A rampant finish has helped Adelaide United record an impressive 4-2 win over Perth Glory on New Year’s Day at Coopers Stadium.
The Reds registered their second win of the campaign with a resilient performance against the unbeaten Glory.
Adelaide were pegged back twice by a determined Perth outfit before the hosts responded with two late goals.
Chelsie Dawber netted a stunning first-half brace, while Emily Condon was again instrumental with a free-kick and assist.
Matilda McNamara also scored a header from Fiona Worts’ corner.
WHAT WENT RIGHT. WHAT WENT WRONG.
What went right: Dawber’s clinical brace
After scoring her first goal of the season against Melbourne City, Chelsie Dawber followed that up with an impressive brace. Both goals were taken in clinical fashion and was a constant threat throughout the encounter. Her first was sumptuously dispatched into the bottom far corner following Emily Condon’s pass, while her second was even more emphatic, and crucially on the stroke of half-time to restore the lead. She reacted to Nano Sasaki’s flick, rifling her shot into top corner of the near post. The 21-year-old will be hoping to continue her strong form moving forward.
What went wrong: Conceding two goals
The Reds boast the second porous defence in the competition and after conceding two more goals against Perth, Adrian Stenta knows they still need to improve in this facet of their game. Kayla Sharples looked resolute as a makeshift right-back on debut, though did inadvertently give away a penalty for a clumsy foul. Nevertheless, she was excellent in marshalling the defence along with Matilda McNamara and was committed in the tackle.
What went right: Reds’ resilience comes to the fore
Chelsie Dawber twice fired Adelaide into the lead with two delightful finishes, but on both occasions, Perth soon restored parity. The visitors even dominated the midway point of the second-half and struck the crossbar as well. However, the Reds weathered the storm before responding with two goals of their own late on.
What went right: Reds threaten on attacking corners
Adelaide constantly caused problems for Perth’s defence on corners and more often than not looked like scoring. Eventually a goal arrived when an untracked Matilda McNamara made a darting run to connect with Fiona Worts’ delivery inside the six-yard box and she could not miss. It was a deserved goal for an unflappable display. Typically, it is not one of the Reds’ traditional modes of scoring, but they definitely showed a lot of promising signs.
What went wrong: Holmes appeared to pick up an injury
Dylan Holmes made her first appearance since returning and was integral in the middle of the park. She helped ignite attacks and her industrious work-rate broke up Perth’s passages of forward play. However, just before the 70th minute mark she hobbled off the field, but hopefully it is nothing too serious and will be back on the pitch in time for the next game.
What went right: Emily Condon sensational
Emily Condon was absolutely fantastic. The attacking midfielder’s rich vein of form continued as she set up Dawber’s opener before curling a phenomenal free-kick beyond the helpless Morgan Aquino. The 23-year-old’s deft touches and close ball control allowed her to evade her opponents and influence the game on her terms.
Match details:
Saturday, 1 January
Liberty A-League 2021/22 – Matchweek 5
Adelaide United 4 (Dawber 33’ 45+2’, McNamara 77’, Condon 81’)
Perth Glory 2 (Hintzen 41’, Jancevski (p) 53’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Crowd: 1,660
