Adelaide United Women Captain Dylan Holmes says the Reds are “full of confidence” after three straight wins but insisted they cannot afford to get ahead of themselves.
Sitting joint top heading into its Round 6 encounter against Melbourne Victory Women on Friday night, Holmes stressed while the team is currently buoyed by recent results they must remain focused.
“I think from the results we’ve gained a lot of confidence,” she said, as Adelaide have accrued its most points ever (nine) to begin a season following four matches.
“But at the same time, I think we’re very much in that frame of mind of taking it each week as it comes and focusing on the match in front of us and not getting too carried away.
“Still a lot of games to play and hopefully we can keep that good form going.”
A triumph against their fierce rivals would see Adelaide record four consecutive wins for the inaugural time in the Club’s history, and strengthen its early tilt at a maiden finals appearance.
Holmes said she was looking forward to tackling Victory.
She claimed they must be disciplined to secure the win with Victory desperate to bounce back from a 6-0 hammering to Brisbane Roar Women.
“I think we’re full of confidence,” Holmes said.
“It’s going to be a huge game and Melbourne Victory has some pretty amazing players, so we’ll have to be at our best to get a result.”
The Reds defeated Melbourne City Women last week for the first time in the competition’s history in their first home match against them with a valiant 2-1 win.
Holmes believed that result was indicative of the progress and growth of the team over the past few seasons.
“I think we saw how dominant they’ve been over the last three of four years and for us to beat them for the first time – that’s massive,” she said.
“I think we’ll take a lot of confidence from that.
“I think the way that we beat them was really important.
“I think going two goals up and holding on to that lead through a lot of pressure in the second-half, I think that’s shown how much we’ve grown in the last couple of years and how much we’ve matured as a team.”
Indeed, it was the 23-year-old who scored her maiden goals in her 35th Westfield W-League game after netting a stunning brace to decide the encounter.
The holding midfielder has been instrumental to United’s early success this campaign under Adrian Stenta’s stewardship.
“It was surreal,” Holmes admitted.
“I’ve wanted to score in the W-League for so long, so to get the first was really special but then to get the second was really cool.
“I was very excited but hopefully now I just want to score again and not have to wait another 35 games for it.”
Match details:
Game date: Friday, 29 January vs Melbourne Victory Women
Westfield W-League 2020/21 – Round 06
Kick-off 6.35pm ACDT
Gates open 5.35pm ACDT
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Broadcast: FOX Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
*ALL full season and 8-Game Flexi Adelaide United A-League members have free access to the Westfield W-League home games as part of their members.
