Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
Sport

Adelaide United's first Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts sets sights on A-League Women's championship

Adelaide United's Fiona Worts at Hindmarsh Stadium. (ABC News: Brant Cumming)

When Fiona Worts joined the Reds, the British-born striker was aiming to do more than simply make an impression. 

By her own admission, Worts wanted to set a new league benchmark — and that combination of ambition and perseverance has paid off handsomely.

The 26-year-old has written her name in Adelaide United's record books, becoming the club's first-ever Golden Boot winner in the women's competition.

The British striker joined the Reds last season, arriving with experience from Leicester City and Coventry United in the FA Women's Championship in England.

She scored two goals and added three assists in her debut season, but has exploded into form this year, smashing in 13 goals in just 14 games.

Fiona Worts in action for the Reds against Melbourne Victory. (ABC News: Brant Cumming)

She's done so with some style as well, scoring five goals in one game just last month.

Becoming just the third player in history to do so, alongside Melbourne City's Hannah Wilkinson and Perth Glory's Kate Gill.

"Yeah it just sort of happened, you know, I took my chances and yeah, there we were," she said.

But she hasn't been alone, with Chelsie Dawber adding 10 goals of her own.

Creating one of the deadliest strike partnerships in the league this season.

"I think that's one of our real strengths this year, is that we've got goals in us from multiple sources, so that's hard to stop and hard to play against and plan against," coach Adrian Stenta said.

That scoring prowess has helped the Reds lock in finals for the first time in the club's 14-year history.

Easing the pain from last year for coach Adrian Stenta, when the Reds missed the play-offs by goal difference alone, finishing fifth on the table.

"It means a lot to me, for me the main thing was how pleased I was for the playing group," he said.

Adelaide United's Chelsie Dawber shoots against Perth Glory. (ABC News: Brant Cumming)

"I know how hard they work, I know the effort that they go to, and the work that they put in on a daily and weekly basis."

Worts said the result is just reward for effort for herself and her teammates.

"Probably like a weight off the shoulders as well, a massive relief and I think we deserved it and we earned it," Worts said.

"To do it at home on such a big occasion as the Pride Game as well, it was a great day."

'There's nothing stopping us going all the way'

Adelaide's focus has already shifted to the next milestone, securing a maiden finals win.

And confidence is high, despite falling to minor premiers Sydney F-C in the last round of the season.

Adelaide United players celebrate after making the A-League women's finals. (ABC News: Brant Cumming)

"I'm really confident in this playing group, I've been confident in them for a while … and I feel like their confidence has grown as the season's gone on as well," Stenta said.

Adelaide United striker Fiona Worts won the A-League Women's Golden Boot. (ABC News: Brant Cumming)

"To be gaining more confidence as the weeks have gone on, sort of peaking going into finals is a great position to be in."

Melbourne Victory awaits the Reds in the first round of finals, while minor premiers Sydney FC take on Melbourne City for a spot in the grand final.

As for what comes next for Worts, she said she hopes to remain in Adelaide, although a trip home to the UK is on the cards.

"It would obviously be so nice to have my family out here being able to watch my games but for now they just have to wake up at 5:00am in the morning and watch on the TV back at home.

"Hopefully if I'm here another year, they will be able to come out and see some games and see my life here in Australia."

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
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.