Adelaide City hold out Beckenham Angels
Adelaide City defeated Beckenham Angels 1-0 in the opening game of the Interstate Challenge at Dorrien Gardens.
Report by James Mooney footballwest.com.au
It was Western Australia’s best taking on their equivalent from South Australia, with the southerners striking first blood.
It was a game which had two sides with an equal amount of quality that could only be separated from an early penalty.
Both teams started off cautious as the sides spent time trying to work each other out.
The rain began to come down as both sides were pushing hard only to be halted by both defences who stood tall, leading to a congested midfield.
After 25 minutes, the pressure soon gave way against Beckenham as Antonia Jukic took down Elise Whorlow, stopping her before she could get on the end of a good through ball from Monique Iannella.
Referee Mark Williams pointed to the spot and Iannella stepped up and slipped in the opening goal of the game.
Iannella was causing all sorts of trouble for Beckenham down the right wing, however her crosses were being blown away as the swirling rain showed no sign of moving on.
Beckenham continued to push, but City’s defence looked too strong to break.
Early in the second half, Beckenham came out with more intent as they threw in cross after cross, however were unable to put one past keeper Hayley Truskewycz.
Beckenham were creating chances only to be lacking in their second effort as several spills from City’s defence went unpunished.
Captain Danielle Jeans pushed hard up front, but as the rain once again began to crash, chances became scarce.
Kirby Larsen came into the frame with two late chances, only to be halted by a sliding tackle from Nicola Diamond and a shot stopping save from Truskewycz.
Adelaide’s Daniela Di Bartolo quick feet allowed her to send a long ball into Alexandra Ladas who was cut off just in time by Diamond.
Moments later Di Bartolo found herself inches away from doubling her side’s lead, however her tap in was blocked by a diving Kristy Teschinsky save.
Adelaide’s defence did their job and managed to keep Beckenham out to hold on as 1-0 winners and give South Australia a perfect start in the best of three games on the day, with the Amateur Challenge and Semi-Pro Challenge matches played immediately after to decide the overall winner.
Beckenham Angels 0
Adelaide City 1 (Monique Iannella 24’)
BCG Stadium
Local Kick Off Time 1PM
Referee Mark Williams
Assistant Ref1. Nico Hoyle
Assistant Ref 2. Marcus Watts
Fourth Official Josh Nixon.
Beckenham Angels: GK. Kristy TESCHINSKY, 2.Danielle JEANS {c}, 3. Kirby Larsen, 4. Lindsey JOBLING, 5. Kayla COPPENS, 6.Jessica FERGUSON, 7. Annique KEISLER, 8. Jamie-Lee GALE, 9. Nicola DIAMOND, 10. Emma Walden, 11. Kristen KOFLER, 12. Danielle CALAUTTI, 14. Antonia JUKIC, 15. Andrew PREIATO
Adelaide City: GK Hayley TRUSKEWYCZ 2. Elise WHORLOW 4. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 5.Alicia NICKOLAS, 6.Monique IANNELLA, 8.Isabella SCALZI, 9.Dragana KLJAJIC, 11. Madeline DU REIU, 12. Greta FRENCH-KENNEDY, 13. Michelle MALE, 14. Alexandra LADAS, 16. Jessica NAGEL, 23. Lauren MATHER, 25.Lucy BURNETT.