Canberra United Academy 5 (Laura Hughes 24’, Aoife Colvill 55’, 59’, 81’, Sarah Morgan 84’) def. Woden-Weston 1 (Cassia McGlashan 45+1’)

The Canberra United Academy turned on the jets for a four-goal second half to run out 5-1 winners over Woden-Weston on Saturday afternoon.

A hat-trick from Aoife Colvill blew the game open in the second 45 as the visitors struggled to respond.

The Academy began the game on the front foot, and when Laura Hughes struck the crossbar with a fierce effort just three minutes in the intent of the hosts was clear.

But Woden-Weston pushed their way back into the game, and looked to strike on the counter where they could. A determined press from Anna Vandenbroucke was causing issues for the Academy at the back, and a couple of mishit clearances caused occasional moments of panic.

A brilliant free-kick from the visitors looked bound for the top corner until Isobel Davy was able to get up and deny it, and just six minutes later the Academy hit the lead when Hughes fired home at the back post from Isabel Mulhall’s cross.

The game quietened down until a botched clearance from Davy was almost punished by Vandenbroucke 10 minutes later, but Woden-Weston would get their dues on the stroke of the break.

Vandenbroucke’s set piece was again saved well by Davy when bound for the top corner, but it was only tipped on to the crossbar, and McGlashan was waiting as the ball dropped back down and she pushed it across the line to level scores.

The Wanderers had the first chance of the second half only for the set piece to go well over the bar, and that proved costly three minutes later when Colvill raced down the middle of the defence and calmly finished to grab her first goal and the lead.

Shortly after it was Colvill again proving the difference, as she scored from close range and it looked like the game was beginning to get away from the visitors a little bit. Lotta Raap had a chance with 20 minutes to go for the Wanderers only to fire wide as she burst into the box and when Colvill completed her hat-trick with a low drive from range with nine minutes to go the game was effectively sealed.

Sarah Morgan added one more to the total with time running down to finish off a score line that was maybe not quite reflecting of the game that was played.