Belconnen United 1 (Darren Bailey 44’) drew with Tuggeranong United 1 (Marco Gayer 58’)

A ten-man Belconnen United held on for an entertaining draw against Tuggeranong United in round of the men’s NPL1. The result saw the Blue Devils keep a hold of their position in the top four, while Tuggeranong were resigned to a sixth straight draw to start the season.

The first real chance of the game came in the 18^th minute as Izach Clements found himself on the end of a Dustin Wells free kick but fired his shot straight at Jakeb Wiseman, with the Tuggeranong keeper palming the shot away.

With half time rapidly approaching, Belconnen found themselves in front after a Darren Bailey strike.

Pacey winger Luca Florez managed to intercept a pass deep into Tuggeranong’s half, before sending the ball into the box towards Bailey, who expertly slotted the ball past the helpless Wiseman in goal.

Belconnen started brightest in the second with Leon Michl and Dustin Wells going for goal but both of their attempts were straight at Wiseman.

An attacking substitution proved fruitful for Tuggeranong as Marco Gayer came on and equalised inside his first minute of being on the field.

A cross from Cam Doherty found its way to the head of Gayer, who head back across goal and into the back of the net.

The game began to heat up with tackles flying in and soon, Belconnen found themselves down a man as Izach Clements was shown a second yellow and sent from the pitch.

Despite being a man down, Belconnen managed to hold on for a point, while Tuggeranong got their sixth draw of the season and are still yet to win in 2021.

 

Canberra Olympic FC 1 (Aisosa Ihegie 46’) def. by Monaro Panthers 2 (Tom McLachlan 33’, Sam Habtemariam 65’)

The Monaro Panthers have continued their good form, picking up just their second win of the season over Canberra Olympic. Showing no signs of fatigue from their thrilling cup clash midweek, the Panthers ran out 2-1 victors at O’Connor Enclosed.

The first chance of the game fell to Aisosa Ihegie with the Olympic striker slipping in behind the defence, before being shut down by Josh Calabria.

Panthers went on to control most of the play and were often seen deep into Olympic’s defensive half. Despite their dominance, Panthers struggled to break down a resolute Olympic defence.

They would break through in the 33^rd minute as midfielder Tom McLachlan put the visitor in front. Following a swift counterattack, McLachlan played a quick one-two pass with Stephen Domenici and slipped through the defence to slot the ball home past James Christis in the Olympic goal.

There would be chances at both ends to close out the half but neither side would be able to find the back of the net, as they headed into the sheds with Monaro up by one.

Olympic would come out firing in the second half, as star striker Ihegie equalised after a well worked goal. Finding himself in the centre of the box, Ihegie moved off his defender to get on the end of a low cross and send the ball home for his fifth goal of the season.

The remainder of the match was a tense affair as both sides battled for control. It wouldn’t be until the 65^th minute that the final goal of the match would be scored, as Sam Habtemariam put his side back in front from the spot.

After brother Jeremy was brought down in the box, Sam stepped up to calmly slot home what would prove to be the winning goal.

The win capped off a great week for the Panthers as they also qualified for the FFA Cup Final against Tigers FC midweek.

 

Gungahlin United 1 (Roy Anderson 85’) def. by West Canberra Wanderers 2 (Shae Thornton 49’ Babin Paudyal 52’)

In-form West Canberra Wanderers were out for revenge as they faced Gungahlin United who beat them 4-1 in round 1 of the season.

Early on both teams were well structured in defence and neither team were winning the midfield battle. Both teams had half chances but no clear chances early on as neither team could break each other down.

The first clear chance would come to Gungahlin as Marko Jadric was deemed to bring down Nicholas Rathjen in the box and the referee gave a penalty.

Michael John stepped up to take the penalty but his shot down the middle was easily saved by Mason Interlandi in the Wanderers goal and the game would go into half time at 0-0.

An instant flurry by the Wanderers saw them score two goals within three minutes, five minutes within the half starting.

Shae Thornton scored the first as he tapped in a fumble from Joshua Lagudah to make it 1-0 and a magnificent free kick found Babin Paudyal unmarked as he headed the ball into the top corner for the second.

Roy Anderson would score with five minutes to go to give hope to Gungahlin, but it was too little too late as the Wanderers held strong to win 2-1.

 

Canberra Croatia 2 (Marko Vrkic 61’ Nikos Kalfas 73’) def Tigers FC 1 (Josh Gulevski 45’)

Top of the table Tigers looked to continue their winning ways as they faced a Canberra Croatia side who were looking to bounce back after two losses in the last week.

Tigers had the first chance through Samuel Whithear as he found himself at the end of a cut back from Nikolas Popovich, but Croatia’s defence easily blocked the weak shot.

Both teams struggled to create any clear chances throughout the rest of the half until right before the break where Tigers broke the deadlock.

Tony Madaffari brushed passed his defender and crossed the ball low to Josh Gulevski at the top of the box.

Gulevski calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner past Sam Brown to put Tigers 1-0 ahead at half time.

Croatia would come out fighting in the second half their efforts were rewarded in the 61^st minute.

Marko Vrkic received the ball open at the top of the box and smashed it past the keeper into the bottom corner to equalise for Croatia.

Croatia used their momentum to take the lead in the 73^rd minute after a clumsy foul from Jakob Cole led to a penalty. Nikos Kalfas initial shot was saved but he was first to respond and score the rebound.

Tigers would look to find an equaliser, but it was too little too late as the game would end 2-1 to Canberra Croatia.