Adelaide United Women will be determined to avenge their opening round defeat and enter the win column when they host Perth Glory Women at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday night.
Isabel Hodgson said the Reds learnt some valuable lessons after surrendering a 2-0 half-time lead before losing 4-3 in dramatic fashion against Canberra United in Round 1.
However, despite the heartache of falling short, there is plenty of reason for optimism according to the winger as Adrian Stenta’s side aims to bounce back following the bye.
“Obviously it’s tough for any team to lose a game, especially after we were 2-0 up at half-time,” Hodgson said.
“And especially away, it’s always hard to win away so to be leading and to lose that lead away really hurts.
“So I think the biggest thing we took away from it is to take that hurt and that annoyance that we lost and then fuel that for the rest of the season, and we don’t let it happen again.
“Obviously the positives to take away from it is that we did score three goals away from home.
“We played really well and unfortunately we just couldn’t hold that lead, but there’s positives to take away from it, but definitely take that hurt and disappointment from losing and really drive us to get the three points this week and obviously for the rest of the season.”
The Reds are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Perth, recording two wins and two draws.
Hodgson admitted the fact it is the Glory’s first game of the campaign makes them somewhat of an unknown quantity with new boss, Alexander Epakis at the helm.
“It’s always hard going against a team that hasn’t played yet,” she explained.
“We haven’t had a chance to see them play so they’re obviously going to be fresh, but obviously for us we’ve had a game and we know we can play well.
“So for us we’re just going to go out there and play how we played against Canberra, but obviously if we take the lead we’ve got to try and keep it.
“We just have to go out and be the better team, keep the ball and score some goals, it’s our home field so we definitely have that advantage, and having that game under our belt definitely helps.”
Indeed, the 24-year-old doubled the team’s advantage, seven minutes after new signing María José Rojas opened the scoring, with a composed finish.
The winger said it was a fantastic feeling to get off the mark for the new season and while it is an objective of hers to score as much as possible, her main focus is putting the team first.
“It’s always good to get on the scoresheet, especially the first game,” she said.
“It kind of settles the nerves a little bit, there’s not so much pressure now to get that first goal, it’s happened.
“So then hopefully it means the doors are open and I can keep scoring some goals.
“A goal of mine is to get on the scoresheet as much as I can, but obviously it’s all about the team getting on the scoresheet – as long as the team’s scoring goals I’m happy.”
Hodgson also called for fans to show their support and attend Saturday night’s clash at Marden.
“It’s always helpful to have supporters behind us,” she said.
“And if we can make Marden our fortress with our fans there and we can get three points and keep that as a winning field that would be great, we definitely need that help from our fans.”
Next match details:
Game date: Saturday, 9 January vs Perth Glory Women
Westfield W-League 2020/21 – Round 3
Kick-off 6.35pm ACDT
Gates open 5.35pm ACDT
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello
Broadcast: Fox Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
