The last game week of the first round of NPLW games will see the bottom three teams facing the three leaders of the competition. Is it time for the first upset of the season?
The action starts on Friday at Kambah, where Tuggeranong United awaits Gungahlin United. The home team conceded a narrow defeat last weekend against West Canberra, despite a few opportunities to find the back of the net.
The Tuggies have shown once again their defensive strength, as they did all season, but they are still after their first clean sheet. Getting a result against the Gunners would be no small feat, but everything is possible under the Friday night lights.
Gungahlin United will be on the pitch for the second time in 48 hours after their Federation Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Nick Val Aalst’s team kept the third spot during their week off and are only three points behind Canberra Olympic. The chase is on for the Gunners and their impressive offensive armada, who need the three points this weekend to best prepare their duel at O’Connor in ten days.
Canberra Olympic will be at home this Sunday too, against a West Canberra Wanderers team boosted after their first win of the season. Olympic needs to bounce back after their first league defeat to Belconnen last week, to clear their heads of any doubts.
Nicole Jalocha back on the field and the return of Maddy Whittall from a break after her Liberty A-League season are both welcomed by Frank Cachia after a season start marred by injuries. They will know better than to underestimate a Wanderers team that has surprised them in the past
West Canberra had very little time to celebrate their first success of 2024 last Sunday. It preceded a daunting week, with Belconnen in the Federation Cup 48 hours later, and a trip to O’Connor on Sunday.
The Wanderers have improved already during this first round, and the third defence in the league now play like they have found their rhythm, albeit missing some precious luck in the final third. Last week’s win kept them in touch with the playoff qualifying spots, and an upset this Sunday would propels them over Canberra Croatia at fourth place.
ANU WFC and Belconnen United will battle it out at Hawker Football Centre to end the weekend. The University Club came close to a huge surprise at Deakin stadium last Sunday, before being picked apart in ten minutes.
For her first game in her new colours, Georgia Ritchie proved her worth already, and will have another busy day against the best attack in the league. The two goals scored last week were the most ANU scored this season, they will at least a similar feat to get three points against the almighty Blue Devils.
Belconnen United is putting their mark on the competition this season. Undefeated since the Charity Shield, Scott Conlon’s team earned their revenge at McKellar last week to stay the course and lead the league alone.
The short trip to Hawker will be their third game this week, a good way to see the impressive depth of the Blue Devils’ bench. Last week’s success has made Belconnen the favourite to win the last three trophies, a new status that the young players in that squad will need to adapt to, while trying to end the first round of the season on their throne.
FIXTURES
ROUND 7
Friday 17 May
Tuggeranong United v Gungahlin United (Kambah 2, 19:30)
Sunday 19 May
ANU WFC v Belconnen United (Hawker Football Centre, 15:00)
Canberra Olympic v West Canberra Wanderers (O’Connor Enclosed, 14:30)
All matches are streamed live on BarTV Sports.
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Belconnen United | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 | +17 | 15 |
| 2 | Canberra Olympic | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 12 |
| 3 | Gungahlin United | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 11 | +7 | 9 |
| 4 | Canberra Croatia | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 6 |
| 5 | West Canberra Wanderers | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 4 |
| 6 | ANU WFC | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 17 | -13 | 2 |
| 7 | Tuggeranong United | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 13 | -12 | 1 |
TOP SCORERS
7: Reilly YUEN (Belconnen United)
5: Alyssa DI-CAMPLI (Belconnen United), Alex MARTENS (Gungahlin United), Darby WHITELEY (Gungahlin United)
4: Brittany PALOMBI (Canberra Croatia)
3: Madison CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), Ginger OLIVER (Gungahlin United), Sarah WHITFIELD (West Canberra Wanderers)
2: Arusha CHEW (Canberra Croatia), Isabella HINDMARSH (Belconnen United), Nicole JALOCHA (Canberra Olympic), Pascale LA HEI (Belconnen United), Sheridan MCELLIGOTT (ANU WFC), Katrina PERIC (Canberra Olympic)
1: Jamie BERKELEY (Canberra Croatia), Jaya BOWMAN (Canberra Olympic), Olivia BUYTEWEG (Gungahlin United), Sofia CHAVERRA (ANU WFC), Hattie CRAM (Belconnen United), Natalie DE MARCO (Gungahlin United), Corinne DENTON (Gungahlin United), Jade EMMS (Belconnen United), Tatum MAZIS (Canberra Croatia), Saskia NEWMAN (ANU WFC), Ella PALFRAMAN (Canberra Croatia), Sofia PALYWODA (Belconnen United), Madeliene PERCEVAL (Gungahlin United), Lauren PRESTON (Belconnen United), Bessie RIETHMULLER (Canberra Olympic), Alina ROBERTS (Belconnen United), Michaela THORNTON (Canberra Olympic), Jane VANZINO (Canberra Olympic), Matylda WELLS-SHEATHER (Tuggeranong United), Kayla WRIGHT (Gungahlin United), Nadia ZAKMAN (Canberra Croatia), Own GOALS
