WESTERN NSW Panthers FC products Ashleigh and Nicole Sykes have celebrated a maiden W-League win with Canberra United after an action packed 3-2 win over the Brisbane Roar on Saturday.
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Playing on their McKellar Park home ground, Canberra completed an unbeaten season in perfect fashion and reversed the result from the W-League’s inaugural grand final against the same opponent three years ago.
Ashleigh Sykes scored one goal and set up another for Michelle Heyman as Canberra looked to have the match in the bag after racing to a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes before a comeback from the Roar and a late winner from Heyman.
The opener came from a familiar source, the league’s leading goalscorer Heyman converting following a superb pass from Sykes after just 11 minutes.
Heyman then turned provider for Sykes, who converted from close range after Grace Gill’s pass dissected the defence.
Brisbane’s opening went from bad to worse when experienced attacker Joanne Burgess departed with a knee complaint.
However, Emily Gielnik lived up to her ‘super sub’ tag in the most emphatic fashion, pulling a goal back with her first touch just seconds after replacing Burgess.
The Young Matildas striker tucked home her ninth goal of the season, eight coming after starting on the bench.
With the match in the balance, Heyman restored Canberra’s two-goal margin on the hour mark with a superb leap and header from Gills’ corner for a record-breaking 15th goal of the season.
“I think the best team won today,” said Canberra’s Czech coach Jitka Klimkova who became the first female coach to lead a team to the W-League title.
“It was a great game with a great crowd, with amazing football. Both teams played an attacking style.
“Everyone worked really hard on and off the field. We were united as a team throughout the season and that is the main thing. We have now finally reached our final destination.”
Canberra skipper Ellie Brush cut a proud figure after leading her home-town club to the national title.
“I can’t put it (the emotions) into words, it is amazing,” she said. “We concentrated on our strengths with the ball on the ground and worked on our combinations like we have done all season.
“It was upsetting to concede those two goals which put us on the back foot but we were able to keep pushing and bring it home for the fans.”
Brisbane were handed a lifeline in the second half when Caitlin Cooper clipped Tameka Butt in the penalty area.
Butt converted the penalty, meaning the Matildas attacker has finished on the scoresheet in all four W-League grand finals.
Heyman spurned a chance for a hat-trick when she powered a close-range header over the crossbar but, ultimately, it mattered little as Canberra secured a deserved victory in front of a capacity crowd.
