Adelaide United 2-1 Perth Glory
by Isabelle Campbell (14/3/26)
Above: Fiona Worts, Emily Condon and Emily Hodgson. Photo: Adelaide United
Adelaide United collected all three points at Coopers Stadium, defeating Perth Glory 2-1 to secure their fourth consecutive victory, the first time the club has achieved a four-game winning streak.
It was a lively start at Coopers Stadium with both sides attacking early. Adelaide threatened inside the opening minute when Fiona Worts charged forward, forcing a fingertip save from Glory goalkeeper TJ Morrissey to deny the hosts an early lead.
Perth responded almost immediately by surging down the opposite end, where Rola Badawiya produced an effort of her own, signaling Glory’s attacking intent.
Badawiya continued to trouble Adelaide’s defence and nearly broke the deadlock in the 8th minute, but her attempt was well handled by 17-year-old Adelaide keeper Ilona Melegh, who stood firm between the posts.
The breakthrough eventually arrived courtesy of Badawiya, who produced a moment of quality with a powerful run forward before unleashing a clinical left-footed strike to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
Adelaide thought they had found an equaliser in the 25th minute when Worts tucked the ball into the net, but celebrations were cut short as the goal was quickly ruled out for offside.
The home side kept pushing, and their persistence paid off just after the half-hour mark. Following some excellent build-up play, Worts finally got the goal she had been chasing, finishing neatly to bring Adelaide level at 1-1.
Both teams continued to create chances as the half progressed, each searching for an advantage, but neither side could find the breakthrough before the referee brought the first half to a close.
The second half began with both sides still evenly matched. Glory captain Izzy Dalton nearly restored the visitors’ lead following a corner but could only find the side-netting.
Adelaide struck the decisive blow in the 56th minute when Sarah Morgan delivered a spectacular olímpico, curling a corner directly into the net for her first goal of the season to make it 2-1.
Perth almost gifted Adelaide another when a defensive mishap nearly resulted in an own goal from Grace Johnston, but the ball rolled just wide of the post.
In the 66th minute, Welsh international, Megan Wynne made her long awaited return for Perth Glory after 11 months out with an ACL injury.
Chances were limited in the closing stages, and Adelaide were forced into a substitution after Emilia Makris had to leave the field with an injury.
Perth’s hopes took a further hit with nine minutes of regular time remaining, when Onyinyechi Zogg was shown a red card, reducing the visitors to ten players.
Adelaide nearly extended their lead from the resulting free kick, but the powerful strike from Paige Zois was tipped over the bar by Morrissey, who produced several strong saves to keep Glory within reach.
Despite being a player down, Perth nearly found a dramatic equaliser when Dalton delivered a brilliant cross toward Wynne, but Melegh reacted quickly to deny the forward her comeback goal.
After six minutes of added time, Adelaide held firm to secure the result and collected all three points, sending them to second place on the table and extending their win streak to a history making four games.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Melegh, Tolland, McNamara, Tonkin, E. Hodgson, Morgan, M. Taranto, Condon, A. Taranto, Healy, Worts. Substitutes: Jenkins, Zois, Holmes, Dawber, Makris, Gooch.
Goals: Worts 31’, Morgan 56’.
PERTH GLORY (4-3-3): Morrissey, Tathem, McKenna, Zogg, Johnston, Tovar, Wainwright, Dalton, Badawiya, Lincoln, Hollar. Substitutes: Skinner, Anderson, Cassidy Wynne, O’Donoghue, Westaway.
Goals: Badawiya 11’.
Referee: Mikayla Ryan
Attendance: TBC
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