Western Sydney Wanderers failed to capitalise on a strong start as Canberra United ran out 2-0 winners at McKellar Park in Round 2 of the Westfield W-League.
Western Sydney Wanderers failed to capitalise on a strong start as Canberra United ran out 2-0 winners at McKellar Park in Round 2 of the Westfield W-League.
The Wanderers were without key players Servet Uzunlar, Heather Garriock and Alanna Kennedy as well as long-term injured players Mackenzie Arnold and Kyah Simon but started the match well.
Tori Huster enjoying plenty of room in the centre of the field, dictated the early tempo though chances were rare however with neither goalkeeper seriously troubled in the opening quarter.
That all changed in the 25th minute as the home team took the lead with their first meaningful attack.
US import Lori Lindsey was at the heart of the move collecting a loose ball in midfield and driving at the Wanderers defence.
Heyman made the perfect run and Lindsey found her with an immaculately-weighted through ball.
The home side did manage to double their lead before the interval.
Heyman was the provider this time, turning in midfield and sliding a wonderful pass that pierced the Wanderers rear guard.
Ochs timed her run perfectly and kept her composure to stroke home her maiden goal for the club giving United a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead.
Wanderers keeper Dimi Poulos then made two decisive saves in a short space of time.
Firstly, Poulos had to be alert to race off her line and make a tremendous save from Heyman who had burst clear of the back four before the Wanderers keeper made a superb save from Grace Gill, turning the United midfielder’s effort wide just when it seemed likely that Gill would net her first goal for the club.
Sykes drew an even more spectacular save from Poulos in the 65th minute after she hammered a shot at goal from range that which the Wanderers custodian pushed over the bar after she leapt high.
The Wanderers goalkeeper was having a busy afternoon and made another excellent stop to divert a fierce Heyman cross-shot as the pressure mounted.
Just as the Wanderers looked to be regaining the ascendency, Huster and Seaman both succumbed to injury causing a major reshuffle on the field with players in unfamiliar positions.
Despite this, the Wanderers finished the match strongly with Helen Petinos hitting the crossbar on her Westfield W-League debut but the scoreline remained the same.
Canberra United 2 (Michelle Heyman 25, Stephanie Ochs 41) Western Sydney Wanderers 0 ATTENDANCE: 1007
Canberra United: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 2. Catherine BROWN, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL (6. Caitlin MUNOZ 61-), 11. Michelle HEYMAN (19. Jennifer BISSET 84-), 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES (8. Meg McLAUGHLIN 73-), 14. Lori LINDSEY, 22. Stephanie OCHS
Western Sydney Wanderers: 22. Dimi POULOS, 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Shawna GORDON, 5. Emily VAN EGMOND, 8. Tori HUSTER (18. Helen PETINOS 63-), 9. Jenna KINGSLEY, 11. Michelle CARNEY, 12. Jessica SEAMAN (19. Jordan BAKER 74-), 13. Catherine CANNULI, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O-NEILL
YELLOW CARDS: None
