GSSA 2023: Caledonians’ league title bid boosted with crucial win over men’s division one rivals Rovers

Caledonians have taken a big step in their bid to secure the Great Southern Soccer Association division one men’s title, easing past Rovers 3-0 on Saturday night. The top side need just one win from their three remaining fixtures to clinch the division one league title. Two first-half goals set the tone for the title fancies, with Rovers struggling to make an impact in their final third, kept scoreless across the 90 minutes of play. Caledonians’ Oliver Trichilo opened the scoring in the early stages of the first half, curling a brilliant free kick into the top-right corner. Joseph Love nearly doubled that advantage minutes later, with his off-balance attempt rattling into the side netting. Rovers let out a sigh of relief when Trichillo’s second free kick attempt failed to edge back on target but they were under considerable pressure. The game ebbed and flowed, with Rovers then finding their own path to goal, slicing through the channels despite an inability to find a cutting final ball into the box. Caledonians hit back on the counter, and it was Trent Eikelboom who put his side further in front, leaping above the Rovers’ defence to head his attempt past the goalkeeper at the back post. Eikelboom hobbled from the ground in the later stages of the first half following an injury in midfield. Justin Bilecki was afforded a half chance in the opening stages of the second half but that was gobbled up by the goalkeeper, along with several other entries. Caledonians sealed the result in the second half, with a classy finish from Trichilo wrapping things up. The ladder leaders have a chance to seal the title in their match against Stirling Rangers this Saturday. Meanwhile, Polonia defeated Bayswater 3-2, with a brace from Jason Wilson and a goal from Cole McKee proving the difference, despite Henry Goldsmith and Matthew Walmsley hitting the scoresheet for Bayswater. In the men’s division two competition, Phoenix upset top-of-the-table Rovers to claim a 5-1 win, with Daniel Roth (two goals), Nathan Devos, Noah Van Der Schaaf and Lachy T’Hart among the scorers. Bayswater prevailed 3-0 over Polonia. In the women’s division one competition on Friday night, Mt Barker removed all doubt to win a second league in as many years, sealing back-to-back division one titles with a gruelling 1-0 win over Caledonians. Libby Morris scored from a corner in the second half before sound defending kept out an equaliser. Rovers’ Melina Franklin, Georgia Whitelaw, Carys Nichols and Megan Green chipped in with a goal each in their 4-0 victory over Sharks. In women’s division two results, Polonia cruised to a 6-2 win over Stirling Rangers, Phoenix edged to a 2-1 win over Denmark Rezzies, and Caledonians drew with Denmark Carnabys 1-1.