Report: Latsko strike earns Adelaide first Westfield W-League win

Veronica Latsko’s second-half effort was enough for Adelaide United to record their first win of the Westfield W-League Season as they beat Brisbane Roar 1-0.

The Reds had to absorb heavy pressure from the Premiers through the majority of their victory but produced the best moment of quality when their American striker finished off a superb team move.

Both sides had their share of opportunities but were each denied by the underside of the bar in an open encounter.

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Brisbane made two changes, handing Yuki Nagasato her greatly-anticipated debut and recalling Indiah-Paige Riley, while Emily Hodgson returned from international duty with the Young Matildas to start for the Reds.

The visitors almost silenced the home support after just two minutes when Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir unleashed a thunderous strike against the underside of the bar, but Westfield Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was relieved to see it bounce harmlessly away.

Brisbane’s best chance of the half came 10 minutes before the break when Chioma Ubogagu cut the ball back across the box for Nagasato, but Laura Johns managed to get back in time to make the goalline clearance.

The Roar continued to target Nagasato and Carson Pickett did so successfully with a free-kick just after the break, but Sarah Willacy produced a miraculous save to claw the Japan legend’s header off the line.

Having weathered further pressure, Adelaide broke up field, with Holmes exchanging a neat one-two with Michelle Heyman before slotting the ball through for Latsko to loft her finish over the onrushing Arnold.

Brisbane’s frustrations grew as they failed to convert their dominance of the ball into clear-cut chances, although Clare Polkinghorne almost found the net with a deflected long-range effort.

The visitors had a rare chance to double their lead when Heyman headed wide, while Ubogagu lashed wide at the other end with extra-time looming.

Roar continued to fire hopeful balls into the box but Willacy and her backline held firm for a hard-fought victory.