Western United 1-3 Adelaide United
by Isabelle Campbell (12/4/25)
Above: Adelaide United celebrate a goal. Photo: Adelaide United
Adelaide United were convincing in a 3-1 victory over Western United at Ironbark Fields. Lucía León led the way with two goals in a match that kept Adelaide comfortably in third place.
Adelaide United made the trip to Ironbark Fields to face Western United in a clash between two sides sitting in the top four of the A-League ladder. Coming into the match, Adelaide held third place with 39 points and a comfortable buffer over Western, who were in fourth on 32. While there was still a gap between the teams, both were eager to build momentum heading into the final rounds of the season. Their last meeting back in January ended in a 1-1 draw, setting the stage for another closely contested encounter.
Adelaide United took control from the opening whistle, dictating the tempo and dominating possession early at Ironbark Fields. Their strong start was quickly rewarded in the 8th minute when Lucía León latched onto a well-placed pass from Emily Condon inside the box and buried her shot into the back of the net. Just six minutes later, Condon was involved again, setting up Sarah Morgan, who unleashed a stunning long-range strike to make it 2-0, her first goal of the season.
Western United began to find their rhythm as the half progressed, Catherine Zimmerman, looking to spark something in attack made a run in behind the defence but was flagged offside before she could get her shot away. Moments later, however, the home side made their pressure count. Keiwa Hieda timed her run to perfection and slotted home confidently to pull one back and give Western a glimpse of hope. Fiona Worts responded not long after for Adelaide with a typically composed finish, but her effort too, was ruled out for offside.
As the half wore on, both teams looked to add to the scoreline further, with Adelaide continuing to threaten while Western pushed forward in search of an equaliser. The intensity remained high but neither side was able to break through again before the break. The teams went into the sheds with Adelaide holding a deserved 2-1 lead.
The sides returned for the second half, and Adelaide continued to look the more dangerous side. It didn’t take long for the visitors to threaten again, with Lucía León delivering a cross into the box that found Emily Hodgson, but her effort sailed over the bar. Adelaide wouldn’t have to wait long for a third, though, in the 55th minute, León took matters into her own hands, breaking through Western’s defence and finishing clinically to secure her second goal of the match and extend her side’s lead to 3-1.
Fiona Worts remained determined to get on the scoresheet and forced a strong save from Western United goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln, who kept her side within reach. Western were handed a chance to respond when a foul by Dylan Holmes earned them a free kick just outside the area. The strike was well taken, but Adelaide keeper Claudia Jenkins was able to position herself well and get her gloves to the ball to deny them.
Western continued to push for a way back into the game, but Adelaide held firm. The visitors remained organised, and defensively sound while still looking threatening on the counter. As time ticked down, clear-cut chances became fewer for both sides, and the match finished 3-1 in favour of Adelaide, who maintained control throughout and made the most of key moments.
Western United will look to gain back both confidence and points when they travel to Wellington next week to take on the Phoenix. Adelaide United will return home and face off against Sydney FC.
Teams: WESTERN UNITED (4-3-3): Lincoln, Medwin, Mihocic, Maher, Grove, Dehakiz, Eggesvik, Berryhill, Hieda, A.Taranto, Zimmerman. Substitutes: Dall’oste, De Domizio, Ibarguen, M.Taranto, Sardo.
Goals: Hieda 23’
ADELAIDE UNITED (3-5-2): Jenkins, E. Hodgson, León, McNamara, Tonkin, Tolland, Holmes, Morgan, Condon, Sasaki, Worts. Substitutes: Melegh, Clarke, Karambasis, Mullan, I. Hodgson.
Goals: León 8’, 55’, Morgan 14’
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello
Attendance: 806.
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