Milly Bennett’s 25-minute cameo earned the Western Sydney Wanderers their first Ninja A-League point in almost a month after her goal and decisive block in the closing stages rescued a 1-1 draw against Canberra United.
The Wanderers were hoping to snap a streak of three matches without a point as they welcomed the visitors to Wanderers Football Park, but it was the league leaders who immediately put the hosts on the back foot.
After dominating possession in the early stages, Canberra earned a corner and Elizabeth Anton forced the opener after getting on the end of Nanako Sasaki’s ball in, directing it through a bunched goalmouth to see it over the goal line for her first goal of the season.
That opening flurry seemed to settle both teams as the first half turned into a gritty midfield battle, with neither side able to fashion another goal before the break.
Michelle Heyman headed wide on 33 minutes and had a powerful drive saved just five minutes later by Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis, before Canberra’s Sally James made a reflex save from a deflected Ena Harada shot for the Wanderers. The ensuing corner saw Alana Cerne blaze over the bar from close range before the whistle ended the opening 45.
The second half began in the same fashion as the first as the visitors again asserted their dominance in the opening stages, but just as the match seemed to calm, 17-year-old Milly Bennett struck for the Wanderers to score her first Ninja A-League goal.
A long ball from Olivia Price behind Canberra’s right-side defence was chased down by Kim So-Eun, who shifted it to Yuan Cong before Cong swept it across the area to an unmarked Bennett. The youngster steadied herself with a first touch before driving it low to the bottom left corner for the equaliser.
Bennett then played defender and made a crucial block from a point blank Bethany Gordon chance with 10 minutes left, forcing the shot wide, and despite both sides trading chances in the frantic closing stages they couldn’t find a winner and the match ended 1-1.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Milly Bennett reflects on her game-changing performance for the Western Sydney Wanderers
Elizabeth Anton discusses Canberra United’s draw on the road
