Our Wander Women have fallen to defeat in their first home match of the season, losing 2-0 to Adelaide United.
It was not the homecoming they desired, as two goals on either side of half time from the Reds confirmed defeat for Robbie Hooker’s side.
A number of important players were still missing from the side due to injury, including Holly Caspers, Gemma Ferris and Ella Buchanan, with a number of younger players on the bench as a result.
On a warm and windy day at Wanderers Football Park, it took a little while for the game to get going as both sides fought for control.
The Wanderers looked to play through Sienna Saveska and Sophie Harding, whilst Adelaide’s Fiona Worts and Lucia Leon were consistent threats going forward.
Harding was almost set up by a great cross from Danika Matos, but the ball was just behind her, meaning she couldn’t control her header at all.
Paige Hayward had to be on hand in the 16th minute to make an important block as the visitors had the better chances in the opening period of the game.
The Wanderers were then hit with an injury blow as Maddy McComasky was forced to go off with what appeared to be a shoulder injury, necessitating a reshuffle at the back.
The game sprung into life into the final few minutes of the half, as Harding was almost put through on goal by Saveska, but the play was smothered by goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins.
Saveska then unleashed a wild effort on goal that moved in the air and had Jenkins making a key save, this occurred just moments after Sham Khamis made a crucial save to deny Adelaide.
Cushla Rue was then put through on goal in stoppage time, but missed the target, and the Wanderers were made to pay for the miss.
On the cusp of half-time, a corner from Emily Condon was aided by the wind and went directly into the goal, putting the away side in front at the break.
And they then hit the Wanderers again right after half-time as Emily Healy played in Worts, who finished coolly past Khamis.
The Wanderers kept the fight up, as Hayward went on a mazy run down the left flank to tee up Saveska, but her shot was charged down by a scrambling Adelaide defence.
Saveska was front and centre of the Wanderers’ next big chance in the 64th minute as she let fly from distance, and her shot was only marginally wide of the goal.
Talia Kapetanellis almost scored a goal off the bench after getting on the end of fellow sub Talia Younis’ excellent first time cross, but it took a deflection before the ball came to her feet and she could only fire the ball over the bar.
Adelaide then almost scored an own goal from a corner minutes later, but Jenkins somehow managed to flick it away from goal on the line.
Adelaide were then able to hunker down and control the rest of the game as the Wanderers’ energy levels faded in tough conditions, meaning they fell to an unfortunate defeat.
Their attention turns quickly to the upcoming Sydney Derby this weekend.
