Another big scalp for the Lady Reds | Credit: Adam Butler Another big scalp for the Lady Reds | Credit: Adam Butler

Adelaide United continued their resurgence under new coach Ross Aloisi with a 2-0 win over Canberra United in blustery conditions at Burton Park.

3pm and the rain started to fall as Canberra and Adelaide made their way onto the pitch.

As the whistle blew the wind then picked up a notch for the start of the game, however, swirling in  gusts it provided little advantage either way.

No one expected the final score to be 2 – 0 in favour of the Lady Reds. No one would have predicted that Canberra United could be beaten by the easy beats of the competition.

With that said, Adelaide United are no longer the team that you don’t have to worry about.

They are coming of age and beating the unbeatable teams; 1 – 0 against Brisbane and now 2 – 0 against Canberra.

Canberra started well streaming forward for the first chance of the match but the chance missed and Adelaide gained control of the match and didn't give it up for the next ten minutes.

Lisa Marie Woods once again stood strong as the central midfielder, with Kristy Moore and Jessica Waterhouse providing the width on the wings. It was through this combination that the home side created the first goal of the match just before the 10 minute mark.  

Moore controlled the ball in the midfield, running at the Canberra defence parallel to Woods. One of the all time leading goalscorers in the Norwegian League, Moore could have shot herself but sighted Woods' run and watched Woods shot pass by Lydia Williams for only the second time this season.

The roar around the field was enormous. To be 1 nil up against Canberra was an unexpected thrill and the home crowd dared to believe an upset was on the card.

The old saying goes "you are most vulnerable after you have scored" but the senior heads in the side ensured Adelaide settled quickly again after the first goal and maintained control of the flow of the game.

Three minutes later an misdirected pass back between Canberra’s defenders was capitalised on by Racheal Quigley with the attacking midfielder driving forward into the penalty area in the path of a sliding Williams.

With Quigley's legs taken out from under her, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and awarding Williams a yellow card. Quigley's penalty kick was perfectly placed out of Williams' reach in the right hand corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead.

2-0 up within 15 minutes. Brilliant but the questions arose; could Adelaide United hold on to this lead for 75 minutes or would they fade as they have had in previous games?

Several factors helped the Lady Reds maintain their two goal advantage.  With Melissa Barbieri barking instructions, the Reds quick defenders maintained their compact shape.

Michelle Heyman, Stephanie Ochs and Ashley Sykes all tried to penetrate the defence, who was without regular starter Alexandra Gummer due to the flu.

Replacement Monique Ianella kept Ochs under control and Jenna McCormick did likewise with Heyman keeping the scoring duo at bay. Meanwhile Snez Veljanovska and Daila Tais-Borg scooped up anything that came their way.

Meanwhile when in possession Adelaide worked hard not giving up easy balls and again looked dangerous on the counter. Keeping the ball has been one of many areas Adelaide have improved this season.  That Adelaide United held out until half time without conceding was the third achievement of the game.  

The break saw both teams were able to regroup and and reinforce what their plans were.

Canberra made their attacking intentions clear early in the second half when attacking midfielder Caitlin Munoz was bought on to complement the ever running Kendall Fletcher and Lori Lindsey, who were both working over time in the first half to try and get control of the game.

In the second half that is exactly what they did.

Canberra went forward time and time again peppering United's flanks as they tried to find ways through Adelaide’s strong defences.

However with Adelaide denying them chances and the second half was ticking away from Canberra, frustration set in and they started to make mistakes. The impatience worked to Adelaide's advantage as the Reds were happy to sit deep and absorb pressure.

In the end Adelaide were reasonably comfortable in holding on to get their first ever win against Canberra United and as a result gaining the highest points total Adelaide have received in all six seasons.

Signs are looking positive for Adelaide as they bought a few young players into play. Emily Condon made her debut at the ripe old age of 15 years old while 17 year olds Monique Ianella and Jessica Waterhouse made it back into the starting line ups. They all stepped up and proved that they were worthy of places in the Lady Reds side.

Taking nothing away from Adelaide’s win, however, Canberra looked listless and disinterested in the first half and after the match Migchelsen questioned their overall desire.

Questions are to be raised whether that had anything to do with only just starting back at training the Thursday before the game, whereas Adelaide stopped for five days over the Christmas break but were required to do continual fitness over those days they were off.

This is indicative of the professionalism Ross Aloisi has bought to Adelaide United that they have lacked before.  Aloisi has demanded higher stands and pushed the players to their limits, which they have in turn embraced.

This week Adelaide are home to Western Sydney Wanderers who defeated them in the dying minutes of their Round 1 clash.  The Lady Reds will be looking to repay the favour and get another win at home and potentially move into the Top 4 for the first time.

Canberra United will be on the road again next week and wanting to get back into the winners circle against Melbourne Victory.