Canberra United welcome Adelaide United to McKellar Park for Round 6 of the Westfield W-League.
Westfield W-League: Round 6
Sunday 19th October 2014
Canberra United v Adelaide United
Canberra United welcome Adelaide United to McKellar Park for Round 6 of the Westfield W-League looking to get back to winning ways following their 3-0 reverse to Perth Glory last weekend. And with the Lady Reds rooted to the foot of the ladder and yet to gain a point this season, this fixture would look to be the perfect opportunity for Canberra to reassert its push for a top two finish.
However, taking into consideration the tough test that faced Canberra in the away match between the pair in Round 2, there is no chance of the home team taking their visitors lightly. On that occasion, at Adelaide Shores Football Centre in South Australia, it took a goal from Stephanie Ochs just past the hour mark for Canberra to seal a hard fought victory and a win that put them top of the table.
Since then, defeats to Melbourne Victory and the Glory, sandwiched between a home win against Brisbane Roar, have seen the green team slip to fourth on the ladder but still within touching distance of the top two and a home semi-final as the season reaches the half-way stage. Three points from the visit of the Lady Reds would certainly be a boost heading into the second half of the campaign.
The omens are good for Canberra heading into the clash as their record against Adelaide is largely positive. A single defeat, last season, in nine matches sees the home team as heavy favourites to take out the maximum points from this match as well. Adelaide were on the wrong end of a 4-0 loss to Melbourne Victory in Round 5 and have suffered defensively in most of their matches this season. Indeed, the four goals shipped to Victory took the tally conceded to fourteen in five matches.
And yet for large parts of the game against Melbourne, particularly in the opening half, Adelaide gave as good as they got and in Kristy Moore and Lisa-Marie Woods had two willing outlets to relieve the pressure on their back four. Goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri also made some good saves and the experienced Matildas’ star will be difficult proposition for the Canberra attack.
With a tough runs of games coming up for Canberra, including visit to Melbourne and Brisbane as well as home matches against Sydney FC and Perth, a win against Adelaide would appear to be critical. There is no doubt Canberra has the talent to achieve the success but Adelaide will make them fight every step of the way in what should be an absorbing match.
SQUAD
1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Tegan RIDING, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS, 22. Stephanie OCHS
UNAVAILABLE: 8. Meg McLAUGHLIN (knee, 6-8 weeks), 9. Grace GILL (ankle, 4-6 weeks)
