Adelaide United head to Perth in search of their first win of the 2011/12 campaign when they meet the Glory at nib Stadium in Round 3 on Saturday.
Adelaide United head to Perth in search of their first win of the 2011/12 campaign when they meet the Glory at nib Stadium in Round 3 on Saturday.
Like Perth, the Lady Reds have lost their opening two fixtures of the season after a 4-1 defeat to Canberra United and a 3-0 loss to a star-studded Newcastle Jets outfit.
Lady Reds coach David Edmondson acknowledged the less than ideal start to the season but said signs for the future are positive.
“The team is improving, we are getting fitter every day and the understanding of what we are trying to do is growing with every session – the results will follow,” he said.
“It isn-t the best start and certainly isn-t the start we were looking for but we knew this year was going to be a development year and the girls are working hard to make that progress as quickly as possible.”
“We are training around 8 times a week now, with players performing individual fitness work in addition to our team trainings and everyone is working as hard as they can to improve as a team.”
Despite the unflattering scores in both the Lady Reds matches, United have been unlucky in front of goal, striking the upright on numerous occasions in their opening two games.
Edmondson said this reflected the girls replicating what is being done on the training track and is satisfied the goals will come.
“We are starting to show the combinations and movement that we are working on in training being reproduced in games now. If we can show more confidence and more willingness to take shots in the final third we will see the benefit on the scoreboard,” he said.
Preparation for the fixture against Perth was interrupted with Adelaide United stuck in Sydney until Tuesday due to Qantas flights being grounded, but Edmondson remains confident the Lady Reds will get the first points of the season.
“Whilst we were stuck in Sydney we were able to train, thanks to FITNESS FIRST, and trained very well,” he said.
“We are confident of producing another improved performance. We have a few injury / suspension concerns but the girls are very positive and looking to get a result in Perth.”
“I am sure both teams will be looking to get their first points and being at home Perth will probably be under more pressure to get a result but our girls are keen to get their first points on the board for sure.”
Westfield W-League – Week 3
Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Saturday 5 November 2011
nib Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 12pm
Live and Exclusive on ABC1 from 3pm AEDT
Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Erika ELZE, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Katarina JUKIC, 7. Sadie LAWRENCE, 8. Tanya OXTOBY (c), 9. Katie HOLTHAM, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 11. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 12. Danielle CALAUTTI, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 14. Emily DUNN, 15. Lara FILOCAMO, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Emma KETE, 20. Kristy TESCHINSKY (gk)
*two to be omitted
In: Jaymee Gibbons (promoted), Danielle Calautti (promoted)
Out: None
Unavailable: Sarah Carroll (International duty – Australia U-17)
Adelaide United squad: 20. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Anna GREEN, 4. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 5. Abby ERCEG (C), 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Leanne SLATER, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 11. Ashleigh GUNNING, 12. Greta FRENCH-KENNEDY, 13. Vanessa REED, 14. Donna COCKAYNE, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Nenita BURGESS, 1. Sian MCLAREN (gk)
In: Sian MCLAREN
Out: Katherine EBBS (suspended)
Unavailable: Emma CHECKER, Grace HENRY, Ebony PHILCOX (All international duty – Australia U-17), Angela FIMMANO (injured)
