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Round 11 sees hosts Canberra United line up for their third game in six days when they met the Newcastle Jets at McKellar Park.

Canberra United are on fire heading to the finals after three straight wins including Wednesday’s blistering 2-1 win over the previously undefeated Sydney FC at McKellar Park.

It was a super charged match with end-to-end action and a vocal home crowd were rewarded with their team finally gelling in all facets of the game and dominating the match.

Canberra clearly utilised the motto ‘the best form of defence is attack’ which rattled the usually flamboyant Sydney; a tactic that Brisbane and Melbourne would be well advised to take note of during the upcoming finals campaign.

Playing their third game in 6 days will test Canberra today but the rotation of key players and the depth of their squad has them heading to the finals with a spring in their step.

Newcastle hasn’t won a match so far this season but the young squad gave equal league leaders Melbourne Victory a good workout last weekend despite the 4-1 loss.

A Lisa de Vanna hat trick  highlighted Newcastle’s susceptibility to pace and they will find themselves up against a similar onslaught from Canberra’s Ashleigh Sykes, Meg McLaughlin and Georgia Yeoman-Dale. Newcastle will need to be on their best defensive game to avoid being steamrolled again.

Michelle Heyman was vastly improved against Sydney and her 9th minute goal is sure to be nominated in the top goals of the season with the erratic striker finding both power and precision from outside of the box, blasting her perfect shot past Sydney’s backline and custodian Casey Dumont.

Ashleigh Sykes also stepped up and regularly wreaked havoc on Sydney’s flank. Her ability to beat defenders and cut the ball in from the byline has opened up many teams’ defences this year which Sydney FC also discovered to their detriment.

However most of the credit must go to Canberra’s back line who repeatedly shut down and frustrated the best attacking force in the league.

Catherine Brown matched it well with golden boot leader Jodie Taylor and, on the few times she was turned around, Ellie Brush was there to sweep up the crumbs.

Sally Rojahn was a standout at right back and her calm demeanour belied her grit at beating Sam Kerr to the ball and turning defence into quick attack.

Work-horse Rhali Dobson plugged away all match for Newcastle last week and her hard work was rewarded with a late goal against Melbourne Victory from a Simon free kick.

Stacey Day came on as an early substitute and did well to stabilise Newcastle’s ball possession and pressure the Victory defence.

Eliza Campbell worked hard in goals all day but couldn’t contain the brilliance of Lisa de Vanna – then again, when De Vanna is on fire there are not many keepers in the world who can stop her.

This match Canberra will be looking to Michelle Heyman, who is still drifting in and out of matches, but when she is on song she is a game changer.

She looked more comfortable on the flank against Sydney, running onto the ball, rather than playing the post position where she has been crowded and too easily bumped off the ball with her back to goal.

Today’s match sees the long awaited return of Sally Shipard after nearly 2 years out with a knee injury and her pairing with Lori Lindsey in midfield will be pivotal for Canberra.

Canberra will use this match to rest some key players before the finals with Stephanie Ochs, Kendall Fletcher and Grace Gill all sitting in the stands.

Catherine Brown may also get a rest but this will be confirmed just before kick-off. Coming in are the very capable Grace Field and Jennifer Bisset as well as newcomer Holly Houston.

Newcastle defender Hannah Brewer will need to use all her experience to keep up with Canberra’s pacey attack and goalkeeper Eliza Campbell, who impressed in her last hit out against Canberra, will be key in Newcastle restricting Canberra’s scoring capacity.

If Newcastle can work hard as team for the whole match today they can really challenge Canberra who will be leg weary and potentially unsettled with key player changes.

It is touted to be another 37 degree day in Canberra today and the heat may be the most difficult opponent of both sides. 

The two sides last met in Round 5 with Canberra running out winners 3-0. The Jets have only beaten Canberra once, which was in the very first season of the W-League. They’ll have to be at the very top of their game to knock over the hosts in this round.

Canberra shouldn’t be too complacent however, with the Steel City’s young squad keen to earn their first points of the season and end their campaign on a high.

This match is the inaugural ‘Play by the Rules’ round which aims to raise awareness and reduce homophobic harassment and discrimination in sport.

Canberra United will sport rainbow coloured socks to show their support of the program.

This match will be broadcast live by Far Post Football and The Womens Game contributors Sarah Groube and Angela Knock.

You can listen online at 2xxfm.org.au or 98.3fm in Canberra from 3.30pm.

Head to Head: Played 10, Canberra 9, Newcastle 1

Canberra United v Newcastle Jets

Saturday 1 February 2014

McKellar Park, Canberra

Local kick-off: 4pm                                          

Canberra United squad: Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), Catherine BROWN, Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, Kendall FLETCHER, Grace FIELD, Caitlin MUNOZ, Meg McLAUGHLIN, Grace GILL, Michelle HEYMAN, Nicole SYKES, Ashleigh SYKES, Sally SHIPARD, Lori LINDSEY, Holly HOUSTON, Jennifer BISSET, Trudy BOURKE (one to be omitted)

Ins: Sally Shipard (returns from injury), Grace Field, Holly Houston, Jennifer Bisset (all promoted)

Outs: Ellie Brush, Sally Rojahn, Stephanie Ochs (all omitted) 

Newcastle Jets squad:  1. Eliza Campbell (gk), 2. Hannah Brewer, 3. Stacey Day, 4. Siahn Bozanic, 5. Ciara McCormick, 7. Gema Simon, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Rhali Dobson, 11. Grace McIntyre, 13. Jasmin Courtenay, 14. Libby Copus-Brown, 16. Cassidy Davis, 17. Lauren Brown, 18. Clare Wheeler, 19. Adrianna Jones, 20. Claire Coelho (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Jasmin Courtenay, Adrianna Jones (both promoted)

Outs: Sophie Nenadovic (ankle – one week)

Unavailable: Maddy Searl (knee – season), Ashley Spina (ankle – two weeks), Hannah Beard (thigh – two weeks)