A few weeks back this match-up would have been considered a near-certain home win for Canberra. But a few weeks is seemingly a long time in the Westfield W-League.
Canberra United v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 1 November 2014
McKellar Park, Canberra
Local kick-off: 5pm
Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #CBRvWSW
Canberra have endured an erratic period recently, while the hitherto un-rated Wanderers have knocked over the competition’s two best historical sides; Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC.
This pair met on the opening day of the season with Canberra collecting a 4-1 road win. It was, though a deceptively lop-sided scoreline, and a match in which both teams were still setting into their groove.
For so long Canberra have made their home ground a fortress, but this campaign they have won just one of three in the nation’s capital.
Last weekend marked a return to winning ways for Canberra, even if the 1-0 triumph in Melbourne was more grit than gilt-edged. Whether last week’s return of American Kendall Fletcher to the line-up is coincidence is a matter of conjecture, but her value is undoubted.
The Wanderers will have to make do without Westfield Young Matildas duo Jordan Baker and Chloe O’Brien, but are otherwise at full strength.
The Wanderers are still mathematically within semi-final contention, and if they can somehow knock over fourth-placed Canberra then their unlikely dream is very much still alive.
Canberra United squad: 1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 20. Melissa MAIZELS (gk), 22. Stephanie OCHS
Ins: none
Outs: none
Unavailable: Meg McLAUGHLIN (knee – season), Grace GILL (ankle – 1-2 weeks)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Trudy Burke (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Jessica Seaman, 4. Caitlin Jarvie, 5. Helen Petinos, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Kendall Johnson. 8. Grace Henry, 9. Keelin Winters, 10. Michelle Carney, 12. Hannah Beard, 15. Rhianna Pollicina, 16. Linda O’Neill, 19. Tia Gavin, 20. Sham Khamis (gk)
Ins: Tia Gavin (promoted)
Outs: Jordan Baker (Westfield Young Matildas)
Unavailable: Chloe O’Brien (Westfield Young Matildas)
