NPL Round 18 Wrap
Riverina Rhinos 1 (Alex Mulrooney-Castellano 35’) def. by Woden-Weston 2 (Michael Adams 50’, Martin Deng 53’)
Woden-Weston finished off their season with a win on Saturday as they came from a goal down to defeat the Rhinos in Griffith.
The match got off to a delayed start but once it was underway both teams started strongly as they looked to end the campaign on a high note.
Clear cut chances were not forthcoming but 10 minutes before the break the home side took the lead as youngster Alex Mulrooney-Castellano finished off a good chance to put his side up 1-0 and the score stayed that way at half-time.
The Wanderers began strongly though and Michael Adams pulled his side level just five minutes in before Martin Deng struck shortly after as the visitors blitzed the Rhinos in a short span to open the half.
They held on to that lead to see out the game and finish the season on a strong note and end the campaign in sixth place, while the Rhinos finished eighth in their second crack at the league.
Canberra FC 3 (Michael Mensah 24’, Daniel Subasic 65’, Thomas James 90+3’) def. Tuggeranong United 0
Canberra FC pushed five points clear at the top of the table with a convincing win over Tuggeranong United at Deakin on Sunday afternoon.
Monaro Panthers 3 (Own Goal 3’, Adam Neou 54’, Ole Stegavik 57’) drew. Gungahlin United 3 (Ben Basser-Silk 40’, Michael Rinaudo 66’, Jason Denham 90+7’)
A 97th minute penalty from Jason Denham helped Gungahlin United come from two goals down to snatch a draw at Riverside on Sunday.
The match began well for the home side as a Jack Green own goal gave them the lead just three minutes in and the Panthers continued strongly for much of the first half.
But five minutes before the half-time break United drew level as Ben Basser-Silk thumped a volley into the top corner to ensure the sides would be locked at a goal each at the break.
Monaro again came out strong though to begin the second half, and Adam Neou and then Ole Stegavik pounced on some poor decisions from the visitors to put the hosts up by two goals in the space of a three minute blitz.
Ten minutes later Michael Rinaudo pulled one back for Gungahlin with 24 minutes left, and that set up an exciting finish at Riverside Stadium.
And it looked like Monaro were home as the game entered stoppage time, only for the visitors to be awarded a late penalty.
Retiring shot stopper Jason Denham stepped up to take the spot-kick and placed it expertly to draw his side level with basically the last kick of the game.
Tigers FC 3 (Mark Shields 58’, Robbie Deeley 70’, Nicolas Villafane 85’) def. Belconnen United 2 (Sam Whithear 28’, Jason Ugrinic 87’)
Tigers FC ended the finals hopes of Belconnen United as they came from a goal down to win 3-2 at Nijong Oval and improve their own chances of a top two finish.
The two teams involved weren’t the only ones with a stake in the result either, with anything but a Belconnen United win meaning Tuggeranong United would also secure their first finals berth since 2003.
It was Belconnen who began on the front foot though, and a goal to Sam Whithear after 28 minutes put them in control, and they carried the one-goal lead through until the break after 45 minutes.
Tigers would hit back though, and they levelled through Mark Shields 13 minutes in to the second half and proceedings went from bad to worse for the visitors three minutes later as Daniel Sparrow was given his marching orders.
Tigers put their foot down and nine minutes later went ahead thanks to Robbie Deeley and went into the final 20 minutes with all the momentum against a desperate Belconnen side.
Nicolas Villafane looked to have sealed it for the hosts with five minutes to play but there was late drama as Jason Ugrinic netted two minutes after to set up an enthralling finish.
United could not find a way through however, and just a year after their stunning Grand Final win bowed out of the season in fifth spot.
Tigers now move onto their rescheduled clash with Canberra Olympic on Wednesday night where they have the chance to move as high as second spot with a win.
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