Lady Reds end horror winless streak

Adelaide United has put to end their 34-game winless streak in the Westfield W-League after a deserving 1-0 victory over Perth Glory at Burton Park.

A goal to Katherine Ebbs in the 34th minute was all that separated the two teams but the closeness of the score wasn’t a true reflection of Adelaide’s dominant team performance.

The result gives the Lady Reds their first points since a 2-2 draw with Brisbane in 2009 and is Dave Edmondson’s first victory as coach of Adelaide United.

Adelaide made a solid start to the game in front of their home crowd with three corners and a number of good chances inside the first 15 minutes.

United could have taken an early lead in the 17th minute through Marijana Rajcic after being played into space by Racheal Quigley. After she found the ball in the middle of the park Quigley released Rajcic onto her favoured right boot but she could only fire over the bar.

Adelaide were pressing hard for a goal but almost conceded against the run of play in the 23rd minute. Perth were denied at the last however by a diving save by Reds ‘keeper Sian McLaren, who got down in time to stop Lara Filocamo’s low drive.

The Lady Reds took a deserving lead in the 34th minute through Katherine Ebbs after a sustained period of pressure over the Glory. After threatening down the Glory’s left-flank a ball to the back post was put in by American Ashleigh Gunning, leaving Ebbs with a simple finish into the open goal.

Adelaide continued to push for goals and almost scored their second just two minutes later. Donna Cockayne was terrorising Perth down the wing and found plenty of space to cut in and play a low ball to Quigley who did well to strike it first-time but could only direct it straight at ‘keeper Mackenzie Arnold.

While Perth were restricted to chances on the counter-attack, United had a number of opportunities to double their lead but had to settle for a one goal advantage going into half time.

The heavens unleashed a torrential downpour in the second half but despite this United continued to hold possession well and create goal scoring opportunities.

The woodwork came to the Glory’s rescue in the 48th minute after a brilliant piece of solo play by Quigley. The 20-year-old took the ball in her own half and moved past three Perth players before firing her shot past a helpless Arnold. Unfortunately for the Lady Reds the ball cannoned into the crossbar and flew over for a goal kick.

United should have earned their two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute after Quigley fed Rajcic into a one-on-one situation. The striker well to hit the ball first-time, but her power drive to the near post flew wide for a goal kick.

Immediately after Rajcic’s chance a set play almost extinguished the Reds’ lead when Marianna Tabain’s free-kick hit McLaren’s crossbar before it was cleared by a desperate Reds defence.

A late Perth flurry began to ask serious questions of the Lady Reds’ defence with Abby Erceg and Emma Checker each making incredible goal-line saves on separate occasions to deny the Glory an equaliser at the death.

In the end Perth's late pressure came to naught as the Lady Reds held firm to record a drought-breaking victory.