Canberra United have been left to rue missed opportunities in a physical battle against the Western Sydney Wanderers, with the match ending in a draw, and extending United’s unbeaten run to seven.
United dominated in the opening stages, with an overwhelming majority of possession. Sienna Dale, into the starting side for Emma Hawkins, proved to be a problem for the Wanderers defence in the early stages, finding her away into the final third consistently in the opening minutes.
The early dominance paid off, as United took the lead off a set-piece routine. A perfectly struck corner kick from Nanako Sasaki found Liz Anton in the centre of the box, with the New Zealand International guiding the ball home for the opener.
Wanderers began to grow into the match, with former matilda Chloe Berryhill (nee Logarzo) showing her experience to keep the United backline on their toes. Youngster Talia Younis also proved to be a potential danger, getting a strike on target, fortunately straight into the arms of Sally James.
Michelle Heyman had a chance to make it two for United, as a Hayley Taylor-Young cross found the striker, who was unfortunate not to direct her header into the bottom corner.
Wanderers had a golden opportunity to equalise right before the break, with Alana Cerne blasting over from close range following a corner.
United looked the goods once again, early in the second half. Coming on for Sienna Dale at half time, Emma Hawkins provided a fresh set of legs to put the Wanderers under pressure.
The first proper opportunity of the second half came through a quality passage of play, with Josie Aulicino laying off to Hawkins who sent a well-place through ball to Heyman, who came agonisingly close to doubling United’s lead.
Hawkins had her own chance soon after, flashing her strike across the face of the goal, after being sent in behind by Bethany Gordon.
Berryhill had a chance to level the scores just before the hour mark, as Berryhill met a cross, with Anton doing enough to deny her a proper header on goal, with James claiming easily.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, the Wanderers found their equaliser as Milly Bennett, in off the bench, struck across goal to level the scores.
It was a tense finish to the match, as both sides traded blows in search of a winner. United created multiple chances with Sham Khamis doing well to keep the scores level.
Hawkins tried her luck with a first time strike, forcing Khamis into making a save, as the match went into six minutes of additional time.
United looked like they would grab a late winner as Poppy Hooks seemingly fouled Bethany Gordon in the box, with shouts for a penalty denied.
That would be the last real chance of the match, bring an end to a physical battle with the points shared.
