Ninja A League: Adelaide United signs Lara Kirkby, teases fans with social media post

Adelaide United have sent A-League fans into a frenzy after their social media signing tease went viral.

A clever social media play from Adelaide United had fans thinking Matildas winger Hayley Raso was set to make a shock move to the A-League’s Women’s team.

United post a photo of the back of a player tying a bow in her hair on its social platforms – with the caption 12pm.

Fans were quick to guess Raso, currently contracted to WSL side Tottenham and famous for playing with a bow in her hair, was joining the club.

In fact the club has signed 22-year-old midfielder Lara Kirkby.

It will be her third stint at Adelaide United and like Raso she is known for playing with a bow in her hair.

Hayley Raso’s bow has become her trademark.

Kirkby has been signed on a scholarship deal after finishing her degree and college football career at University of Maine. Kirkby helped lead the team to victory in the America East Conference.

The midfielder last played for United in 2020/21 after making her debut in 2018/19.

Adelaide United have had a much improved season this year, but have struggled with consistency.

Kirkby said she was excited to return home.

“It’s great to be home and back at Adelaide United. I’m hungry to bring the success I’ve had from my time in college to the Reds, and I’m excited to continue my development here,” she said.

“Adelaide is the perfect place for me to keep growing as a player and contribute to the team’s success this season.”

Adelaide United’s Head of Football, Marius Zanin, said he was thrilled to welcome Kirkby back.

“It’s always important to keep the door open for players returning home from overseas, and Lara’s development in the USA college system has been impressive,” Zanin said.

“We’re committed to nurturing young South Australian talent and look forward to helping Lara continue her journey with the Reds.”

Adelaide United will play Western Sydney on Friday night.

ALW TACKLE: SYDNEY FC HITS HISTORIC LOW AFTER PHOENIX LOSS

The most successful side in A-League Women’s history is facing the prospect of missing finals for the first time after once again failing to close out a game.

Sydney FC have played in every finals series since the league’s conception in 2008, winning the last two championships.

But this season the Sky Blues have struggled to get out of the starting block — sitting bottom of the table after going down to Wellington Phoenix 2-0 at the weekend.

They have just one win from seven games.

Coach Ante Juric, who has taken the team to three consecutive three grand finals, said the side had had slow starts before.

Captain Nat Tobin told Sky Sport post match it just wasn’t good enough.

“We had all the chances, unfortunately we couldn’t put them away,” Tobin said.

“We seem to be letting teams into the game, we are creating chances but just aren’t finishing them.

“There are no excuses, it’s our fault.

“We are in a position we’ve never found ourselves in before and it’s just being able to pull ourselves out and see it as a new challenge.

“We have full belief we will be there at the end in the grand final.”

But chances of climbing their way back into the top six sides are rapidly vanishing.

Sydney FC went into the season having lost star Matildas winger Cortnee Vine and key defender Charlotte McLean — both transferred to NWSL club North Carolina Courage in the off season. Goalkeeper Jada Whyman departed for an overseas club and midfielder Taylor Ray also left to join Central Coast Mariners.

Powerhouse Sydney FC is stuck on the bottom of the table. Picture: Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images

Matildas’ veteran Kyah Simon was brought in – from Central Coast Mariners – but the striker is yet to be named in a squad having re-injured her troublesome calf muscle.

Wins are not the only statistic troubling Sydney FC. They have scored just five goals all season, the lowest in the league.

Each goal was scored by a different player – signalling the Sky Blues are yet to unearth their forward combination.

No doubt Simon was expected to play that role.

Import Millie Farrow scored seven goals for Perth Glory last season -but has had a limited role to play so far, getting just 175 minutes on the pitch going into the game with Phoenix. Farrow had two chances in the opening half against Phoenix and failed to convert them.

Just one of the Sky Blues seven shots against Wellington were on target.

While there is still plenty of time left in the season – another 17 games – climbing the ladder into finals contention is going to take an almighty effort.

If they want any chance they will have to play better than they did against Wellington Phoenix.

Grace Jale celebrates after scoring against Sydney FC. Picture: Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images

The New Zealand side are in-form – unbeaten in four games.

Conditions certainly made it a tough game – heavy rain and lightning forced a 45 minute delay at halftime.

The opening half was a midfield battle with neither team able to launch an attack but Wellington Phoenix had an improved drive in the second half. New Zealand national team player Grace Jale bagged her first goal of the season off a long range shot which skidded on the wet glass under the keeper and into the net.

The Sky Blues had 30 minutes left on the clock to get back in the game. They tried to stage a comeback but Phoenix’s defence were well disciplined and hard to break down.

Phoenix didn’t ease off their attack – a late header from Zoe McMeeken doubled the home side’s lead with just minutes left on the clock.

HOLLY MAC IS BACK! 🙌🩵

Matildas star Holly McNamara scores her first goal after a 13 month injury lay-off. What a moment 🥹

📺 Watch #ADLvMCY live NOW on Paramount+ / 10 Play pic.twitter.com/ezc0NKsePj

— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) December 20, 2024

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Adelaide 1 def Melbourne City 3

Goal scorers: UNITED: Rebekah Stott (OG) CITY: Mariana Speckmaier, Chelsea Dawber (OG), Holly McNamara

Despite a rare horror goalkeeping error from veteran Melissa Barbieri, City maintained their top spot on the ladder. Marian Speckmaier was once again a standout for City – scoring inside the first minute. Barbieri took her eyes off the ball from a zero pressure backpass – the ball rolling under her foot and into the net to see Adelaide go equal. Then returned hero Holly McNamara sealed the deal with a stunning goal in the 74th minute – just two minutes after she entered the field. It was just McNamara’s second game of the year after suffering an ACL injury early last season. City remain undefeated and have a good hold over the top of the ladder. Adelaide had been in top form have now lost two in a row.

Western Sydney Wanderers 1 draw Perth Glory 1

Goal scorers: WSW: Amy Harrison. GLORY: Kelli Brown (pen)

Both sides had plenty of chances but it was a late penalty that forced WSW to share the points with Glory. Glory had 26 shots to WSW’s 10. The game would have had a different ending had WSW not had keeper Shamiran Khamis between the sticks. The glovewoman was exceptional – blocking each of Glory’s rockets. WSW’s captain Amy Harrison scored from a well taken free kick in the 86th minute to put the home side ahead. Glory found a new level and unleashed a relentless attack. Khamis was forced to come off her line and charge the Glory striker – but she missed the ball and collected the player in the head – leading to a yellow card and a penalty. Kelli Brown had no trouble converting it late in injury time to force the draw. Perth are on a bit of a roll now with a win and a draw from their last two games.

A footballing fairytale 🧡✨In her first professional start, Laini Freier scores a first career hat-trick - with TWO goals set up by her twin sister Sharn!

A big day for Roar, who now lead 6-1, an even bigger day for the Freier family 🥹

Watch #BRIvPER live NOW on Paramount+… pic.twitter.com/pnKODxsw4u

— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) December 21, 2024

Newcastle Jets 1 defeated by Brisbane Roar 6

Goals: JETS: Cassidy Davis, ROAR: Grace Kuilamu, Lani Freier, Tamar Levin, Momo Hayashi

It was a one sided goal fest for Brisbane Roar who now sit just two points outside the top spot on the ladder. Lani Freier, the sister of Matildas winger Sharn Freier, announced herself to the league scoring a hat-trick. Lani missed the start of the season with a leg injury – this match was her first start in the ALW and she made sure to leave an impression. The dominant performance will have the rest of the league on notice.

Talking about coming back to haunt your old side 🫢

Nicki Flannery spent eight years at Canberra United. In her first game against them, she finds the net within four minutes to put @gomvfc ahead 😳

Watch #CANvMVC live NOW on Paramount+ & 10 Play 📺 pic.twitter.com/3GkWvwjviE

— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) December 21, 2024

Canberrra United 0 defeated by Melbourne Victory 2

Goals: Nicki Flannery, Sara D’Appolonia

Victory were missing their key goalscorer Emily Gielnik – for an unknown reason – but it didn’t have an impact at all. Victory recruit Nicki Flannery needed just four minutes to score against her former club – giving Melbourne an early lead. Canberra struggled to find a way through Victory’s defence – managing just five shots at goal. Sara D’Appolonia snagged a second for the visitors just before halftime. It was a closer battle in the second half with neither team able to score. Victory now sit third on the ladder while Canberra have dropped to 10th. Canberra started the season well but have lacked consistency in recent weeks – they haven’t had a win in four weeks.