West Canberra Wanderers earned a first point of the season in an entertaining 1-1 draw with ANU WFC as the visitors began their Women’s National Premier League season after receiving the bye in Round 1.
In quite the open game, where both teams had chances but lacked in the end product, the visiting team struck first, halfway through the first half. A superb effort from the edge of the box saw Sheridan McElligott hit the crossbar, Sofia Chaverra was the fastest at the rebound though and, after a couple of attempts, ended up volleying the ball from point blank range between Amy Wiggan and her near post.
West Canberra, allowed to play higher up the pitch than they did against Belconnen United last week, fought for the equaliser, often finding a defender or goalkeeper Olivia Kent in their strikers’ path. Past the hour mark, Breea Waters tried from distance when Kent found herself outside her box, but Briana Maguire heroically stopped the ball as the last defender.
The very next opportunity was for Sarah Whitfield, whose powerful attempt was pushed by Kent onto her crossbar. Whitfield was finally rewarded at the 70th minute when another powerful attempt from distance final bat the University goalkeeper. The score remained 1-1 until the final whistle despite both teams fighting for the three points.
Canberra Olympic and Canberra Croatia playing at O’Connor Enclosed has resulted in tight games in recent seasons. This fixture was no different and we were even spoiled, with two ‘worldies’ scored either side of the break as Olympic won 2-1.
The home team had the upper hand in the first half, with midfielder Jane Vanzino in view for her first start in WNPL with the Dark Blues. Despite unfortunately losing Nikita Perry on an injury early on, Olympic would make their domination count with two goals. The first came from a set piece, fifteen minutes before the break.
Leah Carnegie, another solid performer in the usual position of centre back, sent a free kick into the box, where Ella Brown’s touch saw the ball reaching Nicole Jalocha. The experienced midfielder scored a second goal in as many weeks, bettering Ellie Summers from close range.
Ten minutes later, another Round 1 goal scorer struck again. Youngster Maddison Cachia, after beating her defender, gained speed on the right wing, and from the corner of the box, find the inspiration to send a powerful shot over Summers and in the opposite top corner.
The early contender for goal of the season was all but matched second after the team were back from the break, in another fashion, but with as much talent. Twenty-three seconds in the second act, Brittany Palombi’s perfectly weighed through ball found the run of Tatum Mazis in the box. Canberra Croatia’s skilled forward rose in the air, meeting the ball with a soft right footed effort to lob Janet King, unbeatable until then. Reducing the deficit this changed the momentum of the game, and the second half was much more of a fight between the two powerhouses.
In the end, and despite an opportunity at the 86th minute that flirted with the goal line, Olympic’s experienced back line was able to keep their challengers at bay. Frank Cachia gets six points in his two first game on the Olympic bench, against two serious contenders.
The clash in the North was on the cards to end the weekend, between Gungahlin United and Belconnen United. At Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, the Blue Devils’ efficiency upfront proved too much for the home team as they triumphed 6-2.
The first half saw both teams answering blow for blow, with five goals in the first thirty minutes. It was far from an ideal start for the Gunners who conceded twice in the first thirteen. Pearl Tein stole a ball in the midfield and found Alyssa Di-Campli in the box 90 seconds in. The former Academy forward dribbled her way Maddie Perceval before wrong footing Matilde Laurel-Tighe with her left foot for her first goal as a Blue Devil.
Ten minutes later, an uncharacteristic miscommunication in Gungahlin’s defence saw Ayla Robertson offering Pascale La Hei her opportunity to open her tally too, a chance she took from up close. The visitors kept pushing but the home team did not roll over.
Gungahlin became increasingly dangerous were rewarded with a goal at the 20th minute, when Corinne Denton offered Darby Whiteley an easy tap in. The joy was short lived, with La Hei getting her second goal, courtesy of a Di-Campli cross, three minutes later. The home team did not give up and Denton again, this time found Alex Martens near the box. The number nine still had a lot to do, dribbling past two defenders before lodging a superb shot over Monique Pinkiewicz in the left side net.
The Blue Devils went back to the locker room with a sole goal advantage but would be the only one scoring in the second half. Five minutes in, Di-Campli imitated La Hei and recorded a brace of her own, following a great through ball from Ailish McDonagh. The Gunners resisted until the very end, but a the 89th minute, Jade Emms was the fastest to pounce after Laurel-Tighe saved a shot from Alina Roberts to make it 5-2.
An injury time penalty converted by Isabella Hindmarsh closed the scoring spree, offering her team the leader seat on the ladder. Gungahlin and Tuggeranong United, who had the bye this weekend, are the only two teams without a point after two rounds.
RESULTS
ROUND 2
Sunday 14 April
West Canberra Wanderers 1 (Whitfield 71’) ANU WFC 1 (Chaverra 23’)
Canberra Olympic 2 (Jalocha 31’, Cachia 40’) Canberra Croatia 1 (Mazis 46’)
Belconnen United 6 (Di-Campli 2’, 51’, La Hei 12’, 24’, Emms 89’, Hindmarsh 90+2’ (p)) Gungahlin United 2 (Whiteley 21’, Martens 29’)
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Belconnen United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 6 |
| 2 | Canberra Olympic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | Canberra Croatia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | ANU WFC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | West Canberra Wanderers | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
| 6 | Tuggeranong United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| 7 | Gungahlin United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
TOP SCORERS
2: Madison CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), Alyssa DI-CAMPLI (Belconnen United), Nicole JALOCHA (Canberra Olympic), Pascale LA HEI (Belconnen United), Brittany PALOMBI (Canberra Croatia), Reilly YUEN (Belconnen United)
1: Sofia CHAVERRA (ANU WFC), Arusha CHEW (Canberra Croatia), Hattie CRAM (Belconnen United), Jade EMMS (Belconnen United), Isabella HINDMARSH (Belconnen United), Alex MARTENS (Gungahlin United), Tatum MAZIS (Canberra Croatia), Ginger OLIVER (Gungahlin United), Darby WHITELEY (Gungahlin United), Sarah WHITFIELD (West Canberra Wanderers)
Words: Jeremy Magan
