Article: Lachlan Roberts
Photo: Lachlan Roberts

Canberra Olympic 3 (Ihegie 38', Sparrow 49', Domenici 59') defeat Monaro Panthers 1 (Ahmed-Shaibu 45')

After just a three-day turnaround from their 5-1 drubbing of Tuggeranong United on Wednesday night, Canberra Olympic secured their second win of the 2020 NPL1 season with a comfortable 3-1 win over Monaro Panthers at O'Connor Enclosed on Saturday afternoon. In a feisty clash that saw seven yellow cards and technical dismissal for dissent, Aisosa Ihegie broke the deadlock in the 38th minute with his debut goal for his new club after a great through-ball from Michael Piccolo. Just before half time, Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu tapped in a great cut back from Sam Smith to score his first goal for the Panthers, setting up for a perfect second 45-minutes. It didn't take long for Olympic to restore their lead after a corner from Daniel Sparrow found its way into the back of the net just four minutes into the second half. Despite the Panthers dogged defence, Olympic stretched their lead to two after Stephen Domenici scored his fourth goal in as many days. Monaro had chances to get back into the game after Nick Faust was sent to the sideline for 10 minutes after dissent towards referee Delfina Dimoski but they failed to take advantage of the numerical advantage.

Tuggeranong United 2 (Truman 7', 17') defeat Woden Weston 0

As Russ Gibbs poetically said, it was the Truman show at Melrose Synthetic on Saturday afternoon as Tuggeranong United's young striker Harrison Truman grabbed a first-half double to win all three points against Woden Weston. After grabbing a consolation goal against Canberra Olympic on Wednesday night, 18-year-old Truman scored his third goal in two games to help United grab their first points of the 2020 NPL1 season. A brilliant solo run from Sean Kiddey followed by a sumptuous through-ball found Truman in behind a flat-footed Wanderers before he calmly finished past the keeper. His second goal was a gift, after Woden Weston's left-back under-hit his pass back to the keeper, leaving Truman with a simple finish. The win leaves Tuggeranong just three points outside the top four while Woden Weston is still looking for their first goal of the season.

Gungahlin United 3 (Adams 21’, J. Habtemariam 85’ (p), John 90+4’) defeat Belconnen United 1 (Florez 75’)

The highly-anticipated Round 3 clash between Gungahlin United and Belconnen United at AIS Grass Field 2 had its fair share of drama, as two red cards were issued, all 22 players were involved in a scuffle, and four goals were scored in a frenetic match. The match sprung to life in the 21st minute thanks to a Michael Adams' belter, who thrashed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box. On the stroke of half time. Lachlan Griffiths was sent off after a scuffle between the two teams, as both teams pushed and shoved each other on the halfway line. Referee Georgia Ghirardellon showed a red card to Griffiths, leaving Gungahlin stunned. Belconnen leveled the scores with only 15 minutes remaining when 17-year-old Luca Florez put the finishing touch on a Kofi Danning pass, scoring his third goal in three games. Despite being down to 10-men, United took the lead again with minutes to play thanks to a penalty, cooly converted by Jeremy Habtemariam before Belconnen's Darren Bailey was given his marching orders for a horrible challenge on Philippe Bernabo-Madrid. Gungahlin's Michael John grabbed a late third after a terrific solo run, beating three defenders before cutting back inside on his left foot and lashing home an unerring finish.

Tigers FC 2 (Shields 44’, Whithear 49’) defeated by Canberra Croatia 4 (Ujdur 3’ (p), Kista 45+1’, 62’, 74’)

A stunning hat-trick from Aimilio Kista punctuated a terrific six-goal blockbuster between Tigers FC and Canberra Croatia at Nijong Oval on Sunday afternoon. The visitors came bursting out of the blocks and grabbed the opener inside the first five minutes after Daniel Colbertaldo was brought down inside the box, giving Nikola Ujdur a chance to convert from the spot. Tigers leveled in the 44th minute when classy striker Mark Shields slid the ball past Sam Brown after a great through-ball but parity lasted only minutes after Kista scored an absolute stunner from outside the box. His right-foot strike cleaned out the cobwebs of Jakob Cole's goal, leaving the keeper no chance. In a frenetic end to the half, Julian Borgna had a chance to level the scores, but his shot was well stopped by Brown. The match was set up perfectly for a terrific second half and it certainly didn't disappoint. Tigers winger Sam Whithear entered his submission for Goal of the Season, cutting onto his right foot before sending a thunderbolt into the top corner for his first goal for his new club. Not to be outdone, Kista scored his second long-range effort, dipping his shot under the crossbar past a helpless Cole. Canberra Croatia put the game to bed in the 74th minute with a beautiful team goal that was finished off expertly by 'Man of the Match' Kista. It certainly was a statement win from Canberra Croatia who looks destined to compete for the NPL1 title in 2020.