Melbourne City 4-3 Adelaide United
by Alice de Koster-Kitto (16/3/25)
Above: Celebration time for Melbourne City’s Holly McNamara (sky blue shirt on right) today in their record-breaking win over Adelaide United today. Photo: Melbourne City.
Ctrl:Cyber Pitch saw history made, as Melbourne City broke the record for the most consecutive unbeaten matches in the A-League-Women. The heated and action-packed meeting against Adelaide United marked the home side’s 19th match without a loss.
There was not a dull moment in this contentious meeting, and it was clear from the first touch, that this was not a game that you would be able to look away from. While Melbourne City were the favourites to win, an aggressive scrap for possession at the start, was the first sign that Adelaide were not backing down from the challenge, and were well and truly in the game, remaining so until the very end.
Melbourne City opened the scoring just 10 minutes into play, although it remained unclear who would be awarded the goal. When TJ Vlajinic’s set piece landed on the line, there was an extremely close-range battle, which resulted in Holly McNamara and Lourdes Bosch getting the final touch before crossing the line, almost simultaneously. The goal was initially given to McNamara, however, after some evaluation from officials, it was later amended to be Bosches’ goal.
Adelaide United was quick to respond when a shot from Chelsie Dawber almost resulted in the equaliser, but was ultimately saved in the centre of the goal.
While Melbourne City remained dominant, and another goal seemed inevitable, it also appeared quite likely that Adelaide would also score, keeping the current table leaders on their toes.
The hosts lead was extended when Holly McNamara tapped in Bosch’s shot on target, landing City with a 2-0 lead just 27 minutes in.
Although now two goals behind, Adelaide was not shaken, as their attack and defence remained equally as strong, as they desperately searched for points of their own.
It was not long after Melbourne’s second goal that the visitors put themselves back in the game, when a battle inside the box saw Ella Tonkin put the ball over the line, earning the Reds their well deserved first goal of the match.
As halftime approached, the momentum continued to build, with both of these excellent attacking sides determined to maintain their place in the game. In an unfortunate turn for Adelaide United, an own goal from Lucia Leon, saw Melbourne City take back their two-goal lead at the break.
It wasn’t long until the second half saw its first goal, when a strike from Erin Healy to the bottom left corner, earned Adelaide United their second goal of the match. This was Healy’s seventh of the season, continuing what has been an incredible campaign for the 23-year-old US international.
There was no lack of end-to-end action, as it seemed the intensity only picked up as stoppage time approached, with a slew of great attempts from both sides made for one of the season’s most entertaining and unpredictable matches thus far.
Melbourne City once again reclaimed their two-goal lead, with McNamara’s second of the afternoon, further cementing her place as a crucial part of this squad.
Adelaide United were not backing down from the fight and remained very much in the running until the final whistle, as the final minutes of regulation saw a tactical shift from the visitors that did not allow Melbourne City to be comfortable in their lead for very long.
The final goal of the match came in the 73rd minute saw Zoe Tolland earn her debut Ninja A-League goal. A tight battle inside the box at extremely close range led to several players making a touch, however, it was Tolland’s header that ultimately put it over the line.
A moment of concern for City came at the 76th minute, when McNamara was replaced by Bryleeh Henry, after receiving medical attention for what seemed to be a cramp, although it was unclear if the substitution was precautionary or if the injury was more serious.
The intensity remained as high as ever during the final five minutes, giving Adelaide plenty of opportunities to equalise. Despite these several chances, and not through lack of effort, neither side was able to net another goal, leaving the final score as 4-3 to Melbourne City.
City’s victory has earned them a place in A-League Women history, as they break the record for the most consecutive unbeaten games, with 19. Despite their loss, it is a true testament to the impeccable form Adelaide United have found themselves in recently, that they were able to hold their own against and unsettle the dangerous force that Melbourne has proven themselves to be this season.
Round 20 of the Ninja A-League will be crucial for both these teams, as they are both set to face top six teams. City will remain home at ctrl:cyber Pitch and face Western United, while Adelaide will head home to Coopers Stadium to take on Brisbane Roar.
Check out our Instagram feed @impetusfootball to view Impetus’ Adrian Geremia’s photo gallery from the game.
Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (4-2-2-2): Mieres, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Vlajnic, Davidson, Hughes, McKenna, Bosch, Speckmaier, McNamara. Substitutions: Barbieri, Henry, McMahon, Pollicina, Roestbakken.
Scorers: Bosch 10’, McNamara 27’, 65’, Leon 41’ (OG).
ADELAIDE UNITED (3-4-3): Jenkins, E. Hodgson, Leon, McNamara, Tonkin, Tolland, Holmes, Sasaki, Condon, Healy, Dawber. Substitutes: Melegh, Karambasis, Dewey, Morgan, I. Hodgson
Scorers: Tonkin 33′, Healy 53’, Tolland 73’.
Referee: Izzy Cooper.
Attendance: 323.
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