Last gasp win ensures finals action | (Credit: Nick Guoth) Last gasp win ensures finals action | (Credit: Nick Guoth)

Canberra United added itself to Finals action for the third season in a row when it defeated a gallant Perth Glory 1-0 at McKellar Park, Canberra in Week 12 action of the Westfield W-League.

Perth required a win and nothing else to make their debut in the Finals, but a lack of scoring touch complemented by some dogged Canberra defence denied them a chance for the opportunity.

Unfortunately for Perth they then had to rely on Adelaide winning their first match in 27 goes, but alas Adelaide were unable to even secure a draw thus relegating Perth to fifth spot on the table.

Perth, though, were worth every bit of their efforts forging forward with numerous forays, mostly architected by midfielder Collette McCallum and directed towards the strike pair of Katie Gill and speedy Sam Kerr.

Yet except for the rare error by the two strong centre backs for Canberra, Caitlin Cooper and captain Ellie Brush, the Glory were unable to break through for that crucial goal.

Such was the end to end action of the match that on no less than 51 occasions did the ball enter one of the two penalty areas and it was right at the end of the game where one counted. Still, even with this one there was a hint of controversy.

A ball went out to the left touchline for Canberra and there was hesitation. Had it gone out of play or not? Perth captain Tanya Oxtoby thought so and picked it up.

Unfortunately the referee's assistant Luke Withell had not signaled as such and referee Kiralee Gardener awarded a free kick to Canberra for the handball offence.

From the ensuing spot kick by Emily van Egmond the ball crossed over all of the players to fall invitingly for substitute Ashleigh Sykes at the far post to head home. With two minutes left on the clock, Canberra were all but through and Perth were all but doomed.

In fact Canberra could have doubled their lead only two minutes later when an Ellyse Perry corner was met by the on-rushing Cian Maciejewski only to see the midfielder's header bounce off the top of the crossbar.

Perth, though did do a lot of attacking and showed much enterprise using McCallum mainly as well as Elisa D'Ovidio from the midfield.

The latter had a couple of good chances during the second period. Yet, alike a number of the other Perth opportunities, Lydia Williams was not too concerned with the work she was given.

Swede Tine Cederkvist, on the other hand, was called into action and when she was beaten, in the first half, her defence came to her rescue. Such was the case from a Brush header that was headed off the line by Jaymee Gibbons.

Perth though did have a shout for a goal mid-way through the second half. A ball fell to Williams and as she had her hands on it, Gill tried to kick it over claiming the ball had crossed the line.

That it appeared to do, but Gardener ruled that Gill's action was illegal awarding a

free kick to Canberra.

The all expectant attacking duo of Gill and Kerr just could not find a way through and that was the unfortunate story for Perth. Now Perth will need to look back at this past season and see where they can improve for the next campaign.

Canberra, though, have an appointment with Brisbane at Ballymore Stadium next Saturday afternoon. The winner of that match will either travel to Sydney for the Final or host Melbourne if Sydney loses.

Canberra United                       1 (Ashleigh SYKES 88’)

Perth Glory                              0

Saturday, 29 January 2011

McKellar Park, Canberra

Local kick-off: 3.00pm

Referee: Kirralee Gardiner

Assistant referees: Brett Woodford and Luke Withell

Fourth official: Katie Patterson

Canberra United: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 4. Michelle HEYMAN (18. Grace FIELD 84’), 6. Caitlin MUNOZ (14. Ashleigh SYKES 66’), 7. Ellie BRUSH (c), 10. Emily VAN EGMOND, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 13. Nicole SYKES, 15. Sally SHIPARD, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 17. Leah BLAYNEY (19. Jennifer BISSET 32’)

Substitutes not used: 20. Jocelyn MARA (gk)

Yellow cards: Nil

Red cards: Nil

Perth Glory: 1. Tine CEDERKVIST, 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Shannon MAY ((9. Monique KOFOED 77’), 6. Alexandra SINGER, 7. Alexandra NILSSON, 8. Tanya OXTOBY, 12. Katie GILL, 13. Elissa D’OVIDIO (17. Marianna TABAIN 69’), 14. Collette McCALLUM, 15. Jaymee GIBBONS (2. Stacey LEARMONT 85’)

Substitutes not used: 20. Kathleen WAYCOTT (gk)

Yellow cards: Carys HAWKINS 50’, Collette McCALLUM 63’

Red cards: Nil