Canberra United heads North for Round 10 of the Westfield W-League and a potentially season defining fixture against Newcastle Jets at Jack McLaughlin Oval.
Westfield W-League Round 10
Saturday 15th November 2014
Newcastle Jets v Canberra United
(Jack McLaughlin Oval, Newcastle, Kick-Off: 3pm)
Canberra United heads North for Round 10 of the Westfield W-League and a potentially season defining fixture against Newcastle Jets at Jack McLaughlin Oval. Currently sitting in second place on the league ladder, with the Jets poised just outside the top four, this has the makings of a match that could ultimately go a long way to deciding the destiny and make-up of the final four.
United heads into the clash with the Novocastrians in good form and full of confidence after blowing away the challenge for Sydney FC at McKellar Park last week, the 3-0 triumph showcasing arguably their best football of the season. Defensively solid, creative in attack and a threat in front of goal, Canberra was worthy victors against a Sydney FC team that boasts the best defensive record in the competition.
In six-goal Michelle Heyman Canberra possesses a mighty threat to the Jets with the Matildas’ international striker having bagged the second against the Sky Blues. Ominously for the home team, Stephanie Ochs appears to have clicked into gear as well, finding space to exploit against Sydney FC and cutting in off her wing to great effect, none more so apparent than with the third goal of the match.
The Jets however are in decent form themselves. Midfield maestro Emily Van Egmond, formerly of Canberra United of course, has been in inspirational form this season, driving her team forwards from the engine room and scoring goals. The international star has very much underlined her credentials ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada next year and will need to be closed down by the Canberra midfield.
Newcastle come into the match on the back of a 4-2 loss to Perth Glory, a result that incidentally leaves the Western Australians on the verge of claiming the league championship title. After Van Egmond had given them an early lead, they were killed off by goals from Caitlin Foord and a Samantha Kerr double. A late second from Tara Andrews was mere consolation after Elisa D’Ovidio had made it 4-1.
As well as Van Egmond, the Jets boast a couple of other Canberra connections in striker Georgia Yeoman-Dale, who joined the Jets at the start of this season, and the experienced Hayley Crawford, who was a foundation player for Canberra United in Season 1 going on to make five appearances, scoring one goal, a strike in Round 8 in a 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in Parramatta.
A win for Canberra would cement their second place on the ladder. A Jets success meanwhile would throw the top four wide open once again. Be prepared for a high-scoring epic end-to-end tussle.
SQUAD
1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Tegan RIDING, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS, 22. Stephanie OCHS
UNAVAILABLE: 8. Meg McLAUGHLIN (injured – season)
