Article: Jeremy Magan
Photo: Kai Moebus 

Canberra Olympic FC 3 (Gemma Murphy 73’, Lily Dawson 80’, Alexandra Cook 87’) defeated by Canberra Croatia FC 5 (Sharon Chao 25’, Brittany Palombi 30’, 39’, Grace Field 57’, Rhiannon Fensom 75’)

What was predicted to be one of the games of the season certainly did not disappoint. Under heavy rain and on one of the only grass pitches not washed out on the weekend, Canberra Olympic and Canberra Croatia put on a great attacking spectacle. The first half was dominated by Nik Brozinic’s team, as they started the game on the front foot, pressing high and fast, and starving Nicole Begg and Ashleigh Sykes of posession. In the 25^th minute, Grace Gill's shot from 30 metres out cannoned off the crossbar but fell kindly to Sharon Chao, who was at right place at the right time. Chao tapped the ball into the empty net, joining Belconnen United's Alexia Forner at the top of the goalscoring ladder with five goals. Five minutes later, Brittany Palombi scored from the penalty spot after she was brought down in the box. She scored her second goal five minutes before half time, with a great right foot shot from the edge of the box. She made sure the small crowd knew scoring from her right foot was a rare occurrence!

Andrew Woodman’s half time speech made a difference, as his players finally started to play their game, using the width of the pitch and playing simple passing football. Begg started organizing the game in the midfield, and Sykes showed her pace down the flanks. Despite their promising start, Canberra Croatia extended their lead as a long free kick was not dealt with properly by Angelica Pahina. The ball landed at Grace Field’s feet, who would score the first goal of her comeback season. Olympic had a chance to get back into the match two minutes later, but Ally Hinson stopped Nicole Begg’s penalty. Finally, with a little more than 15 minutes to play, the home team would get a lucky break. Gemma Murphy’s shot, from outside the box, hit the crossbar, the back of the keeper and ended in Canberra Croatia’s net. Olympic's hopes of a comeback was cut short, as Rhiannon Fensom placed a powerful header out of reach of Pahina. Olympic never gave up, reducing the deficit with 10 minutes left to play. Lily Dawson was found at the end of a great sequence between the Sykes sister, before Alexandra Cook scored a penalty at the 87^th minute but it was too little too late for Canberra Olympic. 

Belconnen United FC 1 (Nicole Jalocha 88’) draw with Gungahlin United FC 1 (Rachel Corbett 56’)

It took Belconnen United 88 minutes and 11 corners to finally break down Gungahlin United's defence, as two of the favorites for the 2020 split the points under heavy rain. Both teams conceded their first goal of the season, thanks to a long-range shot by Rachael Corbett and a late equalizer by Nicole Jalocha. Gungahlin was forced by the firepower of Belconnen to focus on defensive efforts, resorting to counter attacks and long range shots. Belconnen United had the better chances in the opening 45 minutes, but Kailey Tonini kept them at bay with resolute goalkeeping. Diego Iglesias’ side weathered the storm, literally, and came back with more offensive intentions in the second half. 10 minutes into it, Elke Aitolu laid the ball off to Rachel Corbett at the edge of the box, who did not hesitate to shoot from 25 meters. The ball landed just under the cross bar, out of Giovinazzo's reach. 

Belconnen kept pushing, putting pressure on the Gungahlin back four and creating more and more opportunities. They hit the post with 15 minutes left to play, and then the cross bar five minutes later. A couple of corners resulted in a loose ball dangerously close to the goal line, but Tonini or one of her defenders would always find the way to clear the danger. It was until the 88th minute and the 11th corner, when Michaela Thornton found Nicole Jalocha at the front post, and the Blue Devil’s glancing header left Tonini helpless. The draw sees Gungahlin sitting at the top of the ladder with 10 points, having played one more game than Canberra Croatia (9 points) and Belconnen (7 points).

Canberra United Academy FC 2 (Alex Gidis 43’, 47’) defeated Wagga City Wanderers FC 1 (Tess Vaccari, 46’)

Four minutes either side of the half time break is all it took for this game to be decided, as Alex Gidis a double either side of Tessa Vaccari's left foot strike ensure Canberra United Academy claimed all three points against Wagga City Wanderers. The Wanderers were playing their first game away of 2020 after hosting Canberra Croatia and Olympic, but Sam Gray and his players came with no intentions to fold against the Academy on Hawker’s synthetic, dominating the midfield in the first half. Several set pieces by Miranda Walker and Tess Vaccari brought the danger in Isobel Davy’s box, but the black and white just could not find the back of the net. 

CUA’s football was patchy in the first half, their midfield not finding the key to go through a compact Wanderers squad. A couple of long goals offered the best opportunities. Sasha Grove reminded everyone of her talent in the 43rd minute, receiving the ball on the right side, turning smartly to find open space in front of her, and launching Alex Gidis behind the Wanderers defence. This time the duel was won by the Academy striker, and CUA would go to the locker room on a high.

Sam Gray’s team got off to the best possible start in the second half, as Tess Vaccari intercepted the ball, ran into the box and shot a powerful left foot strike that slipped under Davy. A minute later, Sofia Christopherson fought for the ball in the right wing, crossed it low, just out of reach of Samantha Emms, and Alex Gidis threw her foot in the middle of the confusion to put CUA back ahead. Following the intense start of the second half, the Academy slowly put their foot on the ball, creating a few opportunities by using the width of the pitch more, and by making the most of Hailey Taylor-Young’s efforts, who relentlessly pressed the Wagga back four. All of CUA's attacks were thwarted by an inspired Samantha Emms in goals. The final five minutes were as bizarre as they were entertaining, as Davy was sent to the sideline for dissent with three minutes left on the clock. Scott O'Donell subbed in his second keeper for Christopherson, and Wagga City threw everything they had at CUA. The ref blew the final whistle after six minutes of added time, to the relief of the home team.

Woden Weston FC 0 vs Monaro Panthers FC 0

The match between Woden Weston and Monaro Panthers was brought to a premature end, as the referee stopped the game at half time as the rain got heavier at Riverside Football Stadium. The match will be rescheduled at a later date.