Sorry for the delay in reporting on Round 2 but with the Qantas strikes, we found ourselves stuck in Sydney until today (more on that later).
After travelling to Newcastle on the Friday and picking Ashleigh Gunning up from Sydney airport the Lady Reds settled into the hotel in preparation for Saturday's Round 2 clash against the big spending Newcastle Jets.
On arrival at Adamstown Oval, despite a less than pristine playing surface, the team were confident of further progressing from last weeks opening round performance against Canberra. The game started brightly for Adelaide United, with aggressive pressure from the front line causing German International, Ariane Hingst into an early mistake and gifting the Lady Reds some early possession. The opening 5 minutes saw Adelaide on top and playing some nice football, but as last week an early defensive slip saw the opposition take the lead after a Lisa De Vanna cross was turned into the Adelaide net from a very tight angle by Linda O'Neill.
For the second time in 2 weeks the Lady Reds saw themselves concede an early goal, but again didn't let that fact affect their performance. Despite the early set back, Adelaide settled into their game and started to cause Newcastle some problems. Donna Cockayne was leading fomer Adelaide United player, Stacey Day, a merry dance out wide and Ashleigh Gunning showed glimpses of her potential. It was Marijana Rajcic though who caused the Jets their biggest cause for concern. After some neat midfield interplay, MJ stole in front of Hingst with a clever touch and shot across Melissa Barbieri. Unfortunately the shot was not quite what MJ had planned and Barbieri was relieved to see the ball slide past the far post. The rest of the first half followed a similar pattern with both sides creating half chances and sharing possession, in fact it was Adelaide who came closest to adding to the scoreline from a well worked corner between Anna Green and Abby Erceg, only for Barbieri to take the ball off Erceg's head just as it looked like she would power the ball into the back of the net.
Having limited Newcastle's team of superstars to half chances and creating a couple of scoring opportunities themselves in the first half Adelaide started the second half in buoyant mood and dominated the opening passages of play. From an Adelaide attacking position on the left flank, Newcastle stole the ball and in smashing a clearance downfield caught the Adelaide backline out of position and allowed the pacey Lisa De Vanna an opportunity to slot past Kristi Harvey in the 49th minute. Another early goal against is certainly something that needs to be addressed before next weekend!
The Lady reds bounced back from this latest set back and once again matched Newcastle throughout the game. But for a moment of madness in the 69th minute, Ruth Wallace, Abby Erceg, Anna Green and Nenita Burgess looked solid at the back despite the constant threat of De Vanna, Tara Andrews and Emily Van Egmond. Having appeared to deal with the initial attacking threat a mix up between Ruth Wallace and Rachael Quigley, gifted Newcastle possession in the Adelaide area and Lisa De Vanna struck a shot underneath Kristi Harvey to make the score 3-0.
With Ashleigh Gunning struggling from her travel exertions, Georgia Macri was introduced into the game and as last week made a pleasing contribution, looking sharp and dangerous. Her link up play with MJ led to Adelaides best opportunity when Georgia beat the retreating Hingst and from the edge of the box hit a low shot past the despairing Barbieri, only to see the ball agonisingly bounce back off the inside of the far post. Barbieri, who came close to signing for Adelaide was tested further. MJ had her beaten with a powerful shot, only to see the ball shave the outside of the far post and she was lucky not to be beaten after some great wing play from Donna Cockayne saw Donna get a return pass from MJ 8 yds out only to hit her shot straight at the Newcastle keeper.
In the closing stages of the game two incredible decisions soured the day for the Lady Reds. I can't comment on refereeing decisions and am more than aware that the officials have a difficult job but to be penalised for offside from a throw-in is certainly a first for me. The sending off of Katherine Ebbs was difficult to understand and I think the reaction of the crowd reflected their opinion of the decision too. The Newcastle crowd (an impressive 847) were very generous with their applause and support for Katherine as she left the field visibly upset.
So a second defeat in a tough opening couple of games for the Lady Reds but once again many positives to be taken from the game. Nenita Burgess came in for U17 International Emma Checker and looked assured at right back, Ruth Wallace and Abby Erceg look to be growing as a central defensive pairing and Anna Green was again impressive at left back. Leanne Slater had a solid game in the midfield and provided a physical presence in the middle of the park. MJ is looking sharper every game and Donna Cockayne had an impressive game on the right wing creating a number of good attacking situations.
Following the end of the game the team were faced with the news that Qantas flights had been grounded and that we may be stuck in Newcastle or Sydney for a day or two. The reaction of the team was utterly professional and a glowing reflection on the character of the girls and the team spirit that has been created. Thanks to Fitness First on Market Street in Sydney, the team performed a double session on Monday, with a strength session in the morning followed by a tough High Intensity Interval Training session in the afternoon. (photos to follow)
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