The Wanderers Westfield W-League side will be looking to take another step towards a historic first-time berth in the Finals when they play Adelaide United at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.
Head coach Dean Heffernan’s high flying side will travel to Adelaide full of confidence following a 3-1 win over Perth Glory last Sunday that helped maintain the second spot on the table.
With four rounds left in the regular season, the Red & Black have 19 points – six behind leaders Melbourne City but with a game in hand.
The race for the Premiership could well be decided on February 20 when the Wanderers play City in a top-of-the-table clash at Marconi Stadium.
However, the Wanderers, who finished with the wooden spoon last season, won’t be looking that far ahead given the first priority is to ensure they make the Finals for the first time in their W-League history.
Unfortunately, Heffernan will be without a number of influential players with goalkeeper Abby Smith and captain Erica Halloway sidelined with injury, Irish international Denise O’Sullivan having completed her seven-game guest stint and striker Lynn Williams away on international duty.
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Still, the Wanderers coped well against Glory without Smith, Halloway and Williams while Heffernan and his assistants Michael Beauchamp and Catherine Cannuli have a firm belief that they have good enough back up to cover for the loss of O’Sullivan.
While Adelaide are in last spot and yet to win a game, the Wanderers will be wary of a Reds side that gave them a tough game when they met in the first game of the season back on November 14.
United had taken a 1-0 lead via a Mary Fowler penalty before Kristen Hamilton equalised just on half time.
The game appeared headed for a draw until Kyra Cooney-Cross grabbed the winner when her free-kick from distance snuck in to hand her side the three points.
Since then the Wanderers have gone from strength to strength putting together six wins and a draw with their only loss coming against Brisbane Roar a fortnight ago.
