Tuggeranong United 1 (Meg McLaughlin 68’) def. by Woden-Weston FC 3 (Jade Bernet 8’, Lotta Raap 21’, Laura Vandenbroucke 67’)

By Mitchell Keenan

A smart and disciplined performance from Woden-Weston saw them claim a 3-1 win on the road against Tuggeranong United on Sunday.

Woden-Weston put Tuggeranong on the back foot early, pushing high up the field but leaving space to attack for Tuggeranong’s pacey forwards.

The early pressure was to pay off, with the visitors handed a penalty after eight minutes as Lotta Raap was taken down in the box, and Jade Bernet stepped forward to bury the ball into the back of the net.

Tuggeranong began to find space in behind the Woden-Weston backline, and Meg McLaughlin was inches away from putting her side ahead with a good chance before the striker was called offside.

Woden- Weston would punish the home side just moments later, when Rachel Crittenden beat her opponent down the line and cut the ball back to Raap, who bundled her effort over Georgina Worth and in after 23 minutes.

The home side’s best chance came after 32 minutes, with Isobel D’Amico’s challenge on Jamie Berkeley inside the box handing Tuggeranong a penalty, but McLaughlin could only put the resulting spot kick inches wide.

Tuggeranong took to the field for the second half with a high intensity and were unlucky not to get a goal back after a volley from Sandra Hill sailed just over Nat Lacey’s goal.

Woden-Weston refused to sit back on a two goal lead though, and the visitors added another after 67 minutes. A strong run and shot by Vanessa Ryan was tipped onto the far post by Worth, only for Laura Vandenbroucke to put the rebound into an empty net.

Tuggeranong would find a consolation goal just one minute later though, with the home side catching Woden Weston out with a quick attack that was finished off by Meg McLaughlin.

Tuggies continued to push Woden-Weston, with McLaughlin denied on several occasions by a solid showing from Lacey in the visitor’s goal, but Michael Aldred’s side were left ruing missed opportunities as the visitors saw out the game to take the three points.

For Tuggeranong United it’s back to the drawing board, looking to work on finishing as they come up against a young Canberra United Academy side who have been struggling in recent weeks, while Woden Weston will hope to build on a strong performance against an unpredictable Monaro Panthers in round 11 of the PS4 NPLW.