A second half push nearly gave Canberra their first win of the season but Adelaide held firm at Viking Park to win 3-1.
While the first half was full of chances for Canberra, none of them found the back of the net while Adelaide scored two, thanks to Dylan Holmes and Chelsie Dawber.
The home team did start the game faster than their opposition, even having a chance in the opening 30 seconds. It was Chloe Middleton who ventured down the right hand side before sending a cross in that hit the crossbar.
Unfortunately, eight minutes later it was Adelaide who opened the scoring. After some strong Canberra defense the ball fell to Emily Condon who smartly chipped the ball into Paige Hayward who headed it first time into the path of Dylan Holmes who clinically finished.
Canberra nearly striked right back after Michelle Heyman fed the ball through to Margot Robinne whose powerful effort on goal was matched by a strong save.
Another chance to equalize went begging for the home side after Heyman hit the post from a tricky angle. The ball to her was remarkable in its own right as Chelsee Washington somehow poked the ball through to the striker while on the ground.
Canberra were made to pay for those two missed opportunities after Adelaide scored their second. This time it was Chelsea Dawber who got the ball after the pass went through the defensive line. She was one on one and finished past Keeley Richards who had no chance to save it.
If they were going to make a two goal comeback for the second time in three games then they were going to have to start quick in the second-half, and this is exactly what happened. Brought on at half-time Ashleigh Sykes rose highest to head Allira Toby’s ball into the top corner to bring Canberra right back into the contest.
Canberra hounded the away team, pushing for the leveler while Adelaide were barely hanging on. United were creating chance after chance but to no avail.
Then against the run of play, Adelaide were able to get their two-goal cushion back thanks to a goal from Fiona Worts.
Canberra fought hard once again to get back into the game, but this time their resilience was just not to be with the referee blowing the whistle to end the game, Canberra falling three goals to one in front of 910 fans.
