Adelaide United 2-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
By Jonathon Hagger 3/2/24
Above: Chrissy Panagaris celebreates her winning goal. Photo: Adelaide United
Teams travelling away from home to play Adelaide United at their home ground of Coopers Stadium face a tough challenge. The Adelaide United women are staunch in defending their home field advantage demonstrated through their having defeated some high quality teams when at home. With a blazing hot sun and perfect pitch conditions, the final result of the match was largely dictated by the strategies of each team’s use of their energy. It was an excellent decision by the A-League to have two drinks breaks in each half which produced good quality football throughout the entirety of the match.
It was the Western Sydney Wanderers who started fast, securing possession of the ball seeking a go ahead goal. Knowing that the heat of the day would sap players’ energy later in the match, Wanderers employed a strategy of seeking dominance right from the kickoff.
Adelaide however were the equal of the Wanderers finding gaps repeatedly through the midfield formation, putting Dawber into clear spaces to launch attacks. The tenth minute of the match gave Adelaide a fantastic opportunity to score with a well placed corner kick not being dispatched cleanly by the Wanderers defenders but Adelaide were unable to find the back of the net.
Sophie Harding, Wanderers goal scoring wonder, demonstrated time and again why she is one of the best players in the league. Speed, skill and accuracy are hallmarks of her game and all of these were on display early. A shot from distance in the 16th minute was a scoring opportunity but the ball curled up and over the top bar.
A loose trailing arm in the goal area by Adelaide’s Hannah Blake resulted in Wanderers player Vicky Bruce going down after being hit on the cheek. The referee quickly decided the action was worthy of a penalty. Despite goalkeeper Annalee Grove picking the right direction of the ball, Amy Harrisons shot was too quick and found the back of the net. The Wanderers went ahead 1-0 in the 44th minute.
Source: @aleaguewomen
The second half continued on in the same style as the first half ended. The Wanderers pushing hard, desiring an early goal while the Adelaide sides structure remained composed giving few chances away. The effect of the heat of the day became apparent as both sides became far more compact.
It took until the 58th minute for the first opportunity to score arose, with Wanderers getting a clean shot on goal which Adelaide’s Grove was easily able to collect. An immediate counter attack ensued with Chelsie Dawber having an excellent opportunity to score but a badly hit shot found its way into the stands.
Adelaide engineered their first real chance in the 68th minute with a beautiful 1-2 passing manoeuvre down the left hand side that put Dawber into space. A clean pass across the face of the Wanderers goal was unable to find an Adelaide player resulting in an opportunity to score being squandered. It was Dawber again, just two minutes later, who was able to outsmart her defender and sliced through a beautiful pass to a wide open Hannah Blake who netted an easy goal.
Hannah Blake, goal scorer. Photo: @BDbmedia.
With the score line being tied the match sprang to life with both teams not willing to settle for a draw. It was from a handover of possession that Adelaide’s Hodgson pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the pitch. A clean pass cut through the Wanderers defenders finding Chrissy Panagaris, who executed a lovely shot beating the goalkeeper putting Adelaide ahead 2-1 in the 85th minute.
The remainder of the match was played out at high speed and peak energy. Both teams gave their absolute all until the final whistle but it was to be Adelaide’s day as they finished as winners 2-1 over a hearty Wanderers unit.
Chrissy Panagaris. Source: @adelaideunited.
Both teams will be looking forward to some time off the pitch for much needed recovery. Adelaide’s win keeps their season alive despite their being last on the table. The win keeps them within striking distance of achieving a top six finish. Meanwhile, the Wanderers will begin their preparations for their next challenge being the Newcastle Jets on Friday night. The Wanderers also are in the hunt for the top six.
There is a lot to be excited about as the season continues!
Adelaide United: 4-3-3. Grove, Tolland, Tonkin, Waldus, Hodgson, Holmes, Sasaki, Blake, Dawber, Hodgson, Jancevski.
Subs: Wilson, Morgan. (79’), Mullan (94’), Holtz (82’), Panagaris (79’).
Scorers: Blake (70’), Panagaris (85’).
Western Sydney Wanderers: 3-4-1-2. Collins, Bruce, Harrison, McComasky, Matos, Price, Apostolakis, Rue, Caspers, Harding, Morris.
Subs: Khamis, Keir (87’), Chessari, Caceres (53’), Younis (88’).
Scorers: Harrison (44’).
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Attendance: TBC.
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