NPL CF Women's Round 10 Review

Russ Gibbs / Capital Football 1687300704,1687301270

Belconnen United took no prisoners at Wanderers Park where they scored ten against the West Canberra Wanderers without reply with Hattie Cram and Talia Backhouse claiming a hat-trick apiece. Bessie Riethmuller hit the first inside eight minutes, seizing the ball at the edge of the box, with a precise attempt.

She was imitated fifteen minutes later by Hattie Cram, launched behind the defence by Talia Backhouse. The Blue Devils’ captain went on to record one of the fastest hat-tricks on record, between the 29^th and the 38^th minute.

With a header, a left footed effort in the top corner and a right footed half-volley, Backhouse made sure to display all her talent. The last five goals were scored within the space of a quarter of an hour in the second half. Cram scored her second of the day from the spot kick at the 67^th minute, and Maddie Steinacker scored a screamer from distance four minutes later.

Reilly Yuen added her name to the scoresheet with an acrobatic volley before Cram completed her hat-trick three minutes later. After the honour of kicking off the party, Riethmuller closed the curtain, with her tenth goal of the season from a narrow angle at the 81^st minute.

Canberra Croatia had to fight for it, but eventually succeeded against bottom of the table Tuggeranong United at Deakin Stadium winning 4-1. After a first half hour dominated by the home team that saw Amy Wiggan and her defence denying the Deakin forwards time and time again, Zoran Glavinic was happy to see his captain showing the way.

At the of end of a training-rehearsed sequence of play, Amy McLachlan turned into a skilful playmaker to find Brittany Palombi behind the defence with a perfect pass. Facing Wiggan alone, Palombi took her time to find the back of the net at the 34^th minute.

Two minutes later, it was Rhiannon Fensom’s turn to head the ball in for a more comfortable advantage. Although Canberra Croatia thought the hard part was done, they were surprised second into the second act. A powerful run by Zoe Terry on the right wing ended with a tight cross that Sammie Wood finished from point blank range.

The visitors’ hope last just 90 seconds, the time for Tatum Mazis to be the promptest on the ball after yet another Wiggan’s save, to give her team their two-goal advantage back. The offensive midfielder finished the afternoon in style, showcasing her skills with a control and a precise shot mid-spin that lobbed the keeper, 20 minutes before full time.

ANU WFC and Canberra Olympic offered the neutral viewer a great battle at ANU South Oval, that was decided only by a superb goal by the player of the week in the Capital, Maddison Cachia. Rob Illingworth demonstrated again the depth of talent in his squad, with the University club giving the reigning champions a run for their money despite key players missing.

Without Roxie Swart, Ailish McDonagh or Aoibheann MacLochlainn, the home team showed up with the same aggressivity, intensity and ease ball to feet, as they have all season, once again only failing to find the back of the net in crucial moments.

In a first half where both teams did well to neutralize each other, only a genius inspiration could break the deadlock. It came from Olympic’s youngster Cachia five minutes before the break. A duel won on the touch line, a look at the goalkeeper’s position, and the midfielder perfectly lobbed her ball to dip behind Claire Joseph and under the crossbar. She nearly recorded a brace too, skying an attempt from the edge of the box minutes later.

The home team came back from the break with the same intentions and tried time and time again to trump Janet King’s vigilance. Unfortunately, when King was not parrying away shoot from narrow angle or point-blank headers, her crossbar was in the way of Sheridan McElligott’ s free kick. Olympic had their fair share of chances too in the second act, but Joseph too was in form.

The upset of the weekend came from Hawker Football Centre, where Canberra United Academy surprised Gungahlin United with a game winner five minutes before the end (2-1). It is the first point, let alone success, earned by the Academy against a top four team this season.

Three days ago, at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, the Gunners had dominated their opponents. This time, there seemed to be more focus, more solidity defensively in the home side’s performance. Despite chances at both ends, the first half ended goalless. The second act started on the same good rhythm, and the deadlock finally broke 13 minutes in.

A swift attack started with Holly Murray, all important in the midfield. The Liberty A-League player launched her summer teammate Sofia Christopherson on the right wing, from where the forward crossed a low ball that rolled all the way to the far post. Alyssa Di-Campli, free of all marking, finished with a precise tap in.

The Gunners tried to answer swiftly, but the Academy was hard to manoeuvre on home soil. It took Andrew Woodman’s team 20 minutes to finally catch-up thanks to a poacher’s goal from Ginger Oliver, quick to act after a mistake in the green’s defence. Neither team were content with a draw battling until the final whistle.

Unfortunately for the Cup Finalists, they would be the one conceding eventually. A run from Nadia Zakman ended with a cross Michelle Wienecke seemingly dealt with, only for Maya Osmond to come and steal the ball in her feet. The forward took her time and picked the left side to put the ball past Kailey Tonini and offer her team a success.