GOOD-WIN! Archie Gets it Done For United at Home

It’s been a tough few weeks for Adelaide United. 

Finally for United, it seems the tide is turning. In recent weeks, Auckland City stole two points with the final moments of the game.  Unfortunately for United, it got worse in Sydney.  The Sky Blues dominated in the second half, as the Reds away form was ruined. 

Up against Melbourne City tonight, the Reds were outclassed for 45 minutes.  After half time, the game turned, before Archie Goodwin’s 52nd minute goal saw United record a 1-0 win. 

It was a disappointing result for City, who spent all of the first half in cruise control.  The light blue half of Melbourne have spent large portions of the season decimated by injury. 

However, in recent weeks, the Citizens have been getting players back.  This week, it was young gun Max Caputo and veteran Mathew Leckie back in the starting 11. 

Returning players made a difference for City early, as they started much the better of the two teams. Adelaide again found themselves on the back foot at home.   

As it often is between two bitter rivals there was no love lost between the two teams.  Just after the quarter of the hour mark, Stefan Mauk tried to set the tone.   

Patrick Beach, who became City’s number one keeper after long-time servant Jamie Young called time on his spectacular career during the week, was caught by Mauk. 

Adelaide’s number six was shown a yellow, City weren’t happy and believed that Mauk should have been sent off.  Beach was caught by Mauk’s trailing leg and that, potentially saved the United midfielder. 

Throughout the entire first half, City pressed and pressed. United were messy in possession and on multiple occasions were nearly made to pay.   City was completely dominant. 

Fortunately for United, it appeared City had left their shooting boots in Melbourne, only Benjamin Mazzeo’s 10th minute shot making Ethan Cox work. 

Caputo had an opportunity that Ethan Cox stopped bravely as the clock ticked past 40 minutes.   United finally got there first touch in City’s 18 yard box as they went on the counter in the dying moments, but overall, it was a first half that hadn’t lived up to the occasion.    

Then came Goodwin’s goal.  The former Newcastle player moved like a jet when Zach Clough swung the ball in.  Goodwin rose at the near post and put the ball past Beach and into the net. 

Moments later Yaya Dukuly nearly set up Zach Clough. That was one of multiple chances United had in the one play, as the home team finally found a gear at Hindmarsh. 

Much like City did to United in the first half.  United forced City into mistakes, the Reds went from disappointing, to on the front foot, to completely in control inside the 15 minutes. 

Goodwin then launched on a poor mistake from Melbourne City.  He grabbed the ball from German Ferreyra, and forced Patrick Beach into a save, as United’s third big chance of the half went unused. 

City had their moments as they game closed, but a gritty United held on, as the Reds closed the gap to Auckland at the top.