So the final two games of the season, coming after the Christmas break, pitted The Lady Reds against Canberra and then possibly the most dangerous attacking side in the league, Melbourne.
In the first game against Melbourne we struggled to match them and were comfortably beaten 4-0. This time round we were determined to be more competitive and to finish the season on a high.
Unfortunately Ashleigh Gunning, who has turned into a very successful right back, was unavailable for this game due to picking up her third yellow card against Canberra last week. Grace Henry replaced her at fullback and Ebony Philcox replaced the injured Leanne Slater in midfield.
The game started positively for The Lady Reds, pressing high and preventing Melbourne from playing their slow build up style of play. Donna Cockayne was inches away from proving Adelaide with the lead when she put the ball over stretching to reach a Kath Ebbs cross? In the 20th minute Marijana Rajcic also almost gave the Lady Reds the lead with a looped header that was cleared off the line with the keeper beaten. Although denied this time, a minute later MJ headed strongly from an Anna Green corner to open the scoring and give The Lady Reds a deserved lead. Not long after we lost Ebony Philcox to an ear infection forcing an early substitution.
Frustratingly The lead could not be held until half time after a good Katrina Gorry strike and two 'wind assisted crosses' deceived Sian McLaren in goal and gave Melbourne a slightly fortuitous half time 3-1 lead.
The second half saw another even game with chances at both ends. The Lady Reds showed more potential in the second half, with Racheal Quigley looking dangerous when she ran at players and MJ a constant threat but the only game of the second half came very late and it went to Melbourne to make the final score a 'flattering' 4-1 to Melbourne.
In the after match presentation, Anna Green was unsurprisingly awarded the Player's Player of the year award, for her passionate, whole hearted and skilful performances from left back.
With the W League season over for Adelaide, attention now turns towards the next season and producing an Adelaide side capable of making the top 4. That starts with working with local clubs to improve the quality of coaching and play in The FFSA Women's Premier League and also with the younger players in the NTC and U12, U13, U14 and U15 sides in the FFSA Women's Player Pathway to develop the players of the future - but more on that soon!
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