GSSA 2024: Rovers notch dominant win in division one, Caledonians drop first points in men’s title defence

Phoenix held off a determined Bayswater side on Saturday to remain at the top of the Great Southern Soccer Association men’s division two competition. Having not won a game since round three, Phoenix notched a 2-1 victory in their round five clash with Bayswater on the back of a strong showing in the first half. Phoenix powered to a 2-0 lead through the opening 45 minutes before the spirited Bayswater side hit back in the second with a goal of their own. In the other division two fixtures, Polonia defeated Caledonians 2-1 and Rovers Black claimed derby spoils with a 5-3 triumph over Rovers Gold. A Justin Bielecki hat-trick helped Rovers secure successive victories in the men’s division one on Saturday after smashing Stirling Rangers 5-0. Bradford Fakaafu and James Ngwero chipped in with a goal each, handing the winless Rangers their fifth straight loss of the campaign. Corey Plug, Jason Bosch and Malcolm Van Burgel each converted a goal in Phoenix’s 3-0 win over Bayswater. In the final match of the round, Polonia came excruciatingly close to causing an almighty upset after being level at 2-2 at the final whistle with ladder leaders Caledonians. Caledonians had not dropped a point up until this match and were in the box seat to secure yet another win after entering half time with a 1-0 lead. But when Polonia’s Escher Nash and Reuben Winter each netted one in the second half and Hudson Staer scored for Caledonians, they were forced to share the points. Last year’s women’s division one champions Denmark kept their undefeated start to the season alive on Friday evening with a comfortable 3-1 win over Mt Barker. Leading 2-1 at the half, Denmark extended their lead in the second to notch their fifth straight win thanks to goals from Lowana Winter, Lumeah Masih and Stella Gleeson. Calendonians notched a big 3-0 win over Phoenix courtesy of goals netted by Jessica Baines, Stephanie Grant and Maddison Manolini, registering their second consecutive clean sheet in the process, while Rovers thumped Polonia 9-1 behind braces from Georgia Whitelaw and Ruby Steele. In the women’s division two competition Polonia’s season went from bad to worse on Friday night after Sharks devoured their weary defence powering to a 9-0 triumph, Denmark Rezzies beat Caledonians 3-2 and Bayswater and Mt Barker drew nil-all. In the men’s division three, Polonia smashed Rovers 9-0 on Tuesday night, Griffins handed Bayswater a 7-0 defeat and Crosskeys beat Caledonians with a convincing 8-0 win. Rovers Vets bettered Phoenix 2-0, Old Boys were 4-0 victors over ACC and Denmark and Sharks had the bye.