Belconnen United v Canberra Olympic | Saturday, 11^th May – 3pm @ McKellar Park

Belconnen United were drawn during the week to take on Canberra FC in the Federation Cup semi-finals next week, but first they must see off Canberra Olympic at McKellar Park on Saturday afternoon. United were at their ruthless best last weekend as they dispatched Woden-Weston by 12 goals and the side is clearly firing a few rounds into the season. Maddy Whittall hit her straps with six in that game and the reigning champions possess a plethora of options up top that Olympic will need to contain. They are still yet to concede in the league this season and one wonders if that will change up against a team who are yet to score.

Olympic put in an improved performance last weekend but were still outgunned by Gungahlin and remain in the hunt for their first goals and points of the league season. They too will have a busy schedule with a Federation Cup game on Wednesday night against Woden-Weston and will likely take on the same team in the league next weekend pending schedule amendments. They have conceded 19 goals in their three outings so far this season and will need to shore up here against a very free-scoring United side. Andrew Woodman’s side have shown positives this season though; Natina Skinner has been excellent getting out in transition onto the long ball, and against Tuggeranong in the cup they shut up shop in a big way. Translating that into their league form is the next step though.

 

Canberra United Academy v Canberra FC | Saturday, 11^th May – 5pm @ Hawker Football Centre

It’s first taking on second at Hawker Football Centre on Saturday afternoon as the Academy welcome Canberra FC for a monster matchup. Heather Garriock’s side saw off Tuggeranong United at Hawker last week for their fourth straight league win and scored three in each half as part of a strong performance. Hayley Taylor-Young added a goal to continue her strong season while Sasha Grove scored twice, remaining a thorn in the side of opposition backlines. This week is a different challenge though, and they will need to be at their best against the side leading the competition. Canberra FC have shown they have multiple attacking weapons and while the Academy have only conceded twice this season, they are yet to face an attack this potent.

Nik Brozinic’s side will have an eye to Wednesday’s Federation Cup clash with Belconnen this weekend but must first pass this big test. Canberra FC have had it mostly their own way this campaign since their goalless draw with Belconnen United in round one, but the Academy will not allow goals in the same manner. Canberra FC’s backline will need to be organised here against the likes of Taylor-Young and Grove, but will be confident they have the firepower to overcome the hosts if the game evolves into a shootout. Rachael Goldstein has scored 13 this season, Brittany Palombi has netted eight and nine other players have scored at least once, so Brozinic has plenty of places to look for goals as the game wears on.

 

Gungahlin United v Wagga City Wanderers | Sunday, 12^th May – 2pm @ Gungahlin Enclosed

Diego Iglesias and Gungahlin United will be pushing for their third win in a row as they host the Wagga City Wanderers at GEO on Sunday afternoon. A 3-0 victory over Canberra Olympic last weekend helped them solidify fourth spot, and they sit six points ahead of this weekend’s opponents, although that could change by Sunday afternoon. United have a chance to exploit the fact that Wagga City will be on a back-to-back, playing Monaro in a reschedule on Saturday and should look to push the pace to wear their opponent’s down. Iglesias has enjoyed contributions up front from a range of players, with seven players scoring so far this season, and four of those more than once. Depending on Saturday’s result a win here for Gungahlin could keep the chasing back six points back or extend it to nine.

Wagga will have a tough outing here, given they will be backing up inside 24 hours of taking on Monaro at Riverside on Saturday. That rescheduled fixture gives them a good chance to pick up their first three points in Canberra for the season but will leave them with some tired legs to take on Gungahlin on Sunday. The bye in the previous round was a nice break after they were beaten heavily at Deakin Stadium, but there were strong moments in that game including some stunning goals from Tess Vaccari and Brooke Gayler, two of their standout performers this season. Rather than hedge bets between two two matches this weekend, the Wanderers may just look to go all out on Saturday and take what comes to them on Sunday’s tired legs.

Rescheduled match: Monaro Panthers v Wagga City Wanderers – Saturday, 11^th May – 4pm @ Riverside

 

Tuggeranong United v Woden-Weston | Sunday, 12^th May – 3pm @ Greenway Enclosed

Tuggeranong United can chase their second win of the season when they host Woden-Weston at Greenway on Sunday afternoon. United pushed the Academy pretty well last weekend but the opposition made good on their chances, and Michael Aldred’s side again struggled to create major chances of their own. New signing Alice Linn is in some doubt for this clash, but Aldred will be boosted by the returns of Sonya Sheedy and Zoe Terry to a side that had been struggling for depth. Their opponent’s have been strong in some areas but struggled in others, and Tuggeranong may look to use the visitors weakness against through balls to their advantage.

A 12-0 rout was not how Mark Boyd and Sarah West would have envisioned their trip to McKellar Park last weekend, but it was a result that was hardly reflective of the game itself. The Wanderers had strong moments going forward that they were unable to capitalise on but too often were caught out with a high backline that allowed Maddy Whittall and others in behind. Tuggeranong do not have the same number of individual scoring threats but the visitors here need to be wary that they can pose a threat through the same avenues. It remains to be seen whether Iesha De Andrade is ready for this game again after limping off during the loss this week, otherwise there will be some shuffling to be done in the backline.