W-League: Newcastle Jets 0-1 Canberra United

Both these teams needed a good result to keep them in sight of finals so it was always going to be tough and tight.

Canberra United started well, trying to work the ball out from the back but Newcastle Jets had plans to apply strong pressure high up the park. This certainly disrupted Canberra with numerous losses of the ball in dangerous parts of the pitch which unluckily for the Jets, the girls couldn’t turn to goals.

As it often is in football, Canberra scored against the run of play just as Newcastle was starting to get some control. A ball well fed by the newly positioned Emily Van Egmond on the counter found a hungry Michelle Heyman in a 1v1 with the keeper. “Cool as” Michelle slotted the goal in the 36th minute.

In the second half both teams were desperate to score and both had some good opportunities. Newcastle was using the wide channels well with wingback Hannah Brewer but likewise so were Canberra with Ellyse Perry and Heyman.

Newcastle did try some nice angled balls in the attacking third but came up without success. The game finished 1-0 with a lonely goal in the first half.

I liked how the Jets did seem to have plans and easily could have locked the game up. Canberra is not a complete product, evident by the lack of player combinations and personnel trying out different field positions.

If Canberra is going to be a real threat to the likes of Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar this year, Coach Ray Junna needs to bite the bullet and stop choosing his starting eleven on reputation.

Best for Canberra this week were Emily Van Egmond, Sally Shipard and Michelle Heyman. For Newcastle Hannah Brewer was very good, as was US import Nicole Cross and Amber Neilson. Other weekend results were Brisbane Roar 3 Adelaide United 1 and Sydney FC walking away 2 nil victors over Perth Glory.