Riverina Rhinos 0 def. by Canberra FC 3 (Thomas James 21’, 44’, 48’)

Canberra FC locked in top spot for another weekend with a clinical 3-0 win against the Riverina Rhinos in Griffith on Saturday night.

A hat-trick from Golden Boot leader Thomas James was enough for the visitors to take all three points in a convincing display despite some good play from the Rhinos.

The match began on an even keel with both sides working their way into the match, and it took a great individual goal from James to open the scoring.

He took possession of the ball on the left wing before cutting inside and making a beeline for the top of the box, and skipped around a defender before rifling an effort low into the bottom corner to leave the keeper with little chance.

Just as it looked like the two teams would reach the break separated by a goal, Canberra FC were awarded a penalty in the dying moments and James put that away to double the advantage after 45 minutes.

The visitors got off to the perfect start in the second half and heaped more pain on the home side, as James’ free-kick from the left hand side went through everyone and into the back of the net.

Canberra FC continued to attack and both sides created chances throughout the second half but were unable to capitalise and make them count.

From there the game largely fizzled out, and the score line remained 3-0 come the final whistle. The Rhinos now await the visit of Canberra Olympic next weekend, while Canberra FC take on Tigers FC in Cooma.

 

Monaro Panthers 1 (Sam Smith 19’) def. by Tigers FC (Nico Villafane 18’, 90+7’, Mark Shields 72’)

Tigers FC claimed a big three points in their pursuit of fourth spot with a 3-1 win over Monaro Panthers in Googong on Sunday.

Full report here.

 

Gungahlin United 1 (Misko Naumoski 12’) drew. Woden-Weston 1 (Bul Juach 66’)

A second-half penalty from Bul Juach helped Woden-Weston to a share of the points against Gungahlin United on Sunday afternoon.

Gungahlin began strongly and took the lead just seven minutes in thanks to some great build up play as Antoni Timotheou put the ball on a platter for Misko Naumoski to fire home across the goalkeeper.

That goal set the tone and United looked to create more opportunities as they controlled proceedings, but the game balanced out for much of the first half. Naumoski sprayed a set piece over the bar from the top of the box shortly before the break and the two sides would remain separated by a single goal at half-time.

United brought on Victor Yanes for Ben Basser-Silk as they looked to shore things up at the back but with 25 minutes to go the visitors were awarded a penalty and Bul Juach made no mistake from the spot to level things up for his side.

Both sides looked for a winner as the time wound down, but it was not to be as the final whistle blew with scores locked at 1-1.

The result was a blow to Gungahlin’s chase of a top four berth, while it leaves the Wanderers a point clear of Riverina for seventh spot and all but out of the finals race.

 

Canberra Olympic 3 (Michael John 33’, Nik Popovich 70’, Domenic Giampaolo 90’) def. Tuggeranong United 2 (Aisosa Ihegie 35’, Jono Turek 39’)

Canberra Olympic came from behind in the second half to snatch a late victory at O’Connor over Tuggeranong United and stay in the hunt for the Premiership.

The match was an open encounter from the start, with chances at both ends but it was Olympic who struck first. Tom McLachlan’s ball to the back most was met by Nick Bobolas and he cut it back for Michael John to score his 10^th goal of the season.

But Isosa Ihegie struck for the visitors two minutes later as he finished nicely on the counter attack, and when Jono Turek headed home six minutes before the break off a high ball United had the upper hand.

Olympic came out of the break looking for an equaliser and they found one with 20 minutes left as a corner went past everyone in the 18-yard area until Nik Popovich got his foot to it and found the back of the net.

And in the final minutes of regulation another corner for the hosts was headed out but not far enough, and Dom Giampaolo struck it sensationally to send it straight back into the top corner and grab a late lead for Frank Cachia’s side.

Olympic will travel to Griffith next weekend to face the Riverina Rhinos, and Tuggeranong will look to break a recent winless run as they face Gungahlin United.