Melbourne City FC has suffered a 2-1 loss in its first away fixture to Adelaide in the Westfield W-League.
Goals either side of half time to United captain Dylan Holmes had the home team in the box seat before City mounted a late charge and drew a goal back through captain Emma Checker but ultimately still fell short.
Starting XI
Rado Vidosic made one change to the starting line-up that defeated Victory in last Sunday’s derby.
Checker made her first start of the season and replaced the injured Jenna McCormick who missed after suffering a head knock against Victory.
Tonight's line-up is in with captain Emma Checker making her first start for the season in place of Jenna McCormick who misses after a head knock in last week's Derby.
One hour until kick-off! ⏰#ADLvMCY #WLeague #CmonCity pic.twitter.com/qs3YwYux0R
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 21, 2021
What happened?
City settled the quicker of the two teams with last week’s goalscorer Harriet Withers looking dangerous early down the right hand side.
Despite the warm weather in Adelaide both teams displayed plenty of intensity and looked to press early, although neither team were able to create any big chances.
Adelaide captain Dylan Holmes opened scoring in the 32nd minute with a cool finish into the bottom corner after rounding Teagan Micah.
Chinatsu Kira was close to finding the equaliser for City 10 minutes later, after Alex Chidiac won a free kick on the edge of the box.
Kira’s set piece strike seemed headed towards the top right corner but a good save from Adelaide keeper Sian Fryer-McLaren denied City the leveller.
City would still have one more chance before the break and it came when Tyla-Jay Vlajnic’s well placed ball found Rhali Dobson at the back post, but the wingers shot rocketed into the bar.
Adelaide doubled its advantage early in the second half when Holmes once again found the bottom corner, this time from long range.
City had a couple of chances not long after the Reds’ second with Palmer and Withers both able to get into attacking positions but just not able to find the finishing touch.
A ball to the face of Dobson halted play for a few moments with the winger able to get to her feet and walk off before she was be replaced by Margot Robinne.
Twenty minutes to play in Adelaide and plenty still to play out in this one – come on City! 2-0#ADLvMCY #WLeague #CmonCity pic.twitter.com/36lzMeCWEF
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 21, 2021
City looked the better of the two teams from this point but just couldn’t find that killer ball to create a genuine scoring chance.
Kira continued to be City’s most dangerous option in the attacking third and went close to drawing one back in the 77th minute.
The Japanese attacker put her head down and drove into the box and unleased a low shot that was close to going between the legs of Fryer-McLaren but the Reds keeper did enough to keep it out.
Not the result we were after but great to see captain @emmachecker on the scoresheet in her first start of the season.#ADLvMCY #WLeague pic.twitter.com/MPVQW72FvS
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 21, 2021
City were able to draw one back in the third minute of stoppage time when Hollie Palmer’s perfectly picked out Checker from a corner and the captain made no mistake, thundering a header into the back of the net.
City pushed for a equaliser in the remaining minutes but couldn’t find one before the full time whistle blew.
What’s next?
City will now play three consecutive home matches, kicking off fixture against Brisbane Roar as part of next Sunday’s double header.
The clash will kick off at 4.05pm at AAMI Park, stay tuned in the coming days for ticket information!
