Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Adelaide United
By Kieran Yap (23/12/23)
Above: Adelaide United celebrate Dylan Holmes’s goal. Photo: Adelaide United.
A second-minute Dylan Holmes strike was enough to give Adelaide a 1-0 win against Western Sydney, but the three points did not come easy in an entertaining and dramatic match.
Adelaide came into this round looking for their second win of the season. They defeated the high-flying Wellington Phoenix in Round Eight, and another three points would give supporters hope that the season was starting to turn around.
Western Sydney had not lost in three matches, thanks largely to the scoring form of Sophie Harding. The mobile and dynamic striker had scored in each of those games to propel her to Golden Boot favouritism.
The game began in fast fashion and did not slow down from that point on. Nanako Sasaki cut off an attempted Wanderers clearance and threaded the ball into the path of Holmes. The Reds midfielder fired across goal and into the bottom corner to put Adelaide in the rare position of having a lead to defend.
That early goal meant that the game immediately opened up. Western Sydney pushed forward almost immediately in hopes of levelling the scores. This sort of match suits Adelaide United’s style of play and it made for an entertaining if low-scoring afternoon.
Harding was at the heart of everything good for The Wanderers. She has the size and strength to play with her back to goal, but the mobility and pace to turn and immediately trouble defences. Her movement across both flanks makes her a hard player to mark, and ultimately the entire back four’s responsibility.
When Harding spun free, surged forward, and played in Danika Matos, a goal looked certain. However, Adelaide’s goalkeeper Annalee Grove produced perfect timing and positioning to deny the goal.
Grove would prove to be the deciding factor in this game by the end of 90 minutes, but Adelaide United were unlucky to not extend their lead. The visitors repeatedly threatened with long quick passes from deep as the Wanderers continued to push upfield.
The Red’s back four were regularly being tested, but for the most part, were able to repel the Wanderers’ attacks with a safety-first approach. They prioritised getting the ball to the midfielders and strikers in the quickest way possible. Lateral passing in the backline was rare from either side.
Harding continued to threaten and after another run, she set up Holly Caspers for a one-on-one with Grove. Once again, the Australian Under 23 representative prevented an almost certain equaliser.
Adelaide United coach Adrian Stenta doubled down on his attacking philosophy and introduced Alana Jancevski and Emily Condon to the proceedings, followed later by Katie Bowler. The attacking trio’s arrival meant that there was little chance of Adelaide focussing on protecting the lead. They wanted to keep the pressure on the Wanderers and perhaps reduce the influence of playmaking centre back Amy Harrison.
Condon came closest to scoring a second. Her curling effort from the edge of the box looked headed for the bottom corner, but it skimmed past the post to the relief of goalkeeper Kaylie Collins.
Adelaide’s all-out attack style almost backfired when defender Ella Tonkin was sent off for a second yellow card. Sasaki dropped back, but they looked more vulnerable in the dying minute without a crucial player.
Wanderers substitute Ella Abdul-Massih almost set up a late reprieve after delivering a beautiful long pass behind the Adelaide defence. As Harding ran onto the pass, two possible stories began to emerge.
In one, Harding solidifies her place as the league’s in-form striker and enhanced her reputation as a potential match-winner. In the other Grove was the hero for a second week in a row.
Against any other goalkeeper, the first possibility would have been the likely result, but Grove was in no mood to be beaten in this match. She provided the late heroics to deny the Wanderers a point and secure her side three on the road.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-4-3): Collins, McComasky, Harrison, Bruce, Rue, Apostolakis, Ferris, Matos, Morris, Caspers, Harding. Substitutes: Brooking, Breier, Abdul-Massih, Keir, Segavcic.
ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Grove, I Hodgson, Tonkin, Waldus, E Hodgson, Holmes, Sasaki, Morgan, Dawber, Lee, Blake. Substitutes: Condon, Holtz, Bowler, Jancevski, Jenkins.
Scorers: Holmes 2’.
Referee: Bec Mackie.
Attendance: 548.
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