The first round of the 2023 ACT NPL (Capital Football) season is in the books! We saw league newcomers ANU (Australian National University) make their NPL debut against Canberra United Academy.
Other games included:
West Canberra Wanderers vs Tuggeranong United
Canberra Croatia vs Canberra Olympic
Gungahlin United vs Belconnen United
Jeremy Magan’s season preview for Capital Football can be found here.
A one-on-one season preview with ANU coach Rob Illingworth on the M&M podcast can be found here, and another with new Academy coach Matty Moore is here. M&M’s full NPLW season preview discussion (with B90’s Steffen Moebus) can be found here.
For an alternate review of the round, check out Jeremy Magan’s article for Capital Football.
Match of the Round: ANU vs Canberra United Academy (Bar TV)
Founded in 1978, ANU Women’s FC is Canberra’s oldest women’s football club and also boasts the largest women’s player base in the region. Without a junior arm, the club has previously not been able to participate in the NPL competition.
Earlier this year, Capital Football determined that due to Wagga City being unable to field an NPL U14 team, 2022 junior club champions Majura FC would enter the league in their stead. As Majura is a juniors-only football club, Capital Football invited seniors-only State League champions ANU into the fold – a perfect counterpart to Majura FC. Both ANU and Majura have significant history in the Canberra football landscape.
ANU came into their first NPL game with only one player recognisable from recent NPL seasons: Sofia Chaverra Calle, who played for West Canberra two seasons ago.
The Academy team for this game looked quite recognisable from last season. Maddie Sawkins (ex-Canberra Croatia) and Nina Zaravec (ex-Blue Devils) were notable inclusions.
>>> Full match time-line and team line-ups can be found here <<<
Academy are always a difficult prospect on their home synthetic track and started as the more settled of the two sides. The excitement of the ANU players and sideline support was palpable and translated into high energy levels. Having weathered some early constructed Academy play, Alex Serras fired a 21st-minute low corner into the Academy six-yard box. Two Academy defenders got in each other’s way and the ball spilt to striker Roxie Swart, who pivoted and scored ANU’s first-ever NPL goal.
The ANU front three of Swart, flanked by wingers Sheridan McGelligot and Pascale La Hei would continue to trouble the Academy defence in the first half. At the other end, striker Alyssa Di Campli was coming into her own off the back of some fine Academy midfield service from Jaya Bowman, Latisha Babic, and Maddie Sawkins. Mostly confined to bench roles at Canberra Croatia, it was a delight to witness Sawkins’ full range of skills alongside Bowman and Babic.
Another major piece of the ANU fabric quickly became evident in the form of central defender Ailish McDonagh. Commanding, skilful, and an excellent decision-maker, McDonagh exerts real influence in the team’s defensive setup.
Right before half-time, Academy winger Alex Nealand made the first of two significant goal-scoring contributions, showcasing her speed and skill. Cutting inside from the right wing, Nealand played a beautiful low ball behind the ANU defence to Babic at the far post. Babic’s first toed attempt ricocheted off the post but the second went over the goal line. The home side went into the sheds with their heads up.
Nealand struck again within five minutes of the restart. This time cutting in from the left wing, she let fly from outside the ANU area and sent a low shot past Claire Joseph.
ANU’s attacking stocks were on full display when ex-West Canberra sharpshooter Chaverra Calle entered the fray just after the hour mark, replacing goalscorer Swart and taking the lead at set pieces. The three-pronged ANU attack showed themselves to be a handful at times but could not convert in a competitive second half, even when La Hei was able to round Academy keeper Eliza Evans, the winger running out of room on this occasion.
The differences in approach between the teams became more evident as the game wore on: the home side tended to build attacks via midfield, whereas the ANU midfield spent more of their time defending the Academy midfield but not contributing as much to their own team’s attack.
With three minutes of normal time remaining, an Academy counterattack found two unmarked attackers lining up at the left side of the penalty box. It was substitute Elisha Wild who placed her low strike neatly under Joseph to finish the game off at 3-1.
ANU was in this contest throughout the 90 minutes and it will be interesting to see how they fare over the course of the 2023 ACT NPL season. A win away at Kambah next round won’t be an easy matter but will help to reinforce their belief if they can prevail.
The Academy had some standout performers in this game, especially Nealand and the midfield cohort. Knowing that a number of other players are yet to make their appearance, we can’t wait to see how coach Matty Moore juggles the talent at his disposal. The team will be satisfied with three points but will also be aiming for an upwards trajectory as the 2023 ACT NPL season builds.
Final score:
ANU 1 (Roxie Swart 20′)
Canberra United Academy 3 (Latisha Babic 44′, Alex Nealand 48′, Elisha Wild 86′)
Around The Grounds:
West Canberra Wanderers 1-2 Tuggeranong United
Canberra Croatia 1-2 Canberra Olympic
Gungahlin United 1-5 Belconnen United
Ladder:
Next Round:
(Note there are no games over the Easter weekend)
Forthcoming Federation Cup fixtures:
Follow all our ACT NPLW coverage here.
