Melbourne City fell just short of a comeback at Coopers Stadium on Saturday afternoon, going down 2–1 to Adelaide United.
Leticia McKenna’s second-half strike gave City a lifeline after trailing by two goals, but despite sustained pressure and a number of chances, Michael Matricciani’s side couldn’t find the equaliser.
City will look to bounce back when they host Western Sydney Wanderers at ctrl:cyber Pitch on Wednesday afternoon.
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach Michael Matricciani made two changes to the starting XI that defeated Perth Glory last week, with Shelby McMahon and Chinaza Uchendu replacing Alexia Apostolakis and Bryleeh Henry.
The changes saw Karly Roestbakken move from midfield to right back, as McMahon made her first start since returning from injury.
On the bench, City welcomed back some attacking firepower, with Caitlin Karic returning from a knee injury.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 3. Dan TURNER, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 21. Aideen KEANE, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 9. Holly MCNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 22. Bryleeh HENRY.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The match marked a milestone for City’s dynamic attacker Holly McNamara, who made her 50th Ninja A-League appearance, entering the clash as the league’s joint top goalscorer with 11 goals.
She nearly added to that tally just 29 seconds in, capitalising on a defensive error from Adelaide’s keeper, but her early shot flew wide.
City continued to threaten in the opening stages, with McNamara and Chinaza Uchendu linking up in the fifth minute to tee up Leticia McKenna, whose deflected effort was blocked. At the other end, Dan Turner was alert to clear a dangerous cross from Fiona Worts.
Adelaide struck first in the ninth minute, however, when Erin Healy delivered a dangerous ball into the box that Fiona Worts finished clinically from close range.
City responded well, with Rebekah Stott setting up McNamara down the right, who then cut back for McKenna, but her low strike was gathered by the keeper.
A drinks break was called in the 22nd minute due to the Adelaide heat, and the remainder of the half saw both teams struggle to carve out clear-cut opportunities. Adelaide held a slender 1–0 lead at the break.
City came out aggressively in the second half, whipping in a pair of crosses inside the opening minute. But it was Adelaide who would find the net again, with Ella Tonkin heading home from a corner in the 49th minute to double the hosts’ lead.
Just minutes later, City nearly responded. Stott picked off a pass before sliding a reverse ball into McKenna, but the midfielder couldn’t get a clean shot away. Taylor Otto then saw a glancing header deflected wide from a corner on the 55th minute mark.
Malena Mieres was called into action in the 58th minute, reacting sharply to tip away a fierce long-range effort from Healy.
City’s pressure paid off when they pulled a goal back in the 65th minute. A quick-thinking set piece from Turner found Aideen Keane in space, who drove into the box and laid it off to McKenna. The midfielder made no mistake, rifling her shot into the back of the net to make it 2–1.
City pushed hard for an equaliser, with McNamara almost finding the moment in the 74th minute. She looked certain to score after a clever move inside the area, but Tonkin produced a last-ditch block to deny her.
Despite late pressure and a determined finish, City couldn’t find the breakthrough and will look to bounce back at home.
WHAT’S NEXT?
After three consecutive trips on the road, City return home for back-to-back home games to close out a busy week.
Matricciani’s side will take on the Western Sydney Wanderers at ctrl:cyber Pitch on Wednesday 4 February, kick-off 5:30pm, before hosting Brisbane Roar on Sunday 8 February.
Click here to get your tickets to Wednesday afternoon’s clash with the Wanderers.
