Adelaide United’s losing streak extended to 17 matches after they were defeated 4-1 by Sydney FC in an exciting Westfield W-League encounter on Saturday.
The losers put in a spirited display and claimed an early lead through Marijana Rajcic’s spectacular chip.
But Sydney FC soon mounted a response and they were helped by three individual errors from Adelaide goalkeeper Sian McLaren that led to goals.
The Hindmarsh Stadium encounter presented Adelaide with a chance to win their first match in 33, with their last triumph coming against Sydney FC in November 2008, but David Edmondson’s side started slowly.
Sydney were well on top and they hit the post from a corner in the early stages, while Servet Uzunlar, Kylie Ledbrook, Renee Rollason and Heather Garriock all had opportunities to score.
The visitors were stunned on 30 minutes though, as Rajcic chipped Allison Lipsher from distance.
The striker capitalised on a long ball over the top of the defence and had Lipsher scrambling with her effort, which bounced in off the side of the post.
Rajcic nearly scored a second shortly after and Grace Henry also went close, but it was not long before Sydney drew level.
Sarah Walsh set up the equaliser, finishing a nice run with a smart pass to Garriock who produced a terrific curling finish on her non-preferred right foot.
The visitors took the lead before half-time when McLaren inexplicably let Uzunlar’s cross from wide on the right slip through her hands and cross the line.
Adelaide enjoyed a strong spell of pressure in the early stages of the second half and when called on, McLaren made a couple of smart saves.
Sydney did have a chance to put themselves two goals clear after 67 minutes when Emma Checker brought down Caitlin Foord in the penalty area, but Ledbrook’s spot-kick rolled into the post and was cleared away to safety.
While the opportunity was missed, Sydney quickly had the ball in the back of the net when McLaren made a mess of a corner from the left.
The shot-stopper saw her attempted punch spin behind her and crawl over the line and with just 13 minutes to play, McLaren again saw a shot slip through her hands as Foord celebrated her first of the afternoon.
The hosts did have claims for a penalty in the dying stages and they had every right to feel aggrieved at the final scoreline, given the manner of their performance.
Adelaide United 1 (Mariana Rajcic 30)
Sydney FC 4 (Heather Garriock 38, Servet Uzunlar 42, Sian McLaren OG 76, Caitlin Foord 78)
