Adelaide’s Unstoppable Streak Continues as Star Striker Propels Reds to Second Place in Thrilling Comeback Draw

Adelaide United has ascended to second place on the Ninja A-League ladder after maintaining their club-record unbeaten streak to nine matches with a 1-1 draw against Canberra United on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds were dominant in the first half but found themselves trailing at the interval after Darcey Malone scored an opportunistic goal just before half-time. However, the introduction of Fiona Worts in the second half turned the tide for Adelaide, as the talented striker assisted Chelsie Dawber in providing the equaliser.

Dawber’s seventh goal of the season, and her sixth in consecutive games, ensured that Adelaide’s unbeaten run stayed intact and propelled them to second in the Ninja A-League standings – one point ahead of Melbourne Victory, who are set to face Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.

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Adelaide quickly asserted their dominance at Coopers Stadium, posing a threat with a flurry of corners. The best chance in the early exchanges fell to Zoe Tolland, whose header narrowly missed the top-left corner of the goal.

American import Erin Healy came into Round 16 in outstanding form and continued to create problems for opposing defenders as she adeptly attacked the right flank of Canberra’s backline.

A particularly chaotic sequence unfolded in Canberra’s penalty area, where Matilda McNamara, Lucia Leon, and Healy all had potential scoring opportunities thwarted by determined Canberra defenders who threw themselves in front of the shots to block them.

Healy was keen on netting her third goal in two games and managed to carve out a shooting opportunity following a determined run through midfield and into the box, but a resolute challenge from Holly Murray allowed the visitors to clear the danger.

Adelaide dominated the first-half chances, but the best opportunities fell to Leon, who surprisingly sent her unchallenged shot soaring high over the crossbar from a promising position inside the box.

Despite Adelaide’s strong performance, Canberra goalkeeper Sally James wasn’t overly busy during the first half, but she demonstrated her skills when an errant Tolland cross nearly curled into the top-left corner; James adeptly tracked back to make a spectacular diving save.

Yet, for all of Adelaide’s attacking pressure, it was Canberra who took the lead just before half-time, as Malone capitalised on a mistake from Reds keeper Claudia Jenkins to score an unexpected opener for the visitors.

Desperate for an equaliser in the second frame, Adelaide’s coach Adrian Stenta introduced star striker Fiona Worts from the bench, and her partnership with the in-form Dawber was pivotal in securing the equaliser.

Worts received the ball from Healy down the right wing, swiftly turned, and delivered a pass to Dawber just outside the box, where she fired home with a first-time shot. This marked Dawber’s seventh goal of the season, bringing her level with Worts on the Golden Boot leaderboard, just one goal behind league leader Kahli Johnson, who has eight.

As Adelaide aggressively pursued the winning goal at Coopers Stadium, Canberra remained a dangerous threat. With fewer than ten minutes left in the match, they should have reclaimed the lead; however, the Reds had other plans.

A threatening cross from the left wing was met by Aideen Keane, whose close-range shot was expertly smothered by Jenkins. The Reds’ keeper quickly got back to her feet to make another outstanding save, denying Bethany Gordon from scoring. The rebound fell to Sofia Christopherson, who managed to beat Jenkins, but Ella Tonkin dashed back to the goal line for a crucial last-ditch block.