Canberra Olympic 1 (Grace Maher 48’) def. by Belconnen United 3 (Michaela Day 22’, Gemma Murphy 63’, 88’)

By Mat Stramandinoli

Belconnen United continued their perfect start to the season with a tough win over Canberra Olympic at O’Connor Sunday afternoon.

The game started off slow, with both in-form midfields up against each other and the ball struggled to find itself outside the center of the park.

It took 22 minutes for Michaela Day to break the dead lock and resume her brilliant goal scoring record this season of a goal in every round, with a free kick from just outside the area to put the visitors up 1-0.

This goal would serve as a wake up call for Olympic, and Grace Field and Alexia Forner began to control for the hosts until the break, as United took a one-goal lead into the sheds.

Just three minutes into the second half, Grace Maher answered back though with a free kick for the hosts, guiding the ball into top left-hand corner and putting Olympic back into the game at one-all.

But United looked to get back on top and created a number of chances across the next 15 minutes, including a lung-busting effort from Karen Clarke that saw her run half the field only to have her effort saved well by Eleni Haridemos in the Olympic goal.

But the pressure paid off shortly after, as Gemma Murphy raced onto a through ball and finished tidily past Haridemos to put the visitors back in the lead.

Another battle ensued for the next 25 minutes with neither team able to break through the strong opposing defenses on either side of the park. 

Jasmine Maguire and Grace Basser-Silk for United and Olympic respectively stood out in this period with some great contests on the right side of the park.

With just four minutes remaining in the match, Murphy secured her brace and sealed the win for the Blue Devils, with a keeper error inside the box from a powerful low shot allowing her to jump on the loose ball and put it in the back of the back of the net and rounding out the scoreline at 3-1.

Belconnen United will now host Tuggeranong United at McKellar Park next Saturday, while Canberra Olympic will face Gungahlin at Gungahlin Enclosed.