Ellie Summers’ heroics were eventually not enough to deny Gungahlin United their first ever success over Canberra Croatia on their turf. The visitors were rewarded for their domination at Deakin Stadium with a late goal from their captain, Maddie Perceval, securing a deserved 2-1 success.
A couple of early runs down the left wing from the Deakin outfit gave the impression that they were up for a battle, but the Gunners quickly upped the intensity and dominated most of the first half. Summers long delayed the inevitable, with saves on her line, in the air, and decisive interventions in front of the Gungahlin’s front line.
She could not do anything though when Ginger Oliver, after an umpteenth recovery from the Gunners in the opposite half, was offered an opportunity from 25 yards out. Her right footed effort, savant mix of power and precision, surprised the Deakin shot stopper and dipped just under the crossbar.
Stella De Marco came close to one of the goal of the year minutes later, but her volley from outside the box was once again parried away by Summers. At the other end, Sammy Emms woodworks was rattled twice, once Croatia decided to try and catch up and get into second gear. Tatum Mazis, Arusha Chew, Brittany Palombi and Bella Barac all came close to completion, but the equalizer would not come before the break.
The sole goal advantage left the Gunners open to a surprise. And when after the break, efforts from Natalie De Marco, Alex Martens or Ginger Oliver were once again denied by either Summers or her defence, a generous penalty given to Bella Barac at the 68th minute gave Palombi an unexpected chance to come back level. The captain snuck the ball under Emms to try and get a point at home.
The momentum changed side and Croatia on the front foot, with a better final 20-minute period, tried to increase the pressure and secure all three points. It is likely when they were the least dominated that a corner kick taken by Ginger Oliver, after a scramble landed in Perceval feet. The captain did not hesitate, putting enough power in her effort to slide the ball between Summers’ leg.
For the second time this season, Gungahlin took all three points against Croatia thanks to a late goal, albeit with a more complete performance this Thursday. Two points behind Belconnen, they will observe with a keen eye the duel between the Blue Devils and the Deakin side on Sunday afternoon.
RESULT
ROUND 19
Thursday 11 July
Canberra Croatia 1 (Palombi 70’ (p)) Gungahlin United 2 (Oliver 22’, Perceval 87’)
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Canberra Olympic | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 9 | +24 | 33 |
| 2 | Belconnen United | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 12 | +35 | 27 |
| 3 | Gungahlin United | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 32 | 16 | +16 | 25 |
| 4 | Canberra Croatia | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 22 | +5 | 19 |
| 5 | West Canberra Wanderers | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 27 | -16 | 8 |
| 6 | Tuggeranong United | 11 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 33 | -30 | 2 |
| 7 | ANU WFC | 11 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 40 | -34 | 2 |
TOP SCORERS
11: Alyssa DI-CAMPLI (Belconnen United)
10: Reilly YUEN (Belconnen United)
9: Madelyn WHITTALL (Canberra Olympic)
8: Brittany PALOMBI (Canberra Croatia)
7: Ginger OLIVER (Gungahlin United)
6: Madison CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), Hattie CRAM (Belconnen United), Alex MARTENS (Gungahlin United)
5: Katrina PERIC (Canberra Olympic), Darby WHITELEY (Gungahlin United), Sarah WHITFIELD (West Canberra Wanderers)
4: Arusha CHEW (Canberra Croatia), Alyse JENSEN (Belconnen United)
3: Keira BOBBIN (Belconnen United), Megan CASTLE (Canberra Croatia), Isabella HINDMARSH (Belconnen United), Tianah MIRO (Canberra Olympic), Alex NEALAND (Gungahlin United), Madeliene PERCEVAL (Gungahlin United)
2: Isabella BARAC (Canberra Croatia), Jamie BERKELEY (Canberra Croatia), Jaya BOWMAN (Canberra Olympic), Ella BROWN (Canberra Olympic), Natalie DE MARCO (Gungahlin United), Olivia HICKS (West Canberra Wanderers), Nicole JALOCHA (Canberra Olympic), Pascale LA HEI (Belconnen United), Tatum MAZIS (Canberra Croatia), Sheridan MCELLIGOTT (ANU WFC), Ella PALFRAMAN (Canberra Croatia), Sofia PALYWODA (Belconnen United), Own GOALS
1: Tehya ASPLAND (Canberra Olympic), Angelina BABIC (ANU WFC), Eliza BAKER (ANU WFC), Leila BILLINGTON (Belconnen United), Amy BONGIORNO (Canberra Croatia), Olivia BUYTEWEG (Gungahlin United), Sofia CHAVERRA (ANU WFC), Sharon CHAO (Gungahlin United), Stella DE MARCO (Gungahlin United), Corinne DENTON (Gungahlin United), Jade EMMS (Belconnen United), Rhiannon FENSOM (Canberra Croatia), Alexandra GIDIS (West Canberra Wanderers), Lauren HALL (West Canberra Wanderers), Elvein IBRHAIM (Tuggeranong United), Sarah MATTHEWS (Tuggeranong United), Amy MOORE (Gungahlin United), Saskia NEWMAN (ANU WFC), Demi NIKIAS (West Canberra Wanderers), Lauren PRESTON (Belconnen United), Bessie RIETHMULLER (Canberra Olympic), Alina ROBERTS (Belconnen United), Allegra SENTI (West Canberra Wanderers), Pearl TEIN (Belconnen United), Michaela THORNTON (Canberra Olympic), Jane VANZINO (Canberra Olympic), Matylda WELLS-SHEATHER (Tuggeranong United), Kayla WRIGHT (Gungahlin United), Nadia ZAKMAN (Canberra Croatia)
Words: Jeremy Magan
