By Matt Nicoletti

A three-goal first half from Canberra FC paved the way for a clinical win over Tigers FC on Sunday as the ladder leaders kept a clean sheet at Deakin Stadium.

On a perfect Sunday afternoon, it took only seven minutes for the home side to open the scoring as Jordan Lamb received a cross in the box before firing home past a scrambling Francis Bangweni in goals.

Tigers held a large swathe of possession but were unable to convert as they had a goal ruled out, before the hosts doubled their advantage after 23 minutes. Former A-League forward Kofi Danning was on hand at close range to tuck a great cross away into the bottom corner and make it 2-0. 

And less than two minutes later it was three, with Danning turning provider. The speedster beat his marker before making hay down the right wing, and his delicate cross to Niko Kresic was tucked home easily to have Canberra FC cruising ahead.

Tigers had their best chance yet on 35 minutes as Daniel Barac sent a header towards the top corner, only to see Sam Brown pop up with a terrific save to keep Tigers scoreless heading towards the break

With the half-time score remaining 3-0 Tigers needed to break out in the second half, however they nearly fell further behind fifteen minutes in. Danning again burst down the wing past his defender and into the box before laying the ball off past Bangweni to Thomas James.

James fired home but the goal was chalked off for offside and had yet another goal ruled out for offside on 77 minutes as the home side pushed to extend the lead.

Milan Popovich fired a testing effort from outside the box with eight minutes remaining only to see it blocked inside the area, and that was to be the last of Tigers’ chances as the match petered out.

The 3-0 win keeps Canberra FC atop the table, level on points with Canberra Olympic and facing the Centre of Excellence next week, while Tigers will look to bounce back against Belconnen United as they languish in sixth on the table.