Round 7 marks the completion of the first full round of the ACT NPL (Capital Football), and Beyond 90 was on hand at Gungahlin Oval to witness the top-four clash between Gungahlin United and Canberra Olympic.

Other Round 7 games were:
Canberra United Academy vs Tuggeranong United
ANU vs Belconnen United
West Canberra Wanderers vs Canberra Croatia

For an alternate review of the round, check out Jeremy Magan’s article for Capital Football.

Match of the Round: Gungahlin United vs Canberra Olympic (Bar TV)

Coming into this game both teams had suffered just one loss apiece, and they were to keep that record intact. The spectre of the recent Gungahlin win over Olympic in the Federation Cup semi-final loomed large over this game. The Gunners were without Erika Pennyfield, while Elke Aitolu was absent from the Olympic lineup.

Both sides took to the field with a back three, with the Gunners’ version receiving outstanding support from their midfield cohort in keeping the Olympic attack at bay. This fact together with an impressive outing by keeper Emily Kelly and a moment of Ginger Oliver brilliance meant that the home side did not leave the field empty-handed. In some respects a closely fought contest, it was undeniable that the lion’s share of possession in attack and corner kicks rested with Olympic.    

This was especially true of the first 25 minutes as multiple chances on goal fell Olympic’s way, with Maddy Whittall, Olivia Gurney and Michaela Thornton prominent. American midfield import Michelle Weinecke departed the Gungahlin’s side at this point with what may have been an upper leg issue. Rachael Corbett came into the base of the midfield triangle alongside Nat De Marco as her sister Stella moved to the point.

Not long after the substitution, the Gunners began working their way into the game. Demonstrating their set-piece ability, captain Maddie Perceval directed a great ball over the Olympic defensive line, narrowly eluding Ginger Oliver.

Oliver’s turn came minutes later, and she was handsomely rewarded for a direct approach, perhaps catching Olympic keeper Janet King off guard. A powerful dipping shot sped through King’s gloves and into the roof of the net as the Gunners took the lead.

A left-foot chance to Thornton in added time and a timely interception by Sharon Chao to deny Whittall in the Gunners’ six-yard box closed out the first half, with the home side in the lead.  

Olympic centre-back Jaz Zabel didn’t take the field for the second half after appearing to be in some discomfort at the end of the first. The second stanza began with a wonderful Thornton through-ball for Gurney leading to a shoulder-to-shoulder contest with Perceval, with the latter doing enough to deny the chance. 

Gurney was in the thick of the action after the hour mark, first taking successive Olympic corners and then finding herself in a one-on-one contest with the approaching Kelly. Kelly did well to get a foot to Gurney’s attempt. Vanessa Ryan’s resulting corner was returned to her, and this time her back post delivery found Katrina Perić at the back post. While almost cleared off the line by Ayla Robertson, the goal was awarded and the game was back on even terms. 

With 12 minutes remaining Thornton had a chance for Olympic to take the lead after Whittall was judged to have been fouled in the Gunners’ box. While Kelly did well to save the penalty, it was re-taken on the grounds of encroachment, and this time Thornton sent the ball over the crossbar.

The teams traded scoring chances for the remainder of the game with perhaps the best of them falling to young Olympic midfielder Maddie Cachia on the stroke of 90 minutes, but it was not to be, and the game finished 1-1.

This wasn’t the first game this season where Olympic has been frustrated in their efforts to score despite dominant periods. While it’s not a trend as yet and the season is still young, Nicole Begg and team will be keen to see dominance translate more regularly into goals.  

Coach Andrew Woodman has added some steel to the Gunners in recent weeks. Is he once again working his cultural magic to the effect of moments of extra effort and cohesion that are becoming more evident?  

The draw in this game ensures that the expected top three are once again neck and neck in the race for the premiership, with each of Belconnen United, Canberra Croatia and Canberra Olympic level on 16 points, and the fourth-placed Gungahlin United five points behind them.   

>>> Full match time-line and team line-ups can be found here <<<   

Final score:

Gungahlin United 1 (Ginger Oliver 39′) 
Canberra Olympic 1 (Katrina Perić 68′)

Around The Grounds:

Ladder:

Next Round:

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