Belconnen United v Tuggeranong United | Saturday, 27^th April – 3pm @ McKellar Park - WATCH LIVE

Tuggeranong United will be looking to rebound from a heavy Federation Cup loss when they meet Belconnen United at McKellar Park on Saturday. The 8-0 loss to Canberra Olympic at Hawker was far from ideal preparation and the short turnaround will not make things much easier. Michael Aldred and his side will welcome Alice Linn to the squad next week when she arrives in Australia, but must navigate this tough matchup first. They struggled to penetrate an Olympic backline that had shipped 16 goals in the league prior to that game, and must refine their build up play if they are going to threaten at McKellar.

For Belconnen they have enjoyed a break since defeating the Canberra United Academy in their Federation Cup clash by six goals, including a strong return to form for Caitlin Munoz as she scored five times. Antoni Jagarinec will have a very strong squad to pick from in this game with the Reserves match prior being postponed and may use it as a chance to give youngsters some time. Belconnen’s cumulative score against Tuggeranong last season was 12-0 and given the attacking weapons Jagarinec’s side has in store there could be a few goals in this one.

 

Monaro Panthers v Canberra United Academy | Saturday, 27^th April – 4:30pm @ Riverside Stadium - WATCH LIVE

Monaro will welcome the Canberra United Academy to Riverside Stadium this weekend as part of a double-header to officially open the refurbished Riverside Stadium and Ian Worthington’s side will be keen to put in a strong showing. With the Panthers’ international contingent all now in town they are a stronger side but will need a better performance than the one that saw them fall 3-2 to Tuggeranong at home last time out. Lapses of concentration cost them in that game but they still showed plenty going forward and have players that can challenge this young Academy outfit. As she so often is, Alicia Meuronen will be a key to the hosts performance if they are to create and take chances up top.

The Academy’s last hit-out was a heavy loss to Belconnen United in the Women’s Federation Cup, and before that they picked up the full points in a road win over the Wagga City Wanderers. The Academy have been without key personnel throughout the early rounds but should be at full strength for this clash, with Hayley Taylor-Young expected to be fit after leaving the pitch in that clash with United. She has scored nine goals so far this season including six against Canberra Olympic and will be a focal point for Heather Garriock’s side when they attack at Riverside this weekend.

 

Canberra FC v Wagga City Wanderers | Sunday, 28^th April – 2pm @ Deakin Stadium - WATCH LIVE

Canberra FC’s last outing was a 14-0 thrashing of UC Pumas in the Federation Cup before the Easter break and Nik Brozinic will be keen for his team to continue that goalscoring form when they run out onto Deakin Stadium to meet the league’s newest team. Canberra FC had strong results against Wagga City in pre-season and will be clear favourites here. Rachael Goldstein has scored 10 just in the league this season including six against Woden-Weston in their big win at Melrose and will be a danger that the Wanderers need to be mindful of here. Brozinic’s side have threats all over the park, although it remains to be seen if Grace Gill will return this week from a hamstring injury sustained in that win against Woden-Weston.

For Wagga City a bright start was turned around with a 4-0 loss to the Academy in their second match but they will aim to bounce back here against one of the top sides in the league. Deakin Stadium is never an easy road trip, particularly when arriving from Wagga Wagga but Mick Godbier will make sure his side is ready and up to the task. They will have their work cut out stopping a formidable forward line and must cut the supply of the ball in behind from midfield if they are to really assert themselves here. A result of any kind at Deakin would be massive for Godbier and his team, but getting it against a side without a goal scored against them this season will be hard work.

 

Woden-Weston v Gungahlin United | Sunday, 28^th April – 3pm @ Melrose - WATCH LIVE

Just over a week removed from comfortably overcoming the same team in the Women’s Federation Cup, Woden-Weston welcome Gungahlin United back to Melrose synthetic this weekend. The Wanderers came out of the gates in excellent form that game and were four goals up the half hour mark. Anna Vandenbroucke netted two of those and was aided by Samantha Briggs and Tayla Zanotto and their dangerous forward line will look to make life hard for Gungahlin here. A tough fixture against Belconnen United awaits next round, increasing the value of the three points on offer here.

United have not scored in their past two outings now, being the loss to Wanderers and a 5-0 loss to Belconnen United after a strong showing early in the season against Tuggeranong United. They still remain fourth by virtue of that big early win, but this is a game that will test them against a side likely to be challenging for the top four spots. A win here would put them three points ahead of Woden-Weston, while the reverse would produce that advantage for their opponents. This match precedes a run of winnable matches for Diego Iglesias and his side, so getting the ball rolling away from home against Woden-Weston would be a big boost.