For round three of the NPL Capital Football competition, Beyond 90 headed to Melrose Synthetic to witness the Wanderers derby between West Canberra Wanderers and Wagga City Wanderers. 

See Isobel Cootes’ Canberra Times article for an alternate take on this game, including some thoughts from West Canberra captain Sarah Whitfield and Wagga City coach Sam Gray.

Other Round 3 games held on the weekend included:

Canberra Olympic vs Belconnen United
Tuggeranong United vs Canberra Croatia
Canberra United Academy vs Gungahlin United

Match of the Round: West Canberra vs Wagga City

What contrasting starts to the season for the two combatants at Melrose Synthetic on Sunday! West Canberra Wanderers had just the one league game prior to this one, a narrow victory against an Academy team still finding its way. For their part, Wagga City has been trounced by the two teams expected to top the league and would have been eager for a game where they were in the contest. That day had arrived.

It’s a fresh start for Gray’s Wagga City squad after an injury ridden 2021. Some experience has left (Piper Lockley to Gungahlin United, Sammy Emms to Tuggeranong United, Suze Waia to local competition) but the team has been bolstered by the arrival of the experienced Emma Finch from Canberra Olympic, and the eligibility of players from their well regarded under 17’s adding to their depth.

For a moment it seemed as if the injury curse had struck Wagga City again. Right winger Hollee Staton was stretchered out of the game in the early minutes, but thankfully later on she was able to get to her feet and join the spectators. Young keeper Ebony Warner-Chilton also looked to be in bother ten minutes later but recovered – just as well for her team, with the shotstopper turning in Wagga City’s best individual performance of the game.

The pathways to the danger that led to both West Canberra goals were telegraphed. As early as the 17th minute, dead ball specialist Ginger Oliver found captain Sarah Whitfield, with her volley well saved by Warner-Chilton. Just before the interval, a short passing move from a corner led to Oliver finding Whitfield unmarked at the back post, and the West Canberra skipper headed the hosts into a 1-0 halftime lead.

What else was good in the first half? How about Wagga captain Amanda Armstrong exerting her authority in midfield, or Wagga right back-come-winger Tootsie Lamb’s link play with ever-present central striker Megan Castle? Or Melinda O’Callaghan in the heart of the West Canberra defence, or West Canberra right back Daisy Canavan’s athleticism and precision, or Hattie Cram constantly worrying the Wagga defence with her speed?

The second half saw Cram continue to find great attacking positions but none bore fruit, often thanks to the outstanding Warner-Chilton. The threat from West Canberra’s attacking central midfielders escalated in the second half, in the form of Demi Nikias and Tara Cannon. Cannon in particular had a couple of practice shots from outside the Wagga City box and finally found her range just after the hour mark, firing beyond the keeper’s outstretched hand for the second goal.

An excellent turn by Castle a minute before time saw her shoot to the left of Ally Hinson’s goal. Hinson had put in an assured performance, admittedly dealing with less danger than her counterpart. Nikias’ left-foot effort from outside the Wagga City box – comfortably saved by the keeper – saw the game come to a close.

West Canberra’s edge in experience and stronger connection across the field was the difference in this contest. It will be interesting to see how the reverse fixture in the second half of the season goes, with a raft of additional games under Wagga City’s belt potentially solidifying their understanding of each other.

Final score:

West Canberra Wanderers 2 (Whitfield 45′, Cannon 63′)
Wagga City Wanderers 0

Teams:

West Canberra – Coach: Rey Castro

Ally Hinson, Daisy Canavan, Sarah Whitfield (c), Mel O’Callaghan, Steph Nikias, Ginger Oliver, Demi Nikias, Tara Cannon, Kaitlyn Colwill, Hattie Cram, Liz Edwards 

Subs: Elisabeth Bartone (75′ => Cannon), Ella Lister (75′ => Colwill), Kellie Brown (63′ => O’Callaghan), Sam Briggs (85′ => Whitfield), Samantha Savanhu (85′ => Edwards)

Wagga City – Coach: Sam Gray

Ebony Warner-Chilstone, Tootsie Lamb, Kelly Barnes, Sophie Cary, Marwa Sulaiman, Abbey Nolan-Hodges, Amanda Armstrong (c), Emma Finch, Ellie Faulder, Megan Castle, Hollee Staton

Subs: Casey Smith (12′ => Statton), Daisy Tuksar (77′ => Finch), Rennae Sillett (77′ => Armstrong), Zoe Jenkins (57′ => Smith)

Around The Grounds:

Canberra Olympic 3-2 Belconnen United
Tuggeranong United 0-5 Canberra Croatia
Canberra United Academy 4-0 Gungahlin United

Ladder:

Next week:

Round 1 catchup

• Gungahlin United vs West Canberra, Gungahlin Enclosed, Wednesday 27 April, 7:45pm

Round 4

• West Canberra vs Tuggeranong United, Melrose Synthetic, Sunday 1 May, 12:45pm
• Canberra Croatia vs Canberra Olympic, Deakin Stadium, Sunday 1 May, 2:30pm
• Gungahlin United vs Wagga City, Gungahlin Enclosed, Sunday 1 May, 3pm
• Canberra United Acadamy vs Belconnen United, Hawker Enclosed, Sunday 1 May, 5:10pm

Federation Cup R2 continues

• Canberra United Academy vs Tuggeranong United, Hawker Enclosed, Tuesday 26 April, 6:30pm
• Belconnen United vs ANU, AIS Grass Field 2, Tuesday 26 April, 7pm 

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