Three draws in four games this weekend in the WNPL, was a situation that Canberra Croatia gladly took advantage of to increase their advantage at the top of the table to four points.

The action started at McKellar on Saturday, where Canberra Olympic visited Belconnen United. The rematch of the Federation Cup final, won two weeks ago by Nicole Begg’s team, was as intense and disputed as expected. The two squads fought hard for 90 minutes, showcasing their defensive solidity. The first half was rather poor in opportunity, although Jayla Murphy had to show off her skills both from long and point-blank range.

It took something very special to finally break the deadlock. An Olympic corner kick at the 78^th minute was not cleared by the Blue Devils and Olivia Fogarty, ideally served by Michaela Thornton, launched a rocket from the corner of the box to hit the top left corner. Olympic were only ahead for eight minutes, however.

At the 85^th minute, Karen Clarke, brilliant defensively on Saturday, lined up a free kick from 35 meters away. Olympic decided to bring support around Janet King, allowing Belconnen players to crowd the six-yard box as well. The free kick landed in a crowded penalty area scene and appeared to deflect in off Reilly Yuen, although the goal was credited to Clarke. The late equaliser might leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Begg and her troops.

The battle of the Wanderers in Melrose ended in the first scoreless draw of the season. Against West Canberra, Wagga City finally earned their first point of the campaign and can thank Ebony Warner for it. The goalkeeper from the Riverina frustrated Hattie Cram, Sarah Whitfield, and the Melrose armada on Sunday. The home team dominated most of the game, and created the best scoring opportunity, but unfortunately found on their way a solid defensive unit, and an inspired goalkeeper.

Wagga City came with a plan and stuck to it. They defended well and tried to explode on the counterattack. They did not test Ally Hinson enough to hope for a goal, despite trying their luck several times. West Canberra thought they had finally found the opener with a couple of minutes left in the game, when Tara Cannon’s free kick found its way in the back of the net, but a foul by Whitfield on Warner was signalled by the referee. The draw means West Canberra are now four points behind Canberra Olympic and eight behind Croatia.

The reigning champions were hosting Tuggeranong United. In Deakin, Canberra Croatia took no prisoners, and Brittany Palombi was seen challenging Sammy Emms from the first minute onwards. The first home goal came from Krista Hagen. At the receiving end of Jamie Berkeley’s corner kick, the experienced midfielder perfectly weighed in a header out of Emms’ reach.

The floodgates were open. A one-two between Palombi and Bella Barac offered the former the first goal of her Sunday hattrick before the half hour mark. Deakin’s number 11 was at it again three minutes later, with a powerful left footed effort from the edge of the box that landed just under Emms’ crossbar. A Jennifer Bisset header made it four ten minutes before half time.

The home team started the second half the same way they ended the first. Eight minutes in, Palombi earned a penalty, and despite her best Andrew Redmayne impression, Emms was not able to stop Grace Gill from scoring from the spot kick. Palombi did complete her hattrick with 15 minutes left to play, bringing her WNPL career total to a mind-blowing 149 goals!

Barac and Bisset finished the job at the 85^th and 86^th minute respectively, bring the score to 8-0. It is another successful round for Zoran Glavinic’s team, now four points clear of their runners-up before visiting them in O’Connor this Sunday.

Gungahlin United and Canberra United Academy were closing the curtain on round ten on Sunday afternoon, and the usually exciting match-up did not disappoint. In a game mostly dominated by the Academy, the Gunners used their experience to wait for their moment to find the equalizer twice.

Sarah West and her players started the game the right way, testing Kailey Tonini from long range several times in the first 15 minutes. A training combination allowed the visitors to break the deadlock. A corner kick played fast by Isabella Hindmarsh found Riley McQueenie at the corner of the box. The young left back hit the ball with her first touch, launching a missile under Tonini’s crossbar.

The goal woke the Gunners up, who found solace in their DNA, passing football and movement. A seamless sequence of football between Stella De Marco, Sharon Chao and Erika Pennyfield ended with the latter crossing the ball at the far post, where Darby Whiteley was ready to pounce and beat Chloe Lincoln.

The second half started like the first, with the Academy dictating the tempo. Their second goal came with a bit luck, when Tayla Hampson’s cross surprised Tonini and landed behind the goalkeeper, in the side net. Sadly, for West, her team would not hold that lead until the end. Whiteley again, this time after a solo showcase on the left wing, won her duel with Lincoln.

RESULTS

ROUND 10

Saturday 18 June

Belconnen United 1 (Clarke 85’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Fogarty 78’)

Sunday 19 June

West Canberra Wanderers 0 Wagga City Wanderers 0

Canberra Croatia 8 (Hagen 11’, Palombi 27’, 30’, 73’, Bisset 34’, 86’, Gill 53’ (p), Barac 85’) Tuggeranong United 0

Gungahlin United 2 (Whiteley 40’, 80’) Canberra United Academy 2 (McQueenie 23’, Hampson 63’)

TABLE

		P	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	Canberra Croatia	10	9	1	0	+54	28
2	Canberra Olympic	10	7	3	0	+40	24
3	West Canberra Wanderers	10	6	2	2	0	20
4	Belconnen United	10	6	1	3	+20	19
5	Canberra United Academy	10	3	2	5	-6	11
6	Gungahlin United	10	1	3	5	-10	6
7	Tuggeranong United	10	1	1	8	-34	4
8	Wagga City Wanderers	10	0	1	9	-64	1

 

Words: Jeremy Magan