Belconnen United 4 Canberra FC 0

Belconnen United laid down a marker in Round 1 with a convincing defeat of Canberra FC in a rematch of the 2017 Grand Final.

Full report here.

Tuggeranong United Football Club 0 def. by Woden-Weston Football Club 2 (Lotta Raap 36', Cassia McGlashan 45 + 1')

Woden-Weston got off to the perfect start for Season 2018 with a clinical 2-0 win over Tuggeranong United in Round 1.

On a hot afternoon that required drinks breaks in both halves, Wanderers pushed up and forced the game to be played in Tuggeranong’s half early. That pressure paid dividends nine minutes before the break as they forced the breakthrough. Cristina Esposito saved a first up effort but could only watch as Lotta Raap followed the rebound and tucked it into the corner to hand the visitors a well-deserved lead.

United looked to hit Wanderers on the counter but struggled with the final ball, and they were punished for it with the final kick of the half. A streaking run down the right saw the ball crossed in and Cassia McGlashan finished it tidily with one touch to double Wanderers advantage into the break.

The hosts stepped up their game in the second half but struggled to impact the match, with Wanderers beating them to the ball often and not allowing Tuggies time when they did have it. The second half petered out with Woden-Weston taking all three points ahead of a big matchup with Canberra Olympic next weekend. Tuggeranong will look to bounce back against the Academy as both sides seek their first win.

 

Monaro Panthers FC 1 (Mia Giorgi) def. by Gungahlin United Football Club 2 (Ashlyn Garrity, Erika Pennyfield)

Monaro Panthers started brightly but eventually succumbed to a resilient Gungahlin United in Round 1 of the NPL Women’s at Riverside on Sunday.

Mia Giorgi opened up the scoring early for Monaro with a tidy finish, and the hosts dictated much of the game early as the new look Gungahlin side struggled to find a rhythm.

But the visitors found a way back into the match, and struck back midway through the half thanks to Erika Pennyfield. With scores tied United headed into the sheds full of confidence, and came out looking like it.

Both sides battled in the second half against strong winds and hot conditions, but Diego Iglesias’ side got on the front foot and began to push the Panthers back into their own half. Ashlyn Garrity struck to give her side the lead, and Gungahlin didn’t look back as they closed out the match to win by a solitary goal.

Attention now turns to a tough matchup against Belconnen United for Monaro next Saturday, while for Gungahlin it is a big clash against Canberra FC in a rematch of the 2017 Preliminary Final.

 

Canberra United Academy 3 (Laura Hughes 12', 85', Karly Roestbakken 55') def. by Canberra Olympic Football Club 5 (Grace Maher 8', 62', 82', Grace Basser-Silk 20', Emma Guo 32')

Canberra Olympic made a statement of their intentions in 2018 with a big win over Canberra United Academy at Hawker.

Grace Maher opened the scoring for last year’s wooden spoon side after just eight minutes, but it took just four minutes for young gun Laura Hughes to equalize for the Academy side. Olympic were happy to give up the majority of possession but were dangerous on the counter when they did get the ball, and two goals in 12 minutes from Grace Basser-Silk and Emma Guo put them up by two goals heading into the half-time break.

The Academy found their way back into the match courtesy of Karly Roestbakken, who was introduced at the break, when she scored 10 minutes into the half. But seven minutes later Maher broke the game open again, as she lobbed Isobel Davy from way outside the area, and the young keeper was unable to keep it out as Olympic pushed their lead back to two goals. A hat-trick goal from Maher inside the final 10 proved to be more than enough, as Laura Hughes’ strike with five minutes left was no more than a consolation. Olympic will be ready to keep the ball rolling against Woden-Weston next Sunday at Melrose, and the Academy host Tuggeranong United at Hawker once more.