Gungahlin United 0 def. by Riverina Rhinos 1 (Artur Rattel 55’)

The Riverina Rhinos threw the race for fourth wide open and completed a season double over Gungahlin United with a 1-0 victory at the AIS.

United came in to the game looking to tighten their grip on fourth ahead of the later games, while the Rhinos were aiming to break a winless streak stretching back to early in the season.

The game was a tight battle early, and apart from Ben Obst striking the upright a few minutes out from the break the first half was a largely uneventful affair.

The Rhinos turned the game though just 10 minutes into the second half though as Artur Rattel fired home after a sweeping move out wide was cut back to give his side an important lead.

United looked to get back into the game from there but were wary of being hit on the counter and the Rhinos held out to make the race for fourth spot even more convoluted.

United now host Tigers at Gungahlin Enclosed next week in a crunch matchup, while the Rhinos have the week off with a bye.

 

Belconnen United 1 (Lucas Mauragis 82’) drew. Woden-Weston 1 (Olaide Yinka-Kehinde 23’)

A late strike from Lucas Mauragis helped Belconnen United to a share of the points from an entertaining clash with Woden-Weston on Saturday night.

Full report here.

 

Monaro Panthers 0 def. by Canberra Olympic 5 (Domenic Giampalo 31’, 71’, Michael John 84’, Roko Strika 89’, Stephen Domenici 90+3’)

A brace from Domenic Giampaolo and a late flurry of goals helped Canberra Olympic to a convincing 5-0 win over Monaro Panthers on Sunday.

Both sides started well, and the game was a tight affair until Giampaolo grabbed his first goal after 31 minutes to give Olympic the lead. The Panthers were still in the game though, and fought back well to remain down by just a goal after the first 45 minutes.

The contest remained even heading into the second half although Mitch Weeden did well early on to deny Giampaolo twice and then the returning Stephen Domenici as Olympic looked to put on the pressure.

That pressure paid off with just under 20 minutes to play as Giampaolo scored his second of the match, and that opened up proceedings for the visitors. Michael John scored his seventh goal of the season with six minutes left to all but seal the match, before Roko Strika and Domenici added a goal each as the match entered stoppage time.

The win puts Olympic on top of the table ahead of a meeting with Woden-Weston next weekend, while Monaro remain on the bottom of the table as they get ready to face Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium.

 

Tigers FC 3 (Nicolas Villafane 28’, Mark Shields 72’, 77’) def. Tuggeranong United 1 (Aisosa Ihegie 46’)

Tigers FC picked up a crucial three points against Tuggeranong as a brace in the second half from Mark Shields gave them a 3-1 win in Cooma.

Tigers came out of the blocks strong and another goal to Nicolas Villafane just ahead of the half hour mark put them ahead, and that was enough to have them in the lead by a goal at the half-time break.

But Tuggeranong were back in the game just a minute into the second half as Aisosa Ihegie continued his great season with a tidy finish to level proceedings at Nijong and leave the game poised evenly.

The second half wore on with both sides trading chances and looking to take the upper hand, but it was not until the 72 minute mark that the deadlock was broken as Mark Shields scored from a corner.

And five minutes later Shields was at it again to double the advantage, and that was enough to see Tigers home to the end of 90 minutes. The loss means Tuggeranong end the round in third spot before a meeting with Belconnen United next weekend, while Tigers are right back in the hunt for fourth spot and meet Gungahlin next weekend who are just a single point ahead.