Our City Women gained further valuable minutes on Thursday afternoon, taking on Adelaide United in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Home of the Matildas.
Played across two 40-minute halves, the contest provided another key opportunity for Michael Matricciani’s side to build match fitness ahead of Round 1 of the Ninja A-League season.
Despite City controlling large portions of the match, a defensive mix-up early in the second half proved costly, with the Reds finding the back of the net in what would ultimately be the only goal of the game.
Team News
Matricciani made two changes to the starting lineup that faced Melbourne Victory last weekend.
With Holly McNamara away in Saudi Arabia for the AFC Awards and Deven Jackson rotating to the bench, dual Premiership-winning duo Leticia McKenna and Shelby McMahon both earned starts following impressive cameos against Victory.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 3. Dan TURNER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 14. Laura HUGHES, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 21. Aideen KEANE, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 25. Ayana AOYAGI (GK), 7. Danella BUTRUS, 11. Deven JACKSON, 20. Caitlin KARIC, Maia CAPITANO, Layla HABIB.
*Italics denotes train-on player.
What happened?
City began brightly and immediately looked switched on – a clear focus after conceding early against Victory on Saturday.
The team was comfortable in possession from the outset, building from the back with composure and dictating the tempo during the early stages. Leah Davidson set the tone in midfield, winning the ball high up the pitch and combining well with Chinaza Uchendu, who saw a 13th-minute effort drift just wide.
While City controlled the ball and territory, the final pass proved elusive as the side continued to work through attacking combinations in the front third.
McKenna went close late in the half with a free kick that sailed narrowly over the bar, before Alexia Apostolakis forced a good save from the Adelaide goalkeeper after a clever layoff from Uchendu. Defensively, City were largely untroubled, with Stott and Otto reading the game superbly to snuff out any rare Adelaide counterattacks.
Melissa Barbieri replaced Mieres in goal at the break as City looked to maintain their dominance into the second period.
However, a defensive mix-up less than 10 minutes after the restart – compounded by what appeared to be a questionable offside call – allowed Adelaide to take the lead.
The goal briefly shifted momentum, with the Reds enjoying a greater share of possession, though City continued to create openings. Davidson again came close with a powerful strike that forced a strong save from the Adelaide keeper following a late corner.
Matricciani’s side pushed until the final whistle, but despite sustained pressure, couldn’t find the equaliser their performance arguably deserved, the match ending 1-0 in Adelaide’s favour.
What’s next?
With City’s final hitout against A-League Women’s opposition now complete, attention turns to the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Matricciani’s side will kick off the new season away to Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday 1 November.
