Tigers FC 3 (Popovich 4’, 41’, Timotheou 58’) Tuggeranong United FC 3 (Doherty 53’, Slavich 60’, Murray 89’ (p))

Tuggeranong United has gained their first point of the season with a 3-3 draw against Tigers FC at the AIS.

Tigers looked like they were going to run away with it after the half-time whistle, with a brace from Nick Popovic giving them a 2-0 lead at the break.

Once the second half commenced, Tuggeranong started to fight back with unlikely goal scorer Cam Doherty chesting it in at close range to make it 2-1 at the 53rd minute.

Shortly afterwards, the Tigers’ Antoni Timotheou blasted it into the bottom corner from outside the box, which seemed to give the Tigers.

However, just under a minute later goal scorer Timotheou saw yellow in his own penalty box, gifting TUFC a spot kick.

Doherty’s attempt was saved but Andrew Slavic kicked in the rebound and Tuggeranong was back in it again, making it 3-2 with half-an-hour remaining.

In the final two minutes of regular time, much to the frustrations of Tigers FC fans, Tuggeranong was awarded another penalty with Shane Murray converting to level the score to 3-3.

 

Canberra Croatia 0 def. by West Canberra Wanderers 1 (Gabriel Cole 49’)

A much-changed Canberra Croatia side started the match the aggressors controlling majority of the possession and creating some fleeting chances.

Just before the break the ball fell to Canberra Croatia’s Mathew Grbesa but the Wanderers defence held strong and cleared the ball away, heading to the sheds at half time at 0-0.

Wanderers were able to break the deadlock as a foul by Croatia’s Mathew Grbesa on the Wanderer’s attacker Marko Jadric led to a penalty for the guests, with Gabriel Cole putting them 1-0 up.

Immediately after Cole scored, he was sent off for his celebrations in front of the Canberra Croatia supporters, leaving the West Canberra Wanderers with 10 men and a full half to play.

Canberra Croatia looked threatening towards the end of the game but despite being down on troops, the Wanderers defence held strong.

 Belconnen United FC 2 (Macor 34’ Michl 64’) beat Monaro Panthers FC 1 (Ahmed-Shaibu 68’ (p))

In control for most of the match even with six of their main men out with injury, Belconnen United came out on Saturday with a point to prove.

Going down to Canberra Olympic in Round two, the hosts held strong in defence and drive.

With some early chances building confidence for Belconnen, it wasn’t until the 34^th minute that the first goal of the afternoon was recorded.

Luca Macor managed to turn the ball around in their attacking half, getting past Monaro’s defence to curl it into far right hand corner.

A superb strike from Leon Michl came in the second half to further solidify their efforts, when he got sent the ball from number 9 to rocket it over the goalkeeper’s grasp.

Despite a penalty goal from Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu in the 68^th minute giving the Panthers hope, it wasn’t to be.

The win for Belconnen marks their second for the season, while the Monaro Panthers are yet to take home any points.

 

Canberra Olympic 2 (James 18’, 52’) Gungahlin United 2 (John 53’, Bernabo-Madrid 56’)

In a tightly contested first half, it was Canberra Olympic who broke the deadlock after 18 minutes when the ball fell to midfielder Allen James on the edge of the 18-yard box, who slotted it in the bottom corner to put Olympic ahead 1-0.

Playing in his 100^th NPL match, Olympics’ Aisosa Ihegiemissed from the penalty spot in a chance to further establish their lead.

After the break and Allen James came out firing, scoring his second for the afternoon when he converted a penalty.

Gungahlin went on to absolutely shock Olympic though, scoring 2 goals in 2 minutes thanks to Michael John and Philippe Bernabo-Madrid, equalising the game at 2-2.

Both teams looked threatening throughout the second half with Gungahlin looking more likely to steal a winner.

Despite both teams having golden opportunities to score a match winner in the 90^th minute the match would end at 2-2 in a close encounter.