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Adelaide United Women has leapfrogged Canberra United Women into third place on the Westfield W-League table after a 2-1 win over the Green Machine at Marden Sports Complex on Sunday.
Chelsie Dawber’s fabulously taken goal to open the scoring was cancelled out seconds before the interval by Paige Satchell.
However, Adelaide’s buffer was restored on 55 minutes with Emily Condon’s third winner of the season to move the Reds to 13 points.
Adelaide took the lead 11 minutes into the contest courtesy of Hodgson’s cross from the right found Dawber to score for the second straight game.
The 21-year-old expertly connected with the deep delivery, clinically steering her volley past Keeley Richards.
The hosts continued to search for a second, though too often the attacking move would break down and Canberra looked to catch them on the break.
Michelle Heyman came close to levelling but spurned a golden opportunity on 33 minutes after being slipped through by Kendall Fletcher.
Just as Adelaide seemed destined to head into the break with a slender advantage they would concede right on the stroke of half-time.
Heyman turned provider with a long ball over the defence for Satchell and she dribbled forward before slotting a near-post effort through the legs of Grove.
Ten minutes after the re-start, United restored its lead thanks to a composed finish from Condon.
The midfielder was picked out by Holmes and as she received the ball, demonstrated her poise by creating space to curl a wonderful shot around the defender.
A flurry of chances for the Reds should have put the match to bed soon after with Dawber hitting the base of the upright and Rojas was twice denied by Richards in quick succession.
Mallory Weber also missed a chance from both of Richards’ saves and then a left-footed shot from Dawber was matched by an outstretched glove of the Canberra shot-stopper.
The capital outfit went inches away from making the Reds lament its profligacy as Satchell’s long-range drive smashed the crossbar.
Grove later pulled off a remarkable reflex save to thwart Hayley Taylor-Young from point-blank range on 89 minutes.
Despite the missed chances and nervy finish, Adelaide thoroughly deserved its victory to consolidate its finals aspirations.
Team news
Adrian Stenta made one personnel change to his side with goalkeeper Annalee Grove making her Westfield W-League debut after Sian Fryer-McLaren was ruled out with an ankle injury. However, there were a few tactical alterations with full-backs, Isabel Hodgson and Charlotte Grant switching flanks, while María José Rojas was deployed as the striker and Chelsie Dawber shifted to the wing.
Key moments
11’ | GOAL! Dawber brilliantly meets Hodgson’s cross with a thumping side volley to leave the goalkeeper helpless.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6232100781001
45+1’ | GOAL: Heyman releases Satchell and she dribbles forward before shooting beyond Grove.
55’ | GOAL! Condon curls her shot into the far corner from inside the area.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6232103840001
65’ | CHANCE! Rojas drives forwards and both her attempts are saved by Richards.
66′ | CHANCE! Richards is equal to Dawber’s left-footed strike.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6232103058001
89’ | SAVE! Grove denies Taylor-Young, spectacularly tipping her close-range attempt over the bar.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6232103878001
Match details:
Game date: Sunday, 14 February
Westfield W-League 2020/21 – Round 8
Adelaide United Women 2 (Dawber 11’, Condon 55’)
Canberra United Women 1 (Satchell 45+1’)
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Crowd: 969
