Adelaide United 2-1 Melbourne City
By Kieran Yap 31/1/26
Above: Ella Tonkin. Photo: Adelaide United
Goals to Fiona Worts and Ella Tonkin gave Adelaide United a 2-1 win against Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium. The Reds scored in each half, while Leticia McKenna’s powerful strike provided hope of a comeback for the visitors.
Adelaide welcomed back Dylan Holmes into the matchday squad for the first time since the early weeks of the season. The talismanic midfielder adds strength to a side already boasting significant midfield depth. Sarah Morgan started for the second match in a row, while Chelsie Dawber was rotated to the bench in a slightly more defensive set up, at least on paper.
In reality, Adelaide were far more attacking in the opening half. Erin Healy caused problems early for City. Her mobility and pace created the first real chance for the home side.
A cross from the left was whipped in with pace and Worts attacked the six yard box aggressively to flick the ball across Milena Mieres and into the net.
The home side moved the ball quickly and purposefully which had been a hallmark of Adelaide United at their best.
The Reds looked for wide options to spread the play and Melissa Taranto was relishing the opportunity to face a midfield still missing Laura Hughes and Leah Davidson.
In their place, Leticia McKenna was playing a deeper role, trying to start attack and imprint herself on the game and as the match continued her influence became more obvious, but Adelaide were able to compress the space and City’s familiar possession game could not quite get going in the first half.
Despite the attacking nature of the hand, clear chances remained rare. Taranto’s effort from outside the box had Mieres momentarily scrambling, but did not trouble the scoreboard.
The second half saw a change in momentum. City worked their way in and began to look more dangerous. Holly McNamara was finding space, but rarely behind the defence and her battle with Zoe Tolland was engaging to watch.
Adelaide still looked threatening when they had the ball and were not happy to defend a 1-0 lead. They doubled their advantage in the 49th minute when Tonkin rose at the back post to nod in a corner kick.
City continued to create chances though, and McKenna looked most likely to score. After a scuffed effort in front goal, she made amends with a terrific, powerful strike after some good buildup from Aideen Keane on the wing.
That gave the visitors hope and City pushed for the equaliser but Adelaide remained resolute in defence.
The equaliser never arrived, and The Refs had their first win against Melbourne City since 2021.
City will look to respond against Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday , while Adelaide United can continue their climb up the ladder when they take on the Dane opponents in a week’s time.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (3–5-1-1): Melegh, Tolland, Tonkin, McNamara, I Hodgson, E Hodgson, Morgan, M Taranto, Condon, Healy, Worts. Substitutes: Holmes, Dawber, A Taranto, Rossi, Jenkins, Murray.
Goals: Worts 9’ Tonkin 49’
MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-2): Mieres, Roestbakken, Otto, Stott, Turner, Keane, McKenna, Jackson, McMahon, Uchendu, McNamara. Substitutes: Apostolakis, Henry, Karic, Wilson, Jugovic, Barbieri
Goals: McKenna 65’
Referee: Izzy Cooper
Attendance: 654
Follow Impetus on social media:
@ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram and TikTok.
impetusfootball.org 