Adelaide United produced a 3-2 win over top-of-the-table Melbourne Victory in Round 8 of the Westfield W-League at Marden Sports Complex on Fiday night.
Veronica Latsko, Michelle Heyman and substitute Emily Condon were on target for the hosts, before Victory made things interesting after Ella Mastrantonio and Laura Alleway scored two late goals.
But Adelaide held on to record their first win in four matches to move into the top four of the league standings.
Head Coach, Ivan Karlović, made just the one change to his starting line-up with Georgia Campagnale replacing Emily Condon in midfield. Meanwhile, Fanndís Friðriksdóttir returned to the bench following an injury complaint.
Adelaide took some time to get into the match after Victory dominated the early stages.
However, Adelaide found their rhythm and began to control the majority of possession.
On the half hour mark Adelaide found a deserved breakthrough despite scoring an opportunistic goal through Latsko.
Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir’s tackle on Mastrantonio fell to Latsko who unleashed a stinging effort into the bottom corner past Casey Dumont for her seventh goal of the campaign.
Adelaide continued to threaten after the break and nearly doubled their advantage when Dylan Holmes struck the post from Heyman’s lay-off.
But they did not have to wait long as Heyman won a penalty after she was blatantly clipped in the box by Teigen Allen.
The Matilda international made no mistake from the spot to open her account for the season.
Latsko turned provider after her marauding run from the left ended in a cross being finished by Condon to make it 3-0.
But Adelaide lost concentration in the final few minutes when Mastrantonio fired an unstoppable strike from distance after the initial free-kick was half-cleared.
And they bagged a second in stoppage time as Alleway headed in Christine Nairn’s in-swinging delivery.
Despite the tense conclusion, it was an excellent way to bounce back as the Reds now turn their attention to Newcastle Jets.
Key moments:
30’ | GOAL! Jónsdóttir dispossesses Mastrantonio in midfield and the ball falls to Latsko, who fires brilliantly past Dumont.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982430623001
73’ | PENALTY! Heyman is tripped in the area by Allen.
74’ | GOAL! Heyman grabs her first of the season, calmly slotting the penalty.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982446140001
77’ | GOAL! Condon finishes off an excellent cross by Latsko to make it 3-0.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5982450490001
87’ | GOAL: Victory pull a goal back thanks to Mastrantonio fabuolous goal from distance.
90’+1’ | GOAL: Nairn’s in-swinging cross is met by Alleway’s head and past Willacy to make for a nervous finish.
Match details:
Friday, 21 December 2018
Westfield W-League 2018/19 – Round 8
Adelaide United 3 (Latsko 30’ Heyman 74’ Condon 77’)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Mastrantonio 87’ Alleway 90’+1’)
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Attendance: 902
