A last-gasp strike from Georgia Campagnale has maintained Adelaide United’s unbeaten start to the Westfield W-League 2018/19 season.
Trailing 1-0 to Melbourne City at CB Smith Reserve and heading for a first loss of the campaign, Campagnale rescued a point for the Reds with her maiden goal in the competition with the last kick of the game.
Ivan Karlović made no changes to the line-up which defeated Canberra United last time out. However, there was room for new recruit Isabel Hodgson.
Adelaide were very much on the back foot, having to absorb a lot of City pressure early on, but threatened occasionally on the break.
Michelle Heyman’s capitalised on a back pass but she could not take full advantage, squandering her curling attempt.
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Amber Brook and Emily Hodgson made several crucial interceptions, blocks and clearances to repel the danger as the hosts favoured utilising Jasmyne Spencer on the left wing.
They were fortunate not to concede when Japanese import Yukari Kinga, struck upright in the 29th minute.
The visitors rode their luck at times and were given another reprieve when Kyah Simon saw her header smack the cross, beating Sarah Willacy all ends up.
But City would open the scoring albeit in controversial fashion.
Brooks was deemed to have fouled Tameka Butt, though replays suggest contact was minimal if any to warrant an obstruction.
Nevertheless, Simon would not be denied a second time, calmly slotting the ensuing spot-kick as Adelaide conceded their first goal of the season.
The match ebbed and flowed with City enjoying more possession and looking the more likely to find the back of the net.
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However, like much to the script this year, Adelaide dug deep and remained in the contest.
In the 79th minute Heyman’s header from an inviting free-kick looped over the ‘keeper and hit the crossbar.
But Adelaide continued to push and on 97 minutes Campagnale finished off an incisive attacking move to expertly dispatch her first-time shot into the bottom left corner.
Veronica Latsko found Brooks, whose square pass is dummied by Heyman allowing the 21-year-old to net a dramatic equaliser.
The Reds host Sam Kerr’s Perth Glory at Marden Sports Complex this Thursday.
Key moments:
29’ | Kinga smacks the upright from her venomous drive.
54’ | GOAL: Simon converts the penalty after Brooks’ apparent foul on Butt.
79’ | Heyman’s header thumps the crossbar as Adelaide are denied.
90’+7’ | GOAL! Campagnale arrows her low strike into far corner to ensure United’s unbeaten streak remains in tact.
Match details:
Saturday, 1 December 2018
Westfield W-League 2018/19 – Round 5
Melbourne City 1 (Simon 54’)
Adelaide United 1 (Campagnale 90’+7’)
Venue: CB Smith Reserve
