Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Sarah Hunter scored her first two Westfield W-League goals as the Red and Black came from behind twice to secure a point in a 2-2 draw with Adelaide United at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Hunter, 17, scored her goals on either side of half time to cancel out strikes to Chelsie Dawber and Dylan Holmes as the Reds squandered their advantage twice to let go of three points on the road.
The Wanderers had the first-half edge and the majority of the chances but it was the Reds who struck first through Dawber, who latched onto a well-hit lofted through pass from Mallory Weber to fire her strike past Sarah Willacy.
The Wanderers were down but unwilling to accept falling behind. The Red and Black continued to threaten through Georgia Yeoman-Dale down the left flank and the speedster eventually created the equaliser, burning Charlotte Grant to the byline to find Sarah Hunter in the box who swept home her first ever Westfield W-League goal.
Leena Khamis threatened for the hosts with a number of second-half chances highlighted by a header on goal saved by Sian Fryer-McLaren, but down the other end the Reds showed no such inefficiency when Holmes netted her third of the 2020/21 campaign to restore the advantage for the visitors.
The Reds had a 2-1 advantage on the road and led for the second time in the contest, but just as she did in the first half Hunter was on hand to find the back of the net and level the scores at 2-2.
With scores level once more and 12 minutes on the clock both sides pushed for a winner but scores were to ultimately remain locked as the entertaining affair ended with honours shared.
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Key Moments
Yeoman-Dale lashes first-time strike wide
A looping ball into the box was misjudged by Adelaide’s defensive line as the ball dropped between three Reds and fell to Georgia Yeoman-Dale at the back post.
Yeoman-Dale struck a first-time effort off her left foot but the ball skewed off her boot and drifted wide of the mark.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229836957001
Dawber puts the Reds ahead
A turnover in midfield invited Mallory Weber onto the ball, who laid a lofted through ball into Dawber’s path as the Reds number 10 honed in on goal.
With one touch Dawber shot on the half volley; Sarah Willacy got a glove on the strike but couldn’t stop the ball from dropping into the bottom right corner.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229837012001
Yeoman-Dale leaves Grant in her dust, assists Hunter equaliser
Collecting the ball on the left flank, Yeoman-Dale sized up Charlotte Grant and dribbled past the Reds defender, driving to the byline and cutting the ball along the deck into the box.
Hunter was lying in wait, sweeping home with her left foot to bring the hosts level.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229835518001
Holmes gets Reds back in front with delightful chest and volley
The second goal of the game scored off an inviting Adelaide cross from deep helped the Reds regain the advantage through Holmes.
Emily Condon played the ball into the box and Holmes’ chest control took the Wanderers’ defenders out of the equation.
The ball bounced once and the Adelaide captain struck with her second touch past Willacy and into the back of the net.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229836912001
Hunter bags her brace and Wanderers a point
In desperate search of an equaliser, the Wanderers turned to 17-year-old Hunter to become a hero once again.
The goal was scored in similar style to Hunter’s first-half strike, but began down the opposite flank when Teigan Collister broke to the byline.
Hunter was lurking in the right place at the right time once again, this time sliding in to connect with her first time strike, beating Fryer-McLaren and sealing a point for the Red and Black.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229840258001
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Next matches
Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar
Thursday, February 11 2021
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
Marconi Stadium
Match centre
Adelaide United v Canberra United
Sunday, February 14 2021
Kick-off: 6.05pm AEDT
Marden Sports Complex
Match centre
