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Belconnen United vs Tuggeranong

Much improved displays across all three grades delivered Belconnen with a clean sweep against Tuggeranong on a bright and sunny day at Mackellar.

In Premier League U18’s, Belconnen United defeated Tuggeranong United with a convincing 3-1 win. All looked good in the opening half to the game, with Sam Roff lobbing the ball over the advancing Tuggeranong keeper to take the lead at 1-0. With the absence of Lyndal Slater, Sian Minary Bland looked comfortable in the vacant centre back role and was outstanding in preventing many Tuggeranong advances on goal. Leading 1-0 after the break, Belconnen pushed forward in search for more goals and Sam Roff was rewarded once again with superb run into the 18 yard box to neatly slot her second goal of the game. Tuggeranong managed to pull a goal back but it wasn’t enough as Maddy Whittall struck in the 77th minute, with an excellent chip over the goalkeeper to ensure Belconnen took maximum points.

After a disappointing performance the week prior, Belconnen’s Premier League Reserves were out to make amends against Tuggeranong and with the added bonus of being at home at Mackellar, the scene was set for a strong performance. The Blue Devils settled the quickest and were rewarded within the opening 10 minutes when Jess Goyne made no mistake from her first sight on goal. Tuggeranong responded and looked to clog up the midfield and get more bodies behind the ball which worked well, with Belconnen initially attempting to force the issue rather than remaining patient. Despite the brick wall which had been created however, Belconnen were still able to create a number of chances and were unlucky not to go in further ahead at the break. A slightly different approach and a little more patience were asked for in the second half and all 15 players delivered this in spades, smashing home 7 unanswered goals in the second 45 minutes. Jess McEwan was the first onto the sheet, making a good run from deep where she rose the highest and headed home a clever cross which was ‘dinked’ in by Alison Lound following some determined work to first win the ball on the top of the box. This was followed seven minutes later by Talia Backhouse who executed a perfectly weighted chip from 30yds out, converting the first of two for the young striker, who is clearly enjoying the regular game time now on offer and fast returning to peak form. Goyne nabbed her second on 60 minutes after another perfect delivery from Lound, which Lound followed up soon after with one of her own. Backhouse then notched up a brace with a superbly taken effort from the top of the box. The striker did well to create space by moving across the defensive line before driving the ball into the roof of the net from 18yds out. The introduction and much anticipated debut of Nicole Jalocha into midfield added yet another dimension for the Blue Devils as the young play maker looked to assert herself at the next level. Combining well with McEwan and Jules Ibarra on the left, it wasn’t long before Jalocha’s efforts resulted in a chance for Caitlin Cantrill, who is fast becoming a regular in the Premier League Reserves squad, and the nimble striker showed exactly why as she squeezed the ball under the advancing keeper and into the net. The final nail in the coffin however came from Goyne who ghosted wide, outside the far post where she was found through the vision of Lucy Allan, before driving the ball home from the top of the area, beating the keeper at her near post and completing her hat trick. All 15 efforts across the park deserve a mention, however Milli Black and McEwan were outstanding in defence as was Goyne in midfield and Backhouse up front. Young defender Alex Patterson also demonstrated composure beyond her years after coming on midway through the second half, and made a strong claim for future any opportunities in Reserve grade.

Belconnen’s raging hot Premier league squad we back to their brilliant best, notching up an 8-0 victory in the main game. The home side took the game to their lower placed opponents in the early stages and seemed able to move forward at will. On the 12 minute mark Katie Woodman opened the scoring, finishing a training park move which saw the ball worked from deep, through midfield and then out to the right where Michelle Thompson delivered the perfect cross for Amy Wilson who steered the ball back across goal where Woodman finished. Five minutes later, young defender Lauren Keir was given too much room and needed no encouragement to unleash a wicked strike from 25yds to make it 2-0. Not to be outdone, Sabrina Spinapolice was next to strike after finding herself in space at the top of the area. Although still feeling the effects of a vicious challenge earlier in the match, the striker picked up the ball in that same area of the park and set about making her opponents pay with another spectacular long range effort. With the visitors still reeling, Spinapolice was on hand again to assist a good forward run made by Caitlin Munoz. The explosive midfielder bounced the ball of Spinapolice who played a classy ball back which Munoz implanted uncompromisingly into the back of the net. At 4-0 up the home side were comfortable and relaxed going in at the break. A subtle message on the white board from the coach confirmed their defensive objective, and the Blue Devils again looked to challenge their own standards in their second half performance. Picking up where they’d left off, the home side went straight back on the offensive, and Clare Munro was unlucky not to score when the Tuggeranong custodian somehow managed to get a hand to a sharp chance which seemed destined for the top corner. It was Woodman who again opened the scoring however after Munoz linked up with a good run made by Munro, who carried the ball into the box before cutting it back to the penalty stop where Woodman gave the keeper no chance. Woodman’s hat trick was complete 4 minutes later when a variation from a corner resulted in Amy Wilson delivering a perfect cross which Woodman comfortably nodded home. The introduction of Miki Day injected more penetration down the left and side and Jordan Buchannan was also handed her debut appearance, coming on deep on the right hand side. It was from the right hand side, however through yet another attacking corner where Belconnen would earn their 7th for the day, with Thompson swinging in another excellent delivery which was met strongly by the head of Munoz. Munoz went close on a host of other occasions with a comical number of strikes taking paint off the outside of the post, but it would be Talia Backhouse who had come on to replace Woodman who completed the route, pouncing on a tired and isolated defender before smashing the ball home inside the near post.

Taking nothing away from the strikers who were outstanding during their field day in front of goal, however it was the midfield trio of Tash Ackland, Munoz and Wilson who devastated the visitors and seemed to be able to move and create at will. The return of ‘PC’ Hepland added even more to the already solid Belconnen defence, and although rarely called upon Joc Mara was also outstanding, springing off her line when needed and always willing to put her body on the line to ensure a clean sheet.

More impressive than the results were the performances of all 3 grades who showed massive improvements from the week before. Although happy with their weekend efforts, all players will need to be ready to step up again next week when Woden return to Mackellar for what are sure to be 3 of the highest quality and highest tempo matches of the season!