Adelaide United’s women’s team has scored its second win of the Westfield W-League Season with a 3-2 victory over the previously unbeaten Sydney FC at Hindmarsh Stadium.
In front of a vocal home crowd, goals to Sharon Black and Victoria Balomenos, together with an own goal, was enough to inflict Sydney FC’s first loss of the season in a physical and highly entertaining encounter.
The opening two goals of the five goal thriller came in the first 10 minutes, the visitors going in front when Leena Khamis blocked United keeper Sian McLaren’s attempted clearance forma back pass, the ball ending in the back of the net.
Despite the less than ideal start, The Reds’ response was swift, Black swerving a free kick inside the far post to level the scores and score her second goal of the season.
Opportunities continued to arise for both sides as the respective defences were tested, United holding more than its own against the W-League leaders.
Then on the half hour the home side took the lead, a Black free kick into a congested penalty area bringing Sydney FC’s defence unstuck, Sydney’s stand in Captain Lisa Gilbert heading the ball into her own net.
2-1 at the break, The Reds did not take long to extend their advantage, Balomenos latching onto a through ball, sending her shot into the side netting from an acute angle in the 48th minute.
But while they were missing two of their Westfield Matildas squad members through injury, the league leaders were not done by, pegging a goal back through Kylie Ledbrook in the 69th minute to set up a tense finale.
With Sydney FC desperate for an equaliser, the match livened up and the visitors’ pressure drew yellow cards to Balomenos and Sandra Scalzi.
Players continued to crash into the contest, the new Westfield W-League certainly not for the faint hearted.
As the minutes ticked away, The Reds remained composed and managed to keep Sydney FC at bay as Coach Mike Barnett urged his charges on for the three added minutes.
The win makes it two from three starts for United’s Women’s Team, who have proved to be anything but a pushover so far this season.
The team’s next match is away against Perth Glory on Saturday 15 November at Members Equity Stadium.
Match Details
Adelaide United 3 (Black 7’, Gilbert (og) 30’, Balomenos 48’)
Sydney FC 2 (Khamis 4’, Ledbrook 69’)
Referee: Kirralee Gardener
Adelaide end Sydney's unbeaten run in W-League
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