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Canberra hold on to defeat Wanderers

Canberra United picked up a vital Ninja A-League win at McKellar Park, defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 thanks to an own goal from goalkeeper Sham Khamis.

The deadlock was broken in the 45th minute when Sofia Christopherson’s header cannoned back off the post and into the back of the diving Sham Khamis with the goal officially credited as an own goal.

In a game that was short on clear-cut chances, Canberra keeper Sally James produced a number of good saves to preserve her clean sheet and ensure her side clung on to the win which moves them up into fifth spot on the ladder.

As for Western Sydney, interim head coach Geoff Abrahams is still searching for his first win since taking charge as the Wanderers succumbed to their 8th loss of the season and remain bottom of the league.

The home side were dealt a big blow before the game with news legendary striker Michelle Heyman was a late withdrawal whilst Wanderers boss Abrahams also named reigning Julie Dolan Medallist Sophie Harding on the bench in a surprise move.

Sienna Saveska almost broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, launching an audacious effort from mid-way inside the Canberra half which almost caught keeper Sally James off her line, however the keeper recovered well to make the save.

Mary Stanic-Floody then whipped a dangerous looking free-kick narrowly over the bar before Canberra were then dealt another injury blow as midfielder Bethany Gordon lasted just 33 minutes before hobbling off with an ankle injury.

The home side took the lead though in the 45th minute when Christopherson headed an Emma Robers cross onto the post and the ball cruelly bounced off the back of the diving Sham Khamis and into the net.

Canberra came close to doubling their lead early in the second-half but Jynaya Dos Santos couldn’t reach Maja Markovski’s ball across the face of goal.

Substitute Ruby Nathan then flashed a shot high over the bar from inside the box as they continued to push for a second before a sloppy pass out from Canberra keeper James almost cost her side dearly.

Throwing the ball straight to substitute Talia Kapetanellis, James was then forced into a flying save as the attacker drilled a powerful effort towards goal which resulted in a corner.

The Wanderers continued to search for the equaliser until the very end but in truth the home side held on for a deserved win which moves them up into fifth on the ladder to make it three wins in their last four matches.