Belconnen United 2 (Jasmine Maguire 11’, Michaela Day 37’) def. Canberra FC 0

 By Mat Stramandinoli

Belconnen United put in a clinical shift on Saturday evening to claim a 2-0 win over Canberra FC in trying conditions.

The hosts brought the intensity from the beginning, racing around the park and shutting down passing lanes for the visitors and harrying them in possession.

The strong start paid off after 11 minutes as United pressure forced a turnover from Canberra FC in their own half and Jasmine Maguire struck a sweet effort from the edge of the area to give her side an early lead.

Canberra FC looked to steady things though after going behind, and Diarna Genovesi and Marcia Caporn, but they were unable to break through a determined United backline.

The hosts extended their lead eight minutes shy of the break as they kept their foot on the gas. Michaela Day’s effort was deflected into the Canberra FC net off Amy McLachlan as they piled on pressure and they kept that two-goal lead heading into the break.

The second half turned into an arm wrestle as the teams struggled to gain a strong foothold in testing conditions, with clear cut chances few and far between.

Caitlin Munoz had United’s best chance of the second 45 just seven minutes in, but her effort from the top of the box was well saved by Nat Vasta for a corner.

The visitors continued to look for chances of their own though and came close with time running out as Brittany Palombi fired a strike from the corner of the 18-yard box but Klara Manenica did well to get across and save the goalbound effort.

That was the last real chance of the game as the contest fizzled out, and Belconnen United kept their undefeated season going.