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Adelaide United have climbed off of the foot of the Westfield W-League table after an impressive 2-0 win over fellow cellar dwellers the Newcastle Jets.
The Novocastrian club sat above the Reds in ninth place before the match however goals from 35-year-old debutant Kristy Moore and midfielder Ruth Wallace moved Adelaide two points above the Jets.
The Lady Reds welcomed Moore, an Adelaide native, for her first match of her guest-stint in the W-League. The 35-year-old had spent 15 years overseas with time spent in the Ladies Premier League and Norway’s top-flight league, the Toppserien.
Moore’s injection of pace gave the Lady Reds an added dimension going forward as Coach Dave Edmondson reshuffled his side against the Jets. Defensive mainstay and Reds Captain Abby Erceg was moved into the midfield, while rising star Emma Checker moved from right-back to take Erceg’s role in the heart of the defence.
The Reds almost went behind in the 26th minute as a sharp move down the right-wing between Tara Andrews and Michaela Hatzirodos opened the defence before Andrews fired a low pass across the face of goals.
Reds defender Jessie Wharepouri attempted to clear first-time but her kick was mistimed and luckily deflected out for a corner instead of into the back of the net.
The Lady Reds’ best chance of the half came in the 42nd minute, with Moore played through into a one-on-one by Jess Waterhouse. The home crowd was on its feet as the debutant charged in on goal, however she could only scuff her shot straight at the ‘keeper as the defence closed in.
In a half of few clear-cut chances the opening 45 minutes ended in a stalemate with the home side living up to Edmondson’s pre-match prediction, his side displaying 100% commitment on the park.
The Reds started the second half the brighter of the two sides and began to carve out chances to worry Jets ‘keeper Eliza Campbell. Moore almost gave the Reds the lead in the 59th minute with an audacious cross-cum-shot from the left wing. After Campbell appeared to misjudge the cross, she repositioned herself well and dived to make a superb flying save.
Less than a minute later Moore was at it again and got on the end of a defence-splitting pass but her left-foot shot was directed straight at Campbell who parried it out of the dangerzone.
The Lady Reds’ pressure finally paid off in the end as they took the lead in the 68th minute. Moore was the beneficiary again, this time getting on the end of an exquisite Erceg through-ball. The New Zealand international had the Jets’ defence caught flat-footed as Moore ran behind the defence and slid her shot underneath the ‘keeper.
The Adelaide crowd were sent into raptures just two minutes later as Ruth Wallace was played in on the edge of the box. The Reds midfielder beat the last defender and rounded Campbell before a classy left-footed finish from a tight angle.
As the final whistle blew the home crowd roared for the maligned Reds who pushed through for just their second win of the campaign. The Lady Reds head to AJ Kelly Park next week to take on the Roar as they look to overturn their 2-0 loss at Hindmarsh Stadium in round four.
Goal(s): Moore 68’ (1-0), Wallace 70’ (2-0),
Adelaide Starting XI: Harvey (gk), Wallace, Wharepouri, Erceg (c), Tsoumbris, McGlaughlin, Mayo, Checker, Waterhouse, Macri, Moore.
Subs: Natoli, Quigley, Rajcic, Barltrop (gk).
Newcastle Starting XI: Campbell (gk), Brewer, Huster, Salem, Simon, Searl, Andrews, Day, Hatzirodos, Courtenay, Macintyre.
Subs: Boshers, Foote, Howell, Rosewood (gk).