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A goal from leading scorer Michelle Heyman was enough to decide the first Westfield W-League Semi-Final in favour of Canberra United as they defeated a stubborn Melbourne Victory in front of 1785 at McKellar Park in Canberra.
United celebrate the breakthrough goal | Getty
The first semi-final pits minor premiers Canberra United up against the fourth placed Melbourne Victory at McKellar Park. In Season Four battles between these two protagonists have been tight and tense and this Saturday promises to be no different. 
It's finally here! After 12 weeks, 10 rounds, 35 games and 125 goals, we are down to the final four teams in the Westfield W-League; Canberra United, Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. This weekend the final four battle it out for the right to play in the 2012 Westfield W-League Grand Final.
(L-R) Ashley Brown, Tameka Butt, Kyah Simon, Michelle Heyman | Bryan Crawford (FFA)
Melbourne Victory will enter the Westfield W-League finals campaign on a high after torching Adelaide United 4-1 at windswept Burton Park.
After the Reds got on the board first through Marijana Rajcic, Melbourne replied with three first-half goals inside the space of 14 minutes - the last two seemingly unintentional, aided by a stiff north-westerly breeze - and a fourth in the dying seconds of the contest courtesy of Kendall Fletcher to transform a potential upset into a rout.
Ashley Brown netted her first W-League goal | Getty
Canberra United's bid to become the first Westfield W-League side to go through a season undefeated remains alive after securing a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory at the Veneto Club on Friday.
Hard fought draw | Getty
Emily Gielnik struck an equaliser in added time to see Brisbane Roar snatch a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in their Westfield W-League clash at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Nothing could separate these two evenly matched teams | Getty
Melbourne Victory captain Jodie Taylor was the star of the show in the Westfield W-League fixture against Perth Glory at 6PR Stadium, with her hat-trick guiding her side to a 5-0 victory.
Gorry brace helps Melbourne to a big win | Getty
A brace from Jodie Taylor has helped Melbourne Victory to a deserved 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets in the Westfield W-League at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Melbourne cement fourth spot | Getty
Though we are just at the halfway point of the Westfield W-League season this match-up is shaping as crucial to the finals hopes of both teams.
With Canberra United way out in front, and perennial challengers Sydney FC and Brisbane building momentum, it could be that Melbourne Victory and Newcastle are jostling for a remaining finals berth come seasons end.
Melbourne and Newcastle jostle for that fourth position | Getty
Letter from a Friend: The Football Life
Wednesday, 30 November 2011 19:16 Published in Caitlin FriendNot long after her 18th birthday, Caitlin Friend gave herself the best birthday present possible; a W-League hat-trick. The hat-trick hero has now penned her second blog for TWG.
Hey, Caity here with my second blog. I promise they will get better with practice!
Friend congratulated on the first of her goals | Getty
Season Ladder
| № |
Team
|
Played | Wins | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra United | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| 2 | Brisbane Roar | 10 | 6 | 1 | 21 |
| 3 | Sydney FC | 10 | 5 | 3 | 17 |
| 4 | Melbourne Victory | 10 | 5 | 3 | 17 |
| 5 | Newcastle Jets | 10 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
| 6 | Perth Glory | 10 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
| 7 | Adelaide United | 10 | 1 | 9 | 3 |