Dubbo product Ash Sykes shrugged off a bout of illness to produce one of the finest performances of the W-League season on Saturday.
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In the lead-up to the clash with Perth Glory, Sykes was bedridden but she showed few effects when scoring four goals in a dominant 7-2 win.
Three of those goals came in the first half and the stand-in captain put another away shortly after the break before being substituted after just 50 minutes.
"She was pretty crook today, all those daggers I felt in the back when I made that sub, it was really to protect Ash," Canberra coach Rae Dower said after the win.
“I would've loved her to stay on and scored 10 in the form that she was in, but she was pretty cook and at four goals I think she had done her job.
"Once again she led from the front ... I still think she's got untapped potential, the sky's the limit for her."
Sykes was not the only one to star in the win, with fellow Dubbo product Grace Maher also impressing in midfield.
Maher, who lived in Dubbo until she was seven, played a sublime chip to set up a goal for Stephanie Ochs before getting her own name on the scoresheet shortly after as Canberra led 5-0 at half time.
Maher also then took the captain’s armband when Sykes was substituted.
Sykes and Maher are just two United players currently putting their hands up for Matildas selection, with the national side set to take part in the invitational Algarve Cup at Portugal in March alongside the likes of Canada, Japan and Sweden.
Saturday’s win saw Canberra United leapfrog the Glory back into second spot behind Sydney FC.
In further positive news for United, national co-captain Lisa De Vanna again appeared off the bench.
The Matildas star striker has been working her way into the side since signing on late last year and Sykes said the fact she is getting closer to a starting spot alongside the likes of her and the currently-injured Michelle Heyman can only be a good thing.
"I think coming off a big schedule recently it caught up with me this week and I was really drained," Sykes said.
"I could've stayed in bed all day ... I think it's pretty scary for other teams as well - I come off after scoring four goals and here comes Lisa De Vanna.
"In that respect it's awesome and I'm looking forward to playing some time with her."
Sykes opened the scoring after just six minutes and made it two shortly after before Ochs, Maher and the talented striker made it five at the break.
Further strikes to Sykes and Hayley Raso shortly after the break made sure of the result before the Glory scored two late consolation goals.
Next up for United is a clash with the Western Sydney Wanderers at Campbelltown next Sunday.