A different-looking ANU team took the field for the first time this Capital Football NPLW season, away to West Canberra Wanderers on their Melrose Synthetic pitch. The Wanderers weren’t disgraced in their 3-0 first-up loss to the Blue Devils last week, with keeper Amy Wiggan named in the Capital Football team of the week for her efforts.
Other games played this week that are available to view:
Belconnen United vs Gungahlin United
Canberra Olympic vs Canberra Croatia
For an alternate review of the round, check out the Capital Football article from Jeremy Magan.
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Match of the Round: West Canberra Wanderers vs ANU (Bar TV)
Another two new coaches were on display for the second successive Beyond 90 match of the round, with Steve Rohan-Jones in charge of the Wanderers in 2024, and Tom Crossley at the helm of the ANU team. Ex-president Rohan-Jones is a well-known figure for the red and black after ten years with the club and coaching stints in many grades, while Crossley guided the ANU men’s Capital League team in 2023.
The home side has maintained a core group in 2023 but is adjusting to life without stalwart Mel O’Callaghan (interstate) as well as 2023 standout Alyse Jensen (Belconnen United) and overlapping flyers Eliza-Jane Norris & Josie Dubbert (Canberra Croatia). Joining the 2024 squad are Perri Nash from Canberra United Academy, Wiggan & Olivia Hicks from Tuggeranong United, Breea Waters from Gungahlin United, and Audrey McLaren from APIA Leichhardt.
As perhaps can be expected with a student population, turnover has been significant within the ANU setup (see the Capital Football season preview). Arrivals known within the competition include two players with Wanderers backgrounds (Briana Maguire and Rennae Sillett), as well as two skilful Canberra United Academy midfielders in sisters Angelina and Latisha Babic. Ex-Wanderer Sofia Chaverra is leading the point of ANU’s attack for the second successive season.
Our eyes were drawn not only to ANU’s orange and white kit, but to the central defences of both teams after the off-season changes. Former midfielder Maguire lined up with Vanessa Ritchie at the heart of the visitors’ defence, while Nash teamed up with Steph Nikias for the Wanderers, as versatile Sarah Whitfield was held back as a game-changer. Both defensive pairings would go on to have standout games.
There were three distinct periods in this tight and ultimately drawn contest. The Wanderers had the better of the opening 20 minutes as Lauren Hall and Waters troubled their opponents with their wide attacking forays. Waters in particular had a great chance on 12 minutes, but her volley from close range couldn’t find the mark.
Somewhat against the run of play, Chaverra scored in the 23rd minute, following up on Sheridan McGelligott’s fierce strike against the Wanderers’ crossbar and slotting the rebound. The goal lifted the students and led to a period of dominance for the balance of the first half, one that they were never to recapture in the second stanza. Playing in front of captain Edith Fordyce-Croker in the middle of the park, Latisha Babic began dictating terms. Chances to Callie Forest and McGelligott weren’t quite able to elude Wiggan in the home goals or find the net.
The teams entered the sheds at halftime with the visitors holding a slender lead.
Coach Rohan-Jones re-energised his team during the break and swung proceedings back the Wanderers’ way in the second half with the judicious use of substitutes. Nash’s attempt on goal from outside the box just before the hour went close, as did Waters not long afterwards when ANU keeper Olivia Kent found herself stranded outside her own area. In a heart-pounding moment, Kent had Maguire to thank for racing back and blocking Waters’ goal-bound shot.
Whitfield’s entry into the game as striker minutes later ensured sustained Wanderers momentum. Her strike from 25 yards with 20 minutes remaining found the hand of Kent, but had enough on it to find the net and level the game. Whitfield also came close to bundling over a corner in the last ten minutes with the ball hitting the crossbar, but her team was unable to break through for the win.
ANU’s period of dominance in the first half suggests that when they find their feet they will trouble opponents, especially if they can find some consistency. Crossley has set them up with a talented spine (Maguire – Ritchie – Fordyce-Croker – Babic – Chaverra) to build the team around.
As indicated by a 7-1 corner count, the Wanderers looked more cohesive than their opponents. While they may look back with some regret about not securing three points, Rohan-Jones will have liked what he saw from the Nash-Steph Nikias partnership at the back, and the way his team rallied in the second half.
>>> Full match timeline and team line-ups can be found here <<<
Final score:
West Canberra Wanderers 1 (Sarah Whitfield 71′)
ANU 1 (Sofia Chaverra 23′)
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