Solomon Islanders Junior David and Micah Lea’alafa help their clubs to wins in South Australia football leagues.
By Ethan Habru in Adelaide
Junior David and Micah Lea’alafa helped their respective clubs to victories over the weekend in the Football South Australia (SA) competitions in Adelaide.
David played a full 90 minutes in his usual right wing-back role for Croydon FC in their 2-0 win over Para Hills Knights on Saturday in the SA National Premier League (NPL). Croydon, also known as the Polonia Boys, gained an early advantage after Para Hills’ Lawand Hasan was sent off in the 10th minute.
Vanuatu international Jason Thomas came on in the 78th minute for the Knights, but the scoreline remained 2-0 in Croydon’s favour until the final whistle.
Lea’alafa helped Vipers FC to a 2-1 victory over South Adelaide in round five of the SA State League One on Saturday. He started for Vipers and was substituted in the 81st minute, having contributed to his team’s winning performance.
Javin Wae’s club Campbelltown City claimed a 1-0 win over Adelaide Comets last Friday in the SA NPL. Wae, who is recovering from injury, did not feature and has missed the past few rounds.
Meanwhile, William Komasi and Rovu Boyers delivered solid performances for their respective teams but fell short in their round five SA State League One matches.
Komasi played the full match for Adelaide Cobras in a narrow 2-1 loss to league leaders Sturt Lions on Saturday. His teammate Nick Harpas scored for the Cobras, and although the Lions’ goalkeeper was red-carded in the 87th minute, Cobras couldn’t capitalise against the ten-man side.
“It was a heartbreaking 2-1 loss for our senior men this week. The boys played strong, gave it their all—it just wasn’t their day,” Cobras stated on their official social media page.
Boyers’ club West Adelaide gave away an early lead to lose 2-1 against Salisbury United on Sunday (6 April). The Solomon Islands international midfielder played a crucial role in the lead-up to Yuya Kato’s goal in the 39th minute. Operating from the left wing, Boyers received the ball from his left-back, slipped past two defenders, and found Ryan Wood, whose assist set up Kato’s goal.
Both Boyers and Wood were subbed off in the 60th minute while West Adelaide were still ahead 1-0. However, the team faded late in the game, conceding two goals — the equaliser in the 88th minute and a stoppage-time winner by substitute Samuel Adejo.
David and Wae compete in the SA NPL with their respective clubs, while Lea’alafa, Komasi, and Boyers play in the SA State League One — all competitions organised by Football South Australia.
There are also five Ni-Vanuatu players competing in the Football South Australia leagues — two in the NPL and three in State League Two.
Jason Thomas plays for Para Hills Knights and featured as a second-half substitute on Saturday against Croydon FC. Jared Clark, a defender for FK Beograd of Ni-Vanuatu descent, is the other NPL-level player from Vanuatu.
In State League Two, Jonathan Spokeyjack, Timothy Boulet (also known as Tom Loic), and Azariah Soromon all represent Western Strikers. The club currently sits second on the league table, with Spokeyjack scoring three goals and Boulet adding one after four rounds.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islander Raphael Lea’i, now with Wollongong Wolves in the New South Wales (NSW) NPL, featured in their round nine match on Sunday (6 April), where the Wolves suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Manly United.
Lea’i was previously based in Adelaide with Adelaide United in the SA NPL during the 2024 season, making nine appearances and scoring two goals before his move to NSW this year.
