The Wander Women succumbed to a 2-1 defeat on the road against Adelaide United on Saturday afternoon.
Two second half goals from the home side cancelled out a first half penalty from Amy Harrison and saw the Wanderers lose a second match in a row despite creating a host of scoring opportunities.
On a hot day in the City of Churches, the game took some time to get going, with both sides struggling to get into their attacking rhythm in the opening stages of the game.
The only meaningful chances came from Sophie Harding’s long range effort that only just looped over the bar, whilst Wanderers custodian Kaylie Collins made a smart stop from point blank range to deny the Reds.
The game seemed destined to be goalless at the break, until the Wanderers won a penalty in the 42nd minute after Hannah Blake’s elbow made contact with Vicky Bruce’s face.
Harrison the skipper stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty with authority to put her side ahead.
Holly Caspers almost doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, but her effort whilst leaning back went over the bar.
In the second half, Sophie Harding began to assert her authority on the game as she looked to add to her tally of eight goals for the season; two of her efforts were just off target, whilst a third forced a good save from Adelaide keeper Annalee Grove.
Despite their best efforts, the Wanderers were once again lacking a cutting edge when it matters most, and they were unfortunately punished in a big way in the 72nd minute when the Reds equalised after Blake scored from close range.
The Wanderers didn’t let this get them down, with Harding once again almost getting on the scoresheet, only being denied by Grove, whilst substitute Melissa Caceres showed energy and enthusiasm when entering the field, having a good shot charged down by the Adelaide defence.
Just when the Wanderers looked the more likely side to grab the winning goal, they were hit on the counter attack with five minutes to play, as Chrissy Panagaris cut inside and scored with a low shot in the box, with Collins left with no chance after being wrongfooted.
The Wanderers pushed desperately for an equaliser, but lacked the composure and luck to break down an Adelaide defence that dug in to hold their lead, and the clock ultimately beat them as the home side held on for a surprise win.
It was perhaps harsh on the Wanderers who created more clear cut chances than their opponents, but they instead took nothing from the game and are now in seventh place, though they have a game in hand and only sit two points behind Melbourne Victory who are in fourth.
They are next in action in a home game in Bathurst on Friday night against the Newcastle Jets.
