What a treat for all football fans at Hindmarsh this Friday night!
Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory will fight it out for much needed points, in front of a crowd full of passionate Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League supporters.
The girls will feature as a curtain raiser to the Adelaide United v Gold Coast United Mens game. This will test the Melbourne Victory Women’s team, as it will require them to hold their nerve in front of supporters that will no doubt resemble something like a sea of RED!
The Victory girls would be experiencing somewhat mixed feelings on their start to this seasons Westfield W-League. Last weekend the Ladies from Melbourne drew 1-1 with Canberra United, striker Maika Ruyter-Hooley stepping up to score the crucial equaliser in the 90th minute.
Whilst Victory currently sit second last on the ladder, there are many reasons for them to remain optimistic about their chances of reaching the top four.
Firstly, last week-s results were obtained without the presence and experience of Captain and goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri. Fifteen-year-old replacement keeper Brianna Davey had extremely big shoes to fill, stepping in for Barbieri (Bubs), who was absent due to a minor ankle injury.
The youngster from Port Melbourne was outstanding throughout the game, responsible for keeping her team in the match on several occasions, producing spectacular saves time and time again.
The fact that the Victory remained patient and focused throughout the match, scoring the equaliser in the last run of play, is testament to this team-s resilience and positive attitude. These attributes will hopefully help them in their quest in claiming a spot in the final four!
The mission this week will be an unpleasant one, as they not only face the Lady Reds, but also their extended United family up in the stands, which could potentially reach the 17,000 mark!
This extra motivational boost couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time for this young United team, given the fact that they were outclassed again last week losing to Sydney 4-1.
The Lady Reds are doing it tougher than most teams in the League, it could be argued that they might be at a slight disadvantage with such a young team and are only afforded the luxury of one Westfield Matilda.
Yet this exceptionally enthusiastic Lady Reds outfit turn up each week with nothing less than their absolute best, taking somewhat of a holistic approach, banding together as a whole, proudly representing the Reds jersey.
Ashleigh Gunning rewarded her team-s efforts against Sydney last Saturday, scoring their very first goal of the season, coming through a well placed penalty kick.
Will a packed house at Hindmarsh Friday night help the Lady Reds over the line, or will the Victory be too much to handle and break the hearts of what could possibly be 17,000 screaming Reds fans?
