Canberra Olympic 2 (Stephen Domenici 47’, Tim Bobolas 62’) def. Gungahlin United 1 (Griffiths 2’)

Two goals in the second half helped Canberra Olympic to a come from behind victory over Gungahlin United on Friday at Woden Park.

United jumped out to a perfect start as Lachlan Griffiths headed home an early corner two minutes in, and almost replicated it moments later as the visitors threatened to extend their lead.

From there though Olympic fought back, wary of the 1-0 loss they suffered to United recently and looking to jump into first place if they could snare all three points. Marcial Munoz’s side were playing to keep themselves in the race for finals and the early goal gave them the jump on that.

Chances were created at both ends but Olympic would be frustrated as they headed into the break a goal down, with United ruing chances they had to push their lead out.

But they were back level within just two minutes of the restart as Dom Giampaolo found Stephen Domenici at the top of the box and the forward turned his marker before rifling home a shot to pull the hosts level.

And 15 minutes later they took the lead as Giampaolo’s corner went to Tim Bobolas who headed the ball past Jason Denham and in to send them top of the table. From there Olympic played out the game despite Gungahlin pushing forward to take all three points and put a serious dent in United’s top four hopes.

 

Tigers FC 3 (Villafane 13’, 85’, Dom Colucciello 54’) def. Riverina Rhinos 2 (Joe Preece 65’, 77’)

Tigers jumped back into the top four on Saturday as Nico Villafane’s second goal gave them a late win over the Rhinos.

The result put them over Belconnen United into the last finals spot and ended the slim finals chances of Gungahlin United, but it was almost not to be as the Rhinos came from two goals down to level.

The hosts got off to a strong start at Calwell when Villafane netted his first to score in a seventh consecutive league outing, but the Rhinos fought back well and tested Tigers for the rest of the half, with the difference remaining just a goal at the break.

But nine minutes into the second half Dom Colucciello netted to push the advantage out and put Tigers a step closer to winning. However this was a different Rhinos side to the one that lost by seven goals to Tigers earlier in the season, and when Joe Preece scored with 25 minutes to go it gave the Rhinos a foot in the door and a way back into the game.

12 minutes later and after some more Rhinos pressure Preece had his second to tie the game at 2-2 with 13 minutes to play.

It was not to be for the visitors though as that man Villafane fire home five minutes from full-time to secure the three points and fourth spot, and move into first in the Golden Boot standings.

 

Canberra FC 2 (Ivan Pavlak 47’, Michael Mensah 83’)drew. Belconnen United 2 (Cam Reinhart 10’, 86’)

Cam Reinhart scored twice for Belconnen United including a late equaliser as the Blue Devils and Canberra FC shared the points at Deakin Stadium on Sunday.

Full report here.

 

Monaro Panthers 2 (Jarrad Bain 65’, Sam Smith 90+4’)drew. Woden-Weston 2 (Olaide Yinka-Kehinde 10’, Jackson Paesler 60’)

The Monaro Panthers overcame a two-goal deficit to snatch a point off Woden-Weston as Sam Smith scored a 94^th minute equaliser at Googong.

Woden-Weston started fast, much like they did in the 4-4 draw between these sides in May, as Olaide Yinka-Kehinde was set free by a good through ball and netted his 10^th goal of the season to put the Wanderers ahead after just 10 minutes.

The game plateaued from there for the rest of the half, with neither side able to make a further breakthrough as the teams headed into the rooms separated by a solitary goal.

The lead was doubled 15 minutes into the second half though when Wanderers youngster Jackson Paesler netted, and it looked a long way back for there from Monaro.

But when Jarrad Bain scored from a corner five minutes later the contest was back on, and the Panthers continued to push as time wore on.

And deep in stoppage time the Panthers were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, and Smith curled it low and around the wall to bury in the net and give the Panthers a share of the points.

Monaro take on Tuggeranong United next weekend while Woden-Weston host Canberra FC on Saturday at Woden Park.