Grace Gill scores a double in Canberra Croatia's win over Academy

Nik Brozinic's side notched its fourth win in as many matches with a 3-1 victory over Academy at Deakin Stadium on Sunday.

Gill, a former Canberra United centre, played a crucial role for Croatia and finished with two goals and an assist.

Croatia's experienced frontline of Gill, Grace Field and Brittany Palombi proved the difference as both teams held strong in defence, with three of the four goals scored from long range.

Brozinic was pleased with the result and his team's effort across the park, but said Croatia's best was still yet to come.

"It's really promising for us. The most promising thing is we're still not playing out best football but coming away with results," Brozinic said.

"A good characteristic of a quality squad is that you can still pick up maximum points and win games when you're not playing your best football.

"Things are starting to click now. The most exciting thing is there's still a lot of improvement to come from this group and we'll keep improving week-in, week-out leading into finals."

Croatia centre Gill put the home side ahead in the 13th minute when she received a Palombi cross in the box, spun and struck it into the top-left corner.

That was the difference at half-time, although Palombi could have extended their lead when Krista Hagen sent a beautiful ball over Academy's defence - only for the striker's shot to be cleared by a diving Isobel Davy.

Academy levelled the scores moments after the break, with teenager Daisy Canavan booting a goal-of-the-season contender.

Canavan, who came off the bench early for an injured Katherine Tyo, sent a 40-metre strike over the gloves of goalkeeper Alexandra Hinson.

But the celebrations were short-lived as Gill bagged another belter from outside the box in the 54th minute.

The 31-year-old forward could have had a hat-trick when she sent a powerful free-kick onto the crossbar. The deflection created a second chance for Croatia, but Field's follow-up volley went wide.

"Grace's unlucky she didn't get three. She's always a massive part of the team and not even the team but the club as a whole," Brozinic said.

"She's a leader and she brings confidence to everyone around her, makes everyone feel calm and collected.

"There's a whole bunch of senior girls in the squad who bring calm and composure in stressful situations, they calm everyone down and make sure they're playing good football."

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Croatia put the result beyond doubt with 25 minutes remaining when Palombi smashed the ball home to score her third goal in two weeks.

The stunning strike was the first and only goal of the match to be scored from inside the box, a testament to the defence of both NPLW teams.

Across the border at Gissing Oval, the Wagga City Wanderers posted their first win of the season with a dominant 5-1 victory over the Monaro Panthers.

Gungahlin United extended its lead on top of the standings by beating Tuggeranong United 3-1, while Belconnen United thrashed Woden-Weston 7-0 in Pearce.

The Gunners have a bye in round six, meaning a win over Monaro next week would see Croatia leapfrog them into first.

AT A GLANCE

NPLW Canberra round five: Canberra Croatia 3 (Gill 13' 55' Palombi 65') bt Canberra United Academy 1 (Canavan 49'), Wagga City Wanderers 5 bt Monaro Panthers 1, Gungahlin United 3 bt Tuggeranong United 1, Belconnen United 7 bt Woden-Weston 0.