Canberra United has rectified the "kinks" in its game, sending a warning to W-League rivals with a thumping 3-0 win against Adelaide at McKellar Park on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And with United's season back on track, Canberra is set to get a boost with Sally Shipard set for a comeback this week.
Canberra cemented its spot in the W-League top four as it ended a two-game losing streak in convincing fashion.
Matildas veteran Shipard is on track for her first game of the season after being frustrated by knee problems over the past 18 months.
"It will be great to get Sal back, she's been looking good at training and was a big part of our championship in the 2011-12 season," Canberra striker Ashleigh Sykes said.
"To have her back would be amazing. We all want to see her there and get her to play a role."
Shipard's return is perfectly timed with Canberra to play three games in six days, starting against Perth on Sunday before clashing with Sydney and Newcastle.
Sykes scored the sealer in Canberra's impressive display against Adelaide.
Canberra coach Elisabeth Migchelsen declared her team "got revenge" after losing to regular competition strugglers Adelaide.
It puts Canberra four points clear of Adelaide in the race for a playoff berth.
"We got revenge, we wanted to show we could do better and we did that," Migchelsen said.
"We dictated the game and had good opportunities. The only thing we could say was that we should have scored more goals, it realistically could have been 5-0 or 6-0.
"Our aim is to make the finals and we're on track, when we get there we'll see how far we can go."
Michelle Heyman and Stephanie Ochs also found the back of the net, and have now scored five goals each this season.
The margin would have been greater had it not been for Canberra's inaccuracy in front of goal and some superb saves from Adelaide's Melissa Barbieri.
"It feels really good to get that win, we're really happy with that," Sykes said.
"We sorted out a few kinks and I think it showed today, we understand everyone's role and are making sure everything flows nicely."
CANBERRA UNITED 3 (Michelle Heyman, Stephanie Ochs, Ashleigh Sykes) bt ADELAIDE UNITED 0 at McKellar Park on Sunday. Crowd: 724.
