Canberra United tightened their grip on fourth position and compounded Adelaide United’s luckless Westfield W-League campaign with a 2-1 win on Sunday.
Canberra hit the front when Leena Khamis flashed an unstoppable effort past Reds’ ‘keeper Sarah Willacy from outside the box, the veteran moving equal fifth on the Westfield W-League’s all-time scoring charts with that strike.
Adelaide squandered multiple chances to pull level in a first half display that belied their lowly position on the ladder but were unable to capitalise.
And when the contest tightened up in the second half, the Reds received a late hammer blow from 17-year-old Canberra midfielder Hayley Taylor-Young, who steered in her maiden Westfield W-League goal at the back post after Adelaide could not clear Camila’s corner.
Adelaide notched a stoppage-time consolation via Emily Condon but it was not enough to avoid a fifth straight defeat, one that leaves Ivan Karlovic’s side adrift at the bottom of the ladder and need of a drastic turnaround if the team from the City of Churches are to mount a Finals Series bid.
Canberra, on the other hand, end Round 6 in fourth position, three points ahead of fifth place Brisbane Roar and two behind Sydney FC in third.
Adelaide started well and only a desperate Kahlia Hogg clearance prevented Mary Fowler from breaking the deadlock after the Westfield Matidas starlet rounded Canberra shot stopper Sham Khamis.
But the visitors swiftly hit the lead when Leena Khamis thundered a belting effort past Willacy from outside the box, a strike which moved the veteran fifth on the all-time scorers list next to Kate Gill.
Adelaide saw another goal-bound effort cleared away – this time it was Olivia Price who came to Canberra’s rescue after Chelsie Dawber broke through.
Karly Roestbakken hit the side netting in the second and Willacy stood tall to keep Elise Thorsnes at bay, but there was nothing the Reds ‘keeper could do to stop Taylor-Young from scoring the crucial second which made Condon’s strike in injury time a consolation.
Khamis hammers home the opener
Adelaide had started on the front foot at Marden Sports Complex but fell behind thanks to Khamis’ scorching 10th minute strike from the edge of the area.
It was the veteran’s 42nd Westfield W-League goal, one that moves her level on the all-time scoring list with former Perth Glory attacker Kate Gill.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117589562001
Adelaide fail to capitalise
The Reds mustered several first half opportunities, and this was one of the best.
Mallory Weber’s raking cross field ball fell to the feet of Dawber, who steered it back across goal only for retreating midfielder Olivia Price to hack the ball clear.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117591683001
Taylor-Young makes the points safe
What a moment for the 17-year-old substitute, who netted her maiden Westfield W-League goal 10 minutes after arriving into the fray as a substitute for Laura Hughes.
Camila’s corner was sent deep and nodded on by Khamis, and Taylor-Young reacted quickest to double the visitors’ advantage.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117597637001
