WEST ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE CITY
League runners up West Adelaide stormed into next weekend’s Grand Final against Premiers Salisbury Inter with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Adelaide City at VALO Football Centre on Friday night.
Neither side entered the finals in imperious form but both thoroughly deserved their spot amongst the final three left standing, with clear daylight between them and the rest of the competition in terms of points won throughout the season.
West’s comprehensive 6-1 loss to Salisbury Inter in the qualifying final last week, as shocking as it was, was still only their third loss of the season. Meanwhile, Adelaide City managed to successfully navigate their tricky elimination final against Football SA NTC with a 1-0 victory.
Despite finishing 12 points behind their opponents in the table, City took confidence from the fact they drew two of their three games with West which this season, which proves that they can still match it with the top sides.
However, that confidence began to evaporate as with half an hour gone, City’s Alana Fitzsimmons lost possession on her left-hand side. Maddie Durieu found Christie Hillyer, who curled a glorious pass to her left, allowing Laura Johns to cut inside a defender and fire a low shot into the net.
Five minutes before the break, ‘Hellas’ doubled their advantage. Johns’ inswinging corner from the left found Emily Hodgson. She laid the ball back and Ali Atkins, from over 20 yards out, hit a spectacular first-time effort over City keeper Kendall Jenner and into the net.
Any hopes that Adelaide City had of a comeback finally fizzled out with just over a quarter of an hour remaining when they lost possession from a throw-in. Durieu gained possession in midfield and released Johns, who calmly slotted the ball under Jenner for 3-0.
Four minutes later West completed the rout when Nicole Tilley played a centimetre perfect ball towards the left-hand side for Mawa Sumaoro to chip the ball over Jenner, with Harriet Burnett adding a side-foot finish to ensure it went over the line.
West Adelaide will go all out to right the wrongs of their qualifying final encounter with Salisbury Inter. They are yet to beat the Black and Blues this campaign, so it would be the sweetest win of all if they can overcome Inter in the Grand Final.
SA NPLW Grand Final
Salisbury Inter v West Adelaide
Saturday 23rd October
3:00 pm KO (local time), Summit Sport and Recreation Park
