Canberra Olympic FC 2 (Ihegie 63’, Crawford 87’) v Monaro Panthers FC 3 (Domenici 43’, Woods 83’, Olrik 90 + 6’)

There was late drama at the Hawker Football Centre as the Monaro Panthers edged Canberra Olympic 3-2.

Stephen Domenici showed his striking prowess after hitting a rebounded shot first-time, beating his former teammate Angelo Konstantinou in the 43rd minute making it 1-0 Olympic going into the second half.

Olympic responded in the 63rd minute, when Aisosa Ihegie found the back of the net from close range after a corner, to level the score to 1-1.

In the 83rd minute, a Domenici shot was deflected inside the box, the ball then falling to the feet of Sebastian Woods who scored an easy tap in giving Monaro a late lead.

A few minutes later, Olympic’s James Crawford responded in style, shooting from range past the gloves of the Monaro goalkeeper, to equalise the score once again in the 87th.

However, it was the Panthers who had the last laugh as a botched clearance inside Olympic’s own penalty box was nudged in by Lasse Ulrik in the 96th minute of stoppage time securing Monaro the 3-2 victory.

 

West Canberra Wanderers 0 v Gungahlin United FC 2 (Naumoski 15’, Bernabo-Madrid 50’)

Gungahlin United have continued their undefeated streak by beating the West Canberra Wanderers 2-0 at Melrose Synthetic.

Gungahlin scored early, after a through ball from Domenic Giampaolo found the feet of Misko Naumoski who slotted it past the West Canberra goalkeeper to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.

The Wanderers almost equalised late into the first half after centre back Lachlan Fields made a daring run up front finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper only to shoot it straight at the Gungahlin keeper.

Gungahin then scored their second in the 49th from Phillipe Bernarbo-Madrid, reminiscent of their first, he put it past the goalkeeper from through ball sealing the victory for the away side.

 

Tigers FC 2 (Josh Gulevski 29’ 75’) v Canberra Croatia 0

Tigers FC are now first on the NPL1 ladder, after they defeated the previously top placed Canberra Croatia 2-0 at AIS Synthetic on Sunday.

Canberra Croatia’s recent defensive issues continued as a long ball that broke past the Croatia defence was poorly dealt with, allowing Josh Gulevski to capitalise to score the opener.

Tigers continued to dominate the rest of the half with a few chances on goal, but, unable to convert in the final third, the game went into half time at 1-0.

Back from the sheds and a great cross from Jay Kelly found Gulevski free in the box as he drifted in between the Canberra defence, thumping his header into the back of the net to double the Tigers lead.

Croatia created a couple chances in the last ten minutes, but it was too little too late as the game ended 2-0 and Canberra Croatia suffered their third defeat in a row.

 

Belconnen United FC 2 (Christian Kreskas 32’ Adrian Macor 66’) v Tuggeranong United 0

Belconnen United defeated bottom of the ladder Tuggeranong United 2-0 on Sunday at Melrose Park.

The opening 30 minutes were very competitive between the teams with opportunities to take the lead coming at both ends however it was Belconnen who broke the deadlock.

After some tidy interplay through the Belconnen backline and midfield, Christian Kreskas found himself through on goal and his shot into the bottom right corner couldn’t be saved as he put the Blue Devils in front.

Tuggeranong started the second half the aggressors, pressuring the Belconnen defence, coming close to scoring multiple times.

Against the run of play Belconnen doubled their lead as a cross into the box fell at Adrian Macor’s feet. A neat turn in the box saw him create enough room to get his shot off and put Belconnen 2-0 up.

Belconnen then rode the rest of the game out to comfortably win 2-0. The victory sees them return to the top four for the first time in more than a month.