Adelaide United and the Central Coast Mariners made full use of their home advantage in the elimination finals of the A-League Women, securing passage to the two-legged semi-finals.
Read our review of the Matildas at Home finals action below.
Adelaide United 1 – 0 Western United
Western United piled on the pressure, but Adelaide United held on to a slim lead to secure a 1-0 victory and passage to the semi-finals.
The Reds came into the match as favourites and opened the scoring after Matilda McNamara rose highest from a corner in the first half. It meant that Western United spent most of the match chasing an equaliser, and Adelaide spent most of the match putting everything into holding onto their advantage.
The visitors ended the match with 23 shots and 53% possession. However, they were unable to get past Kiwi international Claudia Jenkins in goals. The Reds' victory means they will take on Melbourne Victory next week.
Matilda McNamara played the full game for Adelaide in defence and scored the only goal of the game. Chloe Berryhill was ever-present in Western United’s attack, while Chloe Lincoln was an unused substitute.
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Date: Sunday, 4th May
Time: 3:30pm (Local)/4:00pm (AEST)
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Tickets: Buy Tickets
Central Coast Mariners 2 – 1 Canberra United
For the second time this season, the Central Coast Mariners came from behind to defeat Canberra United 2-1.
Canberra had the better of the chances in the first half and made it count just before the half-time break. Michelle Heyman did well to get on the end of a long ball, muscle off her defender, and place a superb finish into the back of the net.
However, the Mariners came out firing in the second half in front of their home fans. England national Jade Pennock scored less than a minute into the half before doubling her goal tally with a superb strike in the 74th ninute.
Canberra did their best to push for the equaliser, but the Mariners held on. The victory means that they will appear in the semi-finals for the second season in a row. They will face the task of overhauling undefeated premiers Melbourne City if they are to progress to the final.
Michelle Heyman started and played the full match for Canberra United as captain. Jessika Nash was a key part of the Mariners defensive resolve.
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne City
Date: Saturday, 3rd May
Time: 2:15pm (Local/AEST)
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Tickets: Buy Tickets - tickets on sale at 3pm AEST (Tue, 29th April)