A goal from Aideen Keane earned Canberra United what might prove to be a priceless point against championship chasing Melbourne City in an entertaining 1-1 draw at McKellar Park, Canberra’s third 1-1 draw in succession.
There were two changes from the team that had drawn 1-1 with Adelaide United in South Australia as Michelle Heyman, yet to return from international duty, and Emma Robers, were replaced by Jynaya Dos Santos and Keane respectively.
There was not a cloud in the sky at the North Canberra venue as the sun mercilessly beat down on the exposed field of play, the undefeated league leaders setting the tempo early with Alexia Apostolakis forcing a smart save from Sally James, the goalkeeper back-pedalling to palm a curler over the bar.
Shortly afterwards James was called into action again to save smartly from Bryleeh Henry, City exposing Canberra down the left flank as Mariana Speckmaier found space to cross to the far post.
City went close once more when Leticia McKenna was denied by James, the rebound cut back to Speckmaier who, with the goal gaping, sliced her shot and was unable to force the loose ball into the net.
Whilst the weight of possession, and the better chances, were falling the way of City, United were plugging away but the final pass was missing for the home side, the Melbourne defence holding their defensive shape exceptionally well to frustrate the sporadic home advances.
City finally broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second-half. From a set-piece, chaos ensured inside the penalty area, City’s Taylor Otto deflecting the ball goalwards where, in attempting to clear the ball away, goalkeeper James was only able to inadvertently help it on into the net.
Canberra’s response was to summon midfield maestro Mary Stanic-Floody from the bench, the playmaker coming on for the industrious Holly Murray, United almost replying instantaneously as Sofia Christopherson lashed over from inside the penalty area.
The hosts continued to probe, a succession of corners forcing City backwards, Malone and Gordon enjoying engine-room supremacy, but were unable to seriously challenge goalkeeper Malena Mieres.
With ten minutes remaining United levelled with the kind of goal that was down to sheer persistence. A long ball over the top sent Keane away and the fleet-footed forward got to the ball ahead of Mieres, chipping the ‘keeper and then winning the physical footrace with the City defender to force the ball over the line.
Melbourne ought to have retaken the lead moments later, but Speckmaier was thwarted by a sensational block from James. With the crowd behind them Canberra searched for a winner, but the draw was a reward for their second-half performance.
ROUND 17
Saturday 1 March 2025
Canberra United 1 (Keane 80’) Melbourne City 1 (James 52’ (og))
(McKellar Park, Canberra, 16:00)
Canberra United: 1. Sally JAMES, 3. Elizabeth ANTON, 4. Holly MURRAY (10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY 56’), 5. Madison AYSON, 7. Jynaya DOS SANTOS (28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO 64’), 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON (9. Ruby NATHAN 84’), 17. Maja MARKOVSKI, 21. Aideen KEANE, 25. Darcey MALONE (2. Alex MCKENZIE 84’), 32. Bethany GORDON
Substitutes not used: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC
