Canberra FC 5 (Thomas James 18’, 50’, Ryan Keir 34’, 79’, Matt Waters 57’) def. Monaro Panthers 0

Canberra FC bounced back from a loss in their last league clash with Canberra Olympic in emphatic fashion with a big win over Monaro at Deakin Stadium.

The hosts started strong and made their early pressure count as Thomas James netted his 10^th league goal of the season 18 minutes in to take the lead. Paul Macor’s side continued to press and Ryan Keir doubled the advantage just over 10 minutes before the break, and his side took that two-goal lead into the break.

And just five minutes into the second half they extended it further as James scored again to push ahead in the Golden Boot standings. Matt Waters continued the onslaught with 33 minutes left in the game and Canberra FC were rolling as they cruised up by four goals for the next 20 minutes.

They sealed the score line at five with just over ten minutes left as Keir grabbed his second to remain in second place, just two points behind Olympic with a game in hand. Monaro meanwhile travel to Griffith next weekend looking to break their run of two 5-0 losses in a row.

 

Gungahlin United 2 (Augustine Bangura 19’, Ben Obst 90+7’) drew. Tigers FC 2 (Nicolas Villafane 45’, Christian Junna 90+4’)

A chaotic finish with two stoppage-time goals saw Gungahlin United and Tigers FC share the points at Gungahlin Enclosed yesterday.

Full report here.

 

Tuggeranong United 2 (Aisosa Ihegie 19’, Mate Barisic 63’) def. by Belconnen United 4 (Daniel Barac 28’, 74’, Daniel Sparrow 33’, Marty Raines 78’)

Belconnen United made the jump int equal fourth on Sunday as they came from behind at Kambah to beat Tuggeranong United 4-2.

The hosts started fast and got on the board first as Aisosa Ihegie scored 19 minutes in with a good finish, but nine minutes late Belconnen were level as Daniel Barac stepped up to fire home a spot kick and even things up.

And momentum proved to be important for the visitors as Daniel Sparrow finished a good move down the left side to give Belconnen the lead 11 minutes from half-time and put them in the drivers seat.

Tuggeranong hit back 18 minutes into the second half though to make things level again, as Mate Barisic headed home from Shane Murray’s corner to square things at 2-2.

But a quickfire salvo from first Barac and then Marty Raines within five minutes of each other blew the game open and sealed the win for Belconnen United at 4-2.

 

Canberra Olympic 4 (Michael John 20’, 78’, Domenic Giampaolo 35’, Stephen Domenici 58’) def. Woden-Weston 1 (Joe Lawless 69’)

Canberra Olympic continued a strong run of recent form and kept their place as league leaders with a 4-1 win over Woden-Weston at O’Connor on Sunday.

The hosts started well and took the lead after 20 minutes as Michael John finished after a nice through ball from Roko Strika in behind the defence.

Angelo Konstantinou saved a penalty from the Wanderers as they looked to get back into the game and Dom Giampaolo scored his third goal in two weeks to put Olympic up by two goals at the half-time break.

Stephen Domenici scored for the second week in a row since his return to Olympic as the hosts pushed the lead to three goals. But Woden-Weston hit back with just over 20 minutes to go as Joe Lawless struck to cut the lead to two goals.

Michael John put paid to a comeback nine minutes later though with a brilliant strike from the top of the area, turning and volleying a rocket into the top corner to push the lead back to three goals.

That was how the game finished, and Olympic now turn their sights to a crunch meeting with Belconnen United at McKellar Park on Saturday evening. For Woden-Weston they take on Tuggeranong next weekend in what is almost a must-win match if they are to remain in the battle for fourth spot.