In the catch-up match from Round 13 that was played midweek, Canberra United Academy moved into fifth place on the league table and arrested a four-game run without a victory, by defeating a game Tuggeranong United 2-0.
The Academy desperately needed a result if they were to harbour any ambitions of making it into the top four at the end of the season, but Tuggeranong were fresh off a win over Wagga City Wanderers and were determined to make it difficult for a depleted Academy outfit.
It took the home side until sixteen minutes from time to break down a resolute and stubborn United defence, Alyssa Di-Campli opening the scoring with her first ever senior WNPL goal, but the destination of the points wasn’t to be confirmed until ten minutes from time.
Bessie Riethmuller’s return to the green has been most welcomed and the youngster plundered her third goal in just six matches this season to ensure that the Academy’s pursuit of Finals football remains intact.
The weekend action started on Saturday at McKellar, where Belconnen United had to fight hard for the victory against Tuggeranong United. You had to be here early to witness the first goal of the day.
Tia Burridge only needed 12 seconds to take advantage of an imprecise back pass and put the ball past Sammy Emms. The rest of the game was mostly the Tuggeranong keeper showing the extent of her talent though, almost unbeatable on Saturday.
The players coached by Scott Conlon had to wait for the hour mark to finally put the game to bed. A perfect ball by Karen Clarke found Tatum Mazis between two defenders, and the creativity of the forward did the rest.
Five minutes later, captain Talia Backhouse struck from set piece, a direct free kick just outside the box that Emms could put a hand on but not stop. Belconnen United came 3 points closer to Olympic for 24 hours, but more importantly ensured they would not be further distanced by the top two. For Tuggeranong, the defensive solidity is the main positive despite the three goals conceded.
On Sunday, Canberra Olympic did the job, earning all three points at Gissing Oval against the Wagga City Wanderers. Nicole Begg’s players were two goals up after 20 minutes but had to patient until the final seconds to score another two and offer a score sheet that looked harsh on the Wanderers.
Tianah Miro was the first to be in the light on Sunday, after a solo run from the half-way line led to a duel won against Ebony Walker. Nicole Jalocha imitated her five minutes later, scoring in the empty net after dribbling the keeper.
Olympic would not beat Walker again until the dying embers of the game, and a harsh decision by the referee to give a penalty for a handball. Elke Aitolu picked the bottom left corner to give a third goal to her team.
Sarah Johnstone finished the job in the very next minute with a header at far post, making the final score 4-0. The Wanderers fought well against a team obviously more experienced. Olympic are still undefeated this season, and will intend to remain so
A sliding door moment was on display at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval. The return of Michelle Heyman paid off for Gungahlin United who saw off the West Canberra Wanderers and are now only six points behind the team from Woden.
The Liberty A-League Women all-time leading goal scorer grabbed a hat trick, helped by Erika Pennyfield and Sharon Chao to round up the score. Heyman converted her very first opportunity, at the 19th minute, when she finally could free herself of Daisy Canavan’s marking and won her duel with Sam Briggs.
Her second goal came early in the second half, following a Natalie De Marco cross. Erika Pennyfield scored the third goal of the day just before the hour mark, with a chipped ball from the edge of the box.
Sharon Chao, seven minutes later, was at the end of one of the most beautiful collective goals scored this season, with the ball going from goalkeeper Kailey Tonini to the striker via six other players before a smooth finish from point blank range. Heyman completed her hat trick in injury time, after Ginger Oliver had scored a deserved goal for the Wanderers at the 87th minute.
The round ended at Hawker, where an even younger than usual Canberra United Academy came close to a glorious comeback against Canberra Croatia before falling 1-2. The Academy started the game the worst way possible. A ball lost in the midfield, and Brittany Palombi was launched on the left side seconds after kick-off.
The two-time Golden Boot winner used her powerful left foot to fire a rocket that landed in the top left corner. What could have looked like the start of a lesson turned out to be a battle of each instant.
The reigning champions would not be able to score more in the first half and had to wait for the hour mark and a penalty given for a shove on Grace Gill to double their lead. Brittany Palombi converted it from the spot kick and gave her team a much needed two-goal advantage.
The Academy pushed to come back and were rewarded five minutes before the end with a spectacular goal by Alyssa Di-Campli, a left footed effort from 25 meter that dipped perfectly under the crossbar. Despite a few late efforts, Canberra United would not equalise, and instead were inches away from conceding when Jennifer Bisset hit the crossbar in injury time.
RESULTS
ROUND 13
Wednesday 27 July
Canberra United Academy 2 (Di-Campli 74’, Riethmuller 80’) Tuggeranong United 0
ROUND 15
Saturday 30 July
Belconnen United 3 (Burridge 1’, Mazis 59’, Backhouse 64’) Tuggeranong United 0
Sunday 31 July
Wagga City Wanderers 0 Canberra Olympic 4 (Miro 15’, Jalocha 20’, Aitolu 87’ (p), Johnston 89’)
Gungahlin United 5 (Heyman 19’, 47’, 90+2’, Pennyfield 59’, Chao 65’) West Canberra Wanderers 1 (Oliver 87’)
Canberra United Academy 1 (Di-Campli 86’) Canberra Croatia 2 (Palombi 1’, 59’ (p))
TABLE
|
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
GD |
PTS |
|
1 |
Canberra Croatia |
15 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
+67 |
41 |
|
2 |
Canberra Olympic |
15 |
11 |
4 |
0 |
+54 |
37 |
|
3 |
Belconnen United |
15 |
10 |
1 |
4 |
+34 |
31 |
|
4 |
West Canberra Wanderers |
15 |
6 |
3 |
6 |
-15 |
21 |
|
5 |
Gungahlin United |
15 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
-11 |
15 |
|
6 |
Canberra United Academy |
15 |
4 |
2 |
9 |
-14 |
14 |
|
7 |
Tuggeranong United |
15 |
2 |
2 |
11 |
-39 |
8 |
|
8 |
Wagga City Wanderers |
15 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
-79 |
4 |
Words: Jeremy Magan