Monaro Panthers v Tuggeranong United – Riverside Stadium 3pm Saturday

Monaro Panthers will look to rebound from a heavy loss last weekend as they meet Tuggeranong United in the Match of the Round. The Panthers have not picked up points since round 1 and face the danger of having their losing streak extended to six matches here. A 9-0 loss to Gunghalin last weekend kept them rooted at the foot of the table, but an opportunity comes for a turnaround this weekend against a Tuggeranong side who struggled up until last week’s win. If Angelo Maralit’s side can shore up their defence and fix their execution going into the final third, then they will prove a strong test for Tuggeranong here.

The visitors broke a three-match losing streak last weekend after starting the season two-from-two, but didn’t overly convince against a struggling Canberra Olympic side. A 2-1 win came out of a tough second half, as Olympic pushed to get back into the game but Tuggeranong eventually held out. Still struggling on occasion at the back with the league’s third worst defence, Tuggeranong may be able to re-instil some confidence against a Monaro side with the equal lowest goal scoring record.

 

Belconnen United v Canberra United Academy – McKellar Park 5pm Saturday

Belconnen and the Canberra United Academy will clash in the top two match on Saturday evening at McKellar Park. Both sides have lost only one match so far, the Academy finally dropping points to Canberra FC last weekend, and have the two equal-best attacking setups in the league. United ran over the top of an injury-hit Woden-Weston 6-0 at Woden Park on Sunday and will look for that momentum to continue into a home outing here.

The Academy had their winning run brought to an end by last year’s grand finalists, but will prove to be a stern test here for Belconnen. With an attack equally as potent as the home side and with energy to burn in such a young side, this could be a statement match for the Academy team. While they do lack the experience of the reigning premiers they make up for it elsewhere, and this match is sure to be a belter.

 

Canberra FC v Gungahlin United – 2pm Sunday

Third meets fourth in this matchup as in-form Gungahlin United travel to Deakin Stadium to take on Canberra FC. A 9-0 belting of Monaro last weekend included four goals from Ashleigh Palombi and she will be a danger to the home side here. That win capped off a three-match winning streak featuring 20 goals scored by the team and if they can make it four then they will begin to seriously stare down a top-two finish.

For Canberra FC, a second consecutive clean sheet and a move back onto the winners list highlighted last week’s triumph over the Academy at Hawker. Chantel Jones got on the score sheet with the only goal of the game and the performance was a glimpse of this side’s potential and with Grace Gill returning to fitness Mark Risteski’s squad is slowly getting back to full strength. The winner of this match stakes a big claim to challenging for top spot and it is set to be an entertaining encounter.

 

Canberra Olympic v Woden-Weston FC – 2pm Saturday

Still winless Canberra Olympic will welcome an injury-riddled Woden-Weston side to O’Connor as both sides aim to get back on track. A big loss for the visitors last weekend to Belconnen United was compounded by injuries, with Diego Elmoudawar forced into a number of substitutions he otherwise would not have planned on. A good side on their day, Woden-Weston may struggle with depth here and if the game is played at a fast pace, tired legs may become a factor.

For Olympic, they looked to have turned around last weekend’s match with Tuggeranong in the second half but were unable to find an equaliser, and remain searching for their first points of the season. That 2-1 loss was a big improvement from the previous weeks 13-0 loss to Belconnen United, but coach Rob Scott may see a chance for bigger things this weekend. If this side can play at their best for the full 90 minutes then they will push Woden-Weston all the way and this clash may well come down to who can run out the match.