Credit | Naomi Woodley Credit | Naomi Woodley (http://www.flickr.com/thenomes)

Canberra locked down fourth place in the W-League with a 5-1 home win over Perth on Sunday.

For Canberra it was a tale of two halves; the first a nervous and clumsy adolescent performance and the second a mature, suave and energised goal fest.

As expected Canberra rested Lydia Williams, Ashleigh Sykes and Sally Rojahn and kept Grace Gill back for the second half. This gave Grace Field and Meg McLaughlin their first starting appointments for United, and Trudy Burke returned as goalkeeper for the first time this season.

A Young Matildas defender, Field was particularly impressive in this game; gelling well at right back with the rest of the back line and finding feet in the forward line.

McLaughlin struggled at times at left midfield with the demands of adding to the forward attacks and retreating to be an option for Nicole Sykes and Lori Lindsey.

She appeared more settled in the second half on the far side of the field, perhaps relieved to have some space away from the grandstand crowd, her bench and the multitude of ABC cameras hugging the sideline and broadcasting her every move in high definition glory.

Perth had their own disruptions this week, losing Christina Julien after the Canadian concluded her visiting spell, and parting ways with Ella Mastrantonio.

Perth combined well in spells but only long bombs made it into the 6 yard box until Kate Gill’s headed second half goal which Canberra’s goal keeper Burke will wish she could have again.

Canberra’s coach Elisabeth Migchelsen summarized her thoughts after the game.

“I think the first half was not a good enough positional game," she lamented.

"Our passing was not the right speed or direction. Our ball movement was not quick enough, and our players were not quick enough to be in the right positions."

"In the building up in the first half we played too many long balls and we could not keep it. Still, we scored two goals.”

It was Canberra’s foundation players Ellie Brush and Caitlin Munoz who turned back the clock and played local heroes, much to the relief and delight of the home crowd.

While the imports have taken the limelight in the first half of the season and  Brush has been relatively quiet with Nic Sykes taking on the captaincy role, she scored the opener on Sunday.

Munoz has recovered from a hamstring strain to re-claim a starting position over Grace Gill, and sweetly steered a free kick around the wall to give Canberra their 2-0 lead.

“The second half was much better [for us]," said Michgelsen in her continued assessment.  

"There was more rotation up front, more rotation in the midfield. With Grace Gill we have more a passing midfielder so we had more balance in the midfield."

"In the end with the substitutions, with all the young ones who are coming up, Grace Field’s first time whole game, Meggy [McLaughlin] and also Georgia [Yeoman Dale], they had a great game today. These players are young but they fit into the team well also.”

Migchelsen complimented the visitors “Perth tried to play football, the style that  everybody learns instead of dropping off behind the ball – they tried to play football.”

Certainly Kate Gill was impressive throughout, as was Shannon May, and their flurry of pace and offensive surges impacted Canberra’s first half performance.

Chantel Jones was impressive as goalkeeper, both in the air for corners, and also in free play.

Her advice to her backline “Be loud, positive and early with your calls,” was one of the best I’ve heard from a custodian during a match, and proves communication on the field can be quick, effective and respectful.

Perth continued to push forward throughout the game, which at times exposed them down the flanks. The effect of having McCallum out was huge.

Kate Gill dropped deep to lead the attack, but without a true central pivot directing the team, Perth opened up in the second half and allowed Canberra’s speedy substitutes through.

After little game time this season, Georgia Yeoman-Dale was pleased to finish with two late goals for Canberra.

“It’s always exciting to play in front of a home crowd,” she said. “I was just having fun out there. It’s all you can do really – you have to love the game and get on there and have fun.

"It’s what I did and it was a bonus to get those two goals.”

Migchelsen noted that Yeoman Dale has been unlucky this season not to get more game time, explaining that it is a competition to be selected each week.

Lori Lindsey was pleased with her team’s performance overall.

“It was good to get the goal. I’ve missed a few sitters in the last couple of games I really shouldn’t be missing. I missed a header last week."

"It felt good to get that goal and that win, especially on Australia Day. It’s a lot like Independence Day I think. I’ve been enjoying my time here and enjoying the team and hopefully we can keep this going.”

The mandatory question, about whether she has tried Vegemite and whether she liked it, was of course posed.

“I’m not going to say I don’t like it. Perhaps I had a little bit too much on a piece of bread, and it was pretty intense."

"I’m going to give it another chance with some avocado and less of the vegemite. I’m not going to say I’ll be taking it back to the States.”

The game featured three of last season’s Washington Spirit stars.

Lindsey was asked how it felt to put that goal past her team mate Chantel Jones.

“Jones is a world class keeper," she praised.

"She made a great save on me right before the holidays, so I wanted to put one past her today to make it even,” she laughed. “She’s been great for them and she’s been making some great saves.”

Perth wrap up their season with an away match in Melbourne, then Western Sydney Wanderers.

While neither team can reach the top four, they are contesting fifth position with Adelaide and will be keen to show their supporters an eye catching finish to attract more strong players and corporates for season 2014/15.

Canberra meet Sydney FC twice in the coming weeks, including Wednesday night in Canberra, with a game against Newcastle at home this Saturday. A full set of points could see the host a home semi final, and at a minimum they are guaranteed a finals position.