Canberra United remain winless this season, but managed to overcome a pre-match COVID disruption to share the spoils in a 0-0 stalemate with Perth Glory in Sydney on Wednesday.
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Left back Emma Ilijoski stayed behind in Canberra, awaiting the result of a PCR test which forced coach Vicki Linton into a late defensive reshuffle.
Linton was left wondering what might have been at Blacktown International Sportspark, after Michelle Heyman headed Chloe Middleton's perfect cross onto the crossbar midway through the second half.
Substitute Ashleigh Sykes also had a rasping injury-time effort deflected wide by Perth defender Kim Carroll.
But Linton would be full of praise for keeper Keeley Richards who made two crucial saves in the opening stanza.
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Her best work came on 38 minutes, when fleet-footed forward Susan Phonsongkham shot from point-blank range after some brilliant work from Englishwoman Gemma Craine, but Richards superbly thrust out a right boot to turn it wide.
Craine and Phonsongkham caused countless problems for United's makeshift defence, which had Chloe Middleton at right wing back and Hayley Taylor-Young on the unfamiliar left side of the field but they held firm.
Midfield star Grace Maher had a late chance to replicate her pre-Christmas heroics against the Brisbane Roar, but her free kick crashed tamely into Perth's wall.
The result leaves Linton's side second from the bottom, with just two points on the season after a stop-start season which included the postponement of their clash with Western Sydney last weekend.
United's next assignment is against mid-table Adelaide United late Saturday afternoon at Viking Park.
A League women's: Perth Glory 0 drew Canberra United 0
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
