Two points separate the top four as Belconnen United and Canberra Olympic recorded wins over Canberra FC and Tigers FC in the top of the table battles.
Saturday 25th June
Woden-Weston FC 2 (Daniel Di-Salvatore 54’, Matthew Waters 66’) CU Academy 1 (Tomas Krklec 86’)
(Woden Park)
Woden-Weston FC claimed their second win of the season with a 2-1 success over the CU Academy at Woden Park on a cold Saturday evening in Canberra. Two second half goals, struck by Daniel Di-Salvatore and Matthew Waters, were enough for the team to take the points and jump above the Academy on the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues table after Matchday 12.
In an even first half chances were very much at a premium with nothing able to separate two teams who tried to play good football on a difficult surface in temperatures that had the watching crowd stamping their feet to keep warm. The game needed a goal to spark it into life and it got one nine minutes into the second half.
Striker Daniel Di-Salvatore has express pace and his hard-work in the final third was rewarded with his second goal of the season. Not to be outdone, Matthew Waters netted his third of the campaign under ten minutes later to give Woden-Weston a cushion that they would not let slip.
Sunday 26th June
Canberra FC 0 Belconnen United 2 (Dustin Wells 40’, Nikolas Popovich 60’)
(Deakin Stadium)
By William Bremner
On a bright but chilly afternoon two of Canberra's NPL heavyweights fought out an entertaining match at Deakin Stadium. Traditional rivals Canberra FC and Belconnen United, third and fourth in the table respectively, both needed the points to stay in touch with the top two and it was the visitors who came away with the spoils enjoying a 2-0 victory.
This was a game of high quality as both sides showed why they are consistently in the mix when the sharp end of the season comes around. Sound team structures that provide a significant platform from which quality individuals launch their undoubted skills meant the large crowd in attendance could enjoy football in Canberra at its best.
Tigers FC 1 (Nicolas Abot 90’) Canberra Olympic 2 (Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 41’, Jeremy Habtemariam 48’)
(Nijong Oval)
Canberra Olympic claimed a second win over the Tigers in a week with a 2-1 success at Nijong Oval that has opened up the chase for the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues title in Canberra. Olympic, who ended Tigers Westfield FFA Cup ambitions the previous Saturday, have moved level with their opponents on points with only the Tigers superior goal difference keeping them ahead of the chasing pack.
In an even contest both teams had chances before the break with opportunities at each end and the goalkeepers, Jakob Cole and Angelo Konstantinou forced to be on their toes. Tigers weren’t about to go quietly into the night and Daniel Barac, rather controversially, was sent clear on goal by a pass from Julian Borgna, after Olympic had kicked the ball out of play for treatment to a Tigers player, but Konstantinou remained alert to save.
Gungahlin United 1 (Christian Junna 85’) FFA COE 0
(Gungahlin Enclosed)
By Ahmed Jbeili
Gungahlin United defeated the FFA COE 1-0 thanks to an 85th minute goal by Christian Junna at a freezing Nicholls Synthetic Oval on Sunday afternoon. Gunners got revenge on the visitors after losing their last game 2-1 to FFA COE earlier in the PS4 NPL season. The win ends a three game winning streak for FFA COE who were coming into the match as favourites.
The match took a while to get going with FFA COE dominating the possession early on but were unable to create any attacking threat. Despite not seeing any of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, it was Gungahlin who managed to get the first shot on goal. A quick counter attack through striker Frano Blazevic, who crossed in beautifully for attacker Regan Walsh, whose stretched shot was catching practise for FFA COE keeper Melad Ahmed.
Gunners had to sit back as FFA COE continued their control of the game and not letting the home side a sniff of the ball. Continuing to press and pass the ball in Gungahlin’s half, FFA COE began to really frustrate Gunners. Attackers John Roberts and Jaidon Seldon were menaces up front for the away side and if it wasn’t for the solid partnership of Gunners defenders David Dexter and Jack Green, FFA COE could’ve had two or three goals in before the 25-minute mark.
Tuggeranong United v Monaro Panthers – Match Postponed
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