Belconnen United v Gungahlin United | Saturday, 5:15pm @ McKellar Park LIVE on BarTV Sports

A sixth straight win to begin the season beckons this weekend for Belconnen United as they welcome Gungahlin United to McKellar Park. United saw off the Academy in a gritty encounter at the same venue last week and carry plenty of momentum in here. United’s normal goal threats were somewhat stymied in the match, but Jessie Rasschaert’s goal showed that the threat can come from anywhere with this side. Anything less than a win here would allow Canberra FC to potentially tighten the gap between the two sides, but Antoni Jagarinec will be happy with where his team are at early on. Lauren Keir was outstanding against the Academy and will be important in this outing too, and if the hosts can defend strongly and build from there then they will put themselves in a strong position to win.

Gungahlin carry confidence into this outing on the back of strong form, dominating Canberra Olympic two weeks ago before being within moments of a win against Woden-Weston last time it. Diego Iglesias’ squad is gelling properly after coming together as a largely new group and they face their biggest test here at McKellar. After a slow start to the season the team looks strong, and they can threaten from a number of areas. Against Olympic they dominated out wide and coming in with a similar strategy here would work well. Forcing the game into the midfield would suit Belconnen more than it would Gungahlin, so strategy will be massive here for the visitors.

 

Monaro Panthers v Tuggeranong United | Sunday, 2pm @ Duncan Fields

Monaro will look to build off an important first-up win when they take on winless Tuggeranong United out in Googong. Zoe Szeremet set the league talking as she capped off a hat-trick (her third of the day) with a 90^th minute winner to see the Panthers past Canberra Olympic, and they now bring confidence into this clash. That win was the side’s first game scoring more than one goal all season, and will back themselves to do it again against a Tuggeranong defence that has the second most goals conceded in the league.

For United, their longing for a win is reaching desperate times and a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Canberra FC did not do much to help. The damage in that outing was done early by their opponents who flew out of the blocks, and a better start is required here. Keeping Monaro out will be key before United can look to score, something that has happened only once all season. Amber Harvey has proven she can be a reliable defender off the bench, but whether her return from injury can stretch the 90 minutes in first-grade will be a key point here for the visitors.

 

Canberra Olympic v Canberra FC | Sunday, 3pm @ O’Connor Enclosed

Canberra Olympic face a surging Canberra FC side at O’Connor on Sunday and needing to break a three-match winless streak of their own. A shock loss to Monaro last weekend saw them drop out of the top four for the first time this season, and Eddie Senatore must find an answer to the absence of Grace Maher. Canberra FC’s experienced midfield will be a big obstacle for Olympic in this matchup, and although Olympic’s goalscoring record has not been too bad, chance creation against the top sides has lacked somewhat. A loss here could leave them 12 points behind their opponents and drifting away from the top four; dangerous territory to be in as the competition finishes it’s first cycle of matches.

For Canberra FC, their thumping of Tuggeranong last weekend was their fifth win in a row, and a sixth here would give them plenty of momentum heading into the second cycle of matches. The 2017 Champions do not face Belconnen United until Round 13, so have plenty of time to pick up points and prepare for that crunch clash. Mark Risteski’s side surprised Tuggeranong with their start last weekend as they scored four goals inside the first 20 minutes, and a start like that would go along way towards helping them win this outing. The side continue to find goals from a number of avenues this season meaning it is hard to shut down their offensive threat, and that will make life difficult for Olympic here.

Woden-Weston v Canberra United Academy | Sunday, 3pm @ Woden Park

Woden-Weston can nab a spot in the top four this weekend with a win over the Canberra United Academy at Woden Park. The Wanderers nabbed a point against Gungahlin last time with a late equaliser, but will need to be on it from the get-go this weekend against an Academy side looking to rebound from a narrow loss. Diego Elmoudawar’s side are in reasonable form having pushed Belconnen all the way before a win against Monaro and last week’s draw but will need to step it up again here. Slowing down the game will be important to avoid allowing the Academy to build up a head of steam, and a concerted defensive effort will be important to that.

The Academy went down fighting last weekend but ultimately didn’t use their chances, and they can’t afford to be sloppy again this weekend. Woden-Weston have the chance to pass them on the table with a win, while Ryan Grogan’s side can stay within reach of the top two with three points of their own. Karly Roestbakken and Laura Hughes continued to impress against Belconnen, but Roestbakken needs to be wary of her growing yellow card count. The matches between these two last season were all close encounters, and that record combined with inconsistent starts to 2018 means that this clash could go either way.