Article: Lachlan Roberts and Jeremy Magan
Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography

Woden-Weston 0 defeated by Monaro Panthers FC 3 (Ahmed-Shaibu 15’, 79’, Tkatchenko 54’)

A double from Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu guided Monaro Panthers to their first win of the 2020 NPL1 season, defeating Woden Weston 3-0 at Melrose Synthetic on Saturday afternoon (8 August). In wet and wild conditions, Woden Weston and Monaro Panthers were on the hunt for their first points of the 2020 NPL1 season and it was the visitors that got off to the best possible start. The marauding Sam Smith found space in behind Connor Bill before his cut-back deflected to Ahmed-Shaibu. His first shot was well blocked by a Wanderers defender but the striker followed up his shot and buried the rebound. Woden Weston had a great chance to score their first goal of the season but an incredible double-save from new recruit Evan Alexandrow-Ridley ensured the Panthers kept their lead at half time. In the 52nd minute, a sweet counter-attack from the Panthers was rounded off by Robert Tkatchenko who scored his first senior NPL goal with a great left-foot strike. Woden Weston could not buy a goal as chances went begging in the second half as the Panthers put the result beyond doubt, after Ahmed-Shaibu scored his third goal of the season in the 78th minute, rounding off a great team move. 

Tuggeranong United 0 draw with Belconnen United 0 

Tuggeranong United shifted their home game against Belconnen United to Melrose Synthetic as the rain bucketed down in the nation's capital over the weekend. Coming into the game, both teams were desperate for all three points for differing reasons: a win would put Belconnen in touching distance of the top of the table while a win for Tuggeranong would see the side climb into the top four. Belconnen had the best chances in the opening half but several outstanding saves by Jakeb Wiseman kept Tuggeranong on level terms. Adrian Macor's header was expertly tipped onto the crossbar by Wiseman before he alertly dived on the ball to stop the rebound from going in. Marco Gayer's left-foot effort in the 26th minute was Tuggies' best chance to grab the opener, but Jordan Thurtell snuffed out the danger at his near post. The game did have late drama, as Tuggeranong had several great chances to snatch all three points. Substitute Daniel Fulton did well to turn young Nelson Curely, but his shot was well saved by Thurtell in the 93rd minute. The 0-0 result leaves Belconnen United in third place with seven points while Tuggeranong United sit in sixth position, two points outside of the top four. 

Gungahlin United FC 1 (Green 89’) defeated Cooma Tigers FC 0

The first of two washed out weekend games rescheduled on Wednesday night (12 August) was the rematch of 2019 Grand Final. The Tigers could not take their revenge, losing in dramatic fashion in the last minute. The Gunners can thank 2019 MVP and captain Jack Green for his late goal, as they remain on top of the ladder with 10 points. Marcial Munoz imposed his style of play early in the game, as his side kept most of the possession and settled in Cooma’s half as Ryan Grogan’s team was forced to defend in numbers. Josh Gulevski missed an opportunity for the Gunners at the 20^th minute, putting the ball wide before Jeremy Habtermariam’s powerful free-kick crashed into the crossbar. In the 37th minute, Cooma’s best chance fell to Mark Shield as he received the ball outside of the box, found an opening between two defenders, and blazed a left-footed shot onto the crossbar. The second half was more disputed, Cooma pressing higher up and preventing Gungahlin from passing the ball as comfortably as they had in the first half. The Gunners would still prove more dangerous. Sam Habtemariam, just subbed in, combined with Philippe Bernabo-Madrid, only to see his shot from 6 yards away deflected above the bar by Jakob Cole. The Tigers played the last 25 minutes with one man down after Julian Borgna was given his second yellow card of the night for a late challenge. Five minutes later, Josh Gulevski was brought down in the box, giving Jeremy Habtemariam an opportunity to put his name on the scoreboard from the spot-kick, but he placed his shot wide. Then the drama unfolded in the 89^th minute. Attempting to intercept a pass from Jeremy Habtemariam, Nathen Megic fell to the ground, grasping his leg. The game did not stop and Jeremy Habtemariam found space to shoot from outside the box. Cole could only deflect it to his right, and Jack Green jumped in to tap the ball in the empty net and give the three points to his side. Cooma played the last minute with only 9 players, Jakob Cole being sent to the sin bin for complaining too vehemently to the referee about not stopping the game following Megic's injury.

Canberra Croatia 2 (Barac 84’, Giampaolo 87’ (p)) defeated Canberra Olympic 1 (Kelly 75’)

Canberra Croatia left it late but two late strikes from Daniel Barac and Domenic Giampaolo scored in the space of three minutes to claim all three points against arch-rivals Canberra Olympic on Wednesday night (12 August). In a foggy and damp Deakin Stadium, Canberra Olympic started the brightest out of the two sides, as their best chances fell to Stephen Domenici in the 11th minute. After a corner was cleared to the edge of the box, Domenici picked up the loose ball, but his right foot strike was saved by Sam Brown. Six minutes later, Domenici was on the end of a great team move but he was once again thwarted by Brown, after a fantastic stop down to his right. The game looked destined for a draw until the game broke open in the 75th minute. After Aimilio Kista turned the ball over in midfield, the everpresent Daniel Sparrow's through-ball found Jay Kelly who calmly slotted his shot past Brown to give Olympic the lead. Their lead lasted only nine minutes, as substitute Jason Ugrinic found space in behind Olympic's backline, before cutting the ball back for Daniel Barac to lash the ball home. Three minutes later, referee Alex McConachie pointed to the spot despite the ball ending up the back of the net from a Canberra Croatia free-kick. After consulting with his linesman, the referee confirmed that the goal did not stand and that the penalty must be taken. Domenic Giampaolo calmly converted from the spot to ensure that Canberra Croatia remains undefeated in 2020.