Canberra FC 4 (Grace Gill 5’, Bridget Wright 21’, Erin Boxsell 45’, Chantel Jones 60’) def. Monaro Panthers 0

Canberra FC edged their way back into third place on Sunday, as a commanding first-half performance paved the way for a 4-0 home win over Monaro Panthers.

It was the home start who started on the front foot, applying early pressure and working the ball dangerously around the box.

Canberra FC were to profit from this pressure after just 5 minutes, Grace Gill found the ball  as Liana Hill spilled a corner, and the midfielder made no mistake to put her side ahead.

Gill was unlucky not to score a second five minutes later, firing in a shot from the right side of the box but only managing to hit the post as the hosts continued to pile on the pressure.

The home side went two goals ahead in the 21^st minute, as Bridget Wright and Krista Hagan linked up with a silky one-two putting Wright through on goal to coolly slot home past Hall.

After a slow start, Monaro began to put some pressure back onto the home side, and a fast counter attacking play put Olivia Farrell through on goal and the striker was brought down  to hand the Panthers a penalty.

Lara Burdett stepped up to take the penalty, and in a controversial move the midfielder tapped the ball on to Zoe Szeremet who charged into the box to put the ball in the net, but the linesman ruled to pass to have travelled backwards and disallowed the goal.

The visitors continued to apply pressure, utilising the pace of Alicia Meuronen and Szeremet down the lines, and the Panthers were unlucky once again after a powerful long shot from Meuronen ws denied only by the bar.

Canberra FC held off the pressure, and the home side grabbed a third goal on the cusp of half time as Hall failed to get behind a low shot from Erin Boxsell who gave her side a sizeable advantage going into the second half.

Monaro came out looking to get back into the game in the second half, and Meuronen managed to test Georgia Stewart with a curling effort in the 49^th minute, but the Canberra FC goalkeeper stayed strong.

Canberra FC put the game beyond all doubt in the 60^th minute, when Chantel Jones caught Hall off her line with a looping effort from just inside half way and Mark Risteski’s side saw the game out comfortably to go on to take all three points.

Monaro will look to sure up their defence ahead of a tough clash against league leaders Belconnen United next weekend, while Canberra FC will be looking to continue with their winning ways against last place Olympic next weekend, but they may face a tough task against a side that made them work for a 1-0 win in round 3.