League leaders Canberra United will seek to secure a fourth successive win when the highly competitive Melbourne Victory visit the nation’s capital.
Canberra United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday 12 November 2011
McKellar Park, Canberra
Local kick-off: 3pm
League leaders Canberra United will seek to secure a fourth successive win when the highly competitive Melbourne Victory visit the nation-s capital.
Last weekend United notched further achievements with an inaugural win over Sydney FC, with the victory also marking the first time the club have opened the season with three wins on the trot.
United face the Victory sandwiched between matches against Newcastle Jets next week and Sydney last week. It is a pivotal time for United but a win this weekend will set up their campaign nicely approaching the halfway mark of the season.
Canberra look a more mature and balanced unit than in previous seasons although they rode their luck at times last week against Sydney. The only downside is the ongoing unavailability of experienced midfielder Leah Blayney who is now unlikely to return much before Christmas.
Victory will be well rested after last week-s bye, however, they will be without coach Vicki Linton this weekend as the Australia U-17-s complete their FIFA U-17 Women-s World Cup qualifiers in China.
Victory will be looking to ensure that Canberra do not get too far ahead with the pair last year squaring off for a finals berth. However, Victory striker Jodie Taylor and Co will need to be at their best to get the better of United goalkeeper Lydia Williams who was in imperious form last week.
Match squads
Canberra United squad: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 4. Christine WALTERS, 5. Kahlia HOGG, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Hayley RASO, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Sally SHIPARD, 16. Ellyse EPERRY, 18. Taryn HEMMINGS, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Aroon CLANSEY (gk)
*four to be omitted
Unavailable: Leah BLAYNEY (injured)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2.Rebekah STOTT, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4.Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Danielle JOHNSON, 6. Rita MANKOWSKA, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 8. Ashley BROWN, 10. Jodie TAYLOR (c), 11. Caitlin FRIEND, 13. Katrina GORRY 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Louisa BISBY, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 19. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 20. Cassandra Dimovski (gk)
In: Gulcan Koca (return from overseas), Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY (return from injury)
Out: Laura SPIRANOVIC (injured – 1 week), Georgie KOUTROUVELIS (omitted)
Unavailable: Laura SPIRANOVIC (injured – 1 week),
