Adelaide United host Canberra United at Adelaide Shores Football Centre in their first home match of Season 7.

The Lady Reds were denied three points when Sydney’s new American import showed her worth and took home a brace for her new team and the win. Jasmyne Spencer scored 1 goal in each half to give a great start to her Aussie career and give Sydney something to look forward to in future games.

Meanwhile Canberra United exploded from Round 1 with a 4-1 beating of the very young Western Sydney Wanderers. Michelle Heyman scoring a brace in the first half, set Canberra up to a comfortable place at half time.

Ellie Brush and Caitlin Munoz added to the Wanderers woes after the break with 16 year old Demi Koulizakis pulling one back on the 90th minute to score her first goal in the W-League on her debut as a consolation for the Sydney side.

The Reds are looking to claim three early confidence boosting points in front of a home crowd.

Adelaide head into this match buoyed by a competitive first up performance and are prepared to take it to the next level. Even with a young side, the likes of Lisa Marie Woods, Katarine Pedersen and Kristy Moore have enough presence to guide the younger players.

With Melissa Barbieri barking orders from the back line and the debutants shaking off first match nerves, Adelaide should be in a better position to show what their full capabilities.

Canberra come into this match full of confidence after the great first round win, particularly with Heyman and Stephanie Ochs pairing up nicely up forward last week and Chantel Jones having a great game in between the posts.

With all the imports only arriving a week prior to the start of the season the week should have given them time to overcome jet lag and be better rested for this clash.

Adelaide’s midfield of Moore, Woods, Pedersen and Katie Holtham will be tested against the strong Canberra engine room.  They will need to step up a notch if they want to keep the likes of Lori Lindsey and Caitlin Munoz quiet.

Defensively Adelaide United kept Sydney FC at bay in general play but were caught out at set pieces. Jenna McCormick will be key figure in ensuring the back line is ready for the onslaught of Heyman, Ochs and Ashleigh Sykes.

Will Emily Condon get another goal or will the highly talented teenager Alex Chidiac finally get her chance to debut in the top women’s competition in Australia?

Last year the Lady Reds pulled out a surprise 2-0 win over Canberra win after the Christmas break only to play them again two weeks later and lose 3 – 0.

In all 8 matches Adelaide has only been able to find the back of the net 4 times. Can they do it again this round?

Adelaide United v Canberra United

Sunday 21 September 2014

Adelaide Shores Football Centre

Local kick-off: 2.30pm (3pm AET)

Adelaide United squad: 1. Melissa Barbieri (gk), 4. Lauren Steer, 6. Dylan Holmes, 7. Katrine Pedersen, 8. Emily Condon, 9. Lisa-Marie Woods, 11. Isabel Hodgson, 12.Daila-Tais Borg, 14. Rachel Alonso, 15. Jenna McCormick, 16. Katie Holtham, 17. Tiarn Powell, 18. Georgia Campagnale, 20. Sarah Willacy (gk), 23. Kristy Moore (C)

Ins: none

Outs: none

Unavailable: none

Canberra United squad: 1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS, 22. Stephanie OCHS

Ins: Sally Rojahn (promoted)

Outs: none

Unavailable: Kendall FLETCHER (overseas), Meg McLAUGHLIN (knee – 2-3 weeks), Grace MAHER (Australia U-17 national team duty)