Our Wander Women are on the road again in Friday evening action against Adelaide United.
They will be itching to set the record straight after a disappointing defeat to the same opponents in round two, as well as a heartbreaking late goal against them in their last match against Perth.
It was a tight affair at Wanderers Football Park, but the Wanderers thought they had done enough to secure all three points thanks to captain Amy Harrison’s superb free-kick.
However, they conceded a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time, and despite goalkeeper Sham Khamis getting her hand to the spot kick, she couldn’t keep it out and the
Wanderers were forced to share the points in a 1-1 draw.
It was immensely frustrating for Robbie Hooker’s side, who worked hard in the game in pulling off some good desperation defence as Perth pushed for an equaliser
Fullbacks Ella Buchanan and Danika Matos were particularly impressive, recording several key blocks and also being a threat on the attacking end of the pitch.
Khamis was also brilliant in goal as she pulled off some crucial saves in the second half as the Glory built momentum; it continues a great season for the 29-year-old, who is now the undisputed number one at the club after being in and out of the side last season.
Whilst the Wanderers didn’t get a win, the point helped them move off the foot of the ladder, and a win over Adelaide would put them right back in the hunt for the finals.
The Reds, who finished bottom last year, have been much improved this season with three wins in their opening seven games leaving them in sixth place.
They have suffered back-to-back losses, 3-1 defeats to Perth away and leader Melbourne City at home, which has stunted their momentum and they will be eager to put things right at home.
Fiona Worts, who returned after a year in Sydney, has once again reasserted herself as the teams most important player, scoring six goals in the opening seven matches of the season.
Matilda McNamara has also been solid at the back, and Emily Condon has formed a good combination with Worts, as the pair scored in the fixture earlier in the season.
It was a day to forget for the Wanderers in their opening home match of the season, as they lost Maddy McComasky to injury in the first half and were off the pace in their 2-0 defeat.
They have been bolstered by the return of some young guns, like Buchanan and Gemma Ferris, but are still being hit hard by injuries, with McComasky still out, and Holly Caspers also recovering from reinjuring her foot in her only appearance this season.
The performances have been improving, and the Wanderers hope they can overcome a poor record against the Reds in their last game of 2024.
The Wanderers took the lead last time they travelled to Coopers Stadium, thanks to Harrison’s penalty, but two quick second half goals from Adelaide saw them win 2-1.
