Adelaide United Women have suffered a fifth straight loss by a one-goal margin after falling 2-1 to Canberra United on Sunday.
The Reds conceded a goal in each half as Leena Khamis’s scintillating strike and a simple finish from substitute Hayley Taylor-Young on 78 minutes ultimately settled the Round 6 affair at Marden Sports Complex, after Emily Condon scored a late consolation.
Ivan Karlović made two changes to the starting XI that played Brisbane Roar Women last week. Chelsie Dawber received her first start of the season with Isabel Hodgson making way, while Charlotte Grant was deployed at left-back, and Emily Condon returned to the matchday squad for the first time since Round 1.
Adelaide made a bright start but could not capitalise on their early chances.
Mallory Weber was lively and she saw an effort inside six minutes saved by Sham Khamis.
A minute later, Georgia Campagnale’s through ball released Mary Fowler and she rounded the goalkeeper only for her goal-bound finish to be cleared by Kaleigh Kurtz.
But just as Adelaide had the ascendancy they fell behind from Canberra’s first real chance.
Olivia Price threaded a pass to Khamis, who caught the Adelaide defence napping when she was left unmarked and turned and unleashed a venomous strike beyond Sarah Willacy in the ninth minute.
Fowler and Weber continued to be the Reds’ focal points for the rest of the first-half in attack but they could find an equaliser after seeing respective shots land wide of the target.
The Reds were on the back foot to begin the second stanza and Karlović made two substitutions just past the hour mark to add some extra energy on the park.
Willacy saved Taylor-Young’s shot onto the post, but the substitute did not have to wait much longer to score his first Westfield W-League goal.
A corner was swung in and the ball ricocheted off a defender and landed to Taylor-Young for a rather easy tap-in.
Adelaide halved the deficit in stoppage but it was merely a consolation when Condon could not miss from inside the six-yard box.
Key moments:
9’ | GOAL: Khamis draws first blood with a thumping strike from the edge of the box after breaking the offside from Price’s through ball.
78’ | GOAL: Taylor-Young volleys home from close range after Adelaide fail to clear their lines from the corner.
90+3’ | GOAL! Condon grabs a goal back for the Reds tapping in from inside the six-yard box.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117600220001
Match details:
Sunday, 22 December 2019
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Season – Round 6
Adelaide United Women 1 (Condon 90+3’)
Canberra United Women 2 (L. Khamis 9’ Taylor-Young 78’)
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Attendance: 693
