GSSA 2024: Polonia win penalty shootout to eliminate reigning champions Caledonians in first cup rounds

Caledonians won a nine-goal thriller over Polonia in round 10 of the Great Southern Soccer Association men’s division two on Saturday as the league started cup rounds across all divisions last week. After leading 3-1 at the half, Caledonians held off a Trevor Pocock-inspired Polonia to notch a stunning 5-4 win courtesy of a fantastic brace from Dylan Cook. Pocock bagged a hat-trick off the bench in his side’s loss, as Caledonians notched their third win of the season, while in the round’s other games, Rovers Black smashed Rovers Gold 9-1 and Bayswater defeated Phoenix 3-2. Polonia caused an almighty upset in the first round of the men’s division one cup on Thursday, June 13, by knocking ladder leaders and reigning cup champions Caledonians out of the tournament with a 5-4 win on penalties. After trailing 1-0 at the half, Polonia hit back in the second behind a superb strike from Kyron Figliomeni to force extra time before prevailing to advance to the second round against Bayswater. Meanwhile, Phoenix belted Stirling Rangers 5-0, advancing to face Rovers, with both games to be played on August 21. In the first round of the women’s division one cup on Monday, June 10, Phoenix eased past Polonia 7-0 to advance to the next round thanks to braces from Ebonee Van Burgel and Elisabeth Bosch, and Caledonians defeated Mt Barker 3-2. Caledonians will play Rovers and Denmark will square off against Phoenix, with both women’s division one round two cup games to be played on August 24. Caledonians overcame a slow start against Polonia in their round 10 clash of the men’s division one on Saturday before a three-goal second half powered them to a crushing 4-1 victory. Rovers hammered Stirling Rangers 8-1, bolstered by a sublime double hat-trick from Justin Bielecki. Meanwhile, a Corey Plug hat-trick steered Phoenix to a 4-2 triumph over Bayswater. In the women’s round 10 on Saturday, a Leah-Rose Winter brace helped Denmark cruise past Rovers to register a 3-0 victory, while Phoenix thumped the winless Polonia 11-0, with a double hat-trick from Emily Amoraal. In the final match of the round, Mt Barker and Caledonians were forced to share the points after being locked at 1-1 through 90 minutes.