Canberra Olympic 1 (Meg McLaughlin 72’) def, by Canberra FC 2 (Grace Gill 17’, 51’)

By Mat Stramandinoli

Canberra FC pushed their winning streak to nine games on Sunday with a 2-1 win over rivals Canberra Olympic at O’Connor.

Both teams looked dangerous from the outset, with Chantel Jones for the visitors and Siena Senatore for Olympic looking dangerous early.

It was Canberra FC who would strike first, as Grace Gill bustled her way into the area before rifling an effort across Eleni Haridemos and into the bottom corner of the net.

That set the tone for the visitors who continued to attack, and Rachael Goldstein and Jamie Berkeley looked dangerous throughout, creating a number of chances.

Grace Basser-Silk and Meg McLaughlin created a couple of good looks going forward for the hosts but were unable to execute, and the two sides headed into the break separated only by Gill’s early strike.

Olympic came out of half-time with a spark and looked more likely to score early, but a sublime goal from Gill put paid to that.

The former Canberra United star lined up a free-kick from way out on the left, and curled it perfectly into the top corner to double Canberra FC’s advantage and leave Olympic reeling with just under forty minutes to play.

Olympic continued to push though, and McLaughlin finished off a lovely ball in the 72 minute to cut the lead in half and give her side a way back into the match.

10 minutes later the forward thought she had given her side a share of the points and she fired home from inside the area, only for the flag to go up and rule her offside, much to the frustration of the hosts.

But that proved to be enough for Canberra FC, and they held out in the final few minutes to record another victory, and move level with Belconnen United on points, and 15 points clear of Olympic.