We headed to Melrose Synthetic for the Capital Football NPLW game between fifth-placed West Canberra Wanderers and Canberra Olympic, with the home side’s finals prospects once again on the line.
Other games from this round include:
Gungahlin United vs Tuggeranong United (full stream)
Canberra Croatia vs Majura FC (full stream)
Belconnen United had the bye
For an alternate review of the round, check out the Capital Football article from Russ Gibbs and Sam Watson. There is also a story about Tayla Hampson there, authored by Charli Fiddes; Hampson took the field in this fixture for Olympic.
Match of the Round: West Canberra Wanderers vs Canberra Olympic
The home side shed rang to the tune of “Happy Birthday” for Steph Nikias before the game, which was also Charli Gregson’s 50th NPL outing. Leading Wanderers scorer Tamara Cochrane returned to the team, with Perri Nash dropping to the bench.
Still clinging to finals hopes by virtue of being one point behind Gungahlin United at the start of the match, the draw hasn’t been kind to them; their final three games were/are all against top-three opponents. Nonetheless, with the Gunners taking on last-placed Tuggeranong United, the Wanderers needed maximum points here. On their home synthetic surface, they were certainly up for this one.
Canberra Olympic had several changes from their midweek 4-2 loss against the Blue Devils: Maddy Whittall dropped out of the squad for Lucija Peric, while Hampson, Sienna Birnie, and Nicole Kaleb (nee’ Jalocha) rotated onto the starting lineup for Natalia Cerne, Olivia Gurney, and Liana Alves.
The team in blue had their own agenda, battling for second place with cross-town Canberra Croatia.
The opening goal in the 11th minute showcased a nice move from their own half between Jane Vanzino, Tatum Mazis, Kaleb, and Tianah Miro. Vanzino found Mazis in space on the left touchline, touching it to Kaleb, who had the vision to turn and deliver to Miro on the move. Miro did well to edge in front of defender Gregson and sidefoot past Hanna Reishofer into the bottom right corner.
Audrey Ward covers more territory each game than most, so it was good to see her effort rewarded with an answering goal in the 20th minute. In surprising Janet King in the act of passing, the ball bounced kindly, and Ward was able to finish from close range.
Both teams competed hard for the balance of the half, especially in midfield. Half-chances mainly fell the Wanderers’ way until the last five minutes. Miro was shown a yellow card for bringing down Gregson outside the Olympic area just before the break.
The halftime stats showed just two shots on goal for either side, an even contest indeed.
Olympic coach Frank Cachia made a halftime substitution, bringing on Alves for Vanzino. This proved to be a masterstroke, with Alves scoring the winning goal in the 50th minute. Alves burst onto Birnie’s layoff in the penalty area, after some good pressure on the Wanderers’ left-side defence by Miro and Kaleb. Her top left bins strike was an authoritative thing of beauty.
The game opened up a little more from here. Olympic’s Alyse Jensen would be awarded their player of the match for her endeavours in ensuring the victory, playing in an unfamiliar left back role and keeping Zoe Halpin quiet. Alex Gidis on the Wanderers left wing had several strikes on goal, finding King’s hands or the side netting.
Always keen to get forward, Hampson was creating havoc down the right side for Olympic, but would receive a yellow card in the 75th minute for a pull-back on Gidis. Momentum, however, was shifting the way of the team in blue.
Miro charged onto an excellent cross in the 84th minute from substitute Lucija Peric and, unopposed, drove her low shot onto the left post. Tensions rose a minute later when the referee awarded a penalty to Olympic for a handball in the box, only to overturn it after discussion with the assistant. Both coaches would finish the game sporting yellow cards.
The game finished 2-1 to the visitors after all the late drama. Olympic’s busy end to the season continues with a midweek game against Majura FC followed by a mouthwatering match against Canberra Croatia. Now unlikely to make finals, the Wanderers finish up against premiers Belconnen United.
>>> Full match timeline and team line-ups can be found here <<<
Final score:
West Canberra Wanderers 1 (Audrey Ward 20′)
Canberra Olympic 2 (Tianah Miro 11′, Liana Alves 50′)
Around The Grounds:
Gungahlin United 4-0 Tuggeranong United
Canberra Croatia 6-0 Majura FC
Ladder:
