Canberra Croatia FC 7 (Fogarty 13’, 51’ (p), Palombi 27’ pen,37’,39’,89’, Hagen 76’) beats Canberra Olympic FC 2 (Sykes 17’, Cook 69’)

Canberra Croatia keep their unbeaten run this season, with a statement win against Canberra Olympic the most entertaining game of the weekend. The visitors put doubt in the mind of the reigning champions during the first 35 minutes, until Nik Brozinic’s armada proved too strong to stop for Nicole Begg’s squad.

The only game played on Saturday was Taniah Miro’s first under her new colours. The young, very talented, versatile player joined Olympic from Gungahlin this week. It was played without 2 of the architects of Canberra Croatia’s large success in Tuggeranong, captain Grace Gill and Chantel Jones. The return of Brittany Palombi was undeniably felt, the left footed forward bringing danger around Aurelia Haynes’ area first, with a long-range free kick. The next chance came from Olivia Fogarty. Jamie Berkeley, launched by Rhiannon Fensom behind the Olympic defence, ran in the box and perfectly squared a ball for Fogarty, who kept her cool to adjust Haynes from point blank range. Olympic would not put their head down, and answer straight away by a long range shot from Lara Burdett, dangerous but boxed away by Ally Hinson. The addition of Miro and the return of Rachael Hardwicke in the middle of the pitch for Olympic made a difference offensively, but defensively, they were too easily beaten. Palombi was found on the right wing again, and offered a copycat of Berkeley’s ball to Fogarty, who this time could not connect with the ball properly.

Olympic kept the pressure high, and were finally rewarded when Iesha De Andrade and Ashleigh Sykes offered their version of the Canberra Croatia goal to level things up. Haynes helped delayed the inevitable with a superb save in front of Barac, but could not anything in front of Palombi when the striker smashed a penalty kick earned by Berkeley in the top right corner. The goal kept going from end to end, and if Sykes fail to level again for a question of centimetres, and thanks to a great tackle by Cecilia Matic, it was the home side who would eventually convert their opportunities. Palombi took over the goal scoring ladder by completing her hat trick in 2 minutes. First, following an inspired through ball by Fogarty, she adjusted Haynes with her right foot (her second right footed goal this season!). Then, 2 minutes later, she was at the reception of another long ball behind the defence, this time from Fensom, and easily adjusted Haynes with her left foot this time, to give her team a comfortable 4-1 advantage at half time.

The second half began on the same rhythm, both trying to get an early goal. Another penalty kick, this time taken by Fogarty right in the middle, would bring the reward to the home side. Sykes would remain the main threat upfront for Olympic, forcing Hinson to another save after some great footwork in the box. Olympic had more chances, by Hardwicke and Miro, but were unable to find the target. Ally Cook finally found the back of the net. Following a corner kick cleared by the home side, the Olympic defender took her chance from 35 meters away, with her ball diving perfectly just under the crossbar and over the arms of Hinson. Olympic hopes of a comeback were cut short 10 minutes later however, when Krista Hagen followed up on a cross by Lara Agnew deflectted in the air by Haynes, and headed the ball into the empty net. Palombi scored the last one for Deakin, her 7^th of the season, a minute before the end of the game, with a precise left footed effort following an assist by Alice Churchill.

Nicole Begg’s side suffers a third defeat in a row against a title contender, but her team will undoubtedly have learned a lot from these 3 games and be in the mix until the end. They will look to bounce back in the Riverina this weekend. For Canberra Croatia, the spirit showed in the absence of their leader on the pitch would have pleased Brozinic, before they have to face Belconnen United twice.

West Canberra Wanderers FC 4 (Chaverra Calle 18’, Maguire 23’, Edwards 54’, Leten 90+3’)beat Wagga City Wanderers FC 1 (Castle 51’)

West Canberra Wanderers FC has recorded their first win of the season, an important one, as it is also Emma Stanbury’s first 3 points as a head coach.

On Melrose Synthetic, both teams came in guns blazing, with West Canberra’s dominating first 5 minutes instantly matched by Wagga. Sam Gray’s players, usually comfortable ball to feet, were not as smooth as usual in the build up on Sunday, offering their opponents too many chances.

Ana Sofia Chaverra Calle did not hesitate when she found herself with acres of space outside the box. Her sublime curved strike found the top right corner, with nothing Samantha Emms could do. The Wanderers almost answered straight away, missing the target by an inch. Five minutes later, Tiana Jaber launched Kilkie Leten down the right wing. She did not stop her run despite calls for offside and perfectly served Briana Maguire at the far post. The midfielder’s first attempted forced Emms to miracle save, but unfortunately for the keeper, Maguire was the most prompt at the rebound, and tapped the ball in the back of the net. The home team tried to kill the game in the first half, but Emms was again exceptional on her line, and when she could not get to the ball, her post was doing the job for her. At the other end, Janet King’s first half was way too quiet for Wagga to hope more than the negative result at the end of the first half.

West Canberra attacked first in the second act, earning a corner kick within a minute. Wagga stayed focused defensively and waited for their chance and it did not take long to come. Following a scramble that could have seen West Canberra score their third goal, the visitors started a speedy counter attacked and in 2 passes, Megan Castle found herself facing King. Her first attempt was stopped but the striker fought and pushed the ball in the back of the net, for her 4^th goal of the season. Stanbury’s players were not going to let their first win slip from their grasp though, and 3 minutes later, Liz Edwards was found alone in the 6 yards, and easily tapped the ball in.

The thrilling second half saw the ball going from one side to the other, but always, the defences prevailed. Wagga was not able to take advantage of an undisciplined West Canberra team (10 fouls at the end of the game), and were even beaten a 4^th time, in injury time. Ellen Brown fought to keep the ball alive in the box, and addressed a perfect cut back for Leten, who could seal the deal for the red and black Wanderers.

That first win for West Canberra sees both Wanderers teams level on the table. Wagga will host Olympic next weekend, while West Canberra will play the first derby of the South in 2021, at Melrose against Tuggeranong.

Gungahlin United FC 0 def by Belconnen United FC 3(Johnston 21’, Bomford 74’, 88’)

The game of the week at the Gungahlin Enclosed Oval saw Belconnen getting their 4^th win in as many NPLW matches, against a Gunners team that never found the solution offensively.

The duel between the two teams who had won their first 3 started on a high rhythm, both teams trying to hit first. The high press that Michael Zakoski asked of his players early in the game prevented Diego Iglesias’ squad from developing their usual passing football. The Gunners focused on being solid defensively, with success until the 21^st minute. That’s the moment Olivia Bomford chose to let her skills speak on the left wing. After twisting and turning in front of two players, she clipped a perfect ball between Kailey Tonini and her defence, to find Sarah Johnston in a perfect position. The former Stingray did not hesitate and crucified the keeper with her left volley. The Blue Devils had scored on their best chance, and kept most of the possession for the rest of the first half, without being able to really endanger Tonini again besides a couple of set pieces. Gungahlin, with a few too many uncharacteristic, missed passes and controls, never really bothered Cristina Esposito either in what had been a cagey first half and real battle of the midfield.

The Gunners came back from the locker room with better intents, albeit giving up some space defensively. Dangerous on set pieces first, Belconnen enjoyed the extra room behind the Gunners’ midfield and increased the pressure on Tonini’s goals, impeccable on Sunday despite the score.

Unable to find a white shirt on a succession of goal kicks from the 70^th onwards, Gungahlin did see the pressure mounting on their goals, and a scramble on yet another corner kick saw Brigitte Sander’s attempt at clearing the ball countered by Bomford for the second goal for the visitors. The striker hit again 2 minutes before full time. After some outstanding footwork in the box, she found herself on her left foot and found the net at the near post to call it game. Despite Gungahlin’s defensive efforts, Belconnen firepower had again spoken.

Zakoski will be pleased to see his squad come in these next 10 days undefeated, given the next 2 games: Belconnen will be facing Canberra Croatia twice, in NPLW and in the Federation Cup’s semi-finals. For Gungahlin, a short trip to Hawker to play the Academy on Sunday will be the opportunity to bounce back after their first loss of the season.

 

Canberra United Academy 2 (Christopherson 13’, Hunt 20’) beat Tuggeranong United FC 0

The Academy confirms their good start to the season by getting a second win in a row against a club from the South and taking the 4^th spot on the ladder, with already little gap with the bottom four.

Tuggeranong, donning their gold and green jersey once again, was under pressure from the get-go in Hawker. The Academy pressed high early and the Tuggies were barely able to execute three consecutive passes to bring the danger upfront.

The home team also made them pay their mistake immediately. Jessica Abbott, solid and reassuring until then, fumbled a near post shot by Sofia Christopherson, to let the Academy take the lead after 10 minutes. Another 10 minutes passed and the same Christopherson was too happy to steal the ball in the Tuggeranong defence after a bad pass. She found her partner upfront, Anna Hunt, who turned around a player, opened her right foot and found the opposite top right corner in a superb finish. The ball had too much power on it for Abbott to avoid conceding for the second – and last – time on Sunday.

Jayla Murphy was lucky to give Tuggeranong hope too early after that second goal. She took her time to clear the ball after a back pass, and saw her clearance hitting the face of Maddie Magee, only to dive inches away from the post. The rest of the first half saw the visitors defending with the same intensity they showed last week against Canberra Croatia, and a Canberra United happy to pass the ball around waiting for opportunities.

The second half started with the comeback in NPLW of Sasha Grove, after her stint in the Westfield W-League with Canberra United. The teenager found on her path, a dense and tight defence for the whole 45 minutes, determined to always put a foot, a leg, a body between the Academy’s attempts and Abbott’s goals. The second half was a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to endanger the opponents’ goalkeeper and a drop in rhythm.

The 3 points were for the home team on Sunday. The Academy keeps in touch with the top 3 and are 2 points behind Gungahlin, who they are hosting on Sunday. For Tuggeranong, it will be the Derby of South Canberra in Melrose, with the hopes of getting one over the Wanderers, after losing 3-0 in the Federation Cup quarter-finals earlier this week.