Goals from Danielle Colaprico and Katie Naughton, and goalkeeping heroics from Sarah Willacy’s secured three points for Adelaide in Round 11 of the Westfield W-League at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday.
Aiming to bounce back from a disappointing defeat in Round 10, Adelaide United outplayed and defeated Newcastle Jets 1-2 in their best performance of the season since their 4-1 home defeat of Perth Glory.
Head Coach, Ivan Karlovic, announced the return of Adriana Jones to the starting XI, who led the line up front. Her time on the pitch was cut-short as she went down with an injury. Grace Abbey made her first start of the season for the Reds.
Colaprico gave the Reds the lead, as her brilliant free-kick from distance stunned the hosts as the ball flew cleanly into the top-left corner.
Katie Stengel’s effort from long range effort levelled proceedings thanks to a cruel deflection that evaded Sarah Willacy, to get the Jets back into the match after their sluggish start.
Katie Naughton restored the Reds lead when Alex Chidiac crossed in from a short corner, for American to head home from the back post unmarked.
A bright second-half start from the Reds saw Alyssa Mautz connect with Makenzy Doniak’s delightful low cross, but she wasn’t able to steer it on target to double the advantage.
Adelaide were deservedly awarded the three points after working well as a unit, inspired by great goalkeeping from Sarah Willacy and some desperate defending to negate Newcastle’s pressure in the second-half.
Key moments:
20’ | GOAL! Colaprico stunningly strikes into the back of the net from her set-piece, and with the first shot of the game for the Reds, puts her side ahead.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5708436882001
28’ | GOAL: Stengel draws level as her shot from 30-yards takes a heavy deflection and passes into the bottom-right corner.
43’ | GOAL! Naughton heads into goal from a short corner and puts United’s noses back in front before half-time.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5708436887001
47’ | A pin-point cross in by Doniak finds Mautz who connects, but can’t keep her shot down as she almost makes it three.
78’ | Willacy denies the hosts twice, as Nikola Orgill’s cross almost dips under the bar if not for the Reds’ shot-stopper’s touch. A second-chance for Newcastle is then smothered by Willacy.
85’ | Chidiac’s brilliant run and through ball finds Laura Johns, but slices her shot wide.
88’ | Naughton blocks Newcastle’s scrambling shot off of the line, following some pinball in the area.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5708436897001
Match details:
Friday, 12 January 2018
Westfield W-League Round 11
Newcastle Jets 1 (Stengel, 28’)
Adelaide United 2 (Colaprico, 20’, Naughton, 43’)
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Crowd: 4112
