Article: Jeremy Magan

It was a moment that left Woden Weston thinking what could have been. The 77^th minute of their first match of the 2020 NPLW season still is still fresh in their minds.

In a game long undecided, Canberra Croatia star player Grace Gill put the ball in the back of the net with a hint of luck, helped by the post and a Wanderers defender.

On Sunday afternoon, the side were an example of discipline and teamwork, defending relentlessly for 90 minutes. All they needed was one goal and coach Mark Boyd is aware they could have gotten just that in the first 15 minutes.

“We had a very good defensive game and we had some early chances to score,” Boyd said. “At this level, you got to take these chances. It would have been a different game.”

The feeling of the job almost done is unfortunately all too familiar for the Wanderers, who know how close they were to playing finals in 2019.

When a win would have guaranteed Woden Weston a spot in the top four, the last game ended in a scoreless draw.

“We know we missed a big opportunity during the last game of the year, against a team we beat 5-0 in the first round,” remembers Boyd, who made sure his players did not dwell on it.

“We spent the off-season learning to play the way we like to play and we grew our confidence.”

Boyd’s recipe for success in a small-market team, compared to Belconnen or Canberra Croatia, is fairly simple.

“Keep the core of your players and develop them, help younger players develop too, that’s the only way you can be successful.”

Woden Weston did just that after last season, keeping on the roster talents like captain Anna Vandenbroucke, top scorer for the team last season with 9 goals, while adding exciting prospects in Demi Nikias from Canberra United Academy and Lucy D’Arcy from Canberra Croatia.

Boyd is pleased with what they brought to the team on Sunday.

“Demi is a very technical player, she’s the type of player we want to keep, develop and make better,” Boyd said. “Both her and Lucy had very good games on Sunday and We are very happy to have them in the team.”

The coach, in his second year with the Wanderers, is confident his team can rival with the best in the NPLW. 

“The players now know the tactics and what is expected of them,” he said. “We are getting to that point where we can play any team now.

“We are a better team this year.”

Woden Weston will be desperate to prove that when they face Canberra Olympic this Saturday afternoon at O’Connor Enclosed.