Monaro forfeit to Tuggeranong United

 

Belconnen United v Canberra United Academy

Belconnen United will be looking to keep their perfect run of recent form going on Saturday as they meet the third placed Canberra United Academy at McKellar Park. United have not lost since round two when they went down to Tuggeranong United, and instead have gone on an absolute tear that now sees them nine points clear of second placed Gungahlin United. Maddy Whittall and Chloe Callaghan have headed that run with their devastating scoring, and the Academy’s fast pace will suit United perfectly in this match. 

For CUA, their early form this year was stymied when they faced Belconnen United, going down 7-0 in a complete outclassing. Patchy form since then has seen them drop to third, and they went down late to Canberra FC last week after only narrowly defeating Monaro the week before. While they lack the experience of their Belconnen counterparts, the Academy side have the technical ability to match them, and if the youngsters are able to remain calm and avoid the mistakes that plagued them last time, then they can push the home side all the way here.

 

Gungahlin United v Canberra FC
Second meets fourth on Sunday as Gungahlin United host Canberra FC at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval. United’s 9-0 win last weekend over a hapless Monaro showed that they are absolutely a threat in the competition, and also showcased their depth. Neither of the Palombi sisters featured in that outing, a surprise given the magnitude of the score line. They should both return having played during the midweek federation cup win over the same opponent, and will present a big threat to the opposition backline.

For Canberra FC, Chantel Jones winner deep in the second half against the Academy brought them to within one point of the youngsters on the ladder, and a win here would see them end up just one point behind this weekend’s opponents. After struggling early in the season, Mark Risteski’s side seem to have found a steady stream of goals, and will need them to challenge a defense that is one of only two that has been sturdier than their own. If Canberra FC can control the opening period and assert themselves on the match they will have a great chance, however allowing Gungahlin to start as they did against Monaro last week could prove to be a bad idea.

 

Woden-Weston FC v Canberra Olympic

Keeping in touch with the top four will be the aim for Woden-Weston FC as they try to rebound from last week’s defeat to Belconnen United. That result ended a three-match undefeated streak that put them within touching distance of the top four, but they now sit five points adrift of Canberra FC in fourth. Tuggeranong leapt them courtesy of Monaro’s forfeit and now present an extra threat to Diego Elmoudawar’s top four chances. A win here is mandatory.

For Olympic, a heavy defeat at the hands of Tuggeranong stymied some of their recent improvement and this week they will face another team on a mission. Still looking for their first win of the season, they are five points behind the Panthers just above and should believe that they can reel them in before season’s end. Rob Scott’s side have had no issue with scoring goals, but have just struggled at the other end, conceding 76 goals to now. Their opponents this weekend have scored the least of the top six sides, and may present Olympic with a chance to grab a draw at least, as Monaro did a few weeks back.