Credit: Naomi Woodley Credit: Naomi Woodley

Canberra United brought their A game to McKellar Park on Sunday, overcoming a well drilled but self-diagnosed “under par” Adelaide United side 3-0.

The match was played at a decent pace early, but not quite as hectic as the kick off to Canberra’s recent match against Melbourne.

Neither team allowed the other much room in the first 15 minutes but the home side eventually broke the shackles to post goals in the back half.

Adelaide had their chances but were less clinical than in these two sides' first match up and could never really find a foothold in the match.

The second half saw Canberra do just enough to hold Adelaide at bay to run out comfortable winners.

While Stephanie Ochs and Michelle Heyman have garnered most of the accolades, the key for United on the day was quiet achiever Ashleigh Sykes.

Her pace and ability to break through defences was again on display and appreciated with the recently capped Matilda awarded all three prizes at Canberra’s after match function – fan’s award, coach’s award and player’s player.

“We know that speed up front is a strength of ours and overlapping,” Sykes said.

“We had Sally [Rojahn] and Nicole [Sykes] as well putting some speed on them today. When speed’s your strength you may as well use it and we took advantage of it today which was great.”

When questioned on what Liesbeth said to the team in the middle of the field after the game, Sykes joked “What happens in the huddle stays in the huddle!"

"Michgelsen said well done – it was a solid performance. We had a few more chances to score goals and we’ll keep working at putting those in the back of the net but everyone’s pretty happy with the performance today.”

Adelaide’s Ross Aloisi echoed those sentiments about his opposition’s performance after the game.

“The team was disappointed we didn’t play up to our standard, and to be honest, it’s probably the worst they have played this season. All credit to Canberra though."

"Sometimes as a coach, you just enjoy what the other team is bringing to the game," Aloisi followed.

“It’s hard to tell if there is time to collect the points needed to break the top four, especially if Canberra keep playing the way they are."

"I’m happy to see our team’s progress – I’m enjoying it.”

Part of the visitors struggle in the second half was the due to the substitution of Lisa Marie Woods.

“Lisa Marie Woods is very important for our side, tactically and running the midfield.” captain Kristy Moore said after the match.

“She felt something in her calf before half time and came off as a precaution."

With Canberra’s defence barely breached, although with some work to do thanks to Adelaide’s Tiarn Powell, Rachael Quigley and Moore, it was the home side’s attacking runs down the flanks, and speed through the midfield and up front that won them this game.

They have tightened up their final pass into their strikers who found themselves in quality positions more often.

If they can take the next step of finessing the final shot on goal, and with a run of home games, Sydney FC-esque scorelines could be coming in the next couple of weeks from Canberra.

Adelaide can reach for a top four berth in coming seasons if they can keep their core group together.

Melissa Barbieri said after the match “I know Ross Aloisi is very excited about keeping the team together."

"He has also stated that we take one weekend at a time. A lot of things have to change next season if we are to stay together.”

She explained “A lot of the girls are on shoestring budgets, choosing to pay for food or to pay for petrol over food, so hopefully we can keep things together, hopefully make some more fundraising ideas."

"I know I did a little bit but the girls need more – you just can’t cope under that sort of financial pressure."

"We’ll stick with this season, and next weekend.  We’ll get Sydney under our belts and try and get a win there.”

Barbieri certainly made a big difference in the scoreline – saving at least four sure goals at full diving stretch.

"We want them to respect us and we’ve shown that we can topple teams if they don’t respect us.

Barbieri was pleased that Canberra seemed to approach this game differently from the last.

“They turned up this time. That’s what we want week in week out. We don’t want them to underestimate us."

"I’m happy to have a team come out and play like that because shows that they respect us."

"I prefer that, than us beating teams because they don’t understand how good we are or don’t respect how good we are.”

Adelaide United face Sydney FC on Friday 24 January at 8pm at The Shores in Adelaide, while Canberra United take on Perth Glory at McKellar Park on Sunday 26 January at 3:00pm.