United have extended their run of wins to four in a row after coming out on top in a fierce battle with the previously undefeated City in rainy conditions.
A goalless first half was broken by Emma Hawkins six minutes into the second, before Michelle Heyman doubled the lead six minutes later. Holly McNamara scored a penalty for City with 20 minutes to go but United held on to reclaim top spot on the league table.Â
United had their hearts in their mouths two minutes into the match when Sally James’ attempted clearance clattered into a rushing McNamara, whose deflection floated over the crossbar. McNamara went close again four minutes later but this time was denied by a diving James whose outstretched hand was enough to push the ball onto the post before Nanako Sasaki cleared the danger.
United had their first chance of the match after eleven minutes through Heyman, who went agonisingly close to pinching a wayward City back pass. City keeper Malena Mieres was a step quicker than the veteran Matilda and reached the ball first, clearing it into Heyman with the ricochet landing safely for a goal kick.
United and City traded blows for the remainder of the first half with both sides having chances to break the deadlock. City’s best attempt came from a Leticia McKenna free kick, which smacked into the woodwork before an offside call halted the rushing City attack. Canberra’s best chance came off the head of Heyman, who climbed the highest to reach a Sasaki corner but picked out Mieres who held onto the close-range header.
Canberra came out in the second half won fire, recording a shot on goal within 20 seconds of the restart. Josie Aulicino broke the City defence with a well weighted pass to Hawkins, who outpaced City defender Taylor Otto to force a point-blank save from Mieres to keep the game scoreless.
United only needed to wait six minutes to score their first goal of the match courtesy of a Hawkins header, her first goal for the club. Sasaki made the most of an intercepted City clearance and lofted a cross over the defence to find an unmarked Hawkins at the back post who headed the ball into the bottom right corner.
United then doubled their lead six minutes later off the boot of Heyman, her fourth of the season. Sasaki was again pulling the strings from the United midfield, finding Hayley Taylor-Young in acres of space down the right wing. The cross fell kindly to Heyman, with the league’s all-time top scorer showing her class to fire the ball into the top left corner.Â
City were given a lifeline back into the game in the 71st minute when McNamara slotted a penalty into the bottom left corner to make the score 2-1.
City pressed hard for an equaliser for the final 20 minutes but were denied time and time again by a scrambling United defence and James, who made save after save in rainy conditions to help United hold onto all three points in front of a raucous Canberra crowd.
United return to action against the Central Coast Mariners at McKellar Park on Saturday 20 December at 5:30pm.
Match details
Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 7
Canberra United 2 (Hawkins 53’, Heyman 59’) Melbourne City 1 (McNamara 71’)
Half-time:
McKellar Park
Saturday 13 December 2025
Referee: Jock Quatermain
Canberra United: 1. Sally JAMES (gk), 3. Elizabeth ANTON, (5. Jazmin WARDLOW 79’), 6. Josie AULICINO, 7. Emma HAWKINS, 8. Sasha GROVE, (10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY 94’), 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 11. Emma ROBERS, (13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON 73’), (19. Sienna DALE 73’), 23. Michelle HEYMAN, 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 32. Bethany GORDON, 33. Nanako SASAKI
Substitutes not used: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (gk), 25. Darcey MALONE
Yellow Cards: BERTOLISSIO, CHRISTOPHERSON
Melbourne City: 24. Malena MIERES (gk), 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 7. DANELLA BUTRUS, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT, (15. Chinaza UCHENDU 76’), (16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN 63’), 18. Leah DAVIDSON, (21. Aideen KEANE 63’)
Substitutes not used: 23. Melisssa BARBIERI (gk), 2. Ellie WILSON, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC
Yellow Cards: APOSTOLAKIS
