Claudia Jenkins stars in A-League Women’s elimination final for Adelaide United

Adelaide United goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins has spoken of her “shock” at producing a career defining match in the A-League Women’s elimination final as the Reds won through. While the earlier game was postponed.

A career defining match from Adelaide United’s keeper Claudia Jenkins has guided them to their first finals win in the history of the A-League’s Women’s.

After finishing last season as wooden spooners few would have predicted Adelaide United going all the way to the finals this season and then defeating Western United 1-0 in the elimination final.

It is the second time in as many seasons that Western United have failed to get past the first stage of the finals series.

Going into the season Jenkins had played just four ALW matches.

This season has proven a breakout for her – keeping seven clean sheets from her 22 games.

Jenkins, recently named in the New Zealand Women’s national team, was put under pressure plenty of times. Western United had 21 shots by the end of the match to Adelaide’s six.

But Jenkins, 26, denied every one of them – much to the frustration of Chloe Berryhill (Logarzo).

Adelaide United celebrate the winner. Photo: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

The keeper said it was “unreal” that they were going through to the final.

“I’m in shock,” Jenkins told Paramount post match.

“In the second half they came out, we expected them to, it’s an elimination final, we did well to withstand that.”

Jenkins said it certainly wasn’t an easy victory.

“We dug deep, we fought to the end and we got the result,” she said.

A determined Adelaide United struck early, finding the net off Matilda McNamara’s head, following a corner in the 23rd minute, and several very close chances.

Adelaide have only once before played in an ALW final series back in 2021/22 but didn’t get to celebrate a win.

To progress to the grand final they will have to get through a two-legged semi final against league runners up Melbourne Victory.

Adelaide’s persistence and ability to stave off a relentless Western United will give them a huge confidence boost going into the game.

It was an intense first half with Adelaide United on the front foot from the start. They got their first shot at the goal inside the opening two minutes.

An early injury to Western United’s defender Claudia Mihocic forced the Melbourne outfit to restructure just 10 minutes into the match.

Just five minutes later Adelaide’s Dylan Holmes was smacked in the face with the ball while defending a free kick – it took a bit of gauze and some serious tape to stem the bleeding but she was able to play on.

Dylan Holmes of Adelaide United and Claudia Mihocic of Western United battle for the ball. Photo: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

It was a messy midfield but Adelaide, spurred by a 3100 strong crowd, proved more dominant in attack in the opening part of the game.

McNamara got the first point on the board, timing her jump perfectly to get her head on the corner kick from Emily Condon in the 23rd minute.

Lucia Leon came very close to doubling the score just 10 minutes later – her shot ricocheted off the crossbar with so much force that Holmes couldn’t get her foot behind it quick enough to knock it into the open goal.

United weren’t without their chances with Berryhill leading the front line.

But it seemed like Jenkins could read Berryhill’s mind – spoiling every chance she managed to create.

Western upped the ante on their attacking efforts as the break neared but Adelaide were able to withstand the pressure.

The Melbourne side came out firing in the second half – firing in shot after shot but Jenkins had little trouble keeping them out of the net.

As the clock wound down Western United threw everything they had into attack. Tensions flared, fatigue set in, the pickle juice was needed and it got scrappy.

But Adelaide managed to hold on and claim the match.

MATCH POSTPONED

Torrential rain across the Central Coast has forced the A-League’s to cancel the women’s elimination final between Mariners and Canberra United.

The decision was made a little over an hour out from when the match was due to kick off.

More than 100mm of rain fell overnight and up to 50mm is expected this afternoon. “Following extensive rain in Gosford in the last 24 hours, and up to 50mm of rain still to fall today, the waterlogged pitch has been deemed unplayable,” a statement from the APL said.

The pitch in Gosford. Photo: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images.

Photos shared to social media show the pitch looking more like a swimming pool than a football field.

The match has been rescheduled to 6pm Monday night.

It is a shame for all involved, especially Canberra fans who had bussed it up to Gosford from the nation’s capital.

A pitch inspection will be conducted again on Monday morning.

Originally published as Claudia Jenkins stars in A-League Women’s elimination final for Adelaide United