Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick and Anna Harrington

Adelaide into ALW semis, other match postponed

Matilda McNamara (centre) has given Adelaide victory in their elimination final with Western United. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Adelaide United have secured their spot in the A-League Women semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 elimination final win over Western United.

Western United unleashed 22 shots to six in Sunday's match at Coopers Stadium, but it was Adelaide defender Matilda McNamara's header from a corner in the 24th minute that proved the difference.

It marked Adelaide's first win in a final in their 17-year ALW history, and they will now take on second-placed Melbourne Victory in a two-legged semi-final.

"It feels pretty unreal. I'm a bit in shock," Adelaide goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins told Paramount.

"In the second half, we were expecting them to come out pretty aggressive.

"We did really well to withstand that. We withstood the wave and are still standing.

"The message was received, we dug deep, fought to the end and got the result."

Central Coast's home elimination final against Canberra United had to be postponed until Monday evening after torrential rain left the pitch in Gosford waterlogged.

The fourth-placed Mariners were due to host Canberra at Industree Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

But the pitch was deemed unplayable, forcing the game's postponement until Monday evening - provided the playing surface is up to scratch by then.

"Following extensive rain in Gosford in the last 24 hours, and up to 50mm of rain still to fall today, the water-logged pitch has been deemed unplayable," the Australian Professional Leagues said in a statement.

The flooded entry gates at Industree Group Stadium.
The Mariners will play Canberra on Monday night after their elimination final was postponed. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Adelaide looked lively in the first half of Sunday's do-or-die match, with Emily Condon's early strike well saved, before McNamara gave the hosts the lead.

It could have been 2-0, but Lucia Leon's 34th-minute shot from just inside the box hit the post.

At the other end, star United striker Chloe Berryhill (nee Logarzo) also struck the woodwork just before half-time.

United pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half but couldn't find a way through.

Claudia Jenkins saves Chloe Berryhill's shot.
Western's Chloe Berryhill hit the post with one shot and sew this one parried by Claudia Jenkins. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

It is the second season in a row that Western United bombed out in an elimination final.

"It was just one of those days pretty much," United midfielder Catherine Zimmerman said.

"I'm pretty proud of how we played. We battled and we created a lot of chances, we just couldn't score."

The winner of the Central Coast versus Canberra elimination final will take on premiers Melbourne City in a two-legged semi-final.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.