Adelaide United moved into second spot on the A-League table after notching a 3-1 win over Macarthur FC at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night.
An early Tomi Juric goal was cancelled out by a simple finish to Bulls striker Matt Derbyshire before half-time, set up by a magnificent through pass from Jake Hollman.
But the Reds emerged from the break to regain their advantage through Craig Goodwin’s finish from the penalty spot. Ben Halloran put the icing on the cake with a volleyed back-heel scored late in the second half to seal the 3-1 victory.
The Reds lost 4-0 to the Bulls in Matchweek 8, but looked nothing like the side who fell to the hefty defeat at Campbelltown Stadium. Goodwin – who returned to Adelaide shortly after the 4-0 loss – ran rampant down the left wing, assisting Juric’s early goal, scoring one of his own and contributing in the build-up to Halloran’s classy finish.
Securing three points helped Adelaide separate from Macarthur to go one point behind Central Coast Mariners at the top of the table. It’s a seventh win in nine games for the Reds, who have well and truly turned their form around since Macarthur tore them apart in Matchweek 8.
Key Moments
Adelaide dominated the early knockings of their clash with Macarthur, before the Bulls turned up the heat late in the first half. Each side capitalised on their respective periods of dominance in the opening 45, scoring a goal apiece.
Juric got the Reds on the board with a headed goal from Goodwin’s cross off the right flank in the 15th-minute of play. It was precisely what the home side deserved after bursting out of the blocks; Goodwin had the ball on a string operating against Lachlan Rose down the left, but the Reds star ventured to the opposite wing for a corner routine which set up the opening goal.
Goodwin played a one-two with Joe Caletti from the corner situation, opening the angle to swing the ball to the back post. Three Reds stood unmarked waiting to head home, but Juric was first in line.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248956608001
The Bulls looked to have no answer after Adelaide’s energetic start, as Goodwin and Halloran continued to threaten in wide areas. But the visitors built into the contest, slowly but surely, showing definite signs of improvement before equalising on 33 minutes.
Derbyshire fizzed one shot past the top-right corner from outside the box, before finding the back of the net with his next attempt.
Hollman placed a pass through three Adelaide bodies to find the Bulls striker all alone running in on goal. Derbyshire took a touch to control, then placed his shot past Joe Gauci with a simple finish.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248960095001
Juric failed to score his second of the first half, when Goodwin’s ball to the back post met Halloran who volleyed a pass across the face of goal. Juric was best-placed to finish but the Reds marksman was flat-footed, and couldn’t get to the ball in time as it flashed across the face of goal.
Aleksandar Šušnjar ventured forward for his side’s last attacking foray of the half, and looked set to meet Beñat Etxebarria’s inviting delivery before Halloran’s crucial intervention sent the ball wide of the mark and out for a corner.
A chance then presented to Goodwin early in the second half, which the Reds winger directed toward the bottom right corner from a tight angle after piercing Macarthur’s defensive line with a run down the left. Adam Federic applied a crucial save to the shot, getting a strong right arm to the ball to send it out for a corner.
An intensive period of Adelaide attack was to follow. Time and again the hosts got down either wing to open up the chance to cross, but the final ball into the box was consistently lacking.
Eventually the home side found their way through, after Goodwin won and converted a penalty to put Adelaide back in the lead. Jordan Elsey picked Halloran out with a lofted pass from defence, and the star forward gathered the ball to set up the chance to shoot.
It looked as though Goodwin had overrun the ball, but Rose clattered into his back as he shaped to shoot. A spot kick was awarded, and Goodwin and Juric engaged in a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide the taker.
Juric won, but elected to hand the ball to his teammate regardless. Goodwin showed thanks by calmly slotting the ball past Federici.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248962616001
With less than 15 minutes to play, Halloran popped up in the right place at the right time to put his side 3-1 ahead. Josh Cavallo fired a cross blindly toward the six-yard box in the hope a Reds forward would get on the end of his delivery – Halloran appeared offside when the ball dropped into his path, and his nonchalant back-heeled volley suggested even he thought the finish would be ruled out.
A lengthy VAR check ensued, which ultimately found Bulls defender Mark Milligan keeping Halloran onside, and the goal was awarded.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248963788001
Next Matches
Macarthur FC v Newcastle Jets
Sunday, April 18 2021
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off: 6.10pm AEST
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Match Centre
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Sunday, April 18 2021
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEST
Broadcast: Fox Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
Match Centre
