Canberra United have not scored at home for over 270 minutes of football. Not since the first-round match against Brisbane Roar, when they netted 3. It’s a concern, as scoring goals is usually what Canberra are good at, particularly at home. This was a game that Canberra would have gone into with realistic expectations of a much-needed win. Newcastle have been struggling too, coming off a belting at home to Brisbane Roar, 6-1. Goals were illusive once more in this game. So, what is going on?

How the team lined up

If you add up the scores from the previous four meetings between Canberra United and Newcastle Jets you have a score of Canberra United 14 Newcastle Jets 8. So, expectations for a goal rush were high. Both teams also needed to get a grip on their inconsistent seasons so far.

Former Canberra player Deven Jackson got the game underway. And it was Jackson who had the first meaningful shot at goal in the 8^th minute, a well struck shot that went straight into the hands of there’s only one Sally James.  Canberra dictated the early pace of the game, building largely from the back through Ayson and Anton. The pace of a game is largely controlled through the centre backs and the relatively new pairing of Madison Ayson and Liz Anton is starting to develop very positively for Canberra. 

Canberra’s first poke at goal came from an unexpected source. From a corner kick the ball dropped nicely for ever improving Tegan Bertolissio who let fly a volley from 25 metres that wasn’t far away. Bethany Gordon was busy in midfield and showed terrific vision to thread a ball through for Christopherson on the left of Newcastle’s penalty area. Christopherson’s shot was well saved. From the resultant corner the ball dropped for Gordon on the edge of the box and her shot went through a sea of legs but crept narrowly wide of the post. The signs were good for Canberra, particularly when they played through the middle of the park.

Newcastle were playing out from the back too. Canberra were pressing the backline more than Newcastle, meaning if Newcastle were able to play through Canberra’s press then they’d have a clearer attacking route. It was a game of cat and mouse. On the 17^th minute mark Canberra were the mouse. Christopherson went to press the backline but failed to prevent the pass to Swiss international Lorena Baumann who found herself in the space vacated by Christopherson. She advanced forward and fed the ball to the excellent India Breier. Breier cut inside Bertolissio and unleashed a shot, there’s only one Sally James made the save but the ball was parried just behind Lauren Allan who couldn’t get her foot around the ball enough to steer the ball home. Taylor-Young cleared up the mess. It was a warning shot for Canberra who had been in control of the game up to that moment.

The cat and mouse game continued. Canberra played out through Anton who advanced enough to feed Christopherson. Christopherson turned nicely and fed Markovski on the edge of the box.  Markovski got off a decent shot that was blocked. You could hear Newcastle Jets coach Ryan Campbell yelling ‘keep the ball’. Jagarinec was likely thinking the same thing but preferred to trust the players understanding of the game plan rather than to annoy the living daylights out of everyone at the ground.

The second half started in a similar vein. Regretfully Campbell hadn’t lost his voice and continued to bellow instructions from the sideline as if he knew exactly what was going to happen next. He went a bit quiet when Canberra strung a great move together. Hayley Taylor-Young was having a terrific game and burst into some space on the left-hand side. She crossed for Heyman who chested the ball down for Markovski. Markovski’s first-time shot was well saved by Robertson. Markovski then did well to cross for Gordon who cleverly turned the ball back into space in the penalty area. Her trickery was a bit too smart for her team-mates and Robertson pounced on the loose ball.

Canberra’s high press nearly paid off shortly after. Prior’s misplaced pass under pressure let Michelle Heyman loose in the box. It was an acute angle, but it was Michelle Heyman. To everyone’s surprise Heyman chipped the ball over an empty net. Newcastle escaped unscathed as these types of chances are normally bread and butter for Heyman.

Darcey Malone came on for Emma Robers in the 53^rd minute. She was into the action immediately and nearly thread Heyman through for a one-on-one with Robertson. McKenzie then came on for the slightly limping Holly Murray. It was a little odd substitution given McKenzie is a natural defender and Stanic-Floody was sitting on the bench. You felt that Heyman was having one of those games, which she’s entitled to have, where nothing much was going for her. More evidence to support the one of those games theory came in the 67^th minute. A clearance from Ayson went into space and only Heyman reacted. She wrestled the ball ahead of Robertson and had an open goal which 9 times out of 10 she’d have buried. Heyman skewed the shot badly and Newcastle were able to clear.

Canberra were dominating the game now. Bertolissio and Taylor-Young were getting more and more forward. Midfield players continued to press. Inevitably this leaves gaps and elevates the risk-reward ratio. Newcastle counter punched and there’s only one Sally James was called into action to save at the near post. New Matilda Natasha Prior was booked for dragging back McKenzie who broke from midfield. Finally, Canberra bought on Stanic-Floody for Sofia Christopherson and Lillian Skelly for Bertolissio. But time was running out for Canberra. McKenzie dropped into the space left by Bertolissio and Stanic-Floody went to her usual spot in midfield. Normal service resumed.

The game was short-lived for Skelly. She went down clutching her knee off the ball. It was one of those scary moments and you feared the worst for young Skelly. The players felt it too with arms raised, signalling for medical help from the bench. There was a lengthy stop but thankfully she got to her feet and hobbled off. Canberra had to continue with 10 players with nothing left on the bench!

Campbell continued with keep the ball chants as if his players needed reminding.  Stanic-Floody tried to release Heyman one more time but Prior was there yet again to thwart the through ball. The game played out with both sides pushing for a win, even, for Canberra, with a player short.

So, a rare 0-0 draw for Canberra United and Newcastle Jets. Again, there are plenty of positives for Canberra. Canberra defended well with Hayley Taylor-Young and Madison Ayson outstanding. Bertolissio is improving every week. Bethany Gordon is settling into midfield very nicely. The question gets bigger though. Where are the goals coming from if Michelle Heyman isn’t playing or has one of those days? Canberra only has three goal scorers this season – Heyman, Markovski and Stanic-Floody. Canberra’s style of play, pressing high and encouraging the full-backs forward is high risk and high reward, so it’s likely they will concede goals against quality teams. And if Canberra can’t score? Next match is against Brisbane Roar who have scored 14 goals in their last two matches. High risk indeed!

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