Canberra United FC has held on to recorded its historic first victory of the Westfield W-League when it recorded an upset over competition favourites, Queensland Roar, 1-0.
Canberra United FC has held on to recorded its historic first victory of the Westfield W-League when it recorded an upset over competition favourites, Queensland Roar, 1-0.
Canberra United’s Kara Mowbray found the back of the net early in the first half and it proved the difference in another physical hit-out.
The young Canberra United side out muscled and grinded their way to victory over the Roar as the home side pressed for an equaliser but never really troubled Canberra custodian, Lydia Williams despite wave after wave of attacking raids.
“That was definitely the best performance in the clubs short history” Canberra United head coach Robbie Hooker said tongue in cheek.
Canberra United came close to striking first when a through ball from Sasha McDonnell left striker partner Mowbray alone with Queensland goal keeper Lara Boon but fantastic commitment from the local net minder saw the opportunity defused with a clearance on the edge of the box.
As expected Canberra United-s pace proved a handful for the Queensland backline as through balls had the opposition defenders reeling on a number of occasions.
Defender Ellie Brush nearly broke the deadlock on the 15 minute mark when she volleyed wide a corner from Amy Chapman. Brush was left unopposed on the penalty spot but firmly struck her opportunity centimetres wide of the target.
It didn-t take long for Canberra United to get on the board when the inexperienced Roar keeper over committed to a through ball and a communication break down between defenders left Mowbray to stroll on goal to score the easiest goal she-ll ever score on 16 minutes.
“I-m delighted with our performance” said Hooker after the match.
“The girls did exactly what I asked of them.”
“We had practiced and discussed all week our ability to throw numbers forward and attack at the appropriate time instead of all out attack at the whole time.”
With four starting players from last week out through national duties and injury, the young side looked hungry of the two sides and withstood plenty of pressure as the match wore on.
“This result is a huge boost of confidence not only for the team itself but for the young players who came into the side,” Hooker said.
“Those fringe players now know they-re capable for mixing it with the best and genuinely deserve spots in the starting eleven resulting in plenty of competition for spots at training which is really healthy for the squad.”
On the stroke of half time Queensland had an opportunity to level the scores but Kim Carroll blasted her shot over the bar from the edge of the 18 yard box to the relief of Williams in goal.
Canberra United were on their heals in the second stanza as possession seesawed with the Roar pressing for an equaliser with the visitors battling fatigue as both defender Rebecca Kiting and Mowbray succumbing to cramp.
Queensland-s best chance came at the mid way stage of the second half when Lauren Colthorpe looked to volley a great ball from Carroll over Williams.
With no defenders in sight, Colthorpe sailed her opportunity wide of the far post with the pressure building on both sides.
With ten minutes to go Canberra United-s Amy Chapman nearly sealed the victory when she struck from distance.
Chapman-s strike from 20 metres out shaving the far upright after a deflection on the way to goals as the visitors recorded their first victory of the season.
“We knew that as the match wore on Queensland would start throwing more numbers forward in search for an equaliser which we knew would provide the opportunity to counter attack which nearly paid off towards the end.”
“I knew this week was going to be a little more difficult [than last week] but to come away with three points from our first two games away is exactly where I was hoping to be ahead of our first home game next weekend,” said Hooker.
“The win now only shows the rest of the competition that it-s not only going to be a two horse race this year between Queensland Roar and Sydney FC, instead it goes to show that it-s anyone-s competition.”
“We-re certainly not going to be easy beats this season and I feel we-ve got plenty more wins in us,” warned Hooker.
Match Details:
Canberra United 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 5. Sasha MCDONNELL (Ellie RAYMOND 77‘), 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Rebecca KITING (16. Snez VELJANOVSKA 60‘) , 9. Grace GILL, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 12. Kara MOWBRAY, 13. Thea SLATYER, 15. Nicole SYKES, 18. Lucy ALLAN
Subs not used: 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Maja BLASCH
Yellow cards: McDonnell (53-)
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: Mowbray (16-)
Queensland Roar 20. Lara BOON, 2. Kate McSHEA, 3. Karla REUTER (15. Stephanie LATHAM 82‘), 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Jenna TRISTRAM (18. Courtney BEUTEL 44‘), 7. Kim CARROLL, 9. Alicia FERGUSON, 10. Lana HARCH, 12. Veronica WILLIAMS, 16. Lauren COLTHORPE, 19. Ellen BEAUMONT (14. Vedrana POPOVIC 69‘)
Subs not used: 30. Alycia CATCHPOLE
Yellow cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: Nil
