Monaro Panthers 1 (Zoe Szeremet 51’) drew. Woden-Weston FC 1 (Lotta Raap 4’)

A second half strike from Zoe Szeremet claimed a surprise draw for Monaro Panthers on Sunday, as they pegged back Woden-Weston at the Riverside Stadium.

Woden-Weston started strongly, and took the lead after just three minutes as Lotta Raap finished a good move and the early indication was that the visitors would run away with the match after that start.

Diego Elmoudawar’s side handled the bulk of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances as the half wore on, as the Monaro defence held out against the visiting pressure. The Panthers held on however and went into the break only a single goal down, leaving them with a chance in the second half.

And it took them only six minutes into the second period to equaliser, as Szeremet pulled her side level with a cool finish to set up an interesting final 40 minutes. However neither side were able to find the critical breakthrough, earning Monaro their second draw of the season and putting a dent in Woden-Weston’s top four pursuit.

 

Belconnen United 3 (Cara Cutaia 16’, Maddy Whittall 67’, Chloe Callaghan 77’)

Belconnen United continued their charge to the title on Saturday, with a 3-0 win over Canberra FC in the second grand-final rematch of the year.

Cara Cutaia opened the scoring after just 16 minutes as she got away from the visiting defence to score, and it looked as though United may pull away.

However, the visitors held firm and began to push back, with the two sides exchanging blows for the remainder of the first half. With the difference only one goal at the break the match was poised for a big second half when the sides came out, and neither side were able to find the next goal initially.

But 22 minutes into the half Maddy Whittall doubled the advantage with her league-leading 19^th goal of the season to cushion United nicely with just over 20 minutes to go, and 10 minutes later Chloe Callaghan raced through on goal to tuck home and all but seal the match for the home side. The scoreline remained 3-0 as the match round up, and the result gives Belconnen a nine-point lead at the top of the ladder ahead of a meeting with Canberra Olympic next weekend.

For Canberra FC, they take on Woden-Weston in Round 12 in a match that can make the race for fourth place a tight one, or give them a five-point buffer on their opponents.

 

Canberra Olympic (Nat McCann 11’, Kiara Gaspari 64’)def. by Gungahlin United 3 (Alex Lawrence 20’, 77’, 84’)

Gungahlin United came from behind twice on Sunday to defeat a determined Canberra Olympic side. A hat-trick to Amy Lawrence was enough for the win but United only sealed the deal in the final ten minutes of a scintillating clash.

Full report here. 

 

Canberra United Academy 4 (Cecilija Matic, Aiofe Colvill, Jasmine Genovesi)def. Tuggeranong United 1 (Meg McLaughlin)

The Canberra United Academy kept their spot in the top two in Round 11 after a four-goal first half helped them to a 4-1 win over Tuggeranong United.

The Academy started brightly on the synthetic turf, getting in behind their opponents and looking to make their chances count from the outset. 

And they did, as Cecilija Matic opened the scoring with a tidy finish before the Academy really put the foot down. The youngsters continually broke through the United defence, and a brace to Aiofe Colvill before the half was out and another goal to Jasmine Genovesi sent the home side in to the interval with a commanding lead.

While it looked like the Academy would build on the advantage, they struggled to convert as they came out of the break, and the visitors began to work their way back into the match.

However, neither side could make the breakthrough until the dying minutes, as Meg McLaughlin converted with five minutes to go to grab her side a consolation and scratch off the Academy’s clean sheet. The result leaves Tuggeranong six points outside the top four at the mid-point of the season.