W-League: Convincing Canberra downs Brisbane

A first W-League goal by Grace Field and a fortuitous goal to Michelle Heyman either side of half time gave Canberra United a 2-0 victory over fierce rivals the Brisbane Roar.

The win is Canberra United’s first at home this season and an important result following their disappointing 4-2 loss at the hands of the Victory last weekend.

The contest was tightly fought throughout as both sides struggled to retain possession and build attacks of purpose. The opening 35 minutes was uneventful, but was ignited following United’s first corner of the match.

A perfect corner from Lori Lindsey found the head of Ellie Brush, whose header was directed into a crowd of players. Field reacting quickest to tap the ball in from two metres.

The goal sparked the Canberra players to action, United surging forward on a number of occasions to go close to scoring three times in the minutes leading up to half time.

With the second half opening the same as the first, the game got its second goal in an unusual way. A cross driven in by Stephanie Ochs found Brisbane defender Brooke Spence, whose attempted clearance hit teammate Elise Kellond-Knight, before ricocheting into Heyman and then into back of the net.

The loss is Brisbane’s third in four games and puts them in a tough position to make the top four. A problem for the Roar is creating goal scoring opportunities.

Tameka Butt had her team’s best opportunity in the opening minute after getting in behind the defence of Canberra, only to be denied by a great save by keeper Chantel Jones. That chance proved to be Brisbane’s best of the night as they offered little for the remaining 90 minutes.

For United it was a much improved performance in defence, keeping a clean sheet after leaking four goals last outing. A minor change in formation that saw Stephanie Ochs providing extra cover in defence proved crucial in protecting United’s backline from Brisbane’s cross field balls.




Canberra United: 1. Chantel Jones (GK) 3. Julia De Angelis (Kiting 82’) 5. Grace Field 6. Caitlin Munoz 7. Ellie Brush 11. Michelle Heyman 12. Sally Rojahn 13. Nicole Begg (c) 14. Ashleigh Sykes 16. Lori Lindsey (Houston 90’) 22. Stephanie Ochs

Substitutes: 2. Catherine Brown 17. Holly Houston 18. Rebecca Kiting 20. Melissa Maizels (GK)


Brisbane Roar: 1. Nadine Angerer (GK) 2. Laura Alleway (Franco 75’) 4. Clare Polkinghorne (c) 5. Brooke Spence 6. Hayley Raso (Norrie 65’) 7. Kim Carroll 8. Elise Kellond-Knight 10. Katrina Gorry 11. Vedana Popovic 13. Tameka Butt 17. Emily Gielnik (Crummer 57’)

Substitutes: 9. Larissa Crummer 18. Sunny Franco 19. Ayesha Norrie 20. Kate Stewart (GK)