Belconnen's Nina Zarevac and Academy's Sasha Grove. Photo: @KaiMoebus

Twenty-one glorious rounds await Capital Football NPLW fans and the eight teams contesting the competition in 2021.

Canberra United Academy has hit a form purple patch since coach Vicki Linton returned and are proving themselves a handful especially on their synthetic home pitch at Hawker Stadium, as Canberra Croatia discovered in Round 8. It was with interest that Beyond 90 arrived at Hawker Stadium to see if the Academy could put on a repeat performance against the other traditional competition heavyweight, Belconnen United.

Other Round 9 games that were held this weekend included:

Canberra Croatia vs West Canberra Wanderers
Wagga City Wanderers vs Tuggeranong United
Gungahlin United vs Canberra Olympic 

Match of the Round: Canberra United Academy vs Belconnen United

The teamsheet revealed that Belconnen was without centre back Karen Clarke. With vice-captain Jaz Zabel also on the bench, the away side were looking to Sarah Johnston and Isabella Tammaro to provide their defensive spine.

We have seen Canberra United Academy willing to share starting berths around the squad which sometimes leaves some experience on the bench to make a late impact in the game; today it was Tara Cannon and Anna Hunt on the bench fulfilling those roles.

As the game began, early pressure came from the away side, as captain Michaela Thornton was brought down just outside the Academy penalty area inside three minutes. The resulting shot from Thornton clattered off the crossbar before being cleared for a corner.

Keira Bobbin was also proving dangerous for the Blue Devils early on, using her speed to get around her defender and centre for Olivia Bomford after six minutes. Bobbin then burst down the right with the ball, approaching Chloe Lincoln in the Academy goal before being reined in by Academy captain Annie Grove. 

Academy defender Alyse Jensen had an unexpected chance in front of goal near the 20-minute mark as she pounced on a passing interchange that lacked conviction between Belconnen keeper Cristina Esposito and Tammaro in the penalty area. Jensen was unable to make the away side pay. 

Belconnen keeper Cristina Esposito absolutely owning her penalty box in this moment. Photo: @KaiMoebus

Bobbin again showed her turn of speed in the 28th minute, running half the field down the right flank but blasting her shot over Lincoln’s bar. Lincoln was again called into action moments later, tipping Leah Carnegie’s controlled free-kick over her bar, then seeing the resulting corner just headed wide of goal by Vanessa Ryan. Belconnen was using a ‘starburst’ approach to corners, with 5 or 6 players bunched and then scattering as the kick approached.

Academy flyer Sofia Christopherson broke a tackle in the 34th minute and sped towards goal, but her shot flew straight to Esposito in goal.

The deadlock was broken in the 37th minute, as Ryan ran with the ball at the Academy defence with purpose, completed a wall pass with Bomford, and tucked a quality finish away for a 1-0 lead to Belconnen. 

Belconnen’s Vanessa Ryan on the move. Photo: @KaiMoebus

The start of the second half saw Hunt and Cannon enter the game for the Academy at the expense of Latisha Babic and Nikita Perry. Early chances in the half were again with the visitors, with Katie Woodman and then Bomford unable to make more of their opportunities.  

Reilly Yuen was ‘Reilly on the spot’ in the 71st minute as Lincoln blocked Thornton’s shot but then got tangled with Stephanie Nikias. Both sought to clear the ball, only to tap it to Yuen for an easy finish and a two-goal lead. 

Belconnen’s Reilly Yuen celebrates her goal with her teammates. Photo: @KaiMoebus

Academy midfielder Nadia Zakman took an accidental shoulder to the head just after the goal and was able to continue. The ever-busy Sasha Grove urged her team on and worked hard to give them the means to do so, firing over the bar with 14 minutes to go after some excellent footwork in the box by Christopherson.

Ryan replied with a volley off a corner which just sailed over the Academy bar two minutes later. 

Both coaches brought on substitutes in the last ten minutes but the game was to finish in a solid two-goal victory to the Blue Devils. Their 4-5-1 formation proved effective in clogging the mobility of the Academy side and disrupting their up-tempo passing game. Within their defensive and midfield lines, the Belconnen also had their share of willing wide runners when transitioning into attack, which had more of a purposeful look today than their young opponents. 

Academy coach Vicki Linton congratulates Meg Roden on her game. Belconnen coach Michael Zakoski can be seen far left. Photo: @KaiMoebus

This result sees Belconnen remaining on top of the ladder, equal on points with Canberra Croatia. The Academy never stopped trying and remain in third place, but the gap to fourth has narrowed to just one point after Canberra Olympic’s away win at Gungahlin Enclosed.

 

Final score:

Canberra United Academy 0

Belconnen United 2 (Ryan 38′, Yuen 71′)

 

Teams:

Canberra United Academy – Coach: Vicki Linton

Chloe Lincoln, Alyse Jensen, Stephanie Nikias, Annie Grove (c), Tayla Hampson, Nadia Zakman, Latisha Babic, Meg Roden, Nikita Perry, Sasha Grove, Sofia Christopherson

Subs: Tara Cannon (45′ => Babic), Anna Hunt (45′ => Perry), Jayla Murphy, Eliza-Jane Norris (87′ => Zakman), Bessie Riethmuller (86′ => Roden)

Yellow card: Nikias 34′

Belconnen United – Coach: Michael Zakoski

Cristina Esposito, Leah Carnegie, Isabella Tammaro, Sarah Johnston, Vanessa Ryan, Keira Bobbin, Michaela Thornton (c), Katie Woodman, Talia Backhouse, Reilly Yuen, Olivia Bomford

Subs: Mia Giorgi (72′ => Backhouse), Bianca Kimpton, Maria Pachi (86′ => Yuen), Jaz Zabel, Nina Zarevac (78′ => Bobbin)

Yellow/Red cards: Nil


Around The Grounds:

Canberra Croatia 4 – 1 West Canberra Wanderers
Wagga City Wanderers 3 – 0 vs Tuggeranong United
Gungahlin United 2 – 3 Canberra Olympic


Ladder:

Pos Team P W D L For Against GD Pts
1 Belconnen United FC 9 7 1 1 36 6 30 22
2 Canberra Croatia FC 9 7 1 1 36 10 26 22
3 Canberra United Academy 9 5 2 2 23 21 2 17
4 Canberra Olympic FC 9 5 1 3 23 22 1 16
5 Gungahlin United FC 9 4 0 5 20 14 6 12
6 West Canberra Wanderers FC 9 3 1 5 15 16 -1 10
7 Wagga City Wanderers FC 9 2 0 7 12 38 -26 6
8 Tuggeranong United FC 9 0 0 9 2 40 -38 0

 

Next week:

Belconnen United vs Canberra Olympic, McKellar Park, Saturday 19 June, 3:00pm
West Canberra vs Canberra United Academy, Melrose Synthetic, Sunday 20 June, 12:45pm
Canberra Croatia vs Tuggeranong United, Deakin Stadium, Sunday 20 June, 2:30pm
Gungahlin United vs Wagga City, Gungahlin Enclosed, Sunday 20 June, 3:00pm 

Follow all our ACT NPLW coverage here.

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