Striker Ashleigh Sykes is back in the United squad and ready to send her team to the finals as she joins the prolific strike duo of Caitlin Munoz and Michelle Heyman for this weekend’s blockbuster match up with Sydney FC.
Striker Ashleigh Sykes is back in the United squad and ready to send her team to the finals as she joins the prolific strike duo of Caitlin Munoz and Michelle Heyman for this weekend-s blockbuster match up with Sydney FC.
Sykes played for thirty minutes as a substitute in Saturday-s 4-1 demolition of Newcastle Jets and admits that she should have marked her comeback into the team with a goal within thirty seconds of entering the field for Heyman.
“It was great to be back on the field. I was really excited to be back playing again and get some decent game time. I was a bit shocked to get a chance so early! It was my first touch back and I guess I-ll just have to get the next one!” Sykes said.
While the manner of the performance impressed Ashleigh the speedy forward is under no illusions that the task this weekend will be much harder.
“Everyone stepped up and really played well when we had to against the Jets. It was a wonderful performance and I think that the goals were all of a great quality and were finished well which is good to see heading into the Sydney match this weekend. It-s hard to say where they have any weaknesses. They-re pretty strong throughout the team. In saying that I think we have got the players to exploit their back line and hopefully create some chances, finish them, and win the game,” Sykes commented.
“Their front two are a good combination and Ellie (Brush) and Caitlin (Cooper) will have their work cut out for them. However, they are up for the challenge and as long as our defence holds I think we can do something in attack and get the points.”
The match will be a first for the Westfield W-League as the fixture is scheduled for the artificial turf at Seymour Shaw, home of the Sutherland Sharks, and while it changes the dynamic of the fixture to some extent United have prepared well.
“It will be a bit different playing on the artificial turf. It will be a bit quicker so we-ll just have to watch our passes and that sort of thing. We have been training at Hawker Football Centre on the synthetic pitch there all week, so that should get us ready for the match.”
Canberra United travels to Seymour Shaw on Saturday afternoon to face Sydney FC in Week 11 of the Westfield W-League with kick off at 5pm.
