Monaro Panthers 0 def. by Woden-Weston 5 (Anna Vandenbroucke 19', Sophia Christopherson 32', 45+1', Cassia McGlashan 38', Shaquille Chong 73')

Woden-Weston lifted themselves into the top four to finish the first half of the season with a 5-0 win against Monaro at Riverside on Saturday evening.

Key moments |

Opening goals: Anna Vandenbroucke snuck the ball home from a tight angle after an initial chance was missed in the middle, and 13 minutes later Sophia Christopherson doubled their lead with a goal that continued her strong recent form.

Third for Woden: Woden-Weston continued to push their hosts and seven minutes before the break grabbed a third goal through Cassia McGlashan. She was sent through on goal and while her first effort was saved, she retained the ball and finished into an open net.

Sucker punch: The Wanderers broke forward in stoppage time and the ball was crossed to Christopherson at the top of the box who had time to compose herself before volleying a finish into the corner and sealing a four-goal lead at the break.

Fifth goal: Monaro looked to fight back in the second half and held out for nearly half an hour, only to be brought undone by Shaquille Chong’s goal that locked in the scoreline with 17 minutes to play.

Next up |

Woden-Weston will look to do the double over the Canberra United Academy when they face them at Melrose on Sunday, while Monaro are away to Canberra Olympic.

 

Canberra United Academy 1 (Hayley Taylor-Young 42') def. by Belconnen United 3 (Maddy Whittall 5', Nicole Jalocha 49', Bronte Pyke 70')

By Jakob Gisik

Belconnen United ensured they will finish the first-half of the season atop the NPLW ladder after an important 3-1 win over the Canberra United Academy at Hawker on Saturday evening.

Both Maddy Whittall and Bronte Pyke found the back of the net on their return from injury, while Nicole Jalocha added a goal of her own to help the Blue Devils to all three points.

Whittall was a last second inclusion in the starting XI, but it didn’t take her long to have an impact, as she tapped in a low, piercing cross from Lauren Keir to put Belconnen ahead inside five minutes.

The visitors nearly doubled their advantage shortly after when Keira Bobbin fired a one-time shot on target, but Academy goalkeeper Alex Hinson reacted quickly to parry the ball over the crossbar.

Heather Garriock’s side slowly grew in confidence as the half wore on, and they began to match it across the park with their far more experienced opponents.

 

Mia McGovern engaged in a midfield arm wrestle with Caitlin Munoz, while the Academy back line held firm against the likes of Whittall and Bobbin.

Both sides appeared content to take a 1-0 score line into the break, but an error at the back by Belconnen led to an Academy equaliser in the 42^nd minute.

With Hayley Taylor-Young breathing down her neck, Belconnen’s Jessie Rasschaert completely missed goalkeeper Sally James with a back pass, and Taylor-Young flew past both of them to tap the ball into an open net.

However, the Blue Devils restored their lead just four minutes into the second-half when Whittall burst into the penalty area and laid an unselfish pass into the path of Jalocha, who made no mistake from three yards out.

Hinson pulled off another great save in the 69^th minute, as she deflected the ball wide of the right-post to deny Bobbin a second time.

But Belconnen iced the game from the resulting corner, as Pyke headed the ball home to give her side a 3-1 lead.

That was how the score remained, although it may have been a different story if not for James; the Belconnen keeper diving full stretch to her left to parry a Bella Barac shot with just five minutes to play.

Belconnen must now prepare for a huge showdown with Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium, while the Academy can move back into the top four with a win over Woden-Weston FC at Melrose.

 

Canberra FC 2 (Mel Bunker 4', Jamie Berkeley 44') def. Gungahlin United 1 (Nat De Marco 37')

Canberra FC moved within one point of second placed Gungahlin United with a 2-1 win over them at Deakin as all three goals came in the first half.

Key moments |

Early goal: It took just four minutes for Canberra FC to get on the scoreboard through Mel Bunker. Brittany Palombi was released out on the left and she swung in a cross for Bunker who got a neat touch to fire it home and give the hosts an early advantage.

The equaliser: Nat De Marco started and finished a lovely midfield move to restore parity for her side. Finding sister Stella with an initial pass, she continued moving and received it back from Erika Pennyfield before steadying and firing home past Nat Vasta to make it 1-1.

Lead restored: Gungahlin would concede at the worst time though, just before the break as Canberra FC turned on the style. A lovely passing move ended with Bridgette Wright scuttling down the wing and she squared the ball for Jamie Berkeley to fire home from the middle of the area.

That was enough for the hosts despite more chances to further the lead in the second half, and they secured all three points.

Next up |

Canberra FC have a monster clash on their hands facing Belconnen United on Sunday, while Gungahlin will have the bye to begin the second half of the season.

 

Canberra Olympic 2 (Emma Guo 25', Rose Wills 63') def. Wagga City Wanderers 1 (Megan Castle 52')

After a win over Monaro last Thursday, Canberra Olympic quickly picked up their second victory of the season with a 2-1 triumph over Wagga City at O’Connor.

Key Moments |

First goal: Olympic came out on the front foot and took the lead 25 minutes in as Emma Guo was set up at the back post by a strong run from Rose Wills.

Second half equaliser: Wagga City have shown this season they are never truly out of most games, and hit back seven minutes into the second half. Megan Castle was set free into space down the inside left channel and made no mistake to send the keeper the wrong way and finish into the corner.

The winner: Olympic pushed on though and it took only nine minutes for them to regain the lead. Guo turned provider this time and sent a bouncing ball forward that Wills chased and slotted home to secure her side the three points.

Next up |

Olympic will take on the Monaro Panthers as the second half of the season begins, while the Wanderers will meet Tuggeranong who their sole win of the season came against back in round one.