Lacklustre Reds’ finals hopes take a dive

Adelaide United’s quest for a maiden W-League finals berth will go down to the wire after it suffered a lacklustre home loss to the previously winless Western Sydney Wanderers.

Veronica Latsko of United and Maruschka Waldus of the Wanderers during the Round 12 W-League match at Marden Sports Complex. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Adelaide United’s quest for a maiden W-League finals berth will go down to the wire after it suffered a lacklustre home loss to the previously winless Western Sydney Wanderers.

The Reds went down 4-1 at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday to leave their playoff hopes on a knife-edge heading into their last two games of the regular season.

US forward Veronica Latsko’s ninth goal of a superb campaign dragged the hosts back into the contest after they were left shell-shocked by Rachel Lowe’s second-minute opener.

But Kylie Ledbrook’s second-half penalty handed the lead to the Wanderers, who were only denied a bigger wining margin by an inspired display from Reds goalkeeper Sarah Willacy.

Amber Brooks of Adelaide United tackles Talitha Kramer of the Wanderers...

...And brings her to ground. Pictures: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Erica Halloway rubbed salt in United’s wounds with a brilliant chipped finish in stoppage time and Ghanaian international Elizabeth Addo added another with the last kick of the game.

The shock result meant Adelaide would likely need maximum points from its two remaining home fixtures against Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar to maintain hope of a top-four finish.

Emily Condon and Isabel Hodgson came into the Reds’ starting XI in place of Icelandic duo Fanndis Fridriksdottir and Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, who were away on international duty.

The loss of the experienced pair was evident from the outset as the home team struggled to contain a side had just a solitary point to its credit before the match.

United was a goal down soon after kick-off.

Wanderers captain Servet Uzunlar’s pinpoint free kick from wide on the right was headed home by Lowe from 10m with the host’s defence caught napping.

Leena Khamis placed a free header wide, Sydney Miramontez fired over the bar from distance and Lo’eau LaBonta spurned a glorious opening as the Reds were lucky to be only one down.

Adelaide was struggling to retain possession and provide quality service into Latsko and Matildas striker Michelle Heyman.

The Reds finally had their first shot on target in the 25th minute through Condon, but they had a lucky escape soon after as the livewire Addo hit the bar from close range.

Adelaide equalised against the run of play four minutes before the break.

US centre back Amber Brooks played a long ball over the top of the Wanderers back four for compatriot Latsko to run on to.

The Reds leading scorer steadied, then calmly rounded Simonsen and slotted into the open goal.

Isabel Hodgson of United after a hard hit against Western Sydney Wanderers at Marden Sports Complex. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Heyman wasted a good opportunity to put Adelaide in front early in the second period when she was found by a brilliant Brooks ball from the left but blazed her first-time finish over.

The Wanderers hit the front just after the hour.

Dylan Holmes hesitated instead of clearing a ball in the Reds’ area and Addo nicked it away from her before sucking the midfielder into a foul.

Ledbrook stepped up to calmly convert the spot kick.

Willacy produced two stunning blocks to deny Addo, a superb tip over from Ledbrook and another one-on-one stop to prevent Remy Siemsen from getting on the score sheet.

Halloway secured her side’s breakthrough win when she was given time to dink a delightful finish over Willacy from just outside the box.

Addo hammered the final nail into the Reds’ coffin when she held her nerve to calmly finish beyond Willacy.