NPL), another Solomon Islander Raphael Leai did not feature for his club Wollongong Wolves in a 2-2 with Sydney FC on Good Friday after picking up a red card in a 4-0 victory over Sutherland Shark on Sunday 13th April.
Leai is expected to feature for Wolves in the NSW Hahn Australia Cup preliminary round five match fixture on today, against SD Raiders FC.
After serving his one-match suspension, he will be back in the NSW NPL round 12 match for Wolves against Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday 27th April.
Photo Credits: Campbelltown City Soccer & Social Club, Croydon FC, and Pedro Garcia.