NPLW: United lay down marker in opening round

A clinical performance from Belconnen United has given them a 4-0 win over Canberra FC in their National Premier Leagues Women’s round one Grand Final rematch.

Both sides missed key personnel coming into the clash, the hosts without Caitlin Munoz and Lauren Keir while Canberra FC looked to fill the hole left by Grace Gill and Chantel Jones’ absence.

United looked to be doing a lot more of the attacking early and held much of the ball, but were unable to find the finishing touch as Jasmine Maguire and Jessie Williams both went close early. It took until just after the 20-minute mark for the Blue Devils to capitalise though through a sweeping move.

Michaela Day set Maguire free down the right and her whipped cross was trapped perfectly by Maddy Whittall who turned her marker and fired home.

Just moments later Williams struck the crossbar with a well-weighted chip, and then had the ball in the back of the net only to see it flagged for offside.

The visitors turned up the pressure before the break as first Lily Bardsley robbed her defender and fired wide, before Ivana Galic’s set piece struck the crossbar and came back out.

The one-goal lead remained at the half and it took only six minutes for the hosts to double it in the second period, as Bronte Pyke rose for a towering header from a corner to find the back of the net.

Both goalkeepers were made to work shortly after as first Bardsley forced a save from Nat Lacey, and then Nat Vasta made a big stop down the other end to keep the lead at two goals.

United would not be denied for long though, and extended their advantage just four minutes later. Vasta did well to save an initial effort from a corner, but it counted for naught as Gemma Murphy smashed home the rebound to give the defenders no chance.

Marcia Wallis-Caporn almost forced an error from Lacey with 20 minutes to go but Day was on hand to calmly clear the danger, and the Player of the Match added a sealer in stoppage time, curling a sensational free-kick right into the top corner from distance.




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