Win helps Rovers close in on leaders

Rovers moved within five points of second-placed Phoenix after recording a 2-0 win over Albany-Bayswater in an enthralling round 10 contest in the Great Southern Soccer Association men’s open competition last Sunday.

Third-placed Rovers pushed league leaders Caledonians last week but went down 2-1.

However they recovered with a goal in each half to put away Albany-Bayswater this time.

Brad Chapman and striker Caldon Lortan both found the back of the net for Rovers as they won their fourth game of the season to get them within striking distance of Phoenix.

Last season’s league title winners Phoenix were unable to field seven players in their fixture against Caledonians on Saturday, forcing them to forfeit the match.

Caledonians surged seven points ahead in the standings as a result while in the other Saturday game, Polonia slammed home seven goals in their rout of bottom side Royals.

Jack McNamee and Jared Wiegele were both strong contributors, each netting a hat-trick in the 7-3 win while Cameron Spence was the other Polonia player to get on the score sheet.

Royals produced an impressive first half to trail Polonia 2-3 at the break but they were outclassed in the end with Nathan Griffiths, Jonathon Darby and Matias Alonso scoring the goals.

Last week in round 10 of the men’s masters competition, Caledonians stretched their unbeaten streak to 10 games after an 8-3 victory against The Vets.

Caledonians led by a goal at half-time but a four-goal effort from Liam Nyhan ensured their perfect record stays intact. Denmark beat Rovers Black 8-0, Old Boys thrashed Albany-Bayswater 10-0 and Polonia held off Cross Keys United 4-2 in the other results.

Not all round 10 fixtures were played in the women’s league A and women’s league B competitions last week because of school country week.