Round six of the NPL Capital Football women’s competition saw Belconnen United’s Keira Bobbin and Canberra Croatia’s Brittany Palombi add to their goal tallies, while Gungahlin United tested the stamina of a Canberra Olympic team who had come off an epic Federation Cup win just three days earlier.

Other Round 6 games held on the weekend included the following:

Belconnen United vs Wagga City
Canberra Croatia vs West Canberra

Match of the Round: Canberra Olympic vs Gungahlin United

Thursday night’s memorable Federation Cup semi-final win against Canberra Croatia would have taken a mental and physical toll on Canberra Olympic, which made this fixture against Gungahlin United a potential banana skin. One casualty was attacking talisman Ashleigh Sykes, who did not appear on the match card. Another was captain Victoria Jamieson, who started the game but was substituted at half-time. Jamieson has enjoyed a strong start to the NPLW season.

Olympic is one of the fortunate few clubs not to be beset by goalkeeper injuries. That’s not the case with the Gunners, as Kailey Tonini is still out. Long-serving midfielder Rachael Corbett donned the gloves for this game, taking over from centre back Maddy Perceval, who put in a highly credible performance between the sticks last time out.

A point of interest for both teams came in the form of young ball-playing talents switching to defensive roles. Elke Aitolu – previously of Gungahlin and often found in midfield or attack – lined up at centre-back for Olympic alongside Ally Cook. Aitolu has changed roles due to the recent departure of Sandra Hill, who performed admirably in the opening rounds. 

Gungahlin’s Piper Lockley has also moved into a fullback role. Often seen on the left wing in recent years, Lockley is also a fine central midfielder. Lockley and Aitolu’s comfort on the ball is a huge bonus, so the challenge before them is honing their defensive arts.

Brigitte Sander departed Gungahlin United for US college football during the previous season, so it was good to see her lining up in the alternate pink Gunners strip for the first time this season. Often used as a wide defender, Sander took to the field at left half.

As the game kicked off it was apparent that Gungahlin’s Michelle Heyman was in the mood, often coming back as far as defensive midfield to help defend and then looking to take part in midfield passing moves before venturing forward again.

Gunners keeper Corbett was the first custodian tested, brilliantly shutting down the approaching Sarah Johnston in a one-on-one near the twenty minute mark.

A Stella(r) De Marco through ball four minutes later created the opportunity for Heyman to open the scoring for the Gunners, somewhat against the run of play. Driving down the left side of the field, Heyman eluded defensive efforts from both Johnston and Aitolu before cutting in towards Olympic keeper Janet King and finishing at short range.

Olympic midfielder Meg Roden left the field with a sore back after seemingly innocuous contact with Nat De Marco at the 25th minute, with Olivia Gurney coming off the bench.

However, the hosts reacted well to that unexpected change and equalised five minutes later. An intercept and characteristic surge of speed by Michaela Thornton saw her weave past pink shirts and into the Gunners’ box, where she unerringly chipped Corbett to level the scores.

Given the draining Federation Cup fixture, the energy levels of both Thornton and Olympic right half Vanessa Ryan were remarkable, providing inspiration to their teammates throughout this contest.

King’s first real involvement with the ball near the half-hour mark gave an indication of the home side’s level of possession, but it was undeniable that when Gungahlin’s passing moves found Heyman there was the feeling that something could erupt for them.

With just over five minutes left in the half, Gurney was unattended near the Gunners’ six-yard box but failed to capitalise on Johnston’s fine lead-up work, volleying tamely at Corbett. Renee Junna’s bullet of a strike that followed also failed to test the keeper, whistling past the right post.

Very little of the second stanza’s early minutes were played in Gungahlin’s half and as time wore on, Olympic’s efforts continued to be stymied. Junna’s 69th minute yellow card from kicking the ball away after conceding a foul perhaps demonstrated the collective Olympic frustration. Shots from distance by Johnston in the 78th minute and Thornton five minutes later were fruitless, as was Thornton’s repeat attempt of her earlier goal-scoring manoeuvre with five minutes to go. Aitolu would push forward from defence, lending her attacking nous to Olympic’s cause.

It was therefore with immense relief to the home side that they scored in the final minute of normal time. Thornton found herself in possession on the Gungahlin penalty spot but facing away from goal … right at Johnston positioned a few metres away. The Thornton lay-back was met sweetly by Johnston, with the ball flying into the top right of the net.

However, Olympic’s joy turned to dismay just seconds later. Stella De Marco sprinted towards the Olympic box as soon as the referee blew his whistle for the restart, and Heyman fired a ball ahead of her. De Marco hit the deck and the referee ruled that the contact from Ryan was enough for a penalty, confirming the decision after discussion with the assistant.

Heyman stepped up and coolly placed the spot kick into the top left corner, ensuring a share of the spoils for Gungahlin.

The draw sees Canberra Croatia sitting alone atop the table, while for Gungahlin United it may be the start of better times to come.

Final score:

Canberra Olympic 2 (Thornton 30′, Johnston 90′)
Gungahlin United 2 (Heyman 23′, 92′ (pen))

Teams:

Canberra Olympic – Coach: Nicole Begg

Janet King, Renee Junna, Ally Cook, Elke Aitolu, Victoria Jamieson (c), Vanessa Ryan, Sarah Johnston, Michaela Thornton, Meg Roden, Tianah Miro, Nicole Jalocha

Subs: Arusha Chew (45′ => Jamieson), Brittany Fiorese, Isabella Wallace (83′ => Gurney), Katrina Peric, Olivia Gurney (28′ => Roden)

Gungahlin United – Coach: Pat Mills

Rachael Corbett, Piper Lockley, Ruby Gambale, Ayla Robertson, Erika Pennyfield, Stella De Marco, Nat De Marco, Brigitte Sander, Cassia McGlashan (c), Michelle Heyman, Sharon Chao

Subs: Adele Choy, Chloe Barker, Ella-Rose Brown (56′ => Lockley), Jada Lamond, Kayla Wright

Around The Grounds:

Belconnen United 9-0 Wagga City
Canberra Croatia 6-1 West Canberra
Tuggeranong United vs Canberra United Academy – washed out

Midweek Federation Cup semi-finals (final to be played Saturday, June 4th):

Belconnen United 6-2 Canberra United Academy
Canberra Olympic 3-1 Canberra Croatia

Ladder:

Next week:

Round 7

• West Canberra vs Belconnen United, Melrose Synthetic, Sunday 22 May, 12:45pm 
• Wagga City vs Tuggeranong United, Gissing Oval, Sunday 22 May, 2:30pm
• Gungahlin United vs Canberra Croatia, AIS Grass Field 2, Sunday 22 May, 3:00pm
• Canberra United Academy vs Canberra Olympic, Hawker Enclosed, Sunday 22 May, 5:10pm
   

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