Hat-trick from young star guides Stirling Rangers to cup glory in Albany Junior Soccer Association decider

The Albany Junior Soccer Association league winners Stirling Rangers were looking to get the double when they played their No.1 rivals in the under-15s cup on Saturday. In perfect conditions, Polonia got off to the better start. Polonia were incredibly compact in defence and Milla Trichilo led by example, putting in perfectly timed sliding tackles several times to deny the Rangers’ potent attack. Polonia had plenty of the ball in their attacking third but just lacked the final finish to reward the hard work. Rangers were relieved to go in at half-time goalless as Polonia had the opportunities to create a healthy lead. In the second half Polonia again came flying out of the traps but maybe out a little too desperate. They pushed one too many forward and that left the association’s fairest and best player and Stirling’s most dangerous striker Eh Ler space to capitalise on his first chance. He ran through to a one-on-one with the keeper and slotted it to give his side a 1-0 lead. At the restart, Polonia went for it but again they left themselves vulnerable for Eh Ler to double the lead. The second goal gave Rangers breathing space and they were able to control the match with Eh Ler topping off a fine season with a final goal for a hat-trick to win. A huge surprise occurred in the under-12s with Denmark Black winning to upset league champions Parklands. Parklands have an incredibly talented team and have been free scoring all season, but in the final they faced Mitchel Otway’s player-of-the match display in goal for Denmark. He couldn’t keep them out for the whole game with Kia Cross scoring two for Parklands. Those goals were cancelled out by Riley Bishop and Kai Taylor for a nailbiting finish and then Jamie McKenna scored a late winner for Denmark. The under-16s player of the season Sam Jeffery scored a first-half goal for Great Southern Griffins in their cup final against Rovers Black. They could have possibly scored a couple more had it not been for some fine keeping by Seth Collins. Griffins looked like they had the match under control but Rovers started to grow towards the tail-end. Then just before the final whistle the moment of the match was produced as a beautiful cross and a fine header by Jarrah Cartedge equalised for Rovers and send the tie to extra time. The teams couldn’t be separated in extra time and penalties were required to determine the winner. In a nailbiting affair Luke Roecker scored the final spot kick for Griffins to win the match 5-3. Caledonians thought they had it over their closest rivals and league winners Stirling Rangers in the under-13s. Caledonians were pumped from the start and Rangers looked rattled with Logan Fisher scoring for Caledonians. Rangers thought they equalised only for the goal to be waved away for offside and then Caledonians doubled their lead through Holly Froehnelt. In the second half Rangers were able to capitalise on some free kicks as Harry McPharlin scored two to get Rangers level. Duggan Wilkes broke the hearts of Caledonians when he scored the winner for Rangers late in the final. In the under-18s Albany Bayswater scored two goals in the first half through Brad Copeland in the cup final against Stirling Rangers. A late strike by Henry Goldsmith gave Rangers hope, but Bayswater survived to secure the win. In the under-14s Polonia Red capped off an unbeaten season with a 6-1 victory over Albany Rovers.