In the 2015-16 season Melbourne City went 18 games without losing. Ironically, it was former Canberra United player Karly Roestbakken that scored the winning goal for Canberra against Melbourne to end their unbeaten run. Nine years later Roestbakken lined up for Melbourne City to help them extend the league record to 19 games unbeaten. City had every right to go into this game confident of getting the job done. They have a team laced with internationals who have the best defensive and offensive records in the league.  For Canberra, this game was, inevitably, a marker as to how far they have come this season. Could they compete with the best?

How the team lined up

Canberra was under the pump right from the outset. Straight from the kick-off City forced a succession of corners. There’s only one Sally James punched clear the second corner and as the ball looped back into the box she was forced to make a diving save under the cross bar. Her busy afternoon had started early.  

The battle between Aideen Keane and former Canberra player Karly Roestbakken on the right side also started early. Keane’s strength and speed tested Roestbakken twice in the early minutes with Roestbakken winning out in the early exchanges. On the other side of the pitch there was another exciting battle taking place between Hayley Taylor-Young and City winger American Lourdes Bosch. Taylor-Young is having an excellent season but Bosch was proving to be a real handful.

There’s only one Sally James was called into action again in the 12^th minute when Bryleeh Henry drifted to the far post to get on the end of the cross but there’s only one Sally James blocked the prod at goal. The game then evened out with both sides having periods of semi-dominance without either threatening the goal. Just before the second drinks break – it was a hot day – Leticia McKenna broke away on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot that sent there’s only one Sally James sprawling. Henry pulled back the loose ball for Venezuelan international Mariana Speckmaier on the six-yard box. Speckmaier had time to compose herself and shoot but she panicked. The shot wobbled wide and Anton cleared safely.

It was hard work in the heat. The sand bucket came out after Darcey Malone pulled up and unleashed the contents of her stomach just outside the 18-yard box. Trooper Malone marched back on after a short break. Bosch upended Taylor-Young and was lucky to only get the wagging finger. Taylor-Young got her own back shortly after with a shot saving tackle to cut out a darting run from Bosch.

The first half closed with there’s only one Sally James in the right place once more to deny Stott from range.

Melbourne City have only conceded 3 goals in the second half all season and 65% of their goals come in the second half. Generally, Canberra is a better second half team too. So game on. Bosch continued where she left off in the first half, being a real threat with her darting runs and close control. Canberra also continued where they left off, defending strongly but not being able to retain possession moving forward, long enough to pose a threat on City’s goal.

The game did change shape quickly though after Melbourne threw a corner over and Taylor Otto appeared to get the last touch before there’s only one Sally James punched the ball over Hayley Taylor-Young’s head and into the goal. It was a disappointing goal to concede after so much strong defensive work in the game.

Canberra’s response to being 1-0 down was, as it normally is, positive. Madison Ayson started to push forward and Mary Stanic-Floody came on for Holly Murray. Christopherson shot over the bar at close range as the ball dropped from a corner. Ayson belted a shot that cannoned into Otto. Canberra seemed energised as much as Melbourne City after the goal as the game sparked into life.

Canberra brought on Tegan Bertolissio for Jynaya Dos Santos. Christopherson moved forward and Bertolissio went to her usual full-back position. Stanic-Floody’s vision and passing ability soon came to the fore as she slid an inviting ball into the box. Keane went down as she closed in. Predictably, since penalties are now illegal at McKellar Park, no whistle blew. But Canberra was having their best spell of the game and chasing an equaliser.

With 9 minutes to go Bryleeh Henry, who was now playing full-back, tried a back pass from just inside Canberra’s half. Aideen Keane, now playing centrally, was the first to react and got to the ball before Malena Mieres, the City keeper, who had rushed off her line. Otto tried to catch Keane but to no avail and Keane joyfully slid the ball into the net. Markovski pulled out the rifle and Keane did the backdrop celebration. Canberra reaping the reward for remaining positive.

Melbourne City dug in for the last 10 minutes and pressed Canberra hard. A lovely move down Canberra’s right side released Policina who slipped it to McKenna deep inside the penalty area. Her cut back was cleared, only to be gathered by Canberra’s own Laura Hughes, Melbourne’s number 14 and recent Matilda. Hughes was having an excellent game on her return to Canberra. She turned and raced around three Canberra defenders, then cut it back for Speckmaier who had what looked like an open goal. There’s only one Sally James pulled off the save of the match, in what was already an impressive portfolio. Canberra survived.

Canberra weren’t done. Ruby Nathan and Alex McKenzie came on to push one final time. Markovski went for a long-range punt over Mieres which could have brought the house down. Then Mary Stanic-Floody hit a magnificent cross that only just eluded Markovski.  Markovski then became the provider with a lob into the box that Nathan and Gordon couldn’t quite get to.  It was end to end stuff as Leah Davidson broke free in front of goal only for the very excellent Madison Ayson to intervene with a perfect last ditch tackle. There was still time for there’s only one Sally James to dab over a shot from Policina and then nonchalantly catch a shot from Harvey that was heading for the top of the net.   

There’s only one Sally James will, deservedly, get the Player of the Match Award. But this was a fine point earned by a team missing their leader. The defensive unit, led by Anson, Ayson, Taylor-Young and Bertolissio, are proving very difficult to break down, even for the A-Leagues’ best team. Well done Melbourne City on breaking the record. And, yes, on this showing, Canberra can compete with the best.

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