Tigers FC boost top four hopes with win at Googong
Monaro Panthers 1 (Sam Smith 19’) def. by Tigers FC 3 (Nicolas Villafane 18’, 90+7’, Mark Shields 72’)
Tigers FC picked up an important victory to come within one point of fourth spot as they saw off Monaro 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Two second half goals were enough to help the visitors gain all three points and they now sit in fifth position, one point behind Belconnen United. Monaro remain rooted to the bottom of the competition ladder with seven points.
Despite the travelling side having the fair share of possession to start the contest, Monaro created the first opportunity of the match through Darryl Hall, but his header was cleared near the goal line by Dimitri Parascos.
Tigers’ Tony Spaseski was caught in a mess at the back shortly after, as the young defender was caught out and booked for a professional foul when Monaro looked to break.
But it was Tigers who broke the deadlock first anyway as Nicolas Villafane cut inside onto his left foot in the 18th minute and struck a sweet effort past Nathan Alferink to steal the lead.
Monaro responded just a minute later as Sam Smith pounced on a mess in the Tigers backline to score as he controlled the rebound from Jakob Cole’s save.
Gaby Wilk’s side controlled much of the first half but the two teams headed into the break locked at 1-1.
Ole Stegavik began the second half strongly as he charged forward but a good tackle prevented him getting off the first shot of the second stanza.
With 18 minutes to go the hosts broke forward but were denied by some strong defence, and Tigers took the ball and broke quickly back the other way.
Their first effort on the counter was denied well but the rebound came to Mark Shields just inside the area and he finished cleanly to put his team back in front with time running out.
From there Tigers were happy to slow the game down while Monaro pushed the other way, and in the seventh minute of injury time and with the game opening up Villafane swept home his second goal to seal the victory for the visitors.
Tigers now face Canberra FC in a blockbuster clash in Cooma, while Monaro will travel to meet Belconnen United at McKellar Park.
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