Npl capital football yearbook 2013

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE: CAPITAL FOOTBALL OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2013 The inaugural National Premier League: Capital Football season brought much drama both on and off the field as nine clubs strived for glory and the chance to participate in the first-ever National Premier League Finals series that pitted the best against the best Australia-wide.

There were some inspired displays and some insipid displays. Experienced campaigners stood up and new faces emerged from the youth set-ups throughout the competition. And there would be a fairytale ending in the Grand Final as a veteran, called out of retirement on the eve of the first round kicking off, decided the game in thrilling fashion in extra-time.

This review brings all the drama of the 2013 National Premier League: Capital Football season to life. Round by round reviews offer match reports and statistics on EVERY match played in the year culminating in an explosive finals series that defied most pre-season predictions. There’s also a club by club season review and a round by round analysis of the Federation Cup. In all, it’s the indispensible review of a scintillating campaign.

National Premier League: Capital Football Official Yearbook 2013 is © Capital Football GENERAL MEDIA ENQUIRIES Russ Gibbs Media & Communications Manager M: 0408 690 245 P: (02) 6175 7111 E: media@capitalfootball.com.au Designed, written and edited

by Russ Gibbs Photographs courtesy of Glenn Dawson, Canberra Times and Capital Football

STOP PRESS National Premier League: Finals Series Sydney United 2 (Marcin Zygmunt 4’ (og), Adam Bilic 56’) Canberra FC 1 (Adam Spaleta 28’) Sydney United: 1. Paul HENDERSON, 3. Benjamin JURMAN, 4. Nathan SHERLOCK, 6. Mitchell STAMATELLIS, 7. Mirjan PAVLOVIC (11. Luka GLAVAS 90’), 16. Stejpan PARIC (2. Mitchell SPEER 51’), 18. Glen TRIFIRO, 19. Mathew BILIC, 20. Ibrahim HAYDAR, 22. Daniel BARAC, 23. Ante TOMIC (5. Calum O’CONNELL 83’) Substitutes not used: 8. Yuichi YAMAYUCHI, 30. Jordan JENNINGS (GK) Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE (9. Philippe BERNABO 68’), 11. Ivan PAVLAK (13. Daniel BENNETT 43’), 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matthew GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes not used: 4. Marko VRKIC, 5. Julian BORGNA, 18. Anthony DIMOSKI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: ), 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matthew GRBESA (Canberra FC) RED CARDS: 22. Daniel BARAC (Sydney United) Referee: Steve Lucas, Assistant Referees: Andre Giev & Tom Lee, Fourth Official: Chris Young SYDNEY UNITED WENT ON TO WIN THE NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE FINALS SERIES FOR 2013

Canberra FC—National Premier League Capital Football League Champions 2013 Under the tutelage of Head Coach Miro Trninic Canberra FC regained the League Championship trophy they had lost in 2012 with a series of exemplary displays throughout the course of 2013. Their success was a record 21st League Championship for the club who previously won titles as SC Hope, Croatia Deakin and Canberra Deakin.

CONTENTS

PAGE

SEASON REVIEW …….………………………………………………..

5

ROUNDS 1-25 …………………………………………………………..

6

SEMI-FINALS ..………………………………………………………….

56

PRELIMINARY FINAL ………………………………………………..

57

GRAND FINAL ………………………………………………………….

58

FULL SEASON RESULTS …………………………………………….

61

CLUB FOCUS …………………………………………………………….

AIS ……………………………………………………………….

Belconnen United …………………………………………

Canberra City ……………………………………………….

Canberra FC ………………………………………………….

Canberra Olympic …………………………………………

Cooma Tigers ………………………………………………..

Monaro Panthers ………………………………………….

Tuggeranong United ……………………………………..

Woden Valley ………………………………………………..

63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72

FINAL TABLE & GOLDEN BOOT …………………………………..

73

FEDERATION CUP 2013 ………………………………………………

74

For the first time every Premier League player was able to vote on the National Premier League Team of the Year from a short-list of nominated players, selected by the coaches of each respective Premier League team. The coaches nominated two players per position from which the short-list was created. Every player who had appeared in a Premier League match was then invited to vote on the team of the year, selecting players in a 4-3-3 formation. There were a number of teething troubles with the initial selection, due to some players not receiving advice on how to vote, but the concept was a sound one. The following was the team selected by the players who did vote.

National Premier League – All-Star X1 1 Ben KLUG

4 Jack GREEN

5 Harry PETTIT

3 Ivan PAVLAK

2 Milan POPOVICH

6 David KEMP

7 Sam McDONALD

8 Matt MENSER

10 Philippe BERNABO-MADRID

9 Dustin WELLS

11 Derek OELMANN

COACH Dean UGRINIC

Perhaps the major surprise was that Grand Final winners Canberra Olympic did not have one representation in the Team of the Year. Whether this was due to the voting process or the team being greater than the sum of their parts is a debatable point. The Coach of the Year was decided by the Head Coaches of all National Premier League teams who voted at the end of the season. The votes were calculated and the winner was announced at the Premier Awards Evening held at the Hellenic Club in Woden on Thursday 10th October 2013 where the National Premier League Team of the Year was also revealed. The same awards event also handed out the Golden Boot award to Woden Valley striker Derek Oelmann (see page 73 for more details) who netted 29 goals for the season. On the same night the Premier League Referee of the Year award was presented to Richard Naumovski who also refereed the Grand Final in 2013, his sixth consecutive Grand Final as match referee.

It was the season that promised plenty. A new moniker for the elite competition in the national capital saw the men’s Premier League rebranded in line with the FFA’s new National Premier League structure and the eight licence holders in the ACT were joined by the AIS for a nine team competition. The Institute would play everyone twice whilst all the other teams would meet three times. And, whilst the fixture list led an often-quirky feel to the competition, the standard of football was exceptional as many new talents emerged alongside the traditional old guard. At the commencement of the season the smart money was on the usual suspects.

Canberra FC had bolstered their squad with the inclusion of Alex Oloriegbe from Grand Final winners Cooma Tigers and a new goalkeeper in Adam Perakovic. Perakovic replaced Ben Klug who transferred to Belconnen United, the 2012 League Champions keeping faith the majority of the squad that brought them the Championship crown. Cooma Tigers still looked strong, despite the loss of Oloriegbe to one of their main rivals whilst Canberra Olympic had been the big shakers in the market attracting Mark Shields from Tuggeranong United, Futsalroo international Daniel Fulton and ACTAS graduate Joshua Gaspari amongst others. Elsewhere Woden Valley brought in another American, Derek Oelmann who, after a slow start was to burst spectacularly to life in front of goal.

Woden, spurred by the goals of Oelmann who cantered to the Golden Boot on the back of some sensational goalscoring feats, would go on to make their maiden finals appearance playing some outstanding football in a 4-3-3 system that showcased the numerous talents at their disposal, most notably Connor Nolan, Jason Ugrinic and Regan Walsh whose creativity allowed Oelmann the opportunities to fire his team into the top four. There they would be joined by Canberra Olympic who stumbled after a strong start with a mid-season slump costing them any hopes of the title. Joel Valtonen was a rock in central defence and Shields scored the goals which he had been bought for. The feeling was however that Olympic had missed out on a big chance to win the League crown.

Qualifying for finals gave them a chance to remedy that situation.

Over at McKellar Park Belconnen United had got off to a wobbly start losing three of their first four matches after being handed a tough schedule in the opening weeks. With a settled squad and led by skipper Taylor Beaton and the indomitable Dustin Wells, they were always likely to bounce back and even the loss of Head Coach Steve Forshaw in mid-season, he was replaced by Lou Gaspari, didn’t half their midseason surge that took them to second on the ladder. Results included a win at Deakin Stadium against the eventual champions in a memorable comeback. But at the top end of the table it was all about Canberra FC, Champions for the 21st time and in some style, wrapping up the League title with a 7-2 walloping of Cooma Tigers at the notoriously difficult Nijong Oval.

Their success was based on a fast-paced attacking game and the goals of their dynamic trio of Oloriegbe, Philippe Bernabo and the rejuvenated Domenic Giampaolo. Between them the forwards wreaked havoc across the division and ensured that any perceived defensive frailties would be addressed. At the back the champions defended stoically and were well marshaled by Marcin Zygmunt with young Jordan Lamb enjoying a fine year.

Outside of the finals positions it was Cooma Tigers who threatened to break into the four. The Tigers had some outstanding players, most notably Robbie Cattanach and latterly Stephen Domenici who missed much of the season through injury. The return of the ACT representative spurred the Tigers but it was too late for them to make an impact on the leading pack. The consolation of a Federation Cup Final was something positive to take from the campaign in which there was the emergence of young talents such as Liam Highmore to build on for 2014.

Monaro Panthers enjoyed a better 2013 improving considerably on their finish of twelve months previously and unearthing some real gems under the joint stewardship of Njegosh Popovich and Frank Cachia. A brace of 3-2 victories over Cooma Tigers and a 2-0 win over Woden Valley indicated their potential but perhaps their best performance of the campaign was the remarkable 4-1 hammering of Belconnen United at the Riverside Stadium. The Blue Devils were undone by the pace and potency of Monaro on the counter-attack with Pepe Varga shining. Varga top scored for the Panthers with a double figure haul and could be one to watch in years to come.

For the remainder of the competition it was a tough old year. Tuggeranong United may have reached the Federation Cup Final but their League form was inconsistent to say the least. With Head Coach John Bull departing mid-season, Martin Lategui came in, initially on an interim basis, and had United playing some thoughtful football utilising the undoubted skills of Muad Zwed to their full. It’s still very much a work in progress for Tuggeranong but their cup exploits prove that they have what it takes on the day to mix it with the top four and some astute acquisitions over the summer will no doubt improve their lot. Canberra City meanwhile were handed the schedule from hell in the opening weeks and, once slumping to successive defeats, found it hard to gain any real momentum. Injuries to key playmaker Pat Ross-Magee didn’t help matters but in Sam McDonald they had one of the NPL’s best in 2013. Returning to action late in the season Ross-Magee helped City to a steady finish with Adam Dobell also excelling.

And then there was the AIS. Admitted to the competition for the first time in a number of years the Institute were a welcome addition with their excellent playing field at the AIS causing envious glances their way. As you would expect their team was full of talented players who, after finding their feet in the competition, put in a series of performances that should stand them in good stead for their National Youth League campaign.

Sunday 10th March 2013 Canberra FC 8 (Alex Oloriegbe 3’, 46’, 79’, Domenic Giampaolo 17’, 53’, Philippe Bernarbo 40’ (pen), 45’, Matt Grbesa 91’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Muad Zwed 82’) Canberra FC romped to an opening day 8-1 victory over Tuggeranong United at Deakin Stadium showing ruthlessness in front of goal to claim a big win. The writing was on the wall for Tuggeranong as early as the third minute when Alex Oloriegbe, on debut, spun away from his marker and accelerated to finish with Tuggeranong was under siege. By half -time the score was 4-0 as Philippe Bernarbo aplomb. Domenic Giampaolo curled in a beautiful second on 17th minute and from then on won, and converted a penalty, before heading home a second from a corner in the last minute of the half. Oloriegbe took 43 seconds to add to the scoreboard at the commencement of the second half before Giampaolo confidently completed his brace, cutting inside his marker to slot home.

Oloriegbe, signed from Cooma Tigers in the summer, was on hand to rack up an opening day treble as the score went out to 7-0 in the 79th minute. United had some consolation as Muad Zwed marked his league bow in green with a late strike but there was still time for Canberra FC to add more as Matt Grbesa rose highest to meet a superbly lofted Josip Jadric cross and round out the scoring in stoppage time and lay down a marker that the former title holders are hungry to get the trophy back.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Julian BORGNA, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 19. Philippe BERNARBO, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 5. Jordan LAMB, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Daniel PEKEVSKI, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Alex WEBER, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Sean MURPHY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 12. Tim IRESON, 13. Dragan STEGNJAIC Substitutes used: 4. Zac LAWRENCE, 11. Mark DI BITONTO, 14. Tim ANDERSON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 13. Daniel BENNETT (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Brett Woodford, Nia Southwell Sunday 10th March 2013 Canberra City 2 (Reece Veenhoven 5’, Sam McDonald 33’) Belconnen United 4 (Michael Taurasi 19’, own goal 25’, Dustin Wells 30’, 89’ (pen)) League Champions Belconnen United got the defence of their title underway with a 4-2 victory over Canberra City at Hawker Football Centre but were made to fight every inch of the way by the hosts with victory not secured until a penalty award in the last minute. Dustin Wells blasted in his second of the match after the ball was adjudged to strike an arm of a defender to seal the points for Steve Forshaw’s team with the Blue Devils deserved of the maximum return despite City’s best efforts.

Earlier new-boy Reece Veenhoven had marked his debut with a spectacular dipping shot in the 5 th minute that left Ben Klug helpless to give City the lead. Belconnen responded with a fine equaliser from Michael Taurasi, rounding James Ward to slot home, before the lively striker forced an own goal when his cut back was diverted into the City net by a defender. Wells then struck a wonderful third for the Blue Devils only for Sam McDonald to continue his remarkable run of scoring form from pre-season with another goal to make it 3-2 at half-time. Chances came and went in the second stanza, as the tempo and pace slowed on an oppressive afternoon on the synthetic field, before Wells banged home the spot-kick that took the game, finally, away from a City side that showed they can be a real force in 2013.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 9. Luke HARTIN, 10. Ben HARRINGTON, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Liam CHANDLER, 17. Andrew MANLEY Substitutes used: 4. David DEXTER, 12. Grant DAVOREN, 16. Matt RICE Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. Zach MUNSTER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Reece VEENHOVEN (Canberra City), 4. Zach MAYBURY, 6. David ARRANZ (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Daniel Rajic, Sam Ockerby

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH David ARRANZ Canberra City 2 Belconnen United 4 (Hawker Football Centre), 10/03/13

Sunday 10th March 2013 Monaro Panthers 1 (Tom McLachlan 45') Canberra Olympic 8 (Mark Shields 28', 34', 36' (pen), 75', Victor Yanes 55', 77', 79', Robbie Schroder 90') A four-goal haul to new striker Mark Shields was the highlight as Canberra Olympic started their 2013 National Premier Leagues: Capital Football campaign with an 8-1 hammering of Monaro Panthers on a difficult surface at the Riverside Stadium. Shields netted a hat-trick inside the opening forty-five minutes to kill off the Panthers who had looked lively in the opening quarter, competing well and causing the Olympic defence problems. Indeed, when Tom McLachlan pulled a goal back right on the stroke of half-time there were slim hopes of a remarkable comeback but Olympic soon quelled any thoughts of that with Victor Yanes and Shields ripping the home defence to shreds in the second stanza. Yanes hit the net three times himself and Shields added a fourth as the score line blew out. In fact if it hadn’t been for the heroics of veteran shot-stopper Tony Giannasca in goal for the Panthers, in place of the suspended James Bradbury, the result could have been even worse. As it was there was an eighth goal for the visitors, headed in by Robbie Schroder, talked out of retirement by Head Coach Leo Exarhos to help with Olympic’s defensive issues for the next few weeks. The Panthers will regroup but Olympic look impressive and full of goals in what was a perfect start.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Tony GIANNASCA, 2. Sam OSATTO, 3. Jake STEIN, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 7. Paul IVANIC, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 15. Tyson COTTAM Substitutes used: 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 33. Andrew ALIFFI Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Victor YANES, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Joel VALTONEN, 17. Chris NIKITAS, 19. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 9. Lukas COLE, 18. Yianni KARABALIS, 38. Nikolas NIKITAS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Josh CALABRIA, 9. Pepe VARGA, 12. Danny BYRNE, 33. Andrew ALIFFI (Monaro Panthers), 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Alex McConachie, Peter Chapman Tuesday 2nd April 2013 Woden Valley 1 (Regan Walsh 67’) Cooma Tigers 0 A sublime free-kick midway through the second half from Regan Walsh secured a memorable 1-0 upset win for Woden Valley over Cooma Tigers at Hawker Football Centre in their Round 1 catch-up match. Walsh struck in spectacular fashion in the 67th minute, arching a beautifully placed shot over the wall and beyond the reach of the diving Costas Fallas in the Tigers goal, to give Woden their first win of the season and inflict a first on-field loss on Cooma since Round 13 last season. And Woden was well worth their victory despite Cooma having a handful of chances to claim a point. Robbie Cattanach was the Tigers biggest threat, shooting wide of goal in the 3 rd minute from the angle and crashing a shot against the post close to half-time but, in truth, chances were sporadic for Cooma as the Woden defence, marshalled by Ben Pagett, Mitch Stevens and John Gibson stood firm. Liam Walsh was a revelation in the defensive midfield role, constantly on the move and breaking up Cooma attacks, as Dean Ugrinic made a tactical re-shuffle with young Zach Harrigan handed a first start of the season. The Tigers almost stole a point in stoppage time when Cattanach danced his way past three challenges before flicking a superb pass to Jair Wilk, but Evan Alexandrow-Ridley in the Woden goal stood firm and blocked the shot with his chest to give the Valley side the victory.

Woden Valley: 33. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Liam WALSH, 10. Stephen LEE, 22. Zach HARRIGAN, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 11. Dicky BETTAY, 13. Luke McGRATH, 14. David JENKINS Cooma Tigers: 18. Costas FALLAS, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Felipe FLORES, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Marc O’NEILL, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. JP D’AMBROSIO, 15. Dom COLUCCIELLO Substitutes used: 13. Glen CABLE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 33. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Allyson Flynn, Sam Nixon HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 1 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

1

1

0

0

8

1

+7

3

2

Canberra Olympic

1

1

0

0

8

1

+7

3

3

Belconnen United

1

1

0

0

4

2

+2

3

4

AIS

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Saturday 16th March 2013 Canberra Olympic 3 (Mark Shields 15’, 46’, Lukas Cole 52’) Tuggeranong United 2 (Matt Menser 41’ (pen), Tim Stewart 90+5’) A double from Mark Shields against his old club gave Canberra Olympic a 3-2 success over Tuggeranong United in the first match of Round 2 of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football on Saturday evening. Shields proved too hot to handle at Hawker Football Centre, running the Tuggeranong defence a merry dance, and nearly grabbing a second successive hat-trick as he moved onto six goals for the season. The in-form striker gave his side the lead in the 15th minute and, but for some great goalkeeping from Jack Pettit, Olympic may have been out of sight by half-time. As it was Tuggeranong continued to battle on and grabbed an equaliser five before the break when Matt Menser found the target from the penalty spot.

Parity was to last just a couple of minutes into the second half as Shields stole in again to restore Olympic’s lead. A maiden NPL goal for Lukas Cole before the hour had Olympic comfortably in control despite United’s best efforts to get back into the match. Indeed, Angelo Konstantinou had to be alert on a number of occasions to deny Tuggeranong a route back into the contest proving an insurmountable obstacle for the visitors front-line. United finally found a way past the Olympic shot-stopper in stoppage time as Tim Stewart strode clear to finish confidently, but by then it was too late and Olympic marched on to their second victory of the season.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Victor YANES, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Joel VALTONEN, 15. Chris NIKITAS, 16. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 18. Nathan TIDMARSH Substitutes used: 8. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 17. Trent FLANIGAN, 19. Daniel FULTON Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Daniel PEKEVSKI, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dragan STEGNJAIC, 7. Matt MENSER, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 8. Martin CORUJO, 13. Mark DI BITONTO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic), 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 12. Tim IRESON (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Anton Churchyard, Gordon McDonald Sunday 17th March 2013 Canberra City 2 (Pat Ross-Magee 13’, Ben Harrington 80’) Woden Valley 0 Following defeat in their opening match last weekend, Canberra City got their first 2013 National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season victory as they saw off Woden Valley 2-0 in a competitive match at Hawker Football Centre on Sunday afternoon. A goal in each half was enough for City to take the points and condemn Woden to a loss in their first outing of 2013. The match was a reasonably tight affair with little to choose between the teams although it was felt that City always had the edge on their opponents. Nick Palagyi’s team got off to the best possible start when they took the lead in only the thirteenth minute of the match as Pat Ross-Magee, so often the catalyst for his team, worked the space to fire his side ahead with his first goal of the season. Woden responded well but offered little threat to James Ward in the City goal in the opening half, although they did make the City custodian work in the second stanza. A 1-0 lead was a precarious position for City to be in and therefore they were extremely relieved when they struck again ten minutes from time. Former Woden player Ben Harrington did the damage against his former club to secure the points for City and move them onto the tail of the top four at this early stage.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSSMAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 9. Henry WILLIAMS, 10. Ben HARRINGTON, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Liam CHANDLER Substitutes used: 12. Grant DAVOREN, 14. Luke HARTIN Woden Valley: 33. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Brendan DIMESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Julien RENARD, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 13. Dicky BETTAY Substitutes used: 12. Liam WALSH, 14. Zach HARRIGAN, 17. Luke McGRATH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Reece VEENHOVEN (Canberra City), 8. Connor NOLAN (Woden Valley) RED CARD: 14. Zach HARRIGAN (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Pat Caggiano, Delfina Dimoski

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Felipe FLORES Monaro Panthers 0 Cooma Tigers 5 (Riverside Stadium), 17/03/13 Daniel BEAUMONT Tuggeranong United 2 Canberra Olympic 3 (Hawker Football Centre), 16/03/13

Sunday 17th March 2013 Canberra FC 2 (Philippe Bernabo 45’, Ian Graham 58’) Belconnen United 0 Goals from Philippe Bernabo and Ian Graham secured Canberra FC a 2-0 win over Belconnen United at Deakin Stadium in the clash of the giants on Sunday afternoon. Bernabo netted on the stroke of half-time with a thunderbolt of a strike that scorched past former Canberra FC goalkeeper Ben Klug to give his team the lead whilst Graham rounded off a neat move by powering home an Ivan Pavlak cut back in the 58th minute to secure the points. It could, and perhaps should, have been so much different though as the Blue Devils butchered a brace of great opportunities within minutes of each other inside the opening ten minutes. Firstly Michael Taurasi seemed certain to score, doing everything right as he rounded Adam Perakovic in the FC goal only to lose his footing at an inopportune moment with the goal at his mercy.

Barely moments later Belconnen were in again but Michael Reeve blazed over the crossbar when clean through one-on-one. Canberra FC are never one to forgive such profligacy but they missed a sitter of their own when Alex Oloriegbe somehow steered an effort past the post after Bernabo’s cross-shot had beaten Klug. When a goal finally came it was worthy of the occasion as Bernabo did his best Cristiano Ronaldo impression with a stunning, swerving strike from 30 metres and when Graham added the second there was no way back for the Blue Devils.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Julian BORGNA, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 19. Philippe BERNABO, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 4. Adam AL-ADHAMI, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. Zach MUNSTER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 19. Philippe BERNABO (Canberra FC), 6. David ARRANZ, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Alex McConachie, Nia Southwell Sunday 17th March 2013 Monaro Panthers 0 Cooma Tigers 5 (Robbie Cattanach 17’, 40’, 65’, 71’, Jair Wilk 25’) Grand Final winners Cooma Tigers started their National Premier Leagues: Capital Football campaign with a 5-0 win over Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium in Queanbeyan on Sunday afternoon. And, whilst the score line gives the impression of a comfortable win, the Panthers were unfortunate not to end up closer on the scoreboard. Paul Ivanic could have given the home team a dream start but missed from the penalty spot before Robbie Cattanach started his personal demolition of the home team by scoring the first of four goals. Even the loss of Stephen Domenici couldn’t de-rail the Tigers as his replacement, Jair Wilk, made it 2-0. Cattanach had his second before the interval as Cooma ramped up the pace. Monaro was unfortunate to see a Jon Toole effort disallowed with the same player then cannoning a shot back off the crossbar, but it was one of those days for the Panthers. A quickly taken free-kick from Cattanach brought up the Tigers striker’s hat-trick and he wasn’t finished there, bagging a fourth goal nineteen minutes from time to round out a satisfactory opening to the season for Gaby Wilk’s team. The Panthers battled until the end and will surely get more luck next time out.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 7. Paul IVANIC, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 33. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK Cooma Tigers: 12. Costas FALLAS, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Eric BONNETT, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. JP D’AMBROSIO, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Goran MUKEVSKI, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 14. Jair WILK, 15. Marc O’NEILL, 17. Felipe FLORES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Sam OSATTO (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Daniel Rajic, Daniel Ruiz HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 2 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

2

2

0

0

10

1

+9

6

2

Canberra Olympic

2

2

0

0

11

3

+8

6

3

Cooma Tigers

1

1

0

0

5

0

+5

3

4

Belconnen United

2

1

0

1

4

4

0

3

Saturday 23rd March 2013 Tuggeranong United 1 (Daniel Beaumont 86’) Cooma Tigers 5 (Eric Bonnett 1’, Goran Josifovski 12’, 45’, Dom Colucciello 68’, Serdan Bircan 90’)

Cooma Tigers overcame a stubborn nine-man Tuggeranong United to remain unbeaten in the National Premier League. United, who saw Matt Menser and Aaron Cashman sent off in the 26th minute battled bravely in the circumstances and, but for some wayward finishing, would have finished much closer on the score board. Eric Bonnett gave the Tigers the perfect start, heading home after only fifty seconds from an early corner to stun the home crowd.

Goran Josifovski then pounced on a loose ball in the area to blast home the second in the 12th minute before moment that killed the match as a contest. Menser brought down Josifovski, who was clean through on goal, and received a straight red card with Cashman following for abusive language after remonstrating with the official. Playing with a two-man advantage it took Cooma until the brink of half-time to add a third as Josifovski tapped in from close range. Dom Colucciello then headed the fourth goal off another corner in the 68 th minute before United gained a deserved consolation, Daniel Beaumont lifting a deft lob over the advancing Costas Fallas. The Tigers weren’t done just yet and Serdan Bircan prodded the fifth goal off the post in the dying embers to complete a comfortable win that was never in doubt once the dismissals had numerically reduced the home team to nine.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Daniel PEKEVSKI, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Alex WEBER, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Martin CORUJO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY Substitutes used: 12. Danny MOUTREY, 14. Mark DI BITONTO Cooma Tigers: 12. Costas FALLAS, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Eric BONNETT, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. JP D’AMBROSIO, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Goran MUKEVSKI Substitutes used: 13. Jared TONINI, 14. Felipe FLORES, 15. Marc O’NEILL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI (Cooma Tigers) RED CARDS: 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 7. Matt MENSER (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Owen Watson, Clive Harfield Sunday 24th March 2013 Belconnen United 0 Canberra Olympic 1 (Oliver Wiederkehr 21’) A single goal midway through the first half from Oliver Wiederkehr ensured that Canberra Olympic remained 100% at the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football table after a hard fought 1-0 win over Belconnen United. The flying winger arrived to turn home from close range following a Mark Shields break and cross and that proved the decisive moment of the match. The Blue Devils lost skipper Taylor Beaton just before the half-time break as the combative midfielder was sent off for a second caution received in the opening half leaving Steve Forshaw’s team up against it. They hardly looked like they were down to ten men though as they fought tooth and claw to try and get back into the match. Indeed, but for a superb diving save from Angelo Konstantinou to deny Cameron Reinhart with eight minutes to play, they may well have come away with a point. Going forward Olympic’s much vaunted attack was nullified by the defensive screening of Zach Maybury and Elliot Zwangobani with Ben Klug under-employed. However, Olympic did just enough to take the points courtesy of Wiederkehr’s strike. The defeat leaves Belconnen in fourth place, six points off the leaders at this early stage.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7.

Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 12. Michael REEVE Substitutes used: 8. David KEMP, 14. Matt VALERI, 16. Callum BEATON Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Victor YANES, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Daniel FULTON, 17. Joel VALTONEN, 18. Matt CACHIA, 19. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 8. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 30. Lukas COLE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. David ARRANZ, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 12. Michael REEVE (Belconnen United), 18. Matt CACHIA (Canberra Olympic) RED CARD: 7. Taylor BEATON (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Owen Goldrick, Matt Cropper

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH—James WARD Canberra FC 4 Canberra City 0 (Deakin Stadium), 24/03/13 50th MATCH—Serdan BIRCAN Cooma Tigers 5 Tuggeranong United 1 (Hawker Football Centre), 23/03/13

Sunday 24th March 2013 Canberra FC 4 (Domenic Giampaolo 12’, Alex Oloriegbe 48’, 75’ Philippe Bernabo 54’) Canberra City 0 Canberra FC continued their perfect start to the season with an emphatic 4-0 win over Canberra City at Deakin Stadium. The early league leaders were, once more, in good form in the final third, taking advantage of any City slip-ups to post the win. Domenic Giampaolo gave the home team the lead in the twelfth minute following good approach work by Philippe Bernabo. That was as good as it got for Canberra FC in the opening stanza but they put their foot down after the break. Alex Oloriegbe netted the second three minutes after the re-start and when Bernabo crashed home his fourth of the season six minutes later the game was as good as won.

Oloriegbe made certain of the points fifteen minutes from full-time with the fourth goal and James Ward was latterly called into action to make a number of saves. City did threaten sporadically and Adam Dobell saw a brace of chances go close to breaching Adam Perakovic’s goal but to no avail. The four goal margin meant that Canberra FC kept the leadership of the division after three rounds on goal difference from Canberra Olympic with both teams on nine points. City meanwhile remains mid-table having faced fixtures against Belconnen United and Canberra FC. Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 14. Josip JADRIC Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 9. Luke HARTIN, 10. Ben HARRINGTON, 12. Grant DAVOREN, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Liam CHANDLER Substitutes used: 14. Henry WILLIAMS, 17. Andrew MANLEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Ian GRAHAM (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Alex McConachie, David Rowell Sunday 24th March 2013 Monaro Panthers 2 (Pepe Varga 9’, Tom McLachlan 49’) Woden Valley 0 Monaro Panthers recorded their first victory since Round 8 last season with a 2-0 win over a struggling Woden Valley at the Riverside Stadium breaking a streak of 15 winless matches. The result lifts the Panthers up to the heady heights of sixth place after three rounds of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football whilst Woden is yet to score a goal or point after two matches.

And it doesn’t get any easier for Woden who faces Cooma Tigers in their next match, a catch up fixture on Tuesday 2nd April. Monaro was well worth their win and Woden can have few complaints about the result. The hosts got off to a dream start taking the lead in only the ninth minute.

Jonathon Toole went close before Pepe Varga struck. It was a particularly sweet goal for Varga against his former club and was met with jubilant scenes in the stands. Both teams went close following the opener but Varga’s goal remained the difference at half-time. Leading only 1-0 the game was in the balance and so it was with great relief that Monaro doubled their lead four minutes into the second half. Busy midfielder Tom McLachlan was the man of the moment, arriving to drive home his second goal of the season. That proved to be crucial as Woden lost Connor Nolan to a red card in the 80th minute and with him went any hopes of a faint comeback.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 4. Jonathan REIS, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 8. Nick LEVANAT, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 19. Bradley GREEN Woden Valley: 33. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 11. Deckey BETTAY, 13. Luke McGRATH, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 9. Lucas FUHRMANN, 14. David JENKINS, 22. Liam WALSH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 13. Adrian CANIZARES (Monaro Panthers) RED CARD: 8. Connor NOLAN (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Justin Cho, Matt Byrne

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 3 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

3

3

0

0

14

1

+13

9

2

Canberra Olympic

3

3

0

0

12

3

+9

9

3

Cooma Tigers

2

2

0

0

10

1

+9

6

4

Belconnen United

3

1

0

2

4

5

-1

3

Saturday 6th April 2013 Cooma Tigers 2 (Robbie Cattanach 15’, Jair Wilk 60’) Belconnen United 1 (Michael Taurasi 23’) Cooma Tigers inflicted a third successive defeat on Belconnen United claiming a 2-1 win at Nijong Oval thanks to a winning goal from Jair Wilk. Wilk pounced on the hour, turning the ball into the net from close range after a Robbie Cattanach free-kick had bounced back off the post, to give Cooma a priceless three points and keep the Tigers close to the top of the ladder. Missing several of their key players, including Stephen Domenici, Iain Elliott and Goran Josifovski, Cooma started brightly and took the lead after a quarter of an hour. Young tyro Goran Mukevski was the creator, bursting to the by-line before beating his marker and cutting the ball back for Cattanach to net his fifth goal of the season. Far from being fazed Belconnen hit back within eight minutes as Michael Taurasi found the space to draw the Blue Devils level with his second goal of the season.

Both teams created chances after that to claim a lead going into the break but the score remained deadlocked at 1-1. The Tigers eventually made the crucial breakthrough in the 60 th minute and, despite some late pressure from the visitors, who threatened to equalise, Cooma held on for a vital win. The pressure will now mount for Belconnen now who’ll be desperate to get back to winning ways in Round 5.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 8. JP D’AMBROSIO, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Felipe FLORES Substitutes used: 13. Marco GAYER, 14. Glen CABLE, 16. Marc O’NEILL Belconnen United: 1. Jack KAYE, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. David KEMP, 12. Michael REEVE, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 7. Callum SMITH, 15. Zach MUNSTER, 16. Callum BEATON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. David ARRANZ (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Owen Goldrick, Sam Nixon Sunday 7th April 2013 Canberra FC 9 (James Field 17’, Ivan Pavlak 29’, 90’, Daniel Bennett 37’, Alex Oloriegbe 39’, 44’, Domenic Giampaolo 53’, Aaron Evans 70’, Aidan Brunskill 87’) Woden Valley 0 Canberra FC swept aside Woden Valley with contemptuous ease on Sunday afternoon at Deakin Stadium romping to a 9-0 victory to continue their unbeaten start to the season. The hosts were in imperious form for almost the entire match claiming goals at regular intervals against a Woden Valley team that looked tired from their midweek exertions against Cooma Tigers. There was little doubt about the result from the moment that James Field curled in a stunning opener in the 17 th minute from 20 metres. Ivan Pavlak rather fluked a second just before the half hour, his cross dropping over the head of Evan Alexandrow-Ridley and into the net, before Daniel Bennett blasted the third in off the far post. A brace to leading scorer Alex Oloriegbe put the home team even further out of sight and with a 5-0 half-time cushion the points were secure. There was little let up after the break as Domenic Giampaolo tapped in a sixth, after a Philippe Bernabo shot was palmed away by Alexandrow-Ridley, and Aaron Evans headed number seven from a pinpoint Josip Jadric cross.

Skipper Aidan Brunskill ventured up-field to stab in, at the third attempt, to make it 8-0 and the icing was applied to the cake in stoppage time when Pavlak completed the scoring.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 14. Josip JADRIC Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Liam WALSH, 10. Jaz ABARQUEZ, 11. Dicky BETTAY, 22. Zach HARRIGAN, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 6. Andrew KILEY, 9. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Luke McGRATH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Ben PAGETT, 8. Liam WALSH (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Owen Watson, Gordon McDonald

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH Danny BYRNE Monaro Panthers 4 Tuggeranong United 2 (Riverside Stadium), 07/04/13 50th MATCH Jair WILK Cooma Tigers 0 Woden Valley 1 (Hawker Football Centre), 03/04/13

Sunday 7th April 2013 Canberra Olympic 2 (Oliver Wiederkehr 15’, Mark Shields 78’) Canberra City 1 (Luke Hartin 45’) A late goal from in-form hit-man Mark Shields has led Canberra Olympic to a narrow 2-1 win over Canberra City at O’Connor Enclosed in Round 4 of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football.

Shields hit his seventh goal of the season in the final quarter to see Olympic over the line continuing their 100% start to the season. But Leo Exarhos’ team were made to work hard by a resolute City team that defended well and had chances of their own to earn a point from the encounter with Olympic ‘keeper Angelo Konstantinou forced into a man of the match performance. Earlier the home team had taken the lead when Oliver Wiederkehr finished off a break with his second goal of the campaign. It was a lead that should have been extended as both Shields and Wiederkehr contrived to miss superb opportunities, fluffing their lines when presented with more than reasonable chances to make it two. And Olympic were made to pay on the cusp of the half-time whistle as Luke Hartin pounced to score his first goal of the season. The second half turned into an absorbing contest with cut and thrust from both teams and City proving just how hard they are to break down. Olympic finally found a way though as Shields carried on his great form and helped his side to another three vital points.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Victor YANES, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Trent FLANIGAN, 16. Joel VALTONEN, 17. Chris NIKITAS, 18. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 5. Joshua GASPARI, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 27. Nick MIHAILAKIS Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 9. Luke HARTIN, 10. Ben HARRINGTON, 12. Henry WILLIAMS, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Liam CHANDLER Substitutes used: 7. Brad SAWYER, 16. Jay KELLY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 18. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic), 15. Liam CHANDLER (Canberra City) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Sam Jolley, Allyson Flynn Sunday 7th April 2013 Monaro Panthers 4 (Pepe Varga 5’, Tyson Cottam 23’, Tim Womack 34’, 65’) Tuggeranong United 2 (Daniel Beaumont 74’, Sean Murphy 79’) Monaro Panthers recorded a second win in succession in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football for the first time in their short top-flight history by consigning Tuggeranong to the foot of the ladder with a 4-2 win at the Riverside Stadium. And, in the end, the scoreboard flattered United somewhat who only netted twice in the final quarter when the game was already out of sight. The Panthers had the ideal start when Pepe Varga struck after just five minutes of play for his second goal of the season. There was even more to cheer for the home support as Tyson Cottam made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute and the majority of the crowd was rocking eleven minutes later when Tim Womack struck a thunderous effort from outside the area that flashed into the net. Leading 3-0 at the break there was no let up from the Panthers and they had an ideal chance to increase their lead when awarded a penalty in the second stanza. Josh Calabria struck the spot-kick well but Jack Pettit guessed correctly to push the ball onto the post. It mattered little as minutes later Womack claimed his second of the afternoon with another well-placed effort. Cruising at 4-0 Monaro were given a scare as goals from Daniel Beaumont and Sean Murphy reduced the score-line but they held on to record a much deserved win.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 4. Jonathon REIS, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 2. Sam OSATTO, 13. Adrian CANIZARES Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Dale OHLMUS, 3. Daniel PEKEVSKI, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Alex WEBER, 7. Daniel MOUTREY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 13. Cameron DOHERTY, 15. Zac LAWRENCE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Daniel PEKEVSKI, 5. Chris RUIZ, 7. Daniel MOUTREY (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Alex McConachie, Sam Ockerby HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 4 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

4

4

0

0

23

1

+22

12

2

Canberra Olympic

4

4

0

0

14

4

+10

12

3

Cooma Tigers

4

3

0

1

12

3

+9

9

4

Monaro Panthers

4

2

0

2

7

15

-8

6

Saturday 13th April 2013 Tuggeranong United 2 (Sean Murphy 20’, Daniel Pekevski 29’) Cooma Tigers 2 (Marco Gayer 75’, Goran Josifovski 83’) Cooma Tigers denied Tuggeranong United a first win of the season by coming back from 0-2 down to earn a point in front of a large crowd at Kambah 2. Goals from Marco Gayer and Goran Josifovski in the final fifteen minutes stymied United’s party as the home side looked the goods and were on course for their first points of the year. As it is the point does break Tuggeranong’s duck but they will feel they could well have come away with the maximum return. The hosts enjoyed a blinding start to the match taking the lead in the 20 th minute as front runner Sean Murphy found the target for the second time this season. If that put the United faithful in a good mood they were ecstatic nine minutes later as defender Daniel Pekevski struck his maiden Tuggeranong goal to increase the lead to 2-0, an advantage they held until the interval. United hung on for large parts of the second half but you could sense a Tigers goal coming and it duly did fifteen minutes from time. Marco Gayer celebrated his first League goal for the club with a superbly taken strike to give Cooma a lifeline. And it was one they grabbed with both hands as Goran Josifovski stepped up to the plate to blast in a tremendous leveller and earn the Tigers a point.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Dale OHLMUS, 3. Daniel PEKEVSKI, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Cameron DOHERTY, 7. Matt MENSER, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 8. Daniel MOUTREY, 13. Dragan STEGNJAIC, 14. Mark DI BITONTO Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Felipe FLORES, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 8. Marc O’NEILL, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Glen CABLE Substitutes used: 13. Marco GAYER, 15. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 16. Zach SCHOON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Jack PETTIT, 9. Muad ZWED (Tuggeranong United), 10. Jair WILK (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Justin Cho, Sam Clark Sunday 14th April 2013 Belconnen United 3 (Michael Taurasi 18’, Dustin Wells 56’ (pen), 72’) Canberra City 2 (Sam McDonald 21’, Pat Ross-Magee 44’) Belconnen United began life without former Head Coach Steve Forshaw with a 3-2 win over Canberra City at McKellar Park. Lou Gaspari took charge of team matters on an interim basis after Forshaw resigned on Friday due to non-football related matters. And, for a time, it looked as if the Blue Devils were going to slip further away from the leading pack as they trailed a gallant City 2-1 before the inspirational figure of Dustin Wells stepped up to rescue the three points for the hosts. Belconnen had taken the lead in the 18th minute when Michael Taurasi finished off a decent move with a tidy strike but their advantage lasted a mere three minutes before Sam McDonald, who has been in great form this season to date, levelled for City. City would go into the break 2-1 ahead thanks to a brilliant longrange goal from Pat Ross-Magee sparking hopes of a victory for the travelling City fans. However, Belconnen had other ideas and drew the game all-square in the 56th minute as Wells blasted home a penalty to make it 2-2. That sparked life into the Blue Devils and they claimed the victory with eighteen minutes remaining as Wells scored his second to put his team in front and secure a vital, and valuable, three points.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 12. Michael REEVE, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 15. Zach MUNSTER Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LARGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 10. Ben HARRINGTON, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Henry WILLIAMS, 15. Liam CHANDLER Substitutes used: 7. Matt RICE, 9. Luke HARTIN, 16. Brad SAWYER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United), 9. Luke HARTIN (Canberra City) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Nia Southwell, Nic Gillies

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Jack BLACKLEY Belconnen United 3 Canberra City 2 (McKellar Park), 14/04/13

Sunday 14th April 2013 Canberra FC 4 (Philippe Bernabo 11’ (pen), 31’, Alex Oloriegbe 52’, Domenic Giampaolo 80’) AIS 1 (Bai Antoniou 37’) Canberra FC made sure that the AIS enjoyed a warm welcome into the National Premier League but their hospitality ended when the teams entered the field of play as the league leaders roared to a 4-1 win over the Institute. The hosts were in front in the 11th minute from the penalty spot as the AIS infringed in the area and Philippe Bernabo stepped up to confidently put Canberra FC ahead. But any thoughts of another big win for the early pacesetters was quickly dispelled as the AIS started playing some neat patterns and threatened to get on the score board. But it was Canberra FC who struck next when Bernabo found room inside the penalty area to slot under the advancing ‘keeper to make it 2-0. The AIS did get on the board before the break when Bai Antoniou had the honour of netting their first NPL goal in the 37th minute to put the youngsters back in the contest at the break. Any hopes of a maiden point were quickly pushed aside though as the home team went 3-1 to the good when Alex Oloriegbe struck for the eighth time this season in the 52 nd minute. And the scoring was rounded out ten minutes from the final whistle when Domenic Giampaolo found himself free in front of goal to nod past the ‘keeper and seal a 4-1 win.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 5. Julian BORGNA, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 16. Matt GRBESA AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 7. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 17. Anthony KALIK, 21. George TIMOTHEOU, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 16. Jordan PUDLER, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 19. Bright APPIAH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Julian BORGNA (Canberra FC), 22. Liam Rose (AIS) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Sam Nixon, Alex McConachie Sunday 14th April 2013 Canberra Olympic 1 (Mark Shields 13’) Woden Valley 2 (Stephen Lee 79’, Jason Ugrinic 87’) Woden Valley sprung yet another surprise when Dean Ugrinic’s team defeated his former club, Canberra Olympic, 2-1 at O’Connor Enclosed. And it was a former Olympic player, Jason Ugrinic, who did the damage scoring the match-winner three minutes from the end. There was little indication of the drama to come when Mark Shields latched onto a through ball from Victor Yanes to despatch his eighth goal of the season with the minimum of fuss in the 13th minute. There was little doubt that Olympic dominated the opening half but they were unable to find that second, killer, goal. Woden made them pay in a brilliant second half display suddenly finding the belief to see them through. Stephen Lee lit the blue touch-paper in the 79th minute showing his acceleration to burst away and prod a finish beyond Angelo Konstantinou and into the far corner. If that surprised Olympic it was to get worse in the 87th minute. A long throw from Luke McGrath eluded Konstantinou and, when the ball was returned into the danger area, Jason Ugrinic swivelled to place the ball into the empty net, through a forest of defenders, to claim a remarkable come from behind success that was thoroughly deserved.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 8. Trent FLANIGAN, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 14. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Joel VALTONEN, 18. Nick BOBOLAS, 29. Victor YANES, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 17. Chris NIKITAS, 22. Lukas COLE Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Zach HARRIGAN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Liam WALSH, 9. Connor NOLAN, 10. Stephen LEE, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 11. Dicky BETTAY, 13. Luke McGRATH, 17. Jaz ABARQUEZ Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Mark SHIELDS, 17. Chris NIKITAS (Canberra Olympic), 3. Ben PAGETT, 7. Regan WALSH, 11. Dicky BETTAY (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Daniel Ruiz, Matthew Rynne HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 5 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

5

5

0

0

27

2

+25

15

2

Canberra Olympic

5

4

0

1

15

6

+9

12

3

Cooma Tigers

5

3

1

1

14

5

+9

10

4

Belconnen United

5

2

0

3

8

9

-1

6

Saturday 20th April 2013 Tuggeranong United 1 (Tim Ireson 94’) Monaro Panthers 0 A winner deep in stoppage time from centre back Tim Ireson handed Tuggeranong United their first victory of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over Monaro Panthers at Kambah. Ireson stooped inside the six-yard box with virtually the last touch of the match to nudge an inviting Matt Menser cross over the line and seal the win for the home team. It was rough on the Panthers who were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal with United coming home strongly. Earlier, the first half was a tepid affair with nothing to choose between the two teams and minimal chances to warm up the crowd on a freezing day. The match was disrupted by strong winds which made good football difficult but there were plenty of opportunities in the second half. Tom McLachlan and Jonathon Toole dragged shots wide when well-placed but the worse miss was from striker Pepe Varga side-footing wide of an open goal after being set up by Toole. At the other end James Bradbury had to be alert to push a Menser shot away for a corner and Mark Di Bitonto wasted a glorious chance when blazing over from close range after Daniel Beaumont had drawn the ‘keeper and laid the ball on a plate for the midfielder. But Tuggeranong finally made the breakthrough with time running out to claim the win.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Dale OHLMUS, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Cameron DOHERTY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: None Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Andrew ALIFFI, 3. Jonathon REIS, 4. Danny BYRNE, 5. Sam LAVELLA, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 7. Tyson COTTAM, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE Substitutes used: 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 12. Sam OSSATO, 13. Adrian CANIZARES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO (Tuggeranong United), 4. Danny BYRNE, 6. Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Sam Ockerby, Nic Gillies Sunday 21st April 2013 Belconnen United 3 (Dustin Wells 42’ (pen), 55’ (pen), 75’) Canberra FC 1 (Alex Oloriegbe 18’) Canberra FC’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end at McKellar Park as Dustin Wells bagged a treble to re-invigorate Belconnen United’s title challenge with a 3-1 win over their old foes. The Blue Devils were worthy of the three points in an exciting game that kept the crowd enthralled for the ninety minutes with the visitors giving as good as they got. Canberra FC got off to the best possible start by taking the lead inside the opening twenty minutes as their leading scorer, Alex Oloriegbe, skipped away from the defence and rounded Ben Klug to put the visitors ahead. Belconnen weren’t rattled and equalised just before the half-time whistle when Ian Graham was judged to have infringed in the penalty area and Wells made no mistake from the spot. The dead-eyed Wells was at it again ten minutes into the second half when presented with a second chance from the penalty spot as Belconnen got a second penalty which he duly despatched. Canberra FC almost equalised when a fierce Philippe Bernabo effort crashed off the underside of the crossbar but was deemed not to have crossed the line. Wells again was inch perfect proving his dead-ball prowess once more. And the ACT Player of the Year wasn’t finished, completing a hat-trick fifteen minutes from time to seal the result.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Callum SMITH, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 12. Michael REEVE, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 3. Aaron EVANS, 12. Nathan EVANS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Zach MAYBURY, 6. David ARRANZ (Belconnen United), 9. Philippe BERNABO, 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Matthew Byrne, Daniel Ruiz

APPEARANCE MILESTONES There were no appearance milestones recorded in the National Premier League for the weekend of 20th/21st April 2013

Sunday 21st April 2013 AIS 0 Canberra Olympic 0 Canberra Olympic’s hopes of taking advantage of a Canberra FC slip-up and hitting the top of the National Premier League were stymied by the AIS who held the Premier League pace-setters to a 0-0 draw at the AIS Grass Fields. Both teams created chances in a game for the purists but neither could find the critical breakthrough as the Institute claimed a first point of the season and Olympic remains in second place heading into a crucial month of fixtures. On a narrow field and playing against super-quick opposition, Olympic couldn’t break through the organised AIS defence. Leading scorer Mark Shields had their best chance of the match, beating a couple of defenders but seeing his shot superbly saved by Jordan Thurtell in the AIS goal. Josh Gaspari also went close for the visiting team, in a stand-out performance, but clear cut chances were limited with both teams relying on half-chances to get a sight of goal. For the Institute Liam Rose put in a decent shift and caused problems for the Premier League title chasers but without success in the final third. The draw would have pleased both teams at the end as the AIS will no doubt cause issues for most of their opponents and this could prove a vital point for Olympic in the long term.

AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 4. Ben WARLAND, 7. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 2. Darcy MADDEN, 17. Anthony KALIK, 19. Bright APPIAH Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 5. Liam CAREY, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Joel VALTONEN, 18. Victor YANES, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 8. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 9. Lukas COLE, 17. Chris NIKITAS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 19. Bright APPIAH (AIS), 16. Joel VALTONEN (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Sam Nixon, Brett Woodford Sunday 21st April 2013 Cooma Tigers 5 (Robbie Cattanach 35’, 52’, 56’, 64’, Ben Pagett (og) 85’) Woden Valley 4 (Jason Ugrinic 3’, Derek Oelmann 59’, 61’, 75’) Cooma Tigers came out on top in a nine-goal thriller at Nijong Oval downing Woden Valley 5-4 in an epic encounter. Robbie Cattanach was the home-town hero, grabbing four goals in the Tigers win, but he was pushed all the way by Woden’s US import Derek Oelmann who, reinstated to the starting eleven, struck a treble of his own. It was oden who got off to a flier taking the lead after only three minutes as Jason Ugrinic followed up his winning goal against Canberra Olympic with the opener.

Cooma responded well and were level by half-time as Cattanach fired his team on terms in the 34th minute. There was little hint of the dramatics to come when Cattanach struck twice in four minutes to seemingly put his team in control of the match with a 3-1 advantage. But cue the Woden comeback and some terrific finishing from Oelmann. It’s fair to say it has taken the American a while to settle into the National Premier League but, after a brace in the under-20 competition last weekend he repeated the feat with two splendidly taken goals within minutes of each other. Cattanach hit back for Cooma with his fourth of the match, and ninth of the season, in the 64 th minute only for Oelmann to complete his treble and bring the scores level at 4-4. A draw may have been fair but Woden’s super performance had a horrible ending as a Cattanach free-kick was headed in for an own goal and the match winner.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Thomas MANGA, 3. Jordan SAN MARTIN, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Felipe FLORES, 8. Goran MUKEVSKI, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Alex CASTRO, 11. Goran JOSIFOVSKI Substitutes used: 140. Jair WILK, 15. Marco GAYER, 16. Iain ELLIOTT Woden Valley: 22. Fernando ALVES, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 10. Stephen LEE, 11. Dicky BETTAY, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Luke McGRATH, 14. David JENKINS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Thomas MANGA, 3. Jordan SAN MARTIN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 7. Felipe FLORES (Cooma Tigers), 8. Connor NOLAN, 23. Jason UGRINIC (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Alex McConachie, Sam Jolley HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 6 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

6

5

0

1

28

5

+23

15

2

Cooma Tigers

6

4

1

1

19

9

+10

13

3

Canberra Olympic

6

4

1

1

15

6

+9

13

4

Belconnen United

6

3

0

3

11

10

+2

9

Friday 26th April 2013 Canberra City 0 Canberra FC 4 (Alex Oloriegbe 36’, Philippe Bernabo 52’, Ian Graham 59’, James Field 84’) Canberra FC moved five points clear at the top of the National Premier League by defeating Canberra City 4-0 under the floodlights at Deakin Stadium on Friday night. The match was designated a City home game despite being played at Canberra FC’s ground and the red machine purred to victory. After a fairly mundane opening half an hour Canberra FC eventually made the breakthrough in the 36th minute. Alex Oloriegbe had already had a goal disallowed for offside, heading in a cross from winger Ivan Pavlak, before he struck his tenth of the season. Pavlak was the provider again skinning the full-back and lifting in a cross into the six-yard box that Oloriegbe swept pass James Ward in the City goal from close range. That goal separated the teams at the interval but if City had any thoughts of a comeback they were quickly quelled by a burst of two goals within seven minutes. Philippe Bernabo hit the first, collecting a pass and cutting onto his right foot to blast a low shot into the corner of the net before the goal of the game from midfielder Ian Graham.

Graham hammered home a strike from outside the area that crashed into the back of the net off the base of the goalkeeper’s right hand post to effectively end the match as a contest. There was still time for the league leaders to add a fourth as James Field sent a curling effort beyond the despairing dive of Ward to seal the result.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Matt RICE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 10. Ben HARRINGTON, 12. Henry WILLIAMS, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Liam CHANDLER Substitutes used: 9. Luke HARTIN, 14. Jay KELLY, 16. Michael PERCEVAL Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Brett Woodford, Allyson Flynn Saturday 27th April 2013 Woden Valley 4 (Jaz Abarquez 13’, Derek Oelmann 56’, Regan Walsh 74’, Jason Ugrinic 86’) Monaro Panthers 1 (Tim Womack 12’) Woden Valley moved up to fifth on the National Premier League ladder with a 4-1 victory over Monaro Panthers on a balmy Saturday afternoon at Woden Park. The hosts had to come from 0-1 behind to claim the points though and even missed a second half penalty as Jason Ugrinic was denied from the spot by Panthers custodian James Bradbury. Monaro took the lead in only the 12 th minute when Tim Womack sprinted clear of the Woden defence and slipped a shot beyond Evan Alexandrow-Ridley and into the far corner despite the ‘keeper getting a hand on the ball. It didn’t take long for the hosts to level as within sixty seconds of the restart Jaz Abarquez found the space to rifle a fierce shot over Bradbury from distance for a fine equaliser. Woden eventually took the lead in the 56 th minute, after dominating possession for large periods, as Stephen Lee broke down the right flank and squared for Derek Oelmann to turn the ball home from six yards for his fourth goal in two matches. Oelmann was instrumental in the third Woden goal as well, his thunderous shot proving too hot for Bradbury and Regan Walsh reacting quickest to steer the loose ball into the net. Woden completed a satisfactory day when Ugrinic made up for his earlier penalty miss by latching onto a Connor Nolan pass to slot home.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Jaz ABARQUEZ, 10. Stephen LEE, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 11. Dicky BETTAY, 12. Liam WALSH, 14. Mitch STEENBERGEN Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 17. Sam LAVELLA Substitutes used: 4. Jonathan REIS, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 16. Nick LEVANAT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Regan WALSH (Woden Valley), 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN (Monaro) RED CARD: 10. Tim WOMACK (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Tom Wodzinski, Duncan McLaren

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 200th MATCH—Matt VALERI Canberra Olympic 3 Belconnen United 1 (O’Connor Enclosed), 28/04/13 150th MATCH—Cameron REINHART Canberra Olympic 3 Belconnen United 1 (O’Connor Enclosed), 28/04/13 50th MATCH—Joel VALTONEN Canberra Olympic 3 Belconnen United 1 (O’Connor Enclosed), 28/04/13

Sunday 28th April 2013 Canberra Olympic 3 (Robbie Deeley 49’, Robbie Schroder 73’, Lukas Cole 94’) Belconnen United 1 (Jack Green 84’) Canberra Olympic kept up the pressure on league leaders Canberra FC by recording a critical 3-1 victory over Belconnen United at O’Connor Enclosed. All the goals came in the second half of a contest that could have gone either way before Olympic struck the killer blows. After a stalemate first half, in which the closest either came was a Robbie Deeley shot that came back off the post, it was Deeley who struck the opening blow in the 49th minute. Taking aim the midfielder sent a fizzing shot at goal that swerved and deceived Ben Klug in the Blue Devils goal. Joshua Gaspari almost added an incredible second beating two players and hammering a 35 metre shot at goal that crashed into the upright and away to safety. Robbie Schroder had better luck in the 73rd minute after Belconnen coughed up possession and backed off allowing Schroder to blast home from 25 metres into the bottom corner. Belconnen had their chances and deservedly got back into the match six minutes from time as Jack Green went on a loping run that culminated with a nice dinked finish past Angelo Konstantinou. But there was a sting in the tale from Olympic as Deeley fed substitute Lukas Cole who controlled and blasted home the third in stoppage time.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Joel VALTONEN, 18. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 9. Lukas COLE, 17. Chris NIKITAS, 36. Tim BOBOLAS Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Callum SMITH, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 12. Michael REEVE, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 13. Jack GREEN, 16. Jamie DUNCAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Greg Taylor, Peter Chapman Sunday 28th April 2013 Cooma Tigers 1 (Goran Josifovski 45’) AIS 2 (Steve Kuzmanovski 51’, Bai Antoniou 63’) The AIS upset Cooma Tigers potential title challenge with a deserved 2-1 victory at Nijong Oval in difficult conditions on Sunday afternoon. The Institute came from 0-1 behind to claim their first win of the season with a brace of goals within the space of twelve minutes in the second half to take home the three points. Having lost to Canberra FC and drawn with Canberra Olympic the AIS youngsters were confident that they could use their extra speed to good effect against the Tigers and so it proved. A fairly even first half seemed destined to end with the team’s level at 0-0 but Cooma struck in the shadow of half-time. Goran Josifovski pounced on a loose ball outside the penalty area and sent a superb shot beyond the reach of the visiting goalkeeper, who got a finger to it but couldn’t push it past the post. The Tigers lead lasted six minutes into the second half before the AIS drew level. Steve Kuzmanovski showed adroit footwork to beat his man and advance on goal to slot confidently into the corner and make it 1-1. The youngsters weren’t finished there and took the lead just past the hour mark as Bai Antoniou netted his second goal of the season. Cooma pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t find a way through.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Goran MUKEVSKI, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Thom LOMMERS Substitutes used: 10. Jair WILK, 15. Liam HIGHMORE AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 4. Ben WARLAND, 7. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 2. Darcy MADDEN, 17. Anthony KALIK, 19. Bright APPIAH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Goran MUKEVSKI, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI (Cooma Tigers ), 17. Anthony KALIK, 22. Liam ROSE, 24. Bai ANTONIOU (AIS) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), David Ockerby, Matthew Rynne

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 7 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

7

6

0

1

32

5

+27

18

2

Canberra Olympic

7

5

1

1

18

7

+11

16

3

Cooma Tigers

7

4

1

2

20

11

+9

13

4

Belconnen United

7

3

0

4

12

15

-1

9

Saturday 4th May 2013 Canberra City 2 (Sam McDonald 6’ (pen), Pat Ross-Magee 87’) Canberra Olympic 5 (Mark Shields 28’, 41’, 65’, 85’, Robbie Schroder 57’) A four-goal haul from striker Mark Shields capped a fine performance as Canberra Olympic roared to the top of the NPL with a come from behind 5-2 win over Canberra City at Hawker Football Centre. City started brightly and took the lead in the 6th minute from the penalty spot. Pat Ross-Magee won it, wriggling his way into the area before being upended by Matt Cachia, with the resultant penalty duly converted by Sam McDonald who sent Olympic goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou the wrong way. The hosts almost doubled their lead seconds later but a goal-line block denied them and Olympic found their feet to draw level before the half hour mark. A flick on released top scorer Shields and he drilled a low shot past James Ward and into the far corner for his ninth goal of the campaign. And it was ten shortly after as Shields controlled a Robbie Schroder downward header to slot home from close range and give Olympic a half-time advantage. The next goal was crucial and it came to Olympic in the 57 th minute as a cross from the right bounced in the six-yard box where Schroder arrived to steer it into an open goal for 3-1. There was more to come as Shields completed his treble sliding in to clip the ball past Ward after racing from half-way and added his fourth, and the team’s fifth, late on as Olympic asserted their dominance on the score board despite Ross-Magee’s late consolation.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSSMAGEE, 6. Alex BARNES, 7. Matt RICE, 9. Luke HARTIN, 12. Brad SAWYER, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Luke CHANDLER Substitutes used: 14. Luke UDVARDI, 10. Grant DAVOREN, 17. Andrew MANLEY Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Joel VALTONEN, 17. Chris NIKITAS, 18. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 8. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 9. Lukas COLE, 14. Oliver WIEDERKEHR Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Justin Cho, Clive Harfield Sunday 5th May 2013 Belconnen United 2 (Misko Naumoski 22’, Taylor Beaton 32’) Cooma Tigers 0 Belconnen United has moved right back into contention at the top of the National Premier League competition with a superb 2-0 victory over Cooma Tigers that partially avenges last season’s Grand Final loss at the same venue. The manner of the victory means that the Blue Devils, who have faced a tough baptism at the start of the season, are handily placed after eight rounds. Belconnen enjoyed a superb opening to the match taking a strangle-hold on proceedings with two goals inside the opening half. The first was a stunner as Misko Naumoski took aim and let fly from some 30 metres with a rasping drive that left Francois Bangweni, the Cooma Tigers goalkeeper, flaying at thin air as it crashed into the back of the net. If that goal was breathtaking the second was less so, but nonetheless as important as returning skipper Taylor Beaton turned the ball home from close range after an incisive run and cut-back from Zach Maybury. That gave the home team a decent cushion at the interval as they entered the sheds 2-0 to the good. There was no addition to the score line in the second stanza as Cooma attempted to force a way back into the match with some rigourous challenges earning them half a dozen bookings before the full-time whistle.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 12. Michael REEVE, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Eric BONNETT, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 6. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Goran MUKEVSKI, 20. Dom COLUCCIELLO Substitutes used: 14. Jair WILK, 13. JP D’AMBROSIO, 15. Jordano SAN MARTIN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Alex CASTRO, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 15. Jordano SAN MARTIN (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Sam Nixon, Sam Clark

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Alex WEBER Woden Valley 2 Tuggeranong United 1 (Woden Park), 05/05/13

Sunday 5th May 2013 Woden Valley 2 (Derek Oelmann 18’ (pen), Mitch Steenbergen 93’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Mark Di Bitonto 59’) Woden Valley emerged triumphant from the Southside derby with a stoppage time winner seeing off the challenge of Tuggeranong United at Woden Park. Mitch Steenbergen proved to be the hero of the hour, coming off the substitute’s bench, to claim the game’s defining moment and stealing all three points for his team just as it seemed that honours would be shared and both would take away a point. It was rough justice on Tuggeranong though who had defended well and seemed certain to gain a reward only to have it snatched away in heartbreaking fashion at the death. Woden had taken the lead in the 18th minute when United was adjudged to have infringed in the penalty area allowing Derek Oelmann the chance from the penalty spot. The American, who had a tough start to life in the Capital, has been in red hot form over the last three weeks and wasn’t going to pass up the chance to register his fifth goal in three matches and give his team the lead. It was an advantage that lasted until just before the hour as United found an equaliser. It came from midfielder Mark Di Bitonto who struck his first goal for the club at first grade level. And that seemed to be that before Woden found the injury time stunner to silence the visiting support.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Jaz ABARQUEZ, 10. Stephen LEE, 11. Dicky BETTAY, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 5. John GIBSON, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. Liam WALSH Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Dale OHLMUS, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Harry PETTIT, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 13. Carl HYNES, 14. Ciaran RAYMENT, 15. Alex WEBER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 23. Jason UGRINIC (Woden Valley), 6. Harry PETTIT, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 10. Tim STEWART (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Brett Woodford, Sam Ockerby Sunday 5th May 2013 AIS 3 (Dylan Smith 21’, 62’, Bai Antoniou 25’) Monaro Panthers 1 (Pepe Varga 56’) The AIS recorded a second win of the season with a 3-1 win over Monaro Panthers at the AIS Grass Fields on a brisk Sunday afternoon with two goals in four first half minutes proving decisive in seeing off the Panthers. Dylan Smith opened the scoring for the Institute in the 21 st minute and it wasn’t long before the youngsters were celebrating again as Bai Antoniou netted for the third time in four National Premier League: Capital Football matches. The Panthers are made of sturdy stuff this season and their coaching staff of Njegosh Popovich and Frank Cachia would have been proud of the response they got from their charges, especially in the second half. Pepe Varga has enjoyed his status as a regular Premier League starter at the Panthers and got his team back into the match in the 56th minute with his third goal of the season. That goal prompted hopes of an unlikely Monaro comeback but they were quickly quashed as Smith reacted sharpest in a crowded goalmouth to notch his second and the AIS’ third to put the game beyond the visitors. Monaro kept pushing and fought to the very end. If they can repeat this level of commitment in forthcoming weeks then more wins are surely on the way.

AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 4. Ben WARLAND, 7. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 2. Darcy MADDEN, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 19. Bright APPIAH Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 16. 17. Sam LAVELLA Substitutes used: 14. Cameron DALZELL, 16. Ed McCARTHY, 33. Daniel WHITEHORN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Alex McConachie, Nia Southwell

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 8 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra Olympic

8

6

1

1

23

9

+14

19

2

Canberra FC

7

6

0

1

32

5

+27

18

3

Cooma Tigers

8

4

1

3

20

13

+7

13

4

Belconnen United

8

4

0

4

14

15

-1

12

Saturday 11th May 2013 Tuggeranong United 1 (Matt Menser 76’) AIS 2 (Darcy Madden 28’, Steve Kuzmanovski 92’) For the second week in succession Tuggeranong United suffered the heartache of losing a match in the second minute of stoppage time as the AIS claimed all three points with a 2-1 victory at Kambah 2. Winger Steve Kuzmanovski struck the killer blow in the 92 nd minute racing onto a through pass and showing ample composure to skip around Tuggeranong goalkeeper Jack Pettit and squeeze the ball home from an acute angle to deny the hosts. That United had coughed up cheap possession on the edge of the AIS penalty area in the build-up to the goal made the strike extra galling for Head Coach John Bull, watching from the stands, following his three match suspension handed down in midweek. The AIS had taken the lead in the 28 th minute when defender Darcy Madden rose highest to meet a corner with a thumping downward header that Pettit, despite getting a hand on, could not keep put of the net. It was a slender and precarious lead and one that Tuggeranong wiped out with fourteen minutes to play with a glorious goal. Substitute Sean Murphy made it, laying off a neat pass to Matt Menser who sent a delightful chip over the head of AIS goalkeeper Jordan Thurtell to make it 1 -1. And it looked destined to remain that way until Kuzmanovski’s late intervention.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Dale OHLMUS, 3. Aaron CASHMAN, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Harry PETTIT, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 11. Sean MURPHY, 13. Cameron DOHERTY AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 7. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 19. Bright APPIAH, 21. George TIMOTHEOU, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG, Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 10. Tim STEWART (Tuggeranong United), 2. Darcy MADDEN, 10. Dylan SMITH, 19. Bright APPIAH (AIS) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Justin Cho, Sam Ockerby Sunday 12th May 2013 Canberra Olympic 1 (Robbie Deeley 20’) Canberra FC 0 Canberra Olympic moved four points clear at the top of the National Premier League: Capital Football division with a narrow 1-0 win over second placed Canberra FC in the top of the table encounter at O’Connor Enclosed. A single goal was enough to separate two evenly matched teams in what was a highly physical match. The crucial moment came midway through the first half as Canberra FC coughed up cheap possession in defence and Ian Graham was forced to fell Robbie Deeley 25 metres from goal. Deeley exacted perfect revenge with a textbook free-kick, up and over the wall, and into the top corner. With both teams missing key players, Olympic was happy to welcome back Hristjan Tanoski from overseas and his performance was eye catching on the left of a front three and, latterly, down the middle. As expected Canberra FC rallied well in the second half and Olympic was extremely grateful for the positioning of Joshua Gaspari with the youngster clearing off the line twice as the visitors threatened an equaliser from set piece scenarios. That Olympic held on to the victory was in large part to a sensational double save from goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou late on. The experienced stopper firstly blocked an Alex Oloriegbe effort and then recovered his feet in time to push Philippe Bernabo’s rebound shot over the crossbar to preserve an important victory.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Hristjan TANOSKI, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 12. Joshua GASPARI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Joel VALTONEN, 17. Chris NIKITAS, 18. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 9. Lukas COLE Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL Substitutes used: 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Hristjan TANOSKI, 17. Chris NIKITAS, 56. Matt CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), 3. Aaron EVANS, 6. Ryan KEIR, 13. Daniel BENNETT (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Alex McConachie, Justin Cho

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 150th MATCH Marcin ZYGMUNT Canberra Olympic 1 Canberra FC 0 (O’Connor Enclosed), 12/05/13

Sunday 12th May 2013 Cooma Tigers 1 (Goran Mukevski 31’) Canberra City 0 A single goal proved enough for Cooma Tigers to claim the three points over a battling Canberra City at Nijong Oval as Goran Mukevski struck the decisive blow just after the half hour mark. It was the young ACTAS graduates first National Premier League goal and it couldn’t have come at a better time as the Tigers struggled to break down a stubborn and ultra-resilient City defence with the visitors, perhaps, a touch unfortunate not to have taken a point away from what is always a difficult venue.

With the top two, Canberra FC and Canberra Olympic, doing battle at O’Connor Enclosed, Cooma knew a victory would enable them to close the gap on the leaders and that is exactly what transpired as by the end of the day Cooma would be only two points behind Canberra FC and sitting pretty in third place. For City the defeat ends a horror run of fixtures in which they have faced the top four on no fewer than seven occasions although they welcome Cooma back to Canberra and Hawker Football Centre in a fortnight for the return fixture. Chances were at a premium for City who can take great credit from the encounter as they look to build a run of results that will enable them to climb the table. The Tigers head to Deakin Stadium next weekend for a fixture with Canberra FC eyeing off second place after a competent victory.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Iain ELLIOTT, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Marc O’NEILL, 8. JP D’AMBROSIO, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Alex CASTRO, 15. Goran MUKEVSKI Substitutes used: 10. Jair WILK, 13. Thomas MANGA, 17. Goran JOSIFOVSKI Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Alex BARNES, 8. Jay KELLY, 9. Luke HARTIN, 10. Grant DAVOREN, 13. Ryuhei NOSE, 14. Henry WILLIAMS Substitutes used: 12. Brad SAWYER, 18. Michael PERCEVAL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Allyson Flynn, Vinh Ngo-Da Sunday 12th May 2013 Monaro Panthers 4 (Tim Womack 31’, Josh Calabria 67’, 89’, Pepe Varga 79’) Belconnen United 1 (Zach Maybury 69’) Monaro Panthers sprung the shock of the round as they waltzed to an impressive 4-1 victory over Belconnen United at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers put in their best performance of the season in seeing off the Blue Devils to claim a third victory of the season and drag themselves back into contention for a top four spot. Even though the result may be a surprise, there was little doubt that Monaro deserved the three points with an enthusiastic showing that the lethargic Blue Devils could not match in a lacklustre display. From the moment Tim Womack scored his fourth goal of the season in the 31st minute the writing was on the wall for Belconnen. The Panthers led 1-0 at the interval and doubled the lead in the 67th minute as midfielder Josh Calabria found a way through the Belconnen defence. Trailing 0-2 the visitors needed a response and they got it as Zach Maybury netted his first goal of the season to reduce the gap and give them hope of a comeba120ck. It was to no avail. Ten minutes later the lively Pepe Varga took his seasonal tally to four as well with the third Panthers goal and, as Belconnen searched for a miracle comeback, the Panthers put it beyond their reach as Calabria rounded off a sensational day with the fourth, and final goal, near the full time whistle.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM Substitutes used: 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 22. Daniel WHITEHORN Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers), 5. Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Sam Nixon, Daniel Ruiz

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 9 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra Olympic

9

7

1

1

24

9

+15

22

2

Canberra FC

8

6

0

2

32

6

+26

18

3

Cooma Tigers

9

5

1

3

21

13

+8

16

4

Belconnen United

9

4

0

5

15

19

-5

12

Saturday 18th May 2013 Belconnen United 2 (Cameron Reinhart 58’, Dustin Wells 73’) Tuggeranong United 0 Two second half goals were enough for Belconnen United to ease their way past Tuggeranong United on a brisk Saturday afternoon at McKellar Park. And it was hard to argue that the home side didn’t deserve their triumph after dominating possession for most of a scrappy encounter.

The first 45 minutes was a fairly tepid affair with neither side able to put together any meaningful passages of play and, as a consequence, chances at each end were limited. In fact both goalkeepers, Ben Klug for the Blue Devils and Jack Pettit for Tuggeranong, were redundant in the opening stanza as the match was played out in midfield. Even there the battle between Tim Stewart and Taylor Beaton was even with home playmaker Dustin Wells and his opposite number Matt Menser starved of decent possession as the half ended all-square at 0-0. The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute after Daniel Beaumont brought down Wells on the edge of the box. Wells struck the free-kick well and Pettit could only parry the ball into the danger area where Cameron Reinhart pounced to steer home from close range. That settled the Blue Devils and when Wells crashed home the second at the culmination of a sweet passing move, his eighth goal of the season, there was little doubt that the points were staying North-side.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 7. Matt MENSER, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Alex WEBER Substitutes used: 9. Muad ZWED Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 17. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Samuel Clark, David Rowell Sunday 19th May 2013 Canberra City 1 (Jay Kelly 17’) Monaro Panthers 4 (Tim Womack 21’, Pepe Varga 55’, 70’, 85’) Monaro Panthers followed up their victory over Belconnen United last weekend by repeating the feat and downing Canberra City 4-1 at Hawker Football Centre with Pepe Varga netting a first Premier League hat-trick. It was another superb performance from a Panthers outfit that is suddenly playing with flair and confidence, full of the belief that they can compete at this level.

They came from behind in this one to record a fourth win of the season. Jay Kelly gave City the lead in the 17th minute, his first goal for the club in first grade, but Monaro hit back when Tim Womack belted a stunning equaliser just four minutes later. That was the score heading into the half-time break but the deadlock didn’t remain for long. And it turned into the Varga show. The striker stepped up to the mark to put Monaro in front ten minutes after the re-start and scored the critical third goal twenty minutes from time. City did their best to fight back into the match but they were hit with a sucker punch in the 85th minute as Varga claimed the match ball with his seventh goal of the season as Monaro finished on a high. City remains rooted to the foot of the table whilst Monaro can continue to have realistic expectations of a top four place.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Grant DAVOREN, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 10. Brad SAWYER, 12. Ryuhei NOSE, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Jay KELLY Substitutes used: 5. Michael PERCEVAL, 9. Luke HARTIN, 16. Luke UDVARDI Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM Substitutes used: 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 20. Andrew ALIFFI, 23. Todd WHITTAKER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Josh CALABRIA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Duncan McLaren, Justin Cho

APPEARANCE MILESTONES There were no appearance milestones recorded in the National Premier League for the weekend of 18th/19th May 2013

Sunday 19th May 2013 Canberra FC 3 (Alex Oloriegbe 38’, 80’, Daniel Bennett 88’) Cooma Tigers 1 (Robbie Cattanach 92’) Canberra FC closed the gap on Canberra Olympic at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Cooma Tigers at Deakin Stadium. The hosts created the better of the chances in the opening half with nineteen year old striker Julian Borgna going close on a number of occasions most notably when heading wide when well-placed after a swerving cross from Nathan Evans picked him out on the far post. Alex Oloriegbe did better in the 38th minute as he netted against his former club, cushioning a volley beyond Francois Bangweni after a superb right wing cross from Daniel Bennett for his eleventh goal of the season. That was the difference between the teams at the break and Canberra FC should have gone further ahead early in the second half but Borgna spurned another chance when through oneon-one. Stephen Domenici had the best chance for Cooma but, after getting away from the Canberra FC defence, he dragged his shot across the face of goal and wide whilst Goran Mukevski volleyed over from close range. In truth, the home team should have been home and dry as chances were wasted with alarming regularity. Oloriegbe eventually grabbed his second with ten minutes to play and Bennett rounded out the win with the third, but it really should have been more, before Cattanach hit a late consolation.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA Substitutes used: 4. Adam AL-ADHAMI, 15. Jordan LAMB, 20. James FIELD Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Serdan BIRCAN, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Alex CASTRO, 6. Mark O’NEILL, 7.

Goran MUKEVSKI, 8. Marco GAYER, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 13. JP D’AMBROSIO, 14. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 16. Tony ALEKSOVSKI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Julian BORGNA (Canberra FC), 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Brett Woodford, Nia Southwell Sunday 19th May 2013 AIS 0 Woden Valley 3 (Derek Oelmann 44’, 75’ (pen), Simon Hinde 91’) Woden Valley made sure that they ended the round within touching distance of the top four by inflicting just a second defeat of the season on the AIS at the Institute Grass Fields on Sunday afternoon. The visitors, whose coach Dean Ugrinic missed the match through sickness, put in an effervescent display and fully deserved their success as US import Derek Oelmann continued his rich vein of recent form with a brace. The forward took a while to settle into Canberra football but showed he was on track as he struck in the shadows of the half-time whistle just when it appeared that the teams would enter the sheds goal-less. A 1-0 lead is precarious at the best of times but against the quality of the AIS you need the cushion of a second and that is what Woden got fifteen minutes from time. The home team were adjudged to have infringed in the penalty area and Oelmann confidently converted from the resultant spot-kick to register his seventh goal of the season. Liam Rose was the best on park for AIS, working extremely hard and being their best source of creation in attack, but even he could did little to sop Simon Hinde making it three in stoppage time, the midfielder netting in his first game back for the club since returning from College in the USA. AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 7. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 11. Marc MARINO, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 21. George TIMOTHEOU, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 4. Ben WARLAND, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Simon HINDE, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 10. Stephen LEE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: None Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 17. Anthony KALIK, 22. Liam ROSE (AIS), 8. Connor NOLAN, 10. Stephen LEE (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Vinh Ngo-Da, Daniel Ruiz

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 10 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra Olympic

9

7

1

1

24

9

+15

22

2

Canberra FC

9

7

0

2

35

7

+28

21

3

Cooma Tigers

10

5

1

4

22

16

+6

16

4

Belconnen United

10

5

0

5

17

19

-2

15

Saturday 25th May 2013 AIS 3 (Marc Ochieng 46’, Marc Marino 63’, Cameron Doherty (og) 83’) Tuggeranong United 0 The AIS eased past Tuggeranong United at the Grass Fields with a comprehensive second half performance to claim a 3-0 victory and inflict defeat on United’s new interim Head Coach Martin Lategui. The Institute dominated possession and looked the livelier team in attack to ruin Tuggeranong centre-back Tim Ireson’s 150th Premier League match for the club. The defender, who had the captain’s armband, had a busy day seeing a head wound requiring treatment and looking to contain quick-fire striker Marc Marino. As it was there was nothing between them at the break but it took the home team only 14 seconds to strike in the second half. A cross was met by Marc Ochieng at the far post but his volley was heading wide until it bounced off a United defender back into his path and Ochieng bundled it home. Tuggeranong was still in the contest at this stage but it was put beyond them when Marino broke away and lofted the ball over the onrushing Jack Pettit to make it 2-0. The points were made secure seven minutes from full time when a cross was sliced into his own net by the unfortunate Cameron Doherty. Muad Zwed had Tuggeranong’s best chance but he was thwarted by a superb one-handed save by Jordan Thurtell.

AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 11. Marc MARINO, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 21. George TIMOTHEOU, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA Substitutes used: 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 15. Liam YOULLEY, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 7. Matt MENSER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 11. Marc MARINO, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 17. Anthony KALIK (Canberra FC), 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 14. Danny MOUTREY (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Justin Cho, Vinh Nga-Do Sunday 26th May 2013 Belconnen United 3 (Dustin Wells 48’, 85’ (pen), Taylor Beaton 75’) Monaro Panthers 2 (Tom McLachlan 60’, Josh Calabria 78’) A penalty five minutes from time from Belconnen United’s leading scorer Dustin Wells settled an exciting match at McKellar Park in favour of the home team as they eventually shrugged off the challenge of Monaro Panthers 3-2. The Panthers felt aggrieved by the call with time running out but Wells stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, registering his second goal of the match and tenth of the season to keep the Blue Devils on the coat-tails of the leading trio. It was Wells who had brought the game to life three minutes after the break with his first of the encounter but Monaro hit back on the hour via a former Belconnen player. Award a free-kick outside the area Tom McLachlan lined it up and sent a pearler up over the wall into the back of the net for a sublime equaliser. Belconnen re-took the lead with fifteen minutes to play as Captain Taylor Beaton stepped up to score. Monaro weren’t done and within three minutes had brought the fixture back to parity. Josh Calabria has enjoyed some excellent matches in recent weeks and netted his third of the season to make it 2-2. That appeared to be the way the game was going to end, with both teams getting a point, despite their best efforts to claim all three. However, there was a sting in the tail for the visitors with the sucker-punch penalty award close to full time.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 13. Adrian CANIZARES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Matthew Byrne, Samantha Ockerby

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 150th MATCH—Tim IRESON AIS 3 Tuggeranong United 0 (AIS Grass Fields), 25/05/13 100th MATCH—Pat ROSS-MAGEE Canberra City 1 Cooma Tigers 2 (Hawker Football Centre), 26/05/13 50th MATCH—Chris RUIZ AIS 3 Tuggeranong United 0 (AIS Grass Fields), 25/05/13

Sunday 26th May 2013 Canberra City 1 (Sam McDonald 11’ (pen)) Cooma Tigers 2 (Dom Colucciello 73’, Robbie Cattanach 76’) Cooma Tigers closed the gap on second place with a come from behind win over Canberra City at Hawker Football Centre, eventually prevailing 2-1, but bottom of the table City certainly made them sweat for the points with two goals in the space of three second half minutes eventually doing for Nick Palagyi's team. It looked promising for City in the early stages as they played with an intensity that has been missing in recent weeks and led to a Tigers defender infringing in the penalty area and the award of a spot-kick to the home team. Sam McDonald, who is improving by the game and turning into a real match-winner, converted confidently from the resultant penalty. That was the sum total of the first half but in the second Cooma came to the fore. After a spell of pressure on the City goal Dom Colucciello managed to grab his first goal of the season to bring the teams level in the 73 rd minute. If that hurt City they were hit with a real gut-wrencher just three minutes later. Robbie Cattanach has often been the man for the moment and he stepped up again in the 76 th minute to score his eleventh goal of the season and turn the match on its head. City attempted a riposte but the Tigers held on for what they may come to look back on as a vital victory.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Ryuhei NOSE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 10. Brad SAWYER, 11. Jay KELLY, 13. Sam McDONALD Substitutes used: None Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Marc O’NEILL, 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 8. JP D’AMBROSIO, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 16. Alex CASTRO Substitutes used: 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 15. Thomas MANGA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Jair WILK (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Alex McConachie, Sam Nixon Sunday 26th May 2013 Canberra FC 1 (Julian Borgna 22’) Canberra Olympic 0 A stunning strike from 18-year-old Julian Borgna settled the top of the table stoush at Deakin Stadium in favour of Canberra FC over erstwhile rivals Canberra Olympic. Borgna struck a spectacular half-volley from 30 metres that thundered past Olympic goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou and into the top corner in the 22 nd minute with the Futsalroo international shot-stopper rooted to the spot. It was a goal fitting to win any match, let alone one between the two stand-out teams of the National Premier League to date. And it was hard to argue that Canberra FC did not deserve the three points as they created the better chances throughout and probably should have added to their tally by the end. In contrast Olympic looked leaden footed after their midweek exertions in the Federation Cup, in which White Eagles took them to a penalty shoot-out, failing to create many clear cut opportunities in front of goal. They did go close on a number of occasions though, most notably when promising midfielder Joshua Gaspari rattled the frame of the goal with Adam Perakovic grasping thin air, moments before half-time. Robbie Deeley also threatened with a couple of half-chances but, in truth, Canberra FC did more than enough to win the match and go top of the ladder.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 11.

Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 16. Matt GRBESA, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 4. Adam AL -ADHAMI, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 20. Jordan LAMB Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Matt CACHIA, 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Hristjan TANOSKI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Chris NIKITAS, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 9. Lukas COLE, 99. Nick MIHAILAKIS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 12. Nathan EVANS (Canberra FC), 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Matthew Skinner (referee), Allyson Flynn, Greg Taylor

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 11 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

10

8

0

2

25

9

+16

24

2

Canberra Olympic

10

7

1

2

24

10

+14

22

3

Cooma Tigers

11

6

1

4

24

17

+7

19

4

Belconnen United

11

6

0

5

20

21

-1

18

Saturday 1st June 2013 Belconnen United 3 (Michael Taurasi 21’, Dustin Wells 57’ (pen), David Kemp 83’) AIS 0 Belconnen United made sure that they would be in the top four come the end of Round 12 with a 3 -0 victory over the AIS in wet and miserable day at McKellar Park but it was far from a three-goal difference between the teams despite the final outcome. Belconnen’s Ben Klug was the busier of the two ‘keepers early on beating away a low drive from Anthony Kalik and palming a Matthew Schmidt chip over the bar as the AIS started much the brighter. It was totally against the run of play therefore when the Blue Devils took the lead midway through the half with their first meaningful attack. A low cross eluded the grasp of Jordan Thurtell allowing Michael Taurasi the simplest of tasks to turn the ball into the empty net. The AIS responded as George Timotheou rattled the inside of the post from 25m but Belconnen led at the break. It was a much improved Belconnen in the second half and they doubled their lead from the spot as Dustin Wells thumped home a penalty after Taurasi had been brought down in the box. The AIS played some attractive football in kind but a reluctance to pull the trigger was to cost them dearly as the Blue Devils came away with an important three points secured when substitute David Kemp blasted home the third.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Zach MUNSTER, 15. David KEMP, 16. Callum BEATON AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 4. Ben WARLAND, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 11. Marc MARINO, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 21. George TIMOTHEOU Substitutes used: 10. Dylan SMITH, 15. Liam YOULLEY, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 14. Matt VALERI (Belconnen United), 4. Ben WARLAND (AIS) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Allyson Flynn, Sam Clark Sunday 2nd June 2013 Canberra City 2 (Sam McDonald 60’, Luke Udvardi 91’) Woden Valley 3 (Jason Ugrinic 42’, Derek Oelmann 57’, Simon Hinde 89’) Woden Valley remains doggedly in pursuit of those above as they saw off a spirited challenge from Canberra City to win 3-2 at Hawker Football Centre. City’s woes continue therefore as they remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder after twelve rounds. Their cause wasn’t helped by having to play a portion of the match with only ten players after Ashley Lagarde received his marching orders in the second- half.

Woden went into the changing rooms with a narrow 1-0 lead, courtesy of a goal from Jason Ugrinic, his fourth of the season to give his team a slender advantage. It was doubled in the 57 th minute as US import Derek Oelmann struck for the eighth time this season and is finally beginning to live up to the reviews he received on his arrival in Australia. City are determined opposition though and pulled one back through Sam McDonald to set up a tense finale. Simon Hinde eased Woden nerves in the final minute with his second goal in successive matches since his return from Quinnipiac University but even that didn’t kill off City. Luke Udvardi responded in stoppage time for the hosts who pushed plenty forward to try and get a point but Woden held on and was fully deserved of the result.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Matt RICE, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 9. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 11. Jay KELLY, 12. Michael PERCEVAL, 13. Sam McDONALD, 17. Brad SAWYER Substitutes used: 3. Luke HARTIN, 14. Luke UDVARDI Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Simon HINDE, 10. Stephen LEE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 11. Dicky BETTAY, 14. Liam WALSH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 12. Michael PERCEVAL (Canberra City), 5. John GIBSON, 10. Stephen LEE, 14. Liam WALSH (Woden Valley) RED CARD: 2. Ashley LAGARDE (Canberra City) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Sam Nixon, Matt Rynne

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH Zach MAYBURY Belconnen United 3 AIS 0 (McKellar Park), 01/06/13 50th MATCH Aaron CASHMAN Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra FC 7 (Kambah 2), 02/06/13

Sunday 2nd June 2013 Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra FC 7 (Ivan Pavlak 20’, 56’, Daniel Bennett 36’, Julian Borgna 67’, Adam Spaleta 72’ 88’, Alex Oloriegbe 74’) League leaders Canberra FC put in a dominating showing as they trounced Tuggeranong United 7-0 at Kambah 2 to open up a four point lead at the top of the table following Canberra Olympic’s draw.

Canberra FC certainly weren’t flattered by the result either as they turned on a ruthless display and could have added to their tally as Tuggeranong were simply outclassed by their high flying opponents and once Ivan Pavlak had put them ahead there was little doubt about the result. Daniel Bennett added the second goal before the half-time interval as Canberra FC took control. The return of midfield playmaker Adam Spaleta from injury has come at a great time for the table-topping FC who plays the Malaysian National Team on Thursday evening in a prestige friendly match. And Spaleta was instrumental in the second half. Pavlak had added his second goal of the match eleven minutes into the second half and Julian Borgna followed up his wonder strike last weekend with another goal to make it 4-0. Spaleta then took centre-stage, scoring twice, either side of a thirteenth goal of the season for the league’s leading scorer Alex Oloriegbe as the score line blew out and Canberra FC well and truly quashed any thoughts of a potential banana skin.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 13. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 9. Muad ZWED, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Mark DI BITONTO Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 16. Matt GRBESA Substitutes used: 4. Adam AL-ADHAMI, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 19. Adam SPALETA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Philippe BERNABO (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Gary Vandeburgt, Justin Cho Sunday 2nd June 2013 Canberra Olympic 0 Monaro Panthers 0 REPORT BY LEE GASKIN: Lethal striker Mark Shields missed a golden opportunity in the final minute of injury time as Olympic had to be content with a share of the points against an improving Panthers outfit. After pressing the entire second half, Olympic appeared to have conjured up the winning goal when talented teenager Josh Gaspari found Shields open in the box. However, last year’s joint Golden Boot winner skewed his shot as the ball took a bad bounce off the rough surface to leave Olympic disappointed. The choppy ground at O’Connor Enclosed prevented free-flowing football and forced both sides into plenty of skill errors. Despite that, there were still numerous chances to find the back of the net. Gaspari – who was a constant threat and was Olympic’s best – delivered a cracking shot low in the left-corner in the 79th minute, and drew an equally as good save from Panthers goalkeeper James Bradbury. The former Olympic gloveman had a brilliant game and was a major reason why the Panthers took a point off the title contenders. The Panthers had their best opportunities to score from the counter attack. Pepe Varga and Tom McLachlan both blasted over the bar, while defender Jonathan Reis gave his team a scare when his header nearly went into his own net. Olympic is now four points behind league leaders Canberra FC, while the Panthers have crept up to equal sixth on 13 points, level with the AIS. Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 8. Chris NIKITAS, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Matt CACHIA, 19. Hristjan TANOSKI Substitutes used: 7. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 9. Lukas COLE Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 22. Ed McCARTHY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Pepe VARGA (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Alex McConachie, Vinh Nga-Do HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 12 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

11

9

0

2

43

7

+36

27

2

Canberra Olympic

11

7

2

2

24

10

+14

23

3

Belconnen United

12

7

0

5

23

21

+2

21

4

Cooma Tigers

11

6

1

4

24

17

+7

19

Saturday 8th June 2013 Woden Valley 4 (Stephen Lee 48’, Derek Oelmann 57’, 60’, 88’) Canberra FC 1 (Nathan Evans 31’) Where to start? Woden Valley won an extraordinary match at Woden Park on a remarkable Saturday afternoon at Woden Park. The match contained five goals, two missed penalties and a red card with a hat-trick from Derek Oelmann sealing an amazing result. Canberra FC had gone in front in the first half when Nathan Evans ghosted on to a floated cross to net a cushioned header at the far post and when the visitors were awarded a penalty three minutes before the break it appeared as if normal service was the order of the day. Alex Oloriegbe saw his spot-kick saved by Evan Alexandrow-Ridley however and, on that moment, the game turned. James Field was sent off on the cusp of half-time having received a second yellow card to swing the momentum to the hosts. Woden took three minutes to level as Stephen Lee turned in a low Liam Walsh shot just after the break before Oelmann took centre stage. Ryan Keir had already missed a second FC penalty, hitting the underside of the bar in the 52nd minute before the American took advantage of a real howler in the Canberra FC defence to nod into an empty net five minutes later. Oelmann then turned in his second at the far post on the hour following a free-kick that eluded everyone in bouncing across the face of goal. And the match was sealed when Oelmann claimed the match ball crashing a stunning long-range free-kick into the top corner.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. David JENKINS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Simon HINDE, 10. Stephen LEE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 11. Dicky BETTAY Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 16. Matt GRBESA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 4. Adam AL-ADHAMI, 14. Josip JADRIC, 19. Adam SPALETA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 19. Adam SPALETA (Canberra FC) RED CARD: 20. James FIELD (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Daniel Rajic, Adam Powers Sunday 9th June 2013 Cooma Tigers 2 (Stephen Domenici 54’, 90’) Monaro Panthers 3 (Adrian Canizares 2’, Pepe Varga 26’, Ed McCarthy 82’) Monaro Panthers continued a weekend of amazing upsets with a 3-2 victory over Cooma Tigers at Nijong Oval as they maintained their recent upturn in fortunes. The Panthers are now within touching distance of the top four and have dealt a massive blow to the Tigers hopes of a finals spot at they slip to fifth on the ladder. Adrian Canizares gave the Panthers the dream start with a goal inside the opening two minutes, his first of the season. If that stunned the Tigers they were even more taken aback in the 26 th minute as Monaro striker Pepe Varga notched his eighth of the campaign to the delight of a jubilant visitor’s bench. Trailing 0-2 at half-time Cooma hit back nine minutes into the second half as Stephen Domenici pulled a goal back and it could have been 2-2 when the home side were awarded a penalty.

Goalkeeper James Bradbury stood firm to deny Robbie Cattanach from the spot, saving his effort and that was to be crucial. Ed McCarthy appeared to have put the Panthers into an unbeatable position as he netted his first ever senior Premier League goal with eight minutes remaining. Domenici made sure there was some nerves at the finale, striking his second in stoppage time, but Monaro had done enough to win the points.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Jordan SAN MARTIN, 4. Thomas MANGA, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Zach SCHOON, 7. Felipe FLORES, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: None Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 16. Ed McCARTHY, 22. Nikola RAJAK, 33. Thomas HEWITT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Jair WILK (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Daniel Ruiz, Tom Wodzinski

APPEARANCE MILESTONES There were no appearance milestones recorded in the National Premier League for the weekend of 8th/June 2013

Sunday 9th June 2013 Tuggeranong United 3 (Muad Zwed 24’, Sean Murphy 29’, Andrew Sellers 84’) Canberra Olympic 3 (Robbie Schroder 12’, Matt Cachia 54’, Nick Bobolas 88’) Canberra Olympic missed a huge chance to close the gap on Canberra FC to one point as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Tuggeranong United at Kambah 2. United were well worth a point and was unrecognisable from the team that was swamped 7-0 by Canberra FC at the same venue seven days ago. Robbie Schroder opened the scoring in the 12th minute, turning home a low Daniel Fulton centre, but Tuggeranong led at the interval. Muad Zwed made it 1-1 in the 24th minute as he collected a Daniel Beaumont pass to round Angelo Konstantinou and slot home from the angle before Sean Murphy ran onto a Zwed cutback five minutes later to put the home team ahead. A header from Matt Cachia levelled matters in the 54 th minute as the game twisted on its head again. Olympic should have gone 3-2 up but former Tuggeranong striker Mark Shields blazed a penalty high over the bar and Tuggeranong made Olympic pay with six minutes to play as substitute Andrew Sellers headed in a Menser cross. Just as it looked as if Tuggeranong would claim an upset win though up popped defender Nick Bobolas. In the 88 th minute, Bobolas was fed by Fulton and cut inside to blast home a stunning equaliser into the top corner and earn his team a share of the spoils.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Harry PETTIT, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Mark DI BITONTO, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Daniel MOUTREY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 13. Andrew SELLERS, 14. Ashley BLOUNT, 15, Zac LAWRENCE Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Hristjan TANOSKI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 15. Daniel FULTON, 18. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 3. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 5. Tim BOBOLAS, 8. Liam CAREY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Matt Rynne, Sam Ockerby AIS 3 (Dylan Smith 11’, Todd Norris 15’, Darcy Madden 18’) Canberra City 0 Three goals within seven first half minutes ensured that the AIS claimed all three points at the AIS Grass Fields in Round 13 of the National Premier League: Capital Football with a 3-0 victory over Canberra City. The Institute started like a house on fire and flooded forward in numbers, looking threatening with every attack, and promising to score at will. Dylan Smith opened the scoring in the 11th minute, the striker securing his third goal of the season. He was quickly followed onto the score sheet by big number nine Todd Norris who struck within four minutes of the opening goal. And, before City could begin to draw breath, it was 3-0. Darcy Madden set off on a marauding burst forward and got on the end of a sweet move to plant a shot past the stranded City goalkeeper. That third goal effectively put the seal on the result before twenty minutes were up with the AIS comfortably in control of proceedings. The second half brought a much improved City display as they tightened up at the back and began to threaten sporadically going forward. However, there was little doubt that the AIS would go home with the points and they almost added to their goals tally on a number of occasions but, ultimately, would have been satisfied with the victory.

AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 4. Ben WARLAND, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 11. Marc MARINO, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 17. Anthony KALIK, 21. George TIMOTHEOU Substitutes used: 16. Jordan PUDLER, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 22. Liam ROSE Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Henry WILLIAMS, 3. Jay KELLY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Michael PERCEVAL, 9. Luke HARTIN, 12. Ryuhei NOSE, 16. Brad SAWYER, 17. Alex BARNES Substitutes used: 11. Ross EDWARDS. 14. Aiden THOMPSON, 15. Andrew MANLEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Ben WARLAND (AIS), 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 14. Aiden THOMPSON (Canberra City) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Vinh Nga-Do, Nia Southwell

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 13 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

12

9

0

3

44

11

+33

27

2

Canberra Olympic

12

7

3

2

27

13

+14

24

3

Belconnen United

12

7

0

5

23

21

+2

21

4

Woden Valley

11

7

0

4

23

24

-1

21

Saturday 15th June 2013 Belconnen United 3 (Matt Valeri 72’, Dustin Wells 76’, Callum Smith 85’) Canberra City 1 (Sam McDonald 71’) Three goals in an explosive ten minute spell in the second half saw Belconnen United ease past bottom of the table Canberra City by 3-1 at Hawker Football Centre. It was rough justice on a City side that had worked hard to get ahead and looked likely to gain a reward from the fixture. As it was bad luck hit the visitors once more as the Blue Devils struck a purple patch that ultimately turned the fixture in their favour. After a goal-less first half in which both sides had chances to break the deadlock, it was City that went ahead midway through the second stanza as Sam McDonald found the target for the sixth time this season. The Blue Devils hit back though and turned the tide of the match on its head with their goal blitz. Belconnen equalised within minutes of the City goal and went on to bag a further two more as they swamped their visitors. Dustin Wells netted his twelfth goal of the season before strikes from Matt Valeri and Callum Smith put the tie beyond the reach of Nick Palagyi’s men. The Blue Devils are now only one point behind Canberra Olympic in second place and six off Canberra FC in top spot. City’s tough 2013 campaign carries on but they’ll remain optimistic that they can improve before the season’s end and pick up some results.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 8. Reece VEENHOVEN, 11. Brad SAWYER, 12. Ryuhei NOSE, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Alex BARNES, 16. HENRY WILLIAMS Substitutes used: 9. Ross EDWARDS, 17. Luke UDVARDI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 14. Matt VALERI (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Greg Taylor, Sam Clark Sunday 16th June 2013 Cooma Tigers 3 (Stephen Domenici 58’, Serdan Bircan 87’, Felipe Flores 92’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Danny Moutrey 54’) Cooma Tigers moved back into the top four of the National Premier League: Capital Football competition after they saw off Tuggeranong United in an entertaining and competitive match at Nijong Oval. With Woden Valley drawing 1-1 at Canberra Olympic the Tigers go above Woden on goal difference. All the goals came in an electrifying second half after the first forty-five minutes had ended in deadlock. It took a Tuggeranong United goal to kick start the action as the underdogs took the lead in the 54 th minute. Danny Moutrey was the right man in the right place to score his fourth goal of the season to send the away support into raptures. Any thoughts of United repeating their excellent showing against Canberra Olympic seven days ago were snuffed out though by a Cooma comeback. Stephen Domenici equalised four minutes after Moutrey’s opener with his third goal of the season to bring his team back to parity and, for large parts of the match, it appeared that the game would end in a draw. The Tigers had other ideas and up popped substitute Serdan Bircan to score his second goal of the season with time running out. Tuggeranong pushed for an equaliser but were caught by the classic sucker-punch in stoppage time as another substitute Felipe Flores made it three.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Eric BONNETT, 4. Thomas MANGA, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Alex CASTRO, 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 14. Serdan BIRCAN, 15. Felipe FLORES Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 2. Harry PETTIT, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Mark DI BITONTO, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY Substitutes used: 13. Andrew SELLERS, 14. Ciaran RAYMENT, 15. Chris RUIZ Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Thomas MANGA, 10. Jair WILK (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Brett Woodford, Daniel Ruiz

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Sam McDONALD Belconnen United 3 Canberra City 1 (Hawker Football Centre), 15/03/13 Josip JADRIC AIS 1 Canberra FC 3 (AIS Grass Fields), 16/06/13

Sunday 16th June 2013 Woden Valley 1 (Derek Oelmann 84’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Mark Shields 20’) A late goal from in-form American striker Derek Oelmann earned Woden Valley a 1-1 draw with Canberra Olympic at Woden Park and denied the visitors a chance to stay in touch with leaders Canberra FC. Oelmann scored with six minutes remaining to drag Woden level taking his season total to twelve and stretching an incredible run that has seen him become the form goal-getter of the National Premier League: Capital Football division. Olympic had gone ahead in the first half when their own leading scorer, Mark Shields, rounded off a sweet move to register his thirteenth goal of the season, moving joint level at the top of the Golden Boot charts alongside Canberra FC hit-man Alex Oloriegbe. Both teams had plenty of opportunities to seal the win but the balance swung in Woden’s direction when Olympic captain Robbie Deeley was sent off for receiving a second yellow card in the second half. From that moment on Woden dominated the play and could have secured a come from behind win but were denied by Olympic’s defence. Despite earning a valuable point, Woden dropped down the ladder into fifth place after Cooma Tigers won at home against Tuggeranong United. Olympic meanwhile has been dragged back into the pack and trail leaders Canberra FC by five points.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Simon HINDE, 10. Stephen LEE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 3. Ben PAGETT, 23. Jason UGRINIC Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Hristjan TANOSKI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Matt CACHIA, 14. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 9. Lukas COLE, 15. Liam CAREY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 8. Connor NOLAN, 13. Liam WALSH (Woden Valley), 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 8. Hristjan TANOSKI (Canberra Olympic) RED CARD: 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Sam Nixon, Alex McConachie Sunday 16th June 2013 AIS 1 (Anthony Kalik 62’) Canberra FC 3 (Marcin Zygmunt 24’, Philippe Bernabo 44’, Ryan Keir 63’) Canberra FC extended their lead at the top of the National Premier League with a 3-1 victory over the AIS at the Grass Fields on Sunday afternoon. The victory means that FC now has a five point advantage over Canberra Olympic after Olympic’s draw with Woden Valley. The visitors took the lead in the 24 th minute when central defender Marcin Zygmunt was left unmarked in front of goal to take advantage of a lucky break following a goalmouth scramble to tap home from six yards. AIS pressed for an equaliser but Canberra FC hit them with a real blow a minute from half time. Philippe Bernabo, who had missed a few weeks with injury, rediscovered his scoring touch with his eighth goal of the season to make it 2-0 at the break. The match really exploded into action in a bizarre three minute spell just after the sixty minute mark with two goals and a missed penalty. The Institute appeared to have got themselves back into the match when Anthony Kalik finished well in the 62 nd minute but Canberra FC restored their two goal cushion less than a minute later as midfielder Ryan Keir struck from a corner. The AIS 65th minute but Adam Perakovic saved well from Todd Norris taking with it AIS last chance.

AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 4. Ben WARLAND, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 11. Marc MARINO, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 17. Anthony KALIK, 21. George TIMOTHEOU Substitutes used: 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 19. Adam SPALETA Substitutes used: 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 16. Matt GRBESA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Ben WARLAND, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 17. Anthony KALIK (AIS), 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 19. Adam SPALETA (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Sam Ockerby, Sam Jolley HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 14 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

13

10

0

3

47

12

+35

30

2

Canberra Olympic

13

7

4

2

28

14

+14

25

3

Belconnen United

13

8

0

5

26

22

+4

24

4

Cooma Tigers

13

7

1

5

29

21

+8

22

Sunday 23rd June 2013 Canberra Olympic 2 (Mark Shields 11’, Matthew Schmidt (own goal) 65’) AIS 1 (Jordan Pudler 67’) Canberra Olympic roared back into title contention with a nervy 2-1 win over the AIS at O’Connor Enclosed. Olympic’s narrow success, coupled with Canberra FC’s dramatic last gasp loss at home to Belconnen United sees the gap between the two teams at the top of the table narrow to only two points as the title race was blown wide open on a sensational day in the National Premier League. Olympic took the lead in the 10th minute as their leading scorer Mark Shields netted his 14th goal of a productive debut season at the club with an opportunistic overhead kick inside the six-yard box. That goal was the difference between the two teams at the break but there was little between the two sides. Olympic needed the security of a second goal and they got it midway into the second half. Shields was once again heavily involved with his shot taking a wicked deflection off an AIS defender and wrong-footing the goalkeeper to put the hosts 2-0 ahead and looking good. The Institute needed a reply and they got one quickly. Midfielder Jordan Pudler was the man for the moment scoring to reduce the deficit and get his team back into the match. They couldn’t get the second to gain a point though and Olympic move closer to the summit.

Canberra Olympic: 12. Costas FALLAS, 2. Nic NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Josh GASPARI, 7. Hristjan TANOSKI, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 16. Matt CACHIA, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 14. Liam CAREY, 30. Tim BOBOLAS, 99. Nick MIHAILAKIS AIS: 30. Lucas SPINELLA, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 4. Ben WARLAND, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 11. Marc MARINO, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 23. Rocco PIZZATA Substitutes used: 22. Liam ROSE, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 16. Matt CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), RED CARD: 4. Ben WARLAND (AIS) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Brett Woodford, Delfina Dimoski Sunday 23rd June 2013 Canberra FC 3 (Alex Oloriegbe 9’, Philippe Bernabo 17’, Ivan Pavlak 69’) Belconnen United 4 (David Kemp 27’, 90’, Misko Naumoski 43’, 55’) A 90th minute winner from David Kemp has thrown the National Premier League: Capital Football division wide open as Belconnen United defeated Canberra FC 4-3 at Deakin Stadium. Kemp struck with a half-volley with time running out to seal a memorable match and the Blue Devils first victory at the new venue. It had all appeared to be routine for the home team early on as goals from Alex Oloriegbe and Philippe Bernabo had them 2-0 ahead and coasting. Bernabo even saw a penalty saved by Ben Klug in the Belconnen goal but it was one-way traffic. However, once Kemp had reduced the deficit in the 27 th minute with a downward header there was a real momentum shift. A stunning free-kick from Misko Naumoski levelled the scores at the interval and the same player put the visitors ahead in the 55th minute, breaking onto a through ball and finishing sweetly into the corner. Canberra FC looked like they had rescued a point in the 69 th minute when Ivan Pavlak coolly picked his spot after Klug had parried a fierce drive, but the hosts were hit with a classic sucker punch late on as Kemp brought Belconnen back into the title race with his winner to close the gap on the leaders to three points.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE 11. Ivan PAVLAK 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA Substitutes used: 6. Ryan KEIR, 14. Josip JADRIC, 20. James FIELD Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 16. Jamie DUNCAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 13. Daniel BENNETT, 20. James FIELD (Canberra FC), 4. Zach MAYBURY, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Rick Schneider (referee), Allyson Flynn, Greg Taylor

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Milan POPOVICH Canberra FC 3 Belconnen United 4 (Deakin Stadium), 23/06/13

Sunday 23rd June 2013 Cooma Tigers 3 (Robbie Cattanach 81’, Thom Lommers 85’, Zach Munster 93’) Woden Valley 7 (Derek Oelmann 3’, 21’, 82’, 86’, Serdan Bircan (own goal) 34’, Jason Ugrinic 53’, 65’) Woden Valley turned in an incredible display in atrocious conditions to move into the top four of the National Premier League: Capital Football division with a 7-3 victory over Cooma Tigers at Nijong Oval.

Woden braved sleet and fog to turn in one of their best performances of the season and claim a victory that could just prove to be the catalyst required for a top four charge. Woden were irresistible throughout in a complete display that saw them lead 3-0 at the break and comprehensively dismantle their opponents.

Woden started brightly with a goal in the second minute through Derek Oelmann and didn’t look back from there. Oelmann bagged his second of the match, and 14 th goal in the last eight games, in the 20th minute before Mitch Steenbergen made it 3-0 on the half hour. There was no let up after the break as Woden continued on their rampage with Jason Ugrinic netting twice to take the score out to 5-0. Robbie Cattanach pulled one back for the beleaguered Tigers but there was still time for plenty more. Oelmann struck two more to move onto four for the match and sixteen for the season whilst Thom Lommers and Zach Munster netted consolations for a well-beaten Tigers. Little could take the gloss off a remarkable day for Woden Valley though.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Thomas MANGA, 4. Serdan BIRCAN, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Alex CASTRO, 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 8. Eric BONNETT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Zach MUNSTER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 14. Felipe FLORES, 15. Thom LOMMERS, 16. Glen CABLE Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Simon HINDE, 9. Liam WALSH, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 11. Andrew SLAVICH, 13. David JENKINS, 22. Zach HARRIGAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Thomas MANGA, 8. Eric BONNETT (Cooma Tigers), 9. Liam WALSH (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Owen Watson, Sam Jolley Sunday 23rd June 2013 Monaro Panthers 0 Tuggeranong United 2 (Muad Zwed 25’, 89’) A goal in each half from striker Muad Zwed earned Tuggeranong United a gritty 2-0 win over Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium. The result capped a terrific week for the club who reached the semifinals of the Federation Cup with a 3-1 victory over Canberra Olympic in midweek and one of personal satisfaction for Zwed who was instrumental in both victories. United had to defend well on a number of occasions throughout the match with the Panthers enjoying large spells of possession but failing to create the chances required to test the Tuggeranong back four. Zwed pounced on the only mistake that Monaro made in the opening forty-five minutes to break the deadlock and send his team into the changing rooms leading by one goal to nil. Monaro came out firing in the second half and again had plenty of the ball but failed to finish off the opportunities that they did create. They were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as the match reached its conclusion with Zwed striking his fourth goal of the season in stoppage time to seal the three points for United. The result changes little in the way of league positioning but Tuggeranong has managed to close the gap on the Panthers to eight points.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 16. Nikola RAJAK, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 14. Harry PETTIT, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY Substitutes used: 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 13. Danny MOUTREY, 15. Chris PHILLIPS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Sam OSATTO (Monaro Panthers), 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 13. Danny MOUTREY (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Matthew Rynne, Samantha Ockerby

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 15 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

14

10

0

4

50

16

+34

30

2

Canberra Olympic

14

8

4

2

30

15

+15

28

3

Belconnen United

14

9

0

5

30

25

+5

27

4

Woden Valley

13

8

1

4

31

28

+3

25

Saturday 29th June 2013 Canberra City 0 Canberra FC 6 (Josip Jadric 7’, Alex Oloriegbe 9’ Philippe Bernabo 10’, 39’, 48’, 53’) Canberra FC romped to a six goal win over Canberra City at Hawker Football Centre to reaffirm their title credentials with a consummate display away from home. The match was effectively over as a contest as early as the tenth minute as Canberra FC came blasting their way out of the blocks scoring three times without reply as City were blown off the park. Returning winger Josip Jadric opened the scoring in the seventh minute before leading scorer Alex Oloriegbe doubled their advantage only two minutes later.

Philippe Bernabo then added the third almost immediately to put the game beyond the reach of the home team early on. City stemmed the flood after that and threatened sporadically but, in truth, it was Canberra FC who dominated much of the play. Bernabo then took centre stage taking the score to 4-0 by the interval with his second of the match. The flying forward was to add another couple to his tally in the second stanza, claiming four for the fixture and moving on to thirteen for the campaign. With their nearest challengers facing off in a head-to-head at McKellar Park twenty-four hours later, this was another clinical and professional performance from Miro Trninic’s outfit ahead of their re-arranged midweek Federation Cup Quarter Final tie.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Alex BARNES, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 9. Ross EDWARDS, 12. Ryuhei NOSE, 15. Michael PERCEVAL, 16. Henry WILLIAMS Substitutes used: 8. Luke GIBSON, 10. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 11. Andrew MANLEY Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 5. Julian BORGNA, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA Substitutes used: 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 20. James FIELD Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Justin Cho, Adam Powers Sunday 30th June 2013 Belconnen United 0 Canberra Olympic 0 There was nothing to separate Belconnen United and Canberra Olympic at McKellar Park on Sunday afternoon as the two title chasers fought out a 0-0 stalemate. Chances were very much limited for both teams and honours very much even in a clash that failed to hit any real heights until a feisty final few minutes. Oliver Wiederkehr had the best chance of the first half for Canberra Olympic, latching onto a smart back-headed flick on from Joshua Gaspari but the lightning fast winger dragged his shot wide from fifteen metres after cutting inside his marker to make space. At the other end Matt Valeri tested the reflexes of away goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou who pushed his fierce drive over the bar. Dustin Wells for Belconnen, and Gaspari for Olympic, did find the net but both were denied by the offside flag. In the second half Misko Naumoski went close with a thunderous effort that Konstantinou palmed away to safety whilst Gaspari broke the Blue Devils offside trap collecting a Mark Shields lay-off, but his shot came back off the post. The dismissal of Belconnen midfielder David Arranz for a second yellow card left the home team with ten men for the final ten minutes but the visitors could find no way through.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Josh GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 3. Tim BOBOLAS, 8. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 15. Liam CAREY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Zach MAYBURY (Belconnen United), 7. Robbie DEELEY, 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic) RED CARD: 6. David ARRANZ (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Allyson Flynn, Owen Goldrick

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Alex OLORIEGBE Canberra City 0 Canberra FC 6 (Hawker Football Centre), 29/06/13

Sunday 30th June 2013 Woden Valley 9 (Jason Ugrinic 21’, 31’, 53’, Mitch Steenbergen 41’, Ben Pagett 68’ Derek Oelmann 70’, 72’ (pen), 83’ (pen), 87’) Monaro Panthers 0 Woden Valley were again in irrepressible mood as they followed up their remarkable 7-3 success at Cooma Tigers last week with an astonishing 9-0 hammering of Monaro Panthers at Woden Park on a crisp and cool Sunday afternoon. Woden was dominant throughout the match and led 3-0 at the interval. Midfielder Jason Ugrinic did all the early damage, scoring twice in the opening half whilst Mitch Steenbergen added a third as Woden comprehensively took control of the match. It was to get worse for the Panthers in the second stanza as Ugrinic completed his hat-trick in the 53rd minute before the wheels really fell off the Monaro machine. Ben Pagett made it 5-0 twenty minutes from time and the only surprise by this stage was that leading scorer Derek Oelmann hadn’t found the target, He made amends in some style by bagging an amazing four goals in the final eighteen minutes as the roof caved in on the visitors. Two of Oelmann’s haul, which took him to twenty goals for the season, were from the penalty spot with Panthers goalkeeper James Bradbury sent off for the second spot-kick. Oelmann despatched both penalties with aplomb and, as his confidence has soared, brought up his 20th goal for the club close to the final whistle.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Simon HINDE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 13. Goran MUKEVSKI, 14. David JENKINS, 22. Zach HARRIGAN Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 6. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 5. Ed McCARTHY, 16. Nikola RAJAK, 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None RED CARD: 1. James BRADBURY (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Alex McConachie, Daniel Rajic Sunday 30th June 2013 AIS 4 (Marc Marino 16’, 56’, Anthony Kalik 70’, Bai Antoniou 78’) Cooma Tigers 0 The Australian Institute of Sport put a huge dent in Cooma Tigers hopes of retaining their 2012 Grand Final trophy as they swamped their luckless opponents 4-0 in an exhibition of pace, power and vitality that Cooma simply could not match throughout the ninety minutes. The AIS started brightly and took the lead in the 16th minute of the match as speedy forward Marc Marino netted the opener. The AIS created plenty of chances after the first goal and were unfortunate not to be further ahead at the break. The Institute eventually did add to their tally eleven minutes into the second stanza as Marino bagged his second of the match, getting behind the Tigers defence and avoiding the advancing Cooma goalkeeper to score. There would be no hat-trick for the striker though as he was replaced by Bai Antoniou and it was Antoniou who would eventually round out proceedings with the fourth home goal twelve minutes from time. In between matters the third AIS goal was notched by Anthony Kalik who reacted fastest to a parried shot to tap into the empty net and seal the result. For Cooma every match now becomes a huge clash. They trail the leading pack by six points and simply cannot afford to fall any further behind if they are to bring silverware back to Nijong Oval as they did in September last year.

AIS: 30. Lucas SPINELLA, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 9. Todd NORRIS, 11. Marc MARINO, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA Substitutes used: 10. Dylan SMITH, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Eric BONNETT, 4. Thomas MANGA, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Alex CASTRO, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Zach MUNSTER Substitutes used: 10. Jair WILK, 13. Marc O’NEILL, 15. Glen CABLE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Greg Taylor, Delfina Dimoski HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 16 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

15

11

0

4

56

16

+40

33

2

Canberra Olympic

15

8

5

2

30

15

+15

29

3

Woden Valley

14

9

1

4

40

28

+12

28

4

Belconnen United

15

9

1

5

30

25

+5

28

Saturday 6th July 2013 Cooma Tigers 0 Belconnen United 1 (David Kemp 59’) Cooma Tigers hopes of repeating their 2012 Grand Final heroics are hanging on a knife edge as they drifted further behind the top four following a narrow 0-1 loss to Belconnen United on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Nijong Oval. A solitary goal, midway through the second half, from David Kemp proved the difference in a tight match in which very little separated the teams. With both sides knowing that a victory would keep them in the hunt for the finals series it was Belconnen who made the crucial breakthrough. Kemp collected a precise through ball from Jack Blackley, steering home the match winner after Tigers custodian Francois Bangweni had saved his first effort. It was a big win for the Blue Devils who went into the match minus the services of David Arranz and Zac Maybury (suspended) as well as the injured Taylor Beaton and Michael Reeve. The Tigers were unable to take advantage of the depleted visitors even though a number of presentable chances went awry. Defeat meant that Cooma trailed Woden Valley by six points ahead of Woden’s trip to Southside neighbours Tuggeranong United and in danger of missing out on finals altogether. Belconnen meanwhile look almost back to their best and are genuine title contenders.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Eric BONNETT, 4. Thomas MANGA, 5. Alex CASTRO, 6. Glenn CABLE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Zach MUNSTER Substitutes used: 10. Jair WILK, 15. Michael SYDNEY Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. Adam DE FRANCESCHI, 8. Callum SMITH, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 10. Kieran MATTRESS, 14. Matt VALERI, 16. Jamie DUNCAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Milan POPOVICH, 6. Adam DE FRANCESCHI (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Adam Powers, Justin Cho Sunday 7th July 2013 Canberra Olympic 2 (Mark Shields 35’, 50’) Canberra City 1 (Sam McDonald 2’) A double from leading scorer Mark Shields has given Canberra Olympic a 2-1 win over Canberra City at O’Connor Enclosed and possession of the Robin Waring Cup in the process. Olympic had to come from behind to take the cup and the vital three points that keeps them hot on the heels of Canberra FC at the summit of the National Premier League: Capital Football competition after seventeen rounds. City had earlier stunned their high flying opponents by taking the lead in only the second minute of the match as Sam McDonald found the net for the seventh time this season. That setback stunned Olympic who had to wait until the 35th minute to find a response as striker Shields struck to level matters up heading into the half-time break. Parity was probably a fair result at that stage and City can probably feel aggrieved that they couldn’t at least hold on to a point after the interval. As it was, it was Olympic who made the breakthrough five minutes after the restart when Shields hit the net for the sixteenth time this season and with it made sure that his team would keep up the chase for the championship. Despite their best effort City couldn’t find the response required and were left to reflect on what might have been.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 56. Matt CACHIA, 6. Josh GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 3. Tim BOBOLAS, 14. Liam CAREY, 99. Victor YANES Canberra City: 1. Sam McLAUGHLIN, 2. Ashley LAGARDE, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ross EDWARDS, 12. Ryuhei NOSE, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Alex BARNES Substitutes used: 5. Aiden THOMPSON, 14. Andrew MANLEY, 16. Chris McEWAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic), 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Luke GIBSON, 13. Sam McDONALD (Canberra City) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Adam Powers, Alex McConachie

APPEARANCE MILESTONES There were no appearance milestones recorded in the National Premier League for the weekend of 6th/7th July 2013

Sunday 7th July 2013 Monaro Panthers 1 (Pepe Varga 68’) AIS 2 (Anthony Kalik 18’, 92’) A stoppage time winner from Anthony Kalik broke Monaro Panthers hearts and effectively killed off any lingering hopes that they may have had of making the top four as the AIS claimed a 2-1 win at the Riverside Stadium. It was rough justice on the Panthers who had come from 0-1 behind to draw level and looked good for a point that would have kept them in the hunt for a top four space. However, the late winner means the gap between Monaro and fourth is now fifteen points which looks too much of a gap to bridge at this stage of the season. A third goal of the season from Kalik earlier in the match had the AIS in front in the 18th minute and on the way to what many predicted would be a victory.

Monaro had other ideas though and in young Pepe Varga, selected for the Youth United squad to tackle the Newcastle Jets National Youth League team in a friendly match on Monday evening, they have a striker with an eye for goal. He showcased that to full effect in the 68 th minute, rattling home his ninth goal for the season to bring his team back on level terms and looking good for at least a share of the spoils. The Institute had other ideas however and, with the clock running down and the final whistle imminent stung the Panthers with their late winner.

Monaro Panthers: 23. Todd WHITTAKER, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 22. Thomas HEWITT AIS: 30. Lucas SPINELLA, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 9. Todd NORRIS, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 16. Jordan PUDLER, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 21. George TIMOTHEOU, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 7. Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 19. Bright APPIAH, 22. Liam ROSE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Jonathon REIS, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Sam Nixon, Samantha Ockerby Sunday 7th July 2013 Tuggeranong United 1 (Danny Moutrey 35’) Woden Valley 3 (Derek Oelmann 11’, 33’ (pen), Goran Mukevski 44’) Woden Valley kept up their remarkable run of recent form with a 3-1 victory over Tuggeranong United in the Southside derby at Kambah 2. Having made their way into the semi-finals of the Federation Cup during the week with a 6-0 win over O’Connor Knights at Deakin Stadium, Woden closed the gap on the league leaders to just two points and remains only a point behind Canberra Olympic, albeit with a game in hand on their rivals. Three goals in the first half did for Tuggeranong in front of a decent crowd on a cold Sunday afternoon in the valley as US import Derek Oelmann continued his rich vein of form by taking his own personal account to 22 goals for the season. Oelmann got Woden off and running in the 11 th minute and doubled his, and his team’s tally in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot, notching at the second attempt after the referee ordered a re-take. Tuggeranong, unperturbed, hit back as Danny Moutrey struck within two minutes of the second Woden goal with his second of the season to give United hope. That was snuffed out close to the interval thanks to a glorious goal from Goran Mukevski, his first league goal for Woden since his transfer from Cooma Tigers as Woden remain on course for the treble.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Danny MOUTREY, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 7. Ashley BLOUNT. 15. Jordan GLOVER Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI 10. Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 15. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 22. Zach HARRIGAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 12. Tim IRESON (Tuggeranong United), 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 4. Mitch STEVENS (non-used substitute), 5. John GIBSON, 10. Jason UGRINIC (Woden Valley) RED CARD: 6. Sime CELESKI (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Matt Rynne, Nick Gillies HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 17 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

15

11

0

4

56

16

+40

33

2

Canberra Olympic

16

9

5

2

32

16

+16

32

3

Woden Valley

15

10

1

4

43

29

+14

31

4

Belconnen United

16

10

1

5

31

25

+6

31

Saturday 13th July 2013 Tuggeranong United 1 (Sean Murphy 27’) Canberra City 2 (Sam McDonald 56’, 68’ (pen)) Canberra City recorded a second victory of the season as they defeated Tuggeranong United 2-1 at Kambah 2 on a reasonably warm Saturday afternoon in front of a decent crowd. And no-one present would argue that City deserved to take the three points after coming from behind to claim the win with a dominant second half showing that, but for the performance of United man of the match Jack Pettit in between the posts, could have yielded a much more comfortable victory. City should have been ahead before Tuggeranong took the lead in the 27 th minute as Daniel Di-Salvatore wasted two great chances, seeing his one-on-one saved by Pettit and then blazing over when well placed. Tuggeranong made City pay for that profligacy as Danny Moutrey skinned his marker and pulled the ball across the face of goal where Sean Murphy arrived to blast into the roof of the net. City levelled in the second half as Sam McDonald slipped past Pettit, racing from his goal, to leave himself with a simple tap into an empty net to make it 1-1 in the 56th minute. And City got the result their showing deserved in the 68 th minute as United conceded a penalty and McDonald rammed home his 9th goal of the season from the spot.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Danny MOUTREY, 6. Harry PETTIT, 7. Ashley BLOUNT, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 8. Tom RUIZ, 15. Jordan CARIGE Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Matt RICE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 8. Luke GIBSON, 10. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 12. Ryuhei NOSE, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Alex BARNES Substitutes used: 9. Ross EDWARDS, 14. Andrew MANLEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Ashley BLOUNT, 14. Harry PETTIT (Tuggeranong United), 6. Adam DOBELL, 13. Sam McDONALD (Canberra City) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Owen Watson, Nicholas Gillies Sunday 14th July 2013 Cooma Tigers 2 (Goran Josifovski 4', Robbie Cattanach 43’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Lukas Cole 60’) It was a must-win game for Cooma Tigers and they did just that inflicting a 2-1 defeat on Canberra Olympic at Nijong Oval in Round 18 of the National Premier League: Capital Football. The Tigers had seen their hopes of a top four place take a battering in recent weeks as they slipped further away from the pack and entered this match knowing that another loss could prove terminal to their chances of repeating their 2012 Grand Final success. With that in the back of their mind they ripped into their visitors from the kick off and took the lead early on as striker Goran Josifovski, who has returned to the club following a mid-season hiatus at Canberra FC, netted a crucial goal. Olympic knew that they too needed something from the match and responded as you would expect from a team at the right end of the table but they could not find a way past a resolute and stout Cooma back-line. The vital moment of the match came close to the half-time break as Cooma doubled their lead. It was Robbie Cattanach who netted the goal, his thirteenth of the season, which gave the home side something to hold onto in the second half. As expected Olympic threw everything at the Tigers in an effort to get back into the match but could only find one goal from Lukas Cole as Cooma held on.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Glen CABLE, 4. Alex CASTRO, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. JP D’AMBROSIO, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 14. Zach MUNSTER Substitutes used: 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 13. Felipe FLORES, 16. Liam HIGHMORE Canberra Olympic: 1. Costas FALLAS, 2. Chris NIKITAS, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Josh GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Liam CAREY, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 4. Tim BOBOLAS, 9. Lukas COLE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Nia Southwell, Sam Nixon

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH Ivan PAVLAK Monaro Panthers 2 Canberra FC 5 (Riverside Stadium), 14/07/13 Mark SHIELDS Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra Olympic 1 (Nijong Oval), 14/07/13 50th MATCH Lukas COLE Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra Olympic 1 (Nijong Oval), 14/07/13

Sunday 14th July 2013 Monaro Panthers 2 (Tyson Cottam 9’, Aaron Evans 29’ (og)) Canberra FC 5 (James Field 48’, Alex Oloriegbe 57’, Philippe Bernabo 86’, Ian Graham 59, Ivan Pavlak 88’) Canberra FC came from 2-0 down at half-time to record a 5-2 victory over the Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium and move two points clear at the top of the table ahead of Belconnen United. That they won so comfortably in the end belies a huge effort from the Panthers who played an exceptional opening forty-five minutes to go into the changing rooms in high spirits. Tyson Cottam, who had scored the match winner in the Panthers remarkable 2-1 win at Deakin Stadium last season, struck a stunner in the ninth minute to put the home team ahead, thrashing home from 25 metres past Adam Perakovic in goal who had no chance to stop it. If that was a surprise what followed was amazing as superb approach work by Tim Womack ended with the unfortunate Aaron Evans knocking the ball into his own net. The Panthers needed to keep Canberra FC at bay for the opening ten minutes but found their lead halved three minutes after the resumption as James Field struck. That precipitated a purple patch from the leaders as Alex Oloriegbe pounced on a loose back pass to make it 2-2 before Ian Graham put the visitors ahead within sixty seconds. Late goals from Philippe Bernabo and Ivan Pavlak rubbed salt into the wounds of Monaro who came up against a champion outfit in the second half.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Jonathon REIS, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 22. Thomas HEWITT Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 3. Daniel BENNETT, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 5. Julian BORGNA, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Pepe VARGA (Monaro Panthers), 9. Philippe BERNABO (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Delfina Dimoski, Owen Watson Sunday 14th July 2013 Woden Valley 1 (Goran Mukevski 87’) Belconnen United 2 (Matt Valeri 33’, Dustin Wells 84’) Belconnen United moved to second on the National Premier League: Capital Football ladder after inflicting a first defeat on in-form Woden Valley since Round 4 with a 2-1 victory at Woden Park on a grey and miserable afternoon in Canberra. The Blue Devils did just enough to take the three points in what was a scrappy match and they survived two penalty shouts in the second half, one for handball and the other for a perceived push on Connor Nolan. By that stage Belconnen had already taken the lead with a smart finish from Matt Valeri, sweeping a curling finish over the head of Woden goalkeeper Evan Alexandrow-Ridley in the 33rd minute of the match. Chances were limited for both teams in the second half as the game became a midfield battle with Taylor Beaton a stand-out in midfield and Jack Green enjoying a man of the match performance at the back. Belconnen looked certain to have sealed the points six minutes from time as substitute Misko Naumoski picked his way past the Woden defence and fed Dustin Wells who supplied the calm finish. Woden hit back late on as Goran Mukevski diverted a Jason Ugrinic free-kick past Ben Klug, what appeared more by luck than judgment and Belconnen survived a late onslaught to hold on and win.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 15. Liam WALSH 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 4. Mitch STEVENS, 22. Zach HARRIGAN Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP Substitutes used: 9. Misko NAUMOSKI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Adam Powers, Sam Ockerby

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 18 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

16

12

0

4

61

18

+43

36

2

Belconnen United

17

11

1

5

33

26

+7

34

3

Canberra Olympic

17

9

5

3

33

18

+15

32

4

Woden Valley

16

10

1

5

44

31

+13

31

Sunday 21st July 2013 Canberra FC 0 Cooma Tigers 1 (Thom Lommers 86’) A late winner from Dutch substitute Thom Lommers has kept Cooma Tigers on the hunt for a top four spot with a memorable 1-0 victory over Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium. Lommers struck with four minutes to play to claim the points for the 2012 Grand Final winners in what was, once more, a must win game for the boys from Cooma. Canberra FC was left rueing plenty of missed chances in the match, particularly in the opening half as former Tiger Alex Oloriegbe hit the cross bar with a header and should have done better with a brace of chances which he, uncharacteristically, squandered. Alex Castro went closest for the Tigers before the break, meeting a corner with a meaty header, but Canberra FC goalkeeper Adam Perakovic was well placed and saved on the goal line. Chances were wasted again in the second half and the Tigers had a strong claim for a penalty for handball waved away by the referee. Canberra FC would end the match with ten players as the experienced Matt Grbesa was sent off with eight minutes to play and, in his absence, Lommers took the opportunity to become instant hero from the bench with what could yet turn out to a decisive goal in the 2013 National Premier League title race.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 5. Julian BORGNA, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 23. Aaron EVANS Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Glen CABLE, 4. Liam HIGHMORE, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. JP D’AMBROSIO, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 14. Zach MUNSTER Substitutes used: 13. Michael SYDNEY, 15. Thom LOMMERS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC) RED CARD: 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Sam Ockerby, Justin Cho Sunday 21st July 2013 Woden Valley 2 (Jason Ugrinic 59’ (pen)), 78’) AIS 1 (Bai Antoniou 39’) A double from in-form Jason Ugrinic has pushed Woden Valley up to third on the National Premier League: Capital Football ladder as they came from behind to defeat the AIS 2-1 at Woden Park. Ugrinic struck twice in the second half to seal the points in difficult conditions. The hosts blew a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first half when they were awarded a penalty for an infringement inside the area. Usually hit-man Derek Oelmann is reliable from the spot but, on this occasion, it was the AIS goalkeeper Lucas Spinella who came out on top in the duel, guessing correctly to plunge and push the ball away to safety. And they were to pay for that miss as the Institute took the lead with a finely crafted goal. Bai Antoniou was the scorer, bagging his fifth goal of the season for the visitors, continuing his excellent debut season in the National Premier League. Woden was to hit back in the second half when they were awarded a second penalty. This time Ugrinic stepped up to the mark, and he made no mistake in banging home his tenth goal of the season, coolly despatching his spot-kick. The match was there to be won and Woden did so with twelve minutes remaining as Ugrinic scored for the eleventh time in 2013 and keeps Woden in the title hunt.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10, Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 4. Mitch STEVENS, 6. Andrew KILEY, 22. Zach HARRIGAN AIS: 30. Lucas SPINELLA 4. Ben WARLAND, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 17. Anthony KALIK, 19. Bright APPIAH, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 21. George TIMOTHEOU Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. John GIBSON, 8. Conor NOLAN, 15. Liam WALSH (Woden Valley), 4. Ben WARLAND, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 19. Bright APPIAH (AIS) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Nia Southwell, Allyson Flynn

APPEARANCE MILESTONES There were no appearance milestones recorded in the National Premier League for the weekend of 20th/21st July 2013

THESE ORIGINAL SCHEDULED ROUND 19 MATCHES WERE POSTPONED AND HAD TO BE RE-ARRANGED Thursday 15th August 2013 Belconnen United 3 (Dustin Wells 7’, Jack Green 13’, Milan Popovich 33’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Harry Pettit 77’) Belconnen United kept their faint hopes of retaining their League Championship title alive with a sizzling first half performance as they comprehensively outplayed Tuggeranong United at McKellar Park in midweek claiming a 3-1 victory which could have been many more in a dominant opening 45 minutes. From the moment that Dustin Wells elegantly chipped Tuggeranong goalkeeper Jack Pettit in the 7th minute there was little doubt as to the destination of the points. Wells moment of magic took him to fourteen goals for the season and the Blue Devils were 2-0 up barely six minutes later as Jack Green was left unmarked to head home a free-kick from inside the six-yard box. The home team then wasted a host of chances before Milan Popovich drilled home the third to leave Belconnen comfortable at the interval. Tuggeranong tightened up after the break and threatened to pull a goal back as young Tomas Ruiz looped a header against the crossbar before Muad Zwed headed straight at Ben Klug from close range. Harry Pettit finally found a way past Klug in the 77th minute, heading in from six yards, as the visitors rallied. It was too late to affect the final outcome but Tuggeranong’s spirited recovery bodes well for their Federation Cup Final chances.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 12. Michael REEVE, 14. Matt VALERI Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 7. Matt MENSER, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tomas RUIZ, 11. Mark DI BITONTO, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 13. Andrew SELLERS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Cameron REINHART, 13. Jack GREEN (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Daniel Rajic, Matthew Rynne Thursday 29th August 2013 Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra City 8 (Pat Ross-Magee 15’, 56’, Sam McDonald 21’, 49’ (pen), 50’, James Perry 38’, Michael Perceval 55’, Kay Kelly 90’) Canberra City ensured they would not finish bottom of the National Premier League: Capital Football league ladder in 2013 by turning on the style and dismantling Monaro Panthers to the tune of 8-0 in their midweek catch up match played at Hawker Football Centre on Thursday evening. City Head Coach Nick Palagyi had the luxury of being able to call upon a full roster of players for almost the first time this season and it showed as they tore apart a leg weary Panthers, attacking with zest and looking likely to score with every attack that they could muster. It took the hosts just fifteen minutes to take the lead as Pat Ross-Magee started the scoring and, by the half-time interval, City had increased their advantage to 3-0 thanks to goals from Sam McDonald and James Perry. There was no let-up for the Panthers after the break either as four goals in a devastating six minutes spell crushed Monaro’s hopes. McDonald made it 4-0 with his second of the match and completed a hat-trick within a minute, moving onto fifteen goals for the campaign, before Michael Perceval, with his first of the season, and Ross-Magee netted within seconds of each other as the score line blew out. Jay Kelly had the final word bringing up the eighth in stoppage time.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom MCLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 14. Cameron DALZELL, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI, 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON Substitutes used: 16. Ed McCARTHY, 33. Daniel LINSTEAD Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ross EDWARDS, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Henry WILLIAMS Substitutes used: 10. Justin RANKINE, 11. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 12. Michael PERCEVAL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Tim WOMACK, 17. Sam LAVELLA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Sam Clark, Pat Caggiano HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 19 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

17

12

0

5

61

19

+42

36

2

Woden Valley

17

11

1

5

46

32

+14

34

3

Belconnen United

17

11

1

5

33

26

+7

34

4

Canberra Olympic

17

9

5

3

33

18

+15

32

Saturday 27th July 2013 Canberra City 2 (Brad Sawyer 54’, Sam McDonald 76’) Tuggeranong United 3 (Danny Moutrey 1’, Matt Menser 8’, Muad Zwed 34’) In the quintessential game of two halves Tuggeranong United withstood a second half Canberra City siege to claim the three points with a narrow 3-2 victory at Hawker Football Centre. United made a blistering start to the fixture going 2-0 ahead inside the opening eight minutes of play, taking the lead with their first attack and registering after only 43 seconds. Mark Di Bitonto created the goal with a raking pass over the City defence for the onrushing Danny Moutrey who controlled and fired a shot across James Ward and into the far corner. The visitors then doubled the lead when Matt Menser curled in a delightful free-kick from 25 metres as Tuggeranong ran City ragged early on. City should have reduced the arrears when Daniel Di-Salvatore shot wide when clean through and the hosts were made to pay as Muad Zwed skipped away to plant a finish past Ward and make it 3-0 in the 34th minute, a lead they held to half-time. The introduction of Pat Ross-Magee and Sam McDonald gave City a more attack minded approach to the second half and Ross-Magee set up Brad Sawyer within nine minutes of the resumption to crash in a fine finish. McDonald netted his 10th of the season with 14 minutes to play, setting up a grandstand finale but United, under almost constant pressure, held firm.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Matt RICE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ross EDWARDS, 10. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 11. Brad SAWYER, 12. Ryuhei NOSE Substitutes used: 2. Henry WILLIAMS, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Pat ROSS-MAGEE Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Ciaran RAYMENT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Mark DI BITONTO, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 2. Tomas RUIZ, 13. Dale OHLMUS, 14. Harry PETTIT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Adam Powers, Sam Clark Sunday 28th July 2013 Belconnen United 2 (Taylor Beaton 49’, David Kemp 67’) Woden Valley 1 (Derek Oelmann 24’) Belconnen United overturned a 0-1 deficit and the loss of veteran playmaker Matt Valeri to a red card to see off Woden Valley and win 2-1 at McKellar Park in what could prove to be one of the most crucial results of the season. The Blue Devils victory means they trail leaders Canberra FC by two points with Woden slipping from second to fourth. It all looked so different at half-time as Woden led 1-0. The visitors had gone ahead in the 24th minute as the league’s leading scorer Derek Oelmann reacted fastest from a corner to back-heel his team into the lead with his 23rd goal of a remarkable season. And when Valeri saw red for alleged violent conduct on Woden midfielder Conor Nolan, the home team were in danger of slipping to a costly loss. Belconnen needed a response and, following an inspired half-time team-talk, they emerged with a ruthless intensity that Woden was unable to match. It took only four minutes for Belconnen to force their way level as skipper Taylor Beaton took the proverbial bull by the horns to equalise. From there it was anyone’s game and chances came and went for both teams at regular intervals. Belconnen though popped up with the match winner as David Kemp, who has already scored some important goals this term, did it again to give the hosts the points.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5.

Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10, Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 11. Jake WILSENER, 13. Andrew KILEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Milan POPOVICH (Belconnen United), 8. Conor NOLAN (Woden Valley) RED CARD: 14. Matt VALERI (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Sam Nixon, Owen Watson

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH—Adam DOBELL Canberra City 2 Tuggeranong United 3 (Hawker Football Centre), 27/07/13 50th MATCH—Ryan KEIR Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra FC 2 (Riverside Stadium), 28/05/13 50th MATCH—James FIELD Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra FC 2 (Riverside Stadium), 28/05/13

Sunday 28th July 2013 Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra FC 2 (Philippe Bernabo 26’, Domenic Giampaolo 40’) Canberra FC kept the leadership of the National Premier League: Capital Football division following a routine 2-0 win over Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium. A brace of goals in the first half was enough for the leaders to remain clear at the head of the pack and, but for an outstanding display from Monaro Panthers number one James Bradbury the score would have been many more.

Bradbury denied the visitors triple strike force of Domenic Giampaolo, Philippe Bernabo and Alex Oloriegbe with a string of stunning saves to keep his team in the match. He could do little about the two goals however, the first of which was thrashed home at the near-post from Bernabo, his fifteenth of the season in the 26th minute. Canberra FC doubled the lead five minutes from the halftime whistle with a cracking goal. Oloriegbe got in behind the defence and squared for Giampaolo to sweep the ball into the top corner for a brilliantly conceived second. Monaro weren’t without opportunities of their own as Cameron Dalzell saw his looping header beat Jakob Cole in the Canberra FC goal only to be headed off the line in the first half whilst Darian McGarry-Watson, on as a second half substitute, headed wide when unmarked in the penalty area.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSSATO, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 14. Cameron DALZELL, 16. Ed McCARTHY, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 22. Thomas HEWITT, 33. Christopher DENNISS Canberra FC: 18. Jakob COLE, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 15. Jordan LAMB, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 13. Daniel BENNETT, 14. Josip JADRIC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Tom CROSSLEY (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Alex McConachie, Justin Cho Sunday 28th July 2013 Canberra Olympic 4 (Joel Valtonen 43’ (pen) 50’ (pen), Robbie Deeley 60’, Mark Shields 72’) Cooma Tigers 3 (Thom Lommers 3’, Stephen Domenic 75’, 93’ (pen)) Cooma Tigers hopes of a finals place look bleak following a nail-biting 4-3 reverse to Canberra Olympic at O’Connor Enclosed on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers, who reached the Federation Cup Final on Thursday evening after beating Canberra FC and have defeated Canberra FC and Canberra Olympic in recent weeks, were unable to lift for a fourth successive big match but gallantly fell in a seven-goal thriller, giving as good as they got throughout. Indeed, before they tired in the second half, the Tigers were playing the same scintillating football that has lifted their season. Thom Lommers, given a start up front after netting twice in successive games from the bench, gave them the perfect start with a goal after only three minutes. And it seemed that the Dutch striker’s effort would separate the teams at the break. Olympic however were given a gilt edged chance to equalise before the interval when they were awarded a penalty that centre back Joel Valtonen confidently scored. Valtonen repeated the feat five minutes into the second half to put the hosts ahead before a third goal, netted by Robbie Deeley, appeared to have settled the points. However, Stephen Domenici made it 3-2 only for Mark Shields to restore the cushion. A Domenici penalty in stoppage time gave the Tigers late hope, but it was all too late.

Canberra Olympic: 12. Costas FALLAS, 3. Matt CACHIA, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Chris NIKITAS, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 6. Joshua GASPARI, 8. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 31. Tim BOBOLAS Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Glenn CABLE, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 14. Zach MUNSTER, 17. Thom LOMMERS Substitutes used: 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 13. James GAZY, 16. Michael SYDNEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Matt CACHIA, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 31. Tim BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic), 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Matthew Rynne, Samantha Ockerby HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 20 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

18

13

0

5

63

19

+44

39

2

Belconnen United

18

12

1

5

35

27

+8

37

3

Canberra Olympic

18

10

5

3

37

21

+16

35

4

Woden Valley

18

11

1

6

47

34

+13

34

Saturday 3rd August 2013 Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra FC 3 (Adam Spaleta 8’, Domenic Giampaolo 57’ (pen), Philippe Bernabo 59’) A fourteenth success of the season for Canberra FC, defeating Tuggeranong United 3-0 at Kambah 2, allowed the leaders to extend their advantage at the top of the National Premier League: Capital Football table to five points ahead of their nearest challengers fixtures 24-hours later. The damage was done in the second half, in particular with two goals in sixty seconds that killed off a brave Tuggeranong challenge. Perhaps understandably given their Federation Cup heroics on Thursday evening, the hosts tired as the game progressed and Canberra FC exerted their authority to take the three points. Only one goal separated the combatants at the interval as midfield playmaker Adam Spaleta struck early on to put Canberra FC into the lead, a slender advantage they held until the half-time break. Tuggeranong went looking for an equaliser but got caught cold as FC struck twice in sixty seconds. A penalty from Domenic Giampaolo, his sixth goal of the season, was quickly followed by a 16 th of the year for lively forward Philippe Bernabo as Miro Trninic’s team built a comforting buffer. Both teams went close to adding further goals before the close but Canberra FC was a deserved winner and came away from a tricky looking test with confidence and morale very much intact.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Mark DI BITONTO, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 7. Dale OHLMUS, 14. Ciaran RAYMENT, 15. Ashley BLOUNT Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 15. Jordan LAMB, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 5. Julian BORGNA, 12. Kaz PATAFTA, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Alex McConachie, Owen Watson Sunday 4th August 2013 Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra Olympic 1 (Robbie Deeley 73’) A priceless goal from midfielder Robbie Deeley has proved enough for Canberra Olympic to score what could prove to be a massive victory in the context of the National Premier League: Capital Football over Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium. Deeley struck with seventeen minutes remaining to gain all three points and push Olympic into second place on the ladder ahead of Belconnen United on goal difference following the Blue Devils 3-3 draw with the AIS. Deeley’s goal, midway through the second half, was his fourth of the season, but it’s doubtful whether any of the others have been as important as this one. There were chances for both teams throughout what was an interesting fixture with Olympic having the majority of the play and fashioning the best openings throughout. The visiting team were, however, denied by a combination of fine defending from the Panthers and some poor finishing. The relief was palpable once Deeley had broken the deadlock but the Panthers refused to bow quietly and threw everything in their armoury at Olympic in the final ten minutes but, in reality, Olympic was in control and rarely looked like conceding the equaliser. There are plenty of positives that Monaro can take from this though and their fighting spirit should see them pick up more points before the season’s end.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 4. Jonathan REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 8. Tom MCLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 6. Josh CALABRIA, 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 22. Ed McCARTHY Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Hristjan TANOSKI, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 15. Daniel FULTON, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes used: 8. Liam CAREY, 9. Lukas COLE, 14. Daniel McCARRON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers), 7. Robbie DEELEY, 11. Hristjan TANOSKI, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Allyson Flynn (referee), Nia Southwell, Matthew Rynne

APPEARANCE MILESTONES There were no appearance milestones recorded in the National Premier League for the weekend of 3rd/4th August 2013

Sunday 4th August 2013 Woden Valley 1 (Derek Oelmann 48’) Canberra City 2 (Pat Ross-Magee 77’, Ryuhei Nose 93’) A stoppage time goal from Ryuhei Nose gave Canberra City a surprise 2-1 victory over Woden Valley at Woden Enclosed to give bottom of the table City a third win of the season and a hope of reeling in Federation Cup Finalists Tuggeranong United and avoiding the wooden spoon. For Woden, the loss may prove to be a costly one and leaves them looking anxiously over their shoulder at Cooma Tigers who are still in with a shout of making the top four. A 24th goal of the season from the highly impressive Derek Oelmann had broken the deadlock three minutes into the second half, a finish greeted with a raucous celebration from the home camp. That could have been that for City but they have shown in recent weeks that they have enough firepower in their ranks, and creativity, to mean a one goal deficit is never enough to see them beaten. They gained their reward for an attacking mindset by equalising with thirteen minutes to play. Awarded a free-kick outside the area Futsalroo international Pat Ross-Magee curled a stunning effort past Evan Alexandrow-Ridley and into the net to bring the team’s level. The match seemed certain to end in a 1-1 draw but City pushed on and stunned their hosts with an injury time goal from Nose, his first for the club at senior level.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10, Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS Substitutes used: 11. Jake WILSENER, 13. Andrew KILEY Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Michael PERCEVAL, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ross EDWARDS, 10. Andrew MANLEY, 11. Brad SAWYER, 12. Ryuhei NOSE, 14. Pat ROSS-MAGEE Substitutes used: 5. John GIBSON, 8. Conor NOLAN (Woden Valley), 7. Justine RANKINE, 13. Henry WILLIAMS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. James PERRY, 6. Adam DOBELL (Canberra City) Match Officials: Greg Taylor (referee), Adam Powers, Sam Ockerby Sunday 4th August 2013 AIS 3 (Bright Appiah 24’, Anthony Kalik 67’, Dylan Smith 76’) Belconnen United 3 (Milan Popovich 25’, David Kemp 49’, Jack Green 91’) A stoppage time goal from defender Jack Green earned Belconnen United a vital point as they came from behind to draw 3-3 with the AIS at the Institute Grass Fields. The Blue Devils, who are chasing the League Championship crown they won in 2013, were reliant on Green’s last-gasp goal to escape with a point from a match in which they led 2-1 before falling behind and then rescuing a point. The AIS had taken the lead in the first half through a goal from Bright Appiah before Blue Devils overlapping fullback Milan Popovich found the net for the first time in 2013to bring the teams all square, a score line that held until the interval. Belconnen was in front four minutes after the re-start as David Kemp continued his recent run of important goals making it 2-1 to the visitors. The Institute, whose season will be completed very shortly as they continue preparations for the National Youth league campaign, showed they are in great shape and hit back at their high flying visitors scoring twice through Anthony Kalik and Dylan Smith to turn the match on its head and lead as the game entered its dying throes and looked et for victory. Green had other ideas though and popped up in injury time to draw the teams level once more and leave Belconnen on the chase of Canberra FC. AIS:. 30. Lucas SPINELLA, 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 12. Marc OCHIENG, 17. Anthony KALIK, 19. Bright APPIAH, 21. George TIMOTHEOU, 22. Liam ROSE, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 4. Ben WARLAND, 18. Alexander GERSBACH Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Callum SMITH, 12. Michael REEVE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 17. Anthony KALIK, 21. George TIMOTHEOU, 22. Liam ROSE (AIS), 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Owen Watson, Sam Jolley

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 21 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

19

14

0

5

66

19

+47

42

2

Canberra Olympic

19

11

5

3

38

21

+17

38

3

Belconnen United

19

12

2

5

38

30

+8

38

4

Woden Valley

19

11

1

7

48

36

+12

34

Saturday 10th August 2013 Canberra City 2 (Sam McDonald (pen) 18’, James Perry 28’) AIS 2 (Bright Appiah (pen) 5’, Alexander Gersbach 59’) The AIS completed their National Premier League: Capital Football season with a 2-2 draw against Canberra City at Hawker Football Centre thanks to a second half equaliser from Alexander Gersbach.

The draw meant that Tony Vidmar’s team, who play a sixteen match campaign, as opposed to a full season, finish with a positive on the ledger with a 7-3-6 record. The outcome of this match was probably a fair reflection of the contest as a whole with City edging the first half and the AIS coming out on top in a physical second half that was played at a fast pace. The Institute had taken the lead early on when they were awarded a penalty after only five minutes which Bright Appiah confidently struck past James Ward in the Canberra City goal. The hosts, who have been playing some good football in recent weeks, hit back through the talismanic Sam McDonald, the utility player netting his eleventh goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 18th minute. City was on the front foot at this stage and defender James Perry put them in front ten minutes later, a lead they held into the half-time break. Hoping to hold on and secure what would have been their fourth win of the season, City was caught out by a speedy AIS counter attack, finished off by Gersbach to earn his team a creditable draw.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Michael PERCEVAL, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Justin RANKINE, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ross EDWARDS, 11. Luke UDVARDI, 13. Sam McDONALD Substitutes used: 10. Samuel SHADBOLT, 14. Jay KELLY, 15. Daniel DI-SALVATORE AIS: 1. Jordan THURTELL, 2. Darcy MADDEN, 4. Ben WARLAND, 6. Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 9. Todd NORRIS, 10. Dylan SMITH, 17. Anthony KALIK, 18. Alexander GERSBACH, 19. Bright APPIAH, 23. Rocco PIZZATA, 24. Bai ANTONIOU Substitutes used: 5. Matthew SCHMIDT, 11. Marc MARINO, 16. Jordan PUDLER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. James PERRY, 13. Sam McDONALD (Canberra City) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Greg Taylor, Owen Watson Sunday 11th August 2013 Canberra FC 2 (Sime Celeski (og) 52’, Alex Oloriegbe 56’) Woden Valley 0 Canberra FC sneaked past a depleted Woden Valley at Deakin Stadium to take a step closer to their 21st League Championship title thanks to a brace of second half goals within four minutes of each other. Woden was without Regan Walsh, Liam Walsh, John Gibson and Conor Nolan and set out their stall to frustrate their opponents from the outset. It was a tactic that worked extremely well as Canberra FC struggled to find a way through the massed ranks of Woden defenders with a withdrawn Derek Oelmann marshalling Adam Spaleta leaving Jason Ugrinic to plough a lone furrow up front. The hosts had to wait until seven minutes into the second half to make the breakthrough as a cross was deflected past Evan Alexandrow-Ridley by defender Sime Celeski which, even with Alex Oloriegbe in an offside position, was correctly awarded. The Canberra FC front man, introduced into the fray as an early first half replacement for the injured Philippe Bernabo, increased the margin four minutes later when he stole away from the Woden Valley back four to plant a confident finish past Alexandrow-Ridley from the edge of the area. That was to prove enough for FC who saw out the rest of the match with a minimum of fuss to remain four points clear.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9.

Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Kaz PATAFTA, 15. Jordan LAMB, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 6. Sime CELESKI, 8. Andrew KILEY, 9. Andrew SLAVICH, 10, Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 22. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 11. Jake WILSENER, 13. Sean O’NEILL, 28. Lukas FUHRMANN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Ian GRAHAM (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Ben Williams (referee), Allyson Flynn, Sam Nixon

APPEARANCE MILESTONES There were no appearance milestones recorded in the National Premier League for the weekend of 10th/11th August 2013

Sunday 11th August 2013 Canberra Olympic 1 (Mark Shields 63’) Tuggeranong United 0 A single goal from former Tuggeranong United striker Mark Shields proved enough to give Canberra Olympic a priceless 1-0 win over the Federation Cup finalists at O’Connor Enclosed on Saturday afternoon in the National Premier League: Capital Football. Shields struck for the eighteenth time this season to down his former club and give Olympic three points that keeps them on the hunt for the League Championship, four points adrift of leaders Canberra FC, with three rounds of action remaining. In truth there was little to choose between the teams with Olympic missing the creativity and drive of the suspended Robbie Deeley. Chances were few and far between in the first half with neither goalkeeper particularly threatened with the hosts, arguably, having the better of the opening half. It was similar fare after the interval as both teams struggled to string together any fluent football on what was a difficult playing surface. Olympic though finally made the vital breakthrough as Shields did what he managed 21 times in the green of Tuggeranong last season, a tally that gave him a four-way share of the Golden Boot. The chances of the hit-man retaining that title may seem remote, he trails Woden’s Derek Oelmann by six goals with games running out, but there was probably no more crucial a goal scored in the competition this weekend.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Hristjan TANOSKI, 8. Matt CACHIA, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 15. Daniel FULTON Substitutes used: 16. Liam CAREY, 99. Tim BOBOLAS Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 5. Tom RUIZ, 11. Sean MURPHY, 13. Mark DI BITONTO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Alex McConachie, Owen Watson Sunday 11th August 2013 Monaro Panthers 3 (Jonathan Reis 54’, Tom McLachlan 56’, Alex Castro 67’ (og)) Cooma Tigers 2 (Zach Munster 37’, Stephen Domenici 46’) Monaro Panthers staged a remarkable comeback at the Riverside Stadium overturning a 0-2 deficit to defeat Cooma Tigers 3-2 and leave the defending Grand Final winners top four hopes on a knife edge. The Panthers looked dead and buried sixty seconds into the second half but two goals in two minutes got them back into the match before their late winner. Cooma wasted a gilt edged chance to settle a few nerves midway through the opening half when they were awarded a penalty. The usually reliable Stephen Domenici fluffed his lines however as his spot-kick cannoned back off the post and away to safety. If that was a reprieve for the Panthers they weren’t off the hook for long as the Tigers struck. A cross into the box was insufficiently dealt with by the Monaro defence and in the resultant scramble Zach Munster pounced on the loose ball to score from close range and when Stephen Domenici chipped a cracker into the net a minute into the second half all looked rosy for the visitors. Jonathan Reis pulled one back for Monaro under ten minutes late rand when Tom McLachlan equalised Cooma began to look decidedly shaky. An own goal from Alex Castro put the Panthers in front and when the same player was sent off the heroic turn around was complete.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 4. Jonathan REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 8. Tom MCLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 20. Andrew ALIFFI Substitutes used: 14. Cameron DALZELL, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Glenn CABLE, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 12. Marco GAYER, 14. Zach MUNSTER, 17. Thom LOMMERS Substitutes used: 13. Michael SYDNEY, 14. Eric BONNETT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) RED CARD: 2. Alex CASTRO (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Brett Woodford, Matt Rynne

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 22 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

20

15

0

5

68

19

+49

45

2

Canberra Olympic

20

12

5

3

39

21

+18

41

3

Belconnen United

19

12

2

5

38

30

+8

38

4

Woden Valley

20

11

1

8

48

38

+10

34

Saturday 17th August Canberra City 1 (Sam McDonald 59’) Cooma Tigers 4 (Stephen Domenici 14’, 54’, 59’, Goran Josifovski 38’) A stunning hat-trick from Stephen Domenici was the highlight as Cooma Tigers kept up their pursuit of the top four by seeing off Canberra City 4-1 at Hawker Football Centre on a sunny Saturday afternoon in the national capital. Domenici was in inspired form for the Tigers who needed a positive result to heap the pressure on Woden Valley ahead of their Southside derby against Tuggeranong United twenty-four hours later. Domenici opened the scoring for the visitors after a cagey opening quarter in which both teams struggled to find any rhythm on the synthetic field. However, it was the Tigers who settled fastest and gained the dividends through Domenici’s opener. Crucially they scored again before the interval as club talisman Goran Josifovski stole in to make it 2-0 and give the visiting support some breathing space. It appeared as if the points were sealed early in the second half when Domenici scored his second to put the Tigers 3-0 to the good but a response from Sam McDonald, almost immediately, gave City an outside chance. They went looking for a way back into the contest but it was Cooma, and Domenici, who had the last word rounding off the match in the last minute by completing his treble.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ross EDWARDS, 10. Justin RANKINE, 12. Michael PERCEVAL, 13. Sam McDONALD Substitutes used: 7. Jay KELLY, 11. Samuel SHADBOLT, 14. Jeremy HEGARTY Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Liam HIGHMORE, 3. Glen CABLE, 4. Marc O’NEILL, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Zach MUNSTER, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 12. Thom LOMMERS, 13. Michael SYDNEY, 16. Marco GAYER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Ben Williams (referee), Sam Clark, Duncan McLaren Sunday 18th August 2013 Belconnen United 3 (Misko Naumoski 1’, 41’, 44’) Monaro Panthers 0 A first half hat-trick from striker Misko Naumoski proved the difference for Belconnen United as the Blue Devils kept themselves in the title hunt with their second win in a week at McKellar Park, downing Monaro Panthers 3-0. Naumoski was in rare form in front of goal helping himself to a confidence boosting treble and ensuring that his team are still in with a shout of reclaiming the league title won in 2012 as they trail leaders Canberra FC by four points with only two rounds remaining. It didn’t take the Blue Devils long to lay down a maker as to their intent in this Round 23 fixture taking the lead inside the opening fifteen seconds as Naumoski caught the Panthers defence napping to score one of the quickest goals of the season, if not of all time in the ACT top flight. The former Canberra City front man was given free rein to run amok in the final third and he doubled his, and his team’s tally, with a second in the 41 st minute as Monaro was caught unawares at the back once more. Naumoski completed his first half treble in the shadow of half-time to all but kill of the fixture as a consequence. The second half didn’t live up to the billing of the first as the Panthers tightened up but Belconnen had already done more than enough to keep their dreams alive.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9.

Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 4. Bernard RENE, 8. Callum SMITH, 12. Michael REEVE Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 4. Jonathan REIS, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 8. Tom MCLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA Substitutes used: 14. Cameron DALZELL, 16. Ed McCARTHY, 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 12. Danny BYRNE, 17. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United), 12. Danny BYRNE (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Justin Cho, Owen Watson

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 150th MATCH Dustin WELLS Belconnen United 3 Monaro Panthers (McKellar Park) 18/08/13 100th MATCH James PERRY Canberra City 1 Cooma Tigers 4 (Hawker Football Centre), 17/08/13 Matt GRBESA Canberra FC 2 Canberra Olympic 1 (Deakin Stadium) , 18/08/13

Sunday 18th August 2013 Canberra FC 2 (Domenic Giampaolo 30’, Alex Oloriegbe 94’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Robbie Schroder 36’) A 94th minute goal from substitute Alex Oloriegbe settled a dramatic match between the top two teams at Deakin Stadium in favour of Canberra FC with the hosts leading scorer tapping in from close range with virtually the last kick of the match to seal a 2-1 win over Canberra Olympic.

Oloriegbe’s heroics, his 18th goal of the season, puts Canberra FC four points clear at the top of the table with two rounds to play giving them one hand on the trophy which would be their 21 st championship. In truth this game could have gone either way with FC just shading it on chances created. The home team had gone in front after half an hour as Kaz Patafta picked out the run of Domenic Giampaolo and the lone forward in the 4-2-3-1 formation did the rest, sliding the ball under the advancing Angelo Konstantinou in the Olympic goal. The lead lasted just six minutes as Robbie Schroder levelled for the visitors, sweeping a shot at goal from distance that Adam Perakovic will no doubt feel he should have stopped, although the ball did appear to dip alarmingly at the last minute. Chances came and went after that with Giampaolo lashing a shot against the crossbar when clean through at one end before Oliver Wiederkehr drew a smart save from Konstantinou at the other.

Oloriegbe thought he had won it five minutes from time when the ball cannoned off him and into the net from close range but the goal was ruled out for offside. Nine minutes later he did win it in a stunning denouement to a cracking match.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Kaz PATAFTA, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA Substitutes used: 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Hristjan TANOSKI, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Matt CACHIA, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 3. Chris NIKITAS, 37. Tim BOBOLAS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE (Canberra FC), 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Chris NIKITAS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 14. Hristjan TANOSKI, 16. Matt CACHIA (Canberra Olympic) RED CARD: 13. Robbie SCHRODER (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Brett Woodford, Alex McConachie Woden Valley 6 (Jason Ugrinic 6’, 14’, Goran Mukevski 9’, Derek Oelmann 55’, 82’, Mitch Steenbergen 61’) Tuggeranong United 3 (Chris Ruiz 23’, Sean Murphy 53’, Andrew Sellers 88’) Woden Valley won a quite extraordinary game against Tuggeranong United at Woden Park, claiming the honours with a remarkable 6-3 victory that all but assures them of a place in the top four for the first time in their history. The three goals win over their Southside rivals was all the more sweeter as it maintained their six point cushion over Cooma Tigers and the all-important fourth place in the National Premier League: Capital Football ladder. Jason Ugrinic opened the scoring on six minutes with a free-kick that drifted into the net on the strong breeze and further goals from Goran Mukevski, a finish in the six-yard box, and Ugrinic again, his 13th of the season, seemed to have Woden home and dry. Tuggeranong, playing their second game in three days, hit back through a brace of goals from Chris Ruiz and Sean Murphy, one either side of half-time, as the visitors threatened to pull off an outstanding comeback. Woden was having none of that though and the league’s leading scorer Derek Oelmann made it 4-2 in the 55th minute. Mitch Steenbergen restored the three goal cushion just past the hour before Oelmann made it 26 goals for the season via another curling free-kick, underlining his dead ball prowess.

A late goal from Tuggeranong substitute Andrew Sellers, his second in the first grade team, was scant consolation by the end for a weary United.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5.

John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10, Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 13. Sean O’NEILL, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 28. Andrew KILEY Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sale OHLMUS, 7. Matt MENSER, 9. Muad ZWED, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 8. Danny MOUTREY, 13. Andrew SELLERS, 15. Mark DI BITONTO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. John GIBSON, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10, Jason UGRINIC (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Matthew Rynne, Sam Jolley HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 23 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

21

16

0

5

70

20

+50

48

2

Belconnen United

21

14

2

5

44

31

+13

44

3

Canberra Olympic

21

12

5

4

40

23

+17

41

4

Woden Valley

21

12

1

8

54

41

+13

37

Saturday 24th August 2013 Tuggeranong United 2 (Daniel Beaumont 44’, Muad Zwed 76’) Belconnen United 3 (Taylor Beaton 2’, Misko Naumoski 12’, David Arranz 68’ (pen)) Belconnen United made sure that Canberra FC would have to work hard to make the League Championship theirs by doing what they needed to do and defeating Tuggeranong United 3-2 at a sunny and windy Kambah 2 on Saturday afternoon. The Federation Cup finalists certainly made sure that the Blue Devils knew that they had been in a match though by twice reducing a two-goal deficit and almost snatching a draw with a late equaliser. Belconnen had done enough to claim the points over the course of the ninety minutes but, arguably, should have had the game sewn up earlier after yet another blistering start to a match. Taylor Beaton had his team ahead in only the second minute, turning home from close range after Milan Popovich had driven a cross-shot across the face of goal, and when Misko Naumoski, who scored a hat-trick last weekend, latched onto a Dustin Wells through ball to slot past home goalkeeper Jack Pettit it looked like being a long afternoon for Tuggeranong, Daniel Beaumont crashed home a goal just before the interval however to get the hosts back into the game. A penalty from David Arranz, his first goal at this level for two years, restored the two-goal cushion but a late strike from Muad Zwed made sure it was a nervy conclusion to the game for the title chasers.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Tomas RUIZ, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 6. Dale OHLMUS, 13. Andrew SELLERS, 15. Danny MOUTREY Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 4. Zach MAYBURY, 8. Callum SMITH, 15. David KEMP Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Jack PETTIT, 7. Matt MENSER, 12. Tim IRESON (Tuggeranong United), 7. Taylor BEATON (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Owen Goldrick, Delfina Dimoski Sunday 25th August 2013 Canberra Olympic 2 (Daniel Fulton 15’, Robbie Deeley 26’) Woden Valley 2 (Goran Mukevski 21’, John Gibson 65’) Canberra Olympic will finish the season in third place and Woden Valley fourth after the spoils were shared in the penultimate match of the season for both teams in a physical and entertaining match at O’Connor Enclosed. The point each means that neither side can break into the top two and will meet again in the Semi-Finals in a fortnight. Olympic had got off to the better start in this league fixture when Daniel Fulton netted his first goal for the club in the 15th minute of the match, however it didn’t take long for Woden Valley to hit back as youngster Goran Mukevski levelled matters within six minutes.

Olympic quickly restored their lead when Robbie Deeley banged home his fifth goal of the season and it was a cushion that they took into the half-time interval. With Cooma losing at home to Canberra FC, Woden Valley’s top four spot looked secure but it was still nice for the Valley team to confirm their maiden finals participation of their own accord and when defender John Gibson netted his first goal of the season, they did just that claiming fourth and a spot in the end of season party with an unassailable seven point buffer over Cooma who cannot defend the crown they won last season.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 14. Hristjan TANOSKI, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Nick BOBOLAS, 99. Tim BOBOLAS, Substitutes used: 9. Liam CAREY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Matt CACHIA Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 15. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH Substitutes used: 7. Regan WALSH, 14. David JENKINS, 28. Andrew KILEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 14. Hristjan TANOSKI (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Owen Watson, Daniel Ruiz

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Daniel BENNETT Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra FC 7 (Nijong Oval), 25/08/13

Sunday 25th August 2013 Cooma Tigers 2 (Stephen Domenici 25’, Daniel Roberts 82’) Canberra FC 7 (Kaz Patafta 5’, 20’, 42’, Domenic Giampaolo 14’, Daniel Bennett 52’, Alex Oloriegbe 63’ (pen), Josip Jadric 74’) A champion performance from a champion team as Canberra FC claimed their 21 st League title in convincing style with a remarkable 7-2 away victory over Federation Cup finalists Cooma Tigers, The Tigers had knocked Canberra FC out of that competition at the semi-final stage and inflicted a league defeat on the leaders at Deakin Stadium, so there was no small measure of revenge in this clash. Canberra FC was simply irresistible throughout putting together possibly their best ninety minutes of the season, creative in attack and ruthless when the chances came by. Kaz Patafta led the charge showing just why he was an A-League star with a hat-trick including a thunderous long-range effort that would be a contender for goal of the season.

Stephen Domenici pulled one back for Cooma before the interval but a header from Domenic Giampaolo virtually sealed the title at 4-1 by half-time. There was more to come however as Daniel Bennett made it five early in the second half before Alex Oloriegbe bagged his 19 th of the season from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute. A speculative cross-shot from Josip Jadric brought up a magnificent seven before a late consolation for young Daniel Roberts, his first Premier League goal on his debut, ended an enjoyable afternoon with the visitors celebrating a huge achievement.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Marc O’NEILL, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Zach MUNSTER, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 13. James GAZY, 14. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 16. Daniel ROBERTS Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Kaz PATAFTA, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB, 20. James FIELD Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Sam Jolley, Sam Nixon Sunday 25th August 2013 Monaro Panthers 2 (Danny Byrne 25’, Pepe Varga 77’) Canberra City 5 (Daniel Di-Salvatore 5’, Pat Ross-Magee 10’, 59’, Jay Kelly 31’, Ross Edwards 85’) Canberra City moved off the foot of the National Premier League: Capital Football league table with a 5-2 hammering of Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium in the first of two meetings between the pair in the space of four days. The Panthers travel to Hawker Football Centre on Thursday evening to play a catch-up match against the same opponents and will be wary of a City side that put together an impressive ninety minutes. The visitors had taken a stranglehold on proceedings as early as the tenth minute with a first City goal for Daniel Di-Salvatore and a strike from Pat Ross-Magee. Danny Byrne reduced the deficit in the 25th minute only for Jay Kelly to make it 3-1 to City six minutes later. With a two-goal lead heading into the second half the next strike would be crucial and it was City that got it courtesy of another goal from Ross-Magee, his sixth of the campaign. Monaro could have buckled at this stage but fought on gamely and Pepe Varga registered his tenth goal of an excellent year with thirteen minutes remaining. There was still time for further action however and Ross Edwards capped a fine display five minutes from time bringing up City’s fifth and confirming their best win of the season.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom MCLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 14. Cameron DALZELL, 16. Ed MCCARTHY, 17. Sam LAVELLA Substitutes used: 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 20. Andrew ALIFFI, 33. Christopher DENNISS Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. James MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 8. Luke GIBSON, 10. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Henry WILLIAMS Substitutes used: 9. Ross EDWARDS, 12. Michael PERCEVAL, 14. Luke UDVARDI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE (Monaro Panthers), 9. Ross EDWARDS, 14. Henry WILLIAMS (Canberra City) Match Officials: Alex McConachie (referee), Sam Ockerby, Greg Taylor

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 24 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

22

17

0

5

77

22

+55

51

2

Belconnen United

22

15

2

5

47

33

+14

47

3

Canberra Olympic

22

12

6

4

42

25

+17

42

4

Woden Valley

22

12

2

8

56

43

+13

38

Sunday 1st September 2013 Belconnen United 0 Woden Valley 2 (Derek Oelmann 62’ (pen), 85’) A brace of goals from Golden Boot winner Derek Oelmann sealed a 2-0 victory for Woden Valley over Belconnen United at McKellar Park on Sunday afternoon. The US import has had an amazing debut season in the capital and sealed his contribution to Woden’s first finals campaign with a double that moves him on to 28 goals for the season and sends his team into the finals on a wave of confidence. There was little of note in a lacklustre opening forty-five minutes with both sides seemingly going through the motions. The Blue Devils rested key midfielders David Arranz and Taylor Beaton, tottering on the brink of suspension, with next weekend’s semi-final shoot-out against Canberra FC in mind but still fielded a strong unit as Woden recorded a well-merited victory. Oelmann was given the chance to open the scoring in the 62nd minute as they were awarded a penalty when Jack Blackley brought down Regan Walsh in the area. Oelmann kept his cool to finish from twelve yards and break the deadlock.

The American was then able to seal the match five minutes from time with another cool finish to secure the points for his team in what was a confident and character building display that will set them in good heart for their Canberra Olympic showdown.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 8. Joshua PARISI, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 3. Robert JOHNSON, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 8. Conor NOLAN, 10, Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH Substitutes used: 7. Regan WALSH, 11. Jake WILSENER, 28. Andrew KILEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Robert JOHNSON, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 15. David KEMP (Belconnen United), 3. Ben PAGETT, 7. Regan WALSH (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Greg Taylor, Adam Powers Sunday 1st September 2013 Canberra City 4 (Pat Ross-Magee 5’, Michael Perceval 26’, Adam Dobell 32’, Luke Gibson 48’) Tuggeranong United 2 (Muad Zwed 11’, 67’) Canberra City ended the season with wet sail as they claimed a third win in succession to move up to seventh on the final National Premier League: Capital Football table with a 4-2 victory over Federation Cup winners Tuggeranong United at Hawker Football Centre. City started brightly and took the lead in only the fifth minute thanks to a goal from Pat RossMagee. Tuggeranong responded though and Jordan Glover created a chance for Muad Zwed to level only minutes later. This stung City who had won 8-0 on Thursday night and they clicked into gear with a further two goals before half-time. Michael Perceval restored the lead in the 26th minute with his second goal of the season in successive matches before Adam Dobell made it three six minutes later. Tuggeranong needed to score next to force the issue but it was City who did so as Luke Gibson picked an opportune time to net his first goal of the 2013 season. United knows how to battle and they showed great character to get back into the contest a second time as Zwed reduced the deficit with his eighth goal of the year. But City have found their form with a full-strength line-up and easily accounted for United to hold on and claim the points and end the season as one of the form teams.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Jay KELLY, 8. Luke GIBSON, 12. Michael PERCEVAL, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Henry WILLIAMS Substitutes used: 9. Luke UDVARDI, 11. Daniel DI-SALVATORE Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Jordan GLOVER, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 7. Matt MENSER, 13. Andrew SELLERS, 15. Will LISTON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. James PERRY, 8. Luke GIBSON, 13. Sam McDONALD (Canberra City), 12. Tim IRESON (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Sam Nixon (referee), Allyson Flynn, Sam Ockerby

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH Oliver WIEDERKEHR Canberra Olympic 5 Cooma Tigers 0 (O’Connor Enclosed), 01/09/13 50th MATCH Jack PETTIT Canberra City 4 Tuggeranong United 2 (Hawker Football Centre), 01/09/13

Sunday 1st September 2013 Canberra FC 9 (Philippe Bernabo 7’, 16’, 18’, 72’, Tom Crossley (og) 51’, Ian Graham 75’, Kaz Patafta 81’, Julian Borgna 88’, Alex Oloriegbe 89’) Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra FC collected their 21st League Championship trophy before kick-off and proceeded to show just why they were the pre-eminent club side in the National Capital for 2013 with a resounding 9-0 victory over Monaro Panthers at Deakin Stadium. The destination of the three points was never in any serious doubt from the moment that striker Philippe Bernabo reacted quickest to a Ryan Keir back-heel to sweep the first of his first half hat-trick past Panthers goalkeeper James Bradbury from close range. The speedy forward was far too nimble for the Panthers defence and made it 2-0 when he arrived to tap-in a Daniel Bennett cross in the 16th minute. Barely a minute later he had his treble as Kaz Patafta released him through the middle to run clear and pick his spot for a treble. There was little let up for the Panthers after the interval as Canberra FC added six more goals. A Tom Crossley own goal was followed by a fourth from Bernabo and a driven effort from substitute Ian Graham. At 6-0 with nine minutes remaining it would have been easy to take the foot off the gas but Canberra FC refused to do so and were rewarded with quick fire goals from Kaz Patafta, Julian Borgna and Alex Oloriegbe to round out a dominating performance.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Kaz PATAFTA, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 8. Ian GRAHAM, 16. Matt GRBESA, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 11. Jon TOOLE, 12. Danny BYRNE, 14. Cameron DALZELL, 17. Sam LAVELLA, 18. Darian McGARRY-WATSON Substitutes used: 33. Christopher DENNISS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Matt Rynne, Sam Jolley Sunday 1st September 2013 Canberra Olympic 5 (Oliver Wiederkehr 8’, 16’, 23’, Robbie Deeley 19’, Mark Shields 75’) Cooma Tigers 0 Canberra Olympic breezed past Cooma Tigers at O’Connor Enclosed to head into their Elimination Semi-Final match with Woden Valley next weekend in a confident mood having won 5-0. The damage was done in a scintillating opening to the fixture as Olympic took advantage of a leg-weary Cooma Tigers, the visitors having played 120 fruitless minutes in the Federation Cup Final on Wednesday evening, blitzing four goals in the first 23 minutes. Winger Oliver Wiederkehr was the Tigers tormentor in chief using his pace to great effect in clinically despatching a first half hat-trick. Wiederkehr opened the scoring in the eighth minute and doubled his, and Olympic’s tally eight minute later. Robbie Deeley weighed in with the third goal in the 19 th minute and when Wiederkehr made it 4-0 after 23 minutes, the game was as good as over. As you’d expect from a dead rubber the pace of the game reduced after the break but Olympic still found the space to add a fifth goal through leading scorer Mark Shields who found the back of the net for the 19 th time for his new club in 2013 to put the seal on a performance that will stand them in good stead for the semi-final as they match-up to Woden Valley at McKellar Park.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Costa FALLAS, 3. Chris NIKITAS, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 15. Daniel FULTON, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 19. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM Substitutes used: 2. Tim BOBOLAS, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 16. Daniel McCARRON Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Michael SYDNEY, 4. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 5. Macro GAYER, 6. JP D’AMBROSIO, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 9. Nick LEVANAT, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 18. Zach MUNSTER Substitutes used: 16. Callum PATTERSON, 17. Gary VAN DER PLAAT, 27. Mark O’NEILL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 11. Nathan TIDMARSH (Canberra Olympic), 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 10. Jair WILK, 27. Mark O’NEILL (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Brett Woodford, Justin Cho

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 25 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

23

18

0

5

86

22

+64

54

2

Belconnen United

23

15

2

6

47

35

+12

47

3

Canberra Olympic

23

13

6

4

47

25

+22

45

4

Woden Valley

23

13

2

8

58

43

+15

41

Saturday 7th September 2013 Elimination Semi-Final Canberra Olympic 3 (Mark Shields 5’, Oliver Wiederkehr 45+1’, Robbie Deeley 54’) Woden Valley 1 (Derek Oelmann 22’) Canberra Olympic made it through to the Preliminary Final of the National Premier League: Capital Football competition with a 3-1 win over Woden Valley at McKellar Park. The higherranked team looked lively from the outset but was forced to dig deep into their reserves to finally shake off a Woden side playing their first ever finals match at this level. Olympic took the lead early on with what was virtually their first attack of the match and it was orchestrated by the wing wizardry of Hristjan Tanoski. Tanoski skinned his marker and sent over a delicious cross that Robbie Deeley attempted to overhead. The ball fell fortuitously for Mark Shields who swivelled to send a shot past Evan Alexandrow-Ridley from close range to the delight of the Olympic faithful. Woden hit back with Regan Walsh to the fore and it was Walsh who was instrumental in the equalising goal. The midfielder was felled by Joel Valtonen 25 metres from goal allowing Derek Oelmann the opportunity to curl a stunning free-kick past Angelo Konstantinou for the leveller. Oelmann then saw a header saved before Deeley was denied by Alexandrow-Ridley. Olympic would lead at the interval though thanks to a large slice of fortune in first half stoppage time. Oliver Wiederkehr was the scorer, beating his man on the wing and sending over a cross that luckily for him looped tantalisingly out of the reach of Alexandrow-Ridley and into the far corner.

Olympic was to add to that with the crucial third goal nine minutes after the resumption. Woden coughed up the ball in midfield and Deeley advanced to drill a low shot that crept away from the reach of Alexandrow-Ridley and trickled into the net off the base of the post. Woden attempted a riposte but Olympic held firm and threatened to add more with Shields and Robbie Schroder going close but they’d already done enough to get a shot at a place in the Grand Final.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Hristjan TANOSKI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Matt CACHIA, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Tim BOBOLAS, 99. Victor YANES Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 5. John GIBSON, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10, Jason UGRINIC, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 4. Mitch STEVENS, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 28. Andrew KILEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Joel VALTONEN, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 16. Matt CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Owen Goldrick, Greg Taylor Sunday 8th September Qualifying Semi-Final Canberra FC 4 (Ryan Keir 34’, Alex Oloriegbe 44’, 74’, Adam Spaleta 56’) Belconnen United 0 Canberra FC cruised into the Grand Final with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Belconnen United in the Qualifying Final at Deakin Stadium. The Champions were far too good for the Blue Devils and looked a class act as they made their way back into the final showdown after last year’s absence. The pace and guile of Alex Oloriegbe was the main cause for concern for Belconnen United in the opening exchanges with the striker looking lively in attack for Canberra FC. Most of the home team’s creativity came through the width supplied by Daniel Bennett and the passing of Adam Spaleta with Philippe Bernabo a willing outlet. Indeed, it was a Spaleta pass that enabled Bernabo to square to Oloriegbe who was denied by the outstretched foot of Ben Klug. The hosts however were to take the lead from the resulting corner. Daniel Bennett sent over a superb cross which central defender Matt Grbesa met, heading the ball back across the goal to where his defensive partner Ryan Keir was unmarked to nod into the net from close range. And it was to get even better for Canberra FC before the interval as they doubled their lead with a beautifully crafted goal. Oloriegbe started the move, flicking the back infield to James Field, whose weighted return was perfect for Oloriegbe to run onto and drill a low finish beyond Klug and into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time. Belconnen needed a response and quickly in the second half and Matt Valeri did his best to provide it, twice bringing out the best on Adam Perakovic in rapid succession. But it was Canberra FC who struck next, killing off the tie with a third in the 56th minute. Oloriegbe created it, crossing from the left to Daniel Bennett who laid the ball off for Spaleta to thunder a shot past Klug from the edge of the box. Oloriegbe wrapped it up with a solo goal sixteen minutes from time, his 22nd of the season.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 5. Julian BORGNA, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 12. Aaron EVANS Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 14. Matt VALERI, 15. David KEMP, 17. Jack BLACKLEY, Substitutes used: 8. Joshua PARISI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 16. Bernard RENE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Philippe BERNABO, 19. Adam SPALETA (Canberra FC), 4. Zach MAYBURY, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 15. David KEMP (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Allyson Flynn, Sam Nixon

Saturday 14th September 2013 Belconnen United 2 (Dustin Wells 13’, Jack Green 19’) Canberra Olympic 4 (Mark Shields 10’, 63’, 73’, Oliver Wiederkehr 50’) A hat-trick from striker Mark Shields has put Canberra Olympic into the National Premier League: Capital Football Grand Final as the team that finished third on the ladder at the end of the regular season eliminated Belconnen United with a stunning 4-2 victory at Deakin Stadium. Shields treble, and a superb display from Oliver Wiederkehr, sets up a re-match with Canberra FC at McKellar Park on Saturday afternoon evoking memories of their 8-5 classic from 2011. Olympic almost made a dream start going close to scoring with their first attack of the match in the third minute. A cross into the penalty area from Hristjan Tanoski saw Shields pressure Blue Devils goalkeeper Ben Klug who couldn’t cleanly gather the ball. It bounced loose to Oliver Wiederkehr who controlled well with his head and flicked his shot over a ruck of players only for the ball to clatter back off the underside of the crossbar and away to safety.

They didn’t have long to wait to make the breakthrough though hitting the front barely seven minutes later with a well-crafted and well-taken goal. A chip into the area found striker Shields in space but he still had plenty to do. Controlling the ball on his chest he demonstrated just why he had netted twenty-plus goals in successive seasons, swivelling on the spot and thumping a low volley past the diving Klug and into the bottom corner.

Belconnen’s response to falling behind was almost immediate. Matt Valeri spotted Angelo Konstantinou off his line and from thirty metres sent a dipping half-volley over the head of the Futsalroo international shot-stopper. The ball crashed back off the crossbar, denying him a sensational goal, but fell nicely for Dustin Wells, following up like all good forwards do, to stoop and steer a diving header past Konstantinou and into the net.

And within six minutes the Blue Devils were in front. Gallingly for Olympic the goal was as avoidable as it was simple to execute. Misko Naumoski sent a free-kick deep to the back post where central defender Jack Green stole in unopposed, and criminally left unmarked, to head past Konstantinou from six yards. Both sides settled down after this with the game becoming a midfield battle as Belconnen led 2-1 at the interval. Just like the opening half Olympic started much the better of the two teams and just like the first half Wiederkehr had the first chance, only this time he buried it. Klug’s half clearance fell nicely for Robbie Deeley and the Olympic midfielder picked out the run of Wiederkehr out wide. The winger’s touch was exquisite, killing the ball perfectly into his stride, as he unleashed a fierce shot that flew under the body of the prone Klug who could do nothing to stop it.

Wiederkehr was becoming a prominent part of the match and it was his involvement that saw Olympic re-take the lead in the 63rd minute. Played into space on the left flank Wiederkehr sent a daisy-cutter at goal that Klug could only half-shovel across the face of his own goal straight to the lurking Shields who had the simple task of turning it into the empty net. With that goal Olympic rediscovered their self-belief and they out the game to bed ten minutes later as Shields completed his treble. The Blue Devils, as expected, pushed forward looking for the equaliser but they were caught with the classic sucker-punch on the counter-attack. A slick break saw Shields combine well with Joshua Gaspari as the latter’s cross found the forward unmarked ten yards out to bury a header past Klug and bring up a hat-trick and send Olympic into the Grand Final.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI (12. Michael REEVE 69’), 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI (10. Michael TAURASI 69’), 15. David KEMP Substitutes not used: 8. Callum SMITH, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR (3. Chris NIKITAS 76’), 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY (14. Tim BOBOLAS 87’), 9. Hristjan TANOSKI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 15. Daniel FULTON (13. Robbie SCHRODER 65’), 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA Substitutes not used: 8. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Ben KLUG, 6. David ARRANZ, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI (Belconnen United), 10. Mark SHIELDS (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Greg Taylor, Owen Goldrick

National Premier League: Capital Football Grand Final Review Saturday 21st September Canberra FC 0 Canberra Olympic 2 (Robbie Schroder 110’, 120’) – after extra time Canberra Olympic won their first Grand Final since 1997 with a 2-0 victory over League Champions Canberra FC at McKellar Park thanks to an extra time double from Robbie Schroder. The veteran goal-getter was pulled out of retirement by Olympic Coach Leo Exarhos earlier this season and repaid the faith shown in him by getting the vital goals after ninety minutes failed to separate this age-old protagonists in a tight Premier League showdown.

The opening exchanges were just that as both sides struggled to keep possession and coughed up the ball with infuriating regularity making for a fractured and distorted twenty minutes. During the first, frenetic, quarter Oliver Wiederkehr looked sharp for Olympic, causing Matt Grbesa in the Canberra FC defence a headache whilst Ryan Keir headed over an Ivan Pavlak corner – a half-chance that was never likely to trouble an unflustered Angelo Konstantinou in the Olympic goal.

Such was the paucity of entertainment for the big crowd at McKellar Park that the biggest cheer of the first half-hour came when Olympic midfielder Robbie Deeley received a yellow card for a flick out at Grbesa following a challenge between the pair. It was a rare moment of fireworks in an otherwise insipid start to the contest. Adam Perakovic, the erstwhile FC number one, at least got his gloves dirty when fielding a tame Mark Shields cross shot in the 33rd minute but, in the main, two evenly matched teams cancelled each other out.

The game needed a spark of inspiration and Daniel Bennett almost provided it, ghosting in from the right flank, beating his marker and firing a shot at goal that was always drifting wide. Indeed, it was Bennett who fashioned the game’s best chance in the shadows of half-time. After a move between James Field and Adam Spaleta was halted, Bennett swung over a teasing cross that Alex Oloriegbe looked certain to turn home but for some inexplicable reason the forward failed to make contact and the half-time whistle brought a 0-0 stalemate.

It was a similar tale after the interval even though Philippe Bernabo forced Konstantinou into a sharp save low to his left after the 20goal striker volleyed a chest high shot at goal in the 55th minute. Olympic was first to try and change the course of the battle, sending on the experienced Victor Yanes to play in a deep holding midfield role, screening the back-four and dictating the tempo at which his team would play from the back. And it created the game’s best chance for Olympic.

After a penetrating run from Nick Bobolas was halted via an agricultural challenge from Ivan Pavlak, Olympic was awarded a free-kick 30m from goal. Deeley struck it firmly under the wall but it looked harmless. Perakovic though fumbled the effort but Shields, following up, could only poke the ball over the bar from close range. It did come back quickly to the striker, but he would have hoped to have done better. Moments later Shields skinned his marker and got to the bye-line but Daniel Fulton narrowly failed to connect with the cut-back but the deadlock remained at the end of ninety minutes.

Olympic fired the first salvo in extra-time as Shields directed a downward header at goal that drew a superb one-handed save from Perakovic before Yanes almost beat the Canberra FC ‘keeper with a swirling free-kick that was palmed over for a corner. At the other end Oloriegbe was coming more into the match with his tricky skills threatening an opening whilst James Field sent a dipping half-volley onto the top of the crossbar as the match finally flickered into life.

The breakthrough came in the 110th minute when Schroder, introduced in the 76th minute, struck. The ever willing Shields chased a through ball with Keir and the pair clattered into Perakovic, the ball ran free and from the ground Shields played it back to Schroder who deftly lifted the ball over a ruck of players and into the empty goal. And the same player sealed it with seconds remaining. Shields created it again, chasing a long clearance and feeding the ball square to Schroder who slammed it gleefully into the corner to send the Olympic fans wild with delight.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM (5. Julian BORGNA 94’), 9. Philippe BERNABO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Daniel BENNETT (10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO 76’), 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE (14. Josip JADRIC 110’) Substitutes not used: 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 18. Jakob COLE Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR (13. Robbie SCHRODER 76’), 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Hristjan TANOSKI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Nathan TIDMARSH, 15. Daniel FULTON, 16. Matt CACHIA (99. Victor YANES 55’), 17. Nick BOBOLAS (3. Chris NIKITAS 116’) Substitutes not used: 2. Tim BOBOLAS, 12. Costa FALLAS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Julian BORGNA, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK (Canberra FC), 3.

Chris NIKITAS, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 99. Victor YANES (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Owen Goldrick, Greg Taylor, Matthew Cropper (4 th Official) Valeri Medal: 9. Hristjan TANOSKI (Canberra Olympic) Attendance: 1,956

ABOVE LEFT: Canberra FC striker Alex Oloriegbe, who had a great chance to break the deadlock in the first half, tussles with Canberra Olympic centre back Nick Bobolas. ABOVE RIGHT: Philippe Bernabo draws a sharp save from Olympic goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou with this chest high volley that the custodian needed to get down low to his right to push to safety.

ABOVE: Valeri Medal winner Hristjan Tanoski shows off his prize after a superb display out wide where his energetic running and skills kept Canberra FC dangerman Ivan Pavlak pinned in his own half for most of the final. ABOVE RIGHT: Two-goal hero Robbie Schroder gets a congratulatory hug from fellow veteran Olympic star Matt Cachia at the final whistle. Schroder was lured out of retirement at the start of the season

by Head Coach Leo Exarhos and came off the bench in the 76th minute to decide the match in extra-time.

RIGHT: Nathan Tidmarsh can barely believe it as Canberra Olympic celebrate the opening goal from Schroder in the 110th minute. Nick Bobolas (17), Joel Valtonen and Joshua Gaspari (6) join in as the Grand Final gets it’s first crucial moment.

PHOTOS FROM CANBERRA TIMES

Round 1 Sunday 10th March Canberra City 2 Belconnen United 4 Monaro Panthers 1 Canberra Olympic 8 Canberra FC 8 Tuggeranong United 1 Tuesday 2nd April Woden Valley 1 Cooma Tigers 0 Round 2 Saturday 16th March Canberra Olympic 3 Tuggeranong United 2 Sunday 17th March Canberra City 2 Woden Valley 0 Canberra FC 2 Belconnen United 0 Monaro Panthers 0 Cooma Tigers 5 Round 3 Saturday 23rd March Tuggeranong United 1 Cooma Tigers 5 Sunday 24th March Belconnen United 0 Canberra Olympic 1 Canberra FC 4 Canberra City 0 Monaro Panthers 2 Woden Valley 0 Round 4 Saturday 6th April Cooma Tigers 2 Belconnen United 1 Sunday 7th April Canberra FC 9 Woden Valley 0 Canberra Olympic 2 Canberra City 1 Monaro Panthers 4 Tuggeranong United 2 Round 5 Saturday 13th April Tuggeranong United 2 Cooma Tigers 2 Sunday 14th April Belconnen United 3 Canberra City 2 Canberra FC 4 AIS 1 Canberra Olympic 1 Woden Valley 2 Round 6 Saturday 20th April Tuggeranong United 1 Monaro Panthers 0 Sunday 21st April Belconnen United 3 Canberra FC 1 Cooma Tigers 5 Woden Valley 4 AIS 0 Canberra Olympic 0 Round 7 Friday 26th April Canberra City 0 Canberra FC 4 Saturday 27th April Woden Valley 4 Monaro Panthers 1

Sunday 28th April Canberra Olympic 3 Belconnen United 1 Cooma Tigers 1 AIS 2 Round 8 Saturday 4th May Canberra City 2 Canberra Olympic 5 Sunday 5th May Belconnen United 2 Cooma Tigers 0 Woden Valley 2 Tuggeranong United 1 AIS 3 Monaro Panthers 1 Round 9 Saturday 11th May Tuggeranong United 1 AIS 2 Sunday 12th May Canberra Olympic 1 Canberra FC 0 Cooma Tigers 1 Canberra City 0 Monaro Panthers 4 Belconnen United 1 Round 10 Saturday 18th May Belconnen United 2 Tuggeranong United 0 Sunday 19th May Canberra City 1 Monaro Panthers 4 Canberra FC 3 Cooma Tigers 1 AIS 0 Woden Valley 3 Round 11 Saturday 25th May AIS 3 Tuggeranong United 0 Sunday 26th May Belconnen United 3 Monaro Panthers 2 Canberra City 1 Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra FC 1 Canberra Olympic 0 Round 12 Saturday 1st June Belconnen United 3 AIS 0 Sunday 2nd June Canberra City 2 Woden Valley 3 Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra FC 7 Canberra Olympic 0 Monaro Panthers 0 Round 13 Saturday 8th June Woden Valley 4 Canberra FC 1 Sunday 9th June Cooma Tigers 2 Monaro Panthers 3 Tuggeranong United 3 Canberra Olympic 3 AIS 3 Canberra City 0

Round 14 Saturday 15th June Belconnen United 3 Canberra City 1 Sunday 16th June Cooma Tigers 3 Tuggeranong United 1 Woden Valley 1 Canberra Olympic 1 AIS 1 Canberra FC 3

Round 21 Saturday 3rd August Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra FC 3 Sunday 4th August Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra Olympic 1 Woden Valley 1 Canberra City 2 AIS 3 Belconnen United 3

Round 15 Sunday 23rd June Canberra Olympic 2 AIS 1 Canberra FC 3 Belconnen United 4 Cooma Tigers 3 Woden Valley 7 Monaro Panthers 0 Tuggeranong United 2

Round 22 Saturday 10th August Canberra City 2 AIS 2 Sunday 11th August Canberra FC 2 Woden Valley 0 Canberra Olympic 1 Tuggeranong United 0 Monaro Panthers 3 Cooma Tigers 2

Round 16 Saturday 29th June Canberra City 0 Canberra FC 6 Sunday 30th June Belconnen United 0 Canberra Olympic 0 Woden Valley 9 Monaro Panthers 0 AIS 4 Cooma Tigers 0 Round 17 Saturday 6th July Cooma Tigers 0 Belconnen United 1 Sunday 7th July Canberra Olympic 2 Canberra City 1 Monaro Panthers 1 AIS 2 Tuggeranong United 1 Woden Valley 3 Round 18 Saturday 13th July Tuggeranong United 1 Canberra City 2 Sunday 14th July Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra Olympic 1 Monaro Panthers 2 Canberra FC 5 Woden Valley 1 Belconnen United 2 Round 19 Sunday 21st July Canberra FC 0 Cooma Tigers 1 Woden Valley 2 AIS 1 Round 20 Saturday 27th July Canberra City 2 Tuggeranong United 3 Sunday 28th July Belconnen United 2 Woden Valley 1 Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra FC 2 Canberra Olympic 4 Cooma Tigers 3

Round 19 Thursday 15th August Belconnen United 3 Tuggeranong United 1 Round 23 Saturday 17th August Canberra City 1 Cooma Tigers 4 Sunday 18th August Belconnen United 3 Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra FC 2 Canberra Olympic 1 Woden Valley 6 Tuggeranong United 3 Round 24 Saturday 24th August Tuggeranong United 2 Belconnen United 3 Sunday 25th August Canberra Olympic 2 Woden Valley 2 Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra FC 7 Monaro Panthers 2 Canberra City 5 Round 19 Thursday 29th August Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra City 8 Round 25 Sunday 1st September Belconnen United 0 Woden Valley 2 Canberra City 4 Tuggeranong United 2 Canberra FC 9 Monaro Panthers 0 Canberra Olympic 5 Cooma Tigers 0 Semi-Finals Saturday 7th September Canberra Olympic 3 Woden Valley 1 Sunday 8th September Canberra FC 4 Belconnen United 0 Preliminary Final Saturday 15th September Belconnen United 2 Canberra Olympic 4

CLUB

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AIS

64

Belconnen United

65

Canberra City

66

Canberra FC

67

Canberra Olympic

68

Cooma Tigers

69

Monaro Panthers

70

Tuggeranong United

71

Woden Valley

72

The Australian Institute of Sport enjoyed a hugely successful return to the elite level of competition in Canberra utlising the National Premier League: Capital Football event as a precursor to their 2013/14 National Youth League season giving their scholarship holders a chance to play meaningful competitive football through the National Youth League off-season. And, with a young group of talented athletes taking their first tentative steps towards the prospect of a professional career, the local NPL has provided Head Coach Tony Vidmar and his coaching staff the ideal environment in which to assess players strengths and weaknesses. Vidmar used twenty players throughout their sixteen match program, the AIS played every other club in the top division twice before signing off to prepare for their NYL fixtures. Marc Ochieng made the most starts, thirteen, making a further two appearances from the bench whilst Alexander Gersbach was used in most matches, making a total of sixteen appearances, five of which were as a substitute.

The AIS couldn't have asked for a more difficult opening fixture than the one they were handed as a welcome back to the completion, an away trip to Deakin Stadium to tackle Canberra FC, the pre-season favourites. As expected the inexperience of the Institute players was apparent as Canberra FC won 4-1 but lessons had evidently been learnt. A creditable 0-0 draw at home to Canberra Olympic followed before they registered their first win of the campaign, downing Grand Final holders Cooma Tigers 2-1 in the always tricky environs of Nijong Oval. That win started a mini run of form that saw success over Monaro Panthers and Tuggeranong United before Woden Valley interrupted their winning streak with a 3-0 result at Woden Park. The AIS suffered a loss of consistency after this, winning 3-0 against Tuggeranong United and Canberra City but losing by the same score line at Belconnen United. The reverse set of fixtures began with a 3-1 loss to Canberra FC at the AIS Track and a defeat to Canberra Olympic before Cooma was put to the sword in the biggest AIS win of the season, 4-0 at the Institute. A pair of 2-1 results, a positive against Monaro Panthers but a negative against Woden Valley saw the AIS enter the final set of matches looking for a run of form to take into their post-season preseason. A last minute goal from Belconnen United enabled the Blue Devils to snatch a 3-3 draw in Round 21 before the season drew to a close for the AIS with a 2-2 draw at Hawker Football Centre against Canberra City.

Home Venue AIS Technical Director PETER De ROO Head Coach Premier League TONY VIDMAR Media Contact MARK PEPPER (0404 813 936) Official Club Website www.ausport.gov.au/ais/sports/ football_men/home 2013 Premier League Position 6th 2013 Leading Appearances 16—Alexander GERSBACH, 11(5) 2013 Leading Scorer 5—Bai ANTONIOU APPEARANCES 13(2) - Marc OCHIENG, 13(1) - Rocco PIZZATA, 12(2) - Anthony KALIK, 11(5) - Alexander GERSBACH, 11(3) - Liam ROSE, 11(1) - Todd NORRIS, 11 - Jordan THURTELL, 10(4) - Bai ANTONIOU, Dylan SMITH, 10 (3) - Jordan PUDLER, 10(1) - Matthew SCHMIDT, 9(3) Darcy MADDEN, 9(2) - Ben WARLAND, 9(1) George TIMOTHEOU, 7(1) - Marc MARINO, 7- Steve KUZMANOVSKI, 6(2) - Matthew NTOUMENOPOULOS, 5(4) - Bright APPIAH, 5 Lucas SPINELLA, (2) - Liam YOULLEY GOALS 5—Bai ANTONIOU, 4—Dylan SMITH, 3— Anthony KALIK, Marc MARINO, 2—Bright APPIAH, Steve KUZMANOVSKI, Darcy MADDEN, 1—Alexander GERSBACH, Todd NORRIS, Marc OCHIENG, Jordan PUDLER, Own GOALS DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (1): Ben WARLAND YELLOW CARDS (27): 5—Anthony KALIK, 4— Liam ROSE, Ben WARLAND, 3—Bright APPIAH, Marc OCHIENG, 2—Darcy MADDEN, Marc MARINO, 1—Bai ANTONIOU, Matthew SCHMIDT, Dylan SMITH, George TIMOTHEOU

A Preliminary Final defeat for Belconnen United ended any hopes the Blue Devils may have had of going one better than last season when they were beaten in the Grand Final by Cooma Tigers at their own McKellar Park and, as such, the 2012 National Premier League campaign will be seen as something of a disappointment for the ACT giants. However, a retrospective look at their season points to an improvement throughout the campaign that made a tilt at the finals a distinct possibility after what can only be described as a poor start by their own imperious standards. Indeed, they lost three of the first four matches played in the 2013 season and, after seven rounds, had only recorded three victories, two of which had been against basement club Canberra City. An opening weekend win over City was followed by losses to Canberra FC (0-2), Canberra Olympic (0-1) and Cooma Tigers (1-2) as the team struggled to come to terms with their tough opening fixture list. But that was all to change in mid-season as the Blue Devils rediscovered their mojo.

After suffering a humiliating 4-1 reverse at the hands of Monaro Panthers in Round 9 the club embarked on a thirteen-match unbeaten run, including a stunning come from behind 4-3 victory at Deakin Stadium against Canberra FC. The streak was only halted in the final round of the season when Lou Gaspari, who had replaced Steve Forshaw mid-season when he resigned for personal reasons, rested several front-line stars and paid the price as Woden Valley won 2-0 at McKellar Park. Perhaps that result jarred momentum as a heavy loss to Canberra FC in the Qualifying Final was followed by that season-ending 2-4 loss to Canberra Olympic in the Preliminary Final. New signing Ben Klug, played his part in goal throughout the year, bringing a composed and commanding presence, plus years of experience into a position that the Blue Devils had struggled with over the last few campaigns. Once again though it was Dustin Wells who led by example, top scoring with fifteen goals from 25 appearances. There were also excellent seasons for skipper Taylor Beaton and midfielder David Arranz, including a rare goal—his first for two years. Misko Naumoski and David Kemp shone brightly at intermittent times, most notably when the pair were in sensational form in the win over Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium. But for many the player of the season at McKellar Park was lively attacking full-back/wide midfielder Milan Popovich. The youngster enjoyed a stellar season, halted only by an unfortunate knee injury but is surely destined for bigger things.

Home Venue McKELLAR PARK Technical Director STEVE FORSHAW / TBC Head Coach Premier League STEVE FORSHAW / LOU GASPARI Media Contact LOU GASPARI (0408 600 279) Official Club Website www.bluedevilsfc.co 2013 Premier League Position 2nd 2013 Leading Appearances 25—Dustin WELLS 2013 Leading Scorer 15—Dustin WELLS APPEARANCES 25 - Dustin WELLS, 24 - Ben KLUG, 21 - Milan POPOVICH, 20(4) - Misko NAUMOSKI, 20(2) Cameron REINHART, Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 20 - David ARRANZ, 19(1) - Zac MAYBURY, 19 - Taylor BEATON, 18(6) - Matt VALERI, 17(2) - Jack BLACKLEY, 15(3) - David KEMP, 14(2) - Jack GREEN, 8(9) - Michael REEVE, 8(6) - Michael TAURASI, 3(13) - Callum SMITH, 1(1) - Joshua PARISI, 1 - Adam DE FRANCESCHI, Jack KAYE, (5) - Zach MUNSTER, (3) - Callum BEATON, Jamie DUNCAN, (2) - Bernard RENE, (1) - Robert JOHNSON, Kieran MATTRESS GOALS 15 - Dustin WELLS, 7 - Misko NAUMOSKI, 6 David KEMP, 4 - Taylor BEATON, Jack GREEN, Michael TAURASI, 2 - Milan POPOVICH, Matt VALERI, 1 - David ARRANZ, Zac MAYBURY, Cameron REINHART, Callum SMITH, own GOALS DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (3): David ARRANZ, Taylor BEATON, Matt VALERI YELLOW CARDS (42): 7 - David ARRANZ, 6 - Zac MAYBURY, 5 - Jack BLACKLEY, 3 - David KEMP, Misko NAUMOSKI, Milan POPOVICH, Matt VALERI, 2 - Dustin WELLS, Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 1 - Taylor BEATON, Adam DE FRANCESCHI, Jack GREEN, Robert JOHNSON, Ben KLUG, Michael REEVE, Cameron REINHART, Michael TAURASI

Season 2013 was a difficult year for Canberra City and their new Head Coach Nick Palagyi. A final season placing of seventh was below expectations and was only achieved by a late season surge that saw the club gain three wins from their last three matches. Perhaps not coincidentally those fixtures were against the teams immediately around them on the competition ladder and were achieved with virtually a full squad available to the coaching staff, something that was not the case through most of 2013. That fact is clearly evidenced by the amount of players who pulled on a City first grade strip in 2013 with a raft of youngsters given the chance to showcase their skills and ability in the enforced absence of many of City’s regular and more established players. Even more than that maybe, the fixture scheduling at the commencement of the inaugural National Premier League competition was particularly unkind to City.

A glance at the fixtures showed City facing Canberra FC (twice), Canberra Olympic (twice) and Belconnen United (twice) in the opening eight rounds with a game against Woden Valley thrown into the bargain and a ninth round encounter with reigning Grand Final winners Cooma Tigers. It was indeed the fixture list from hell. Unsurprisingly, after losing their opening match, and then defeating Woden 2-0, City went on a twelve game losing streak, falling to Monaro Panthers (1-4) during that run. It was to come to a spectacular half though on Saturday 13th July when City finally found the victory they had been searching for since Round 2. Kambah was the venue for their Round 18 clash with Tuggeranong United and a 2-1 win was the least that a vibrant and effervescent display deserved at the end of ninety minutes. A further win was achieved over Woden Valley (21, Round 21) and a draw with the AIS (2-2, Round 22) before their end of season run-in which brought victories over Monaro Panthers (twice, 5-2 and 8-0 in an outstanding midweek showing) and a final day 4-2 success over Tuggeranong United at Hawker Football Centre. The evergreen David Dexter was their leading appearance maker in 2013 with fellow veteran City stars Adam Dobell, James Ward and James Perry all contributing to the cause. But, once more, it was Sam McDonald who caught the eye. His fifteen goals was an outstanding achievement in a struggling team and his versatility shone through with appearances in defence, midfield and attack. He topped a significant personal year with selection in the Canberra NPL All-Stars squad that played Newcastle Jets in August and his importance to the team could not be under-stated.

Home Venue HAWKER FOOTBALL CENTRE Technical Director MATT MOORE Head Coach Premier League NICK PALAGYI Media Contact NICK PALAGYI (0412 312 558) Official Club Website www.pitchero.com/clubs/ canberracityfootballclub/ 2013 Premier League Position 7th 2013 Leading Appearances 23—David DEXTER, 22(1) 2013 Leading Scorer 15—Sam McDONALD APPEARANCES 22(1) - David DEXTER, 22 - Adam DOBELL, 21 - James WARD, 20 - James PERRY, 18(1) - Sam McDONALD, 15(1) - Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 13(4) - Jay KELLY, 11(3) Henry WILLIAMS, 11 - Ashley LAGARDE, Ryuhei NOSE, 10 - Reece VEENHOVEN, 9(1) - Luke GIBSON, 8(3) - Brad SAWYER, 7(5) - Michael PERCEVAL, 7(4) Ross EDWARDS, 7 - Ales BARNES, Liam CHANDLER, 6(6) - Andrew MANLEY, 6(5) - Luke HARTIN, 6 - Ben HARRINGTON, 4(2) - Matt RICE, 3(4) - Daniel DISALVATORE, 3(3) - Grant DAVOREN, 2(2) - Justin RANKINE, 2 - Steven McLAUGHLIN, 1(6) - Luke UDVARDI, 1 - James MANLEY, (2) - Samuel SHADBOLT, Aiden THOMPSON, (1) - Jeremy HEGARTY, Chris McEWAN GOALS 15 - Sam McDONALD, 9 - Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 3 - Jay KELLY, 2 - Michael PERCEVAL, James PERRY, 1 - Daniel DI-SALVATORE, Adam DOBELL, Ross EDWARDS, Luke GIBSON, Ben HARRINGTON, Luke HARTIN, Ryuhei NOSE, Brad SAWYER, Luke UDVARDI DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (1): Ashley LARGARDE YELLOW CARDS (22): 4 - Sam McDONALD, 3 - Adam DOBELL, James PERRY, Reece VEENHOVEN, 2 - Luke GIBSON, 1 - Liam CHANDLER, Ross EDWARDS. Luke HARTIN, Michael PERCEVAL, Pat ROSS-MAGEE, Aiden THOMPSON, Henry WILLIAMS

On the face of it there is no doubt that Canberra FC will be bitterly disappointed by the conclusion of the 2013 National Premier League season. Being defeated in the Grand Final by Canberra Olympic was, by their own lofty standards, a poor ending to a season that promised, and in the main, delivered much.

The manner of their Grand Final defeat will have hurt this proud club more than the result itself with the team hardly getting out of first gear in what was a flat and uninspired showing.

But that match aside there was much to be excited about at Deakin Stadium. Head Coach Miro Trninic fielded a young side with many of the clubs successful youth grade making the step up to the squad. Daniel Bennett, a tricky winger with pace and power, burst onto the scene with a bang creating numerous chances for the league’s most potent front line and there were some wonderful cameos from the immensely talented Julian Borgna including a quite stunning goal at home to Canberra Olympic in Round 11. Philippe Bernarbo continued to see his star rise, finishing the season with 20 goals in only eighteen starts.

Of the new arrivals midfielder James Field slotted seamlessly into the engine room, whether deployed alongside Ian Graham, Adam Spaleta or, on occasions, Ryan Keir. His quiet and efficient approach and measured distribution helped initiate a number of the club’s trademark quick-fire attacks. Alex Oloriegbe arrived pre-season with a reputation for goals and repaid his new team with 22 across the year, to end as the leading scorer.

His tally included a brace in the 4-0 Qualifying Final destruction of Belconnen United.

Elsewhere, Ryan Keir was a study in calm whether deployed as a holding midfielder or, as was the case in the latter stages of the season, a central defender forming a formidable barricade with Marcin Zygmunt and Matt Grbesa. Out wide Ivan Pavlak was switched to left back and was Canberra FC’s most consistent performer. His pace and willingness to join in the attacks causing numerous problems for opposition defences. When they clicked Canberra FC was a joy to behold. They scored six of more goals in half a dozen matches, beating Tuggeranong United (8-1 and 7-0), Canberra City (6-0) and Cooma Tigers (7-2) whilst drubbing Woden Valley 9-0 in Round 4 and hammering Monaro Panthers by the same score-line in the final round of regular season action. On the opposite side of the coin they suffered a rare loss away to Woden Valley (1-4) and were beaten at home

by Belconnen United (3-4)m and Cooma Tigers (0-1) but none of that should take away from what was a terrific year for the club who claimed a 21st League Championship.

Home Venue DEAKIN STADIUM Technical Director MIRO TRNINIC Head Coach Premier League MIRO TRNINIC Media Contact RAD TRPKOVSKI (0402 469 732) Official Club Website www.canberrafc.com 2013 Premier League Position 1st 2013 Leading Appearances 25—Ivan PAVLAK 2013 Leading Scorer 22—Alex OLORIEGBE APPEARANCES 25 - Ivan PAVLAK, 24 - Adam PERAKOVIC, 23(1) - Marcin ZYGMUNT, 21(4) - Alex OLORIEGBE, 19(2) - Daniel BENNETT, 18(3) - Philippe BERNABO, 18(2) - Ian GRAHAM, 17(6) - Matt GRBESA, 16(5) - James FIELD, 14(3) - Ryan KEIR, 13(2) - Adam SPALETA, 11(4) - Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11(1) - Aidan BRUNSKILL, Nathan EVANS, 10(9) - Julian BORGNA, 9(7) - Aaron EVANS, 4(4) - Jordan LAMB, 4(1) - Kaz PATAFTA, 3(10) - Josip JADRIC, 3(1) - Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 1 - Jakob COLE, (5) - Adam ALADHAMI GOALS 22 - Alex OLORIEGBE, 20 - Philippe BERNABO, 9 - Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 6 - Ivan PAVLAK, 4 Daniel BENNETT, Ian GRAHAM, Kaz PATAFTA, Adam SPALETA, 3 - Julian BORGNA, James FIELD, 2 - Josip JADRIC, Ryan KEIR, own GOALS, 1 - Aidan BRUNSKILL, Aaron EVANS, Nathan EVANS, Matt GRBESA, Marcin ZYGMUNT DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (2): James FIELD, Matt GRBESA YELLOW CARDS (30): 6 - Philippe BERNABO, 3 - Daniel BENNETT, Julian BORGNA, Matt GRBESA, Adam SPALETA, 2 - Domenic GIAMPAOLO, Ian GRAHAM, Alex OLORIEGBE, 1 - Aaron EVANS, Nathan EVANS, James FIELD, Ryan KEIR, Ivan PAVLAK, Adam PERAKOVIC

After a sixteen year absence Canberra Olympic finally tasted success again in the Grand Final taking out the competition with a 2-0 victory over Canberra FC in the title decider at McKellar Park and what extra time by veteran striker, and Olympic legend, Robbie Schroder.

That Schroder wasn’t even on the club’s roster at the start of the season, he had to be talked out of retirement by Head Coach Leo Exarhos, only went to make the story even more remarkable. Both goals in the Grand Final were created by leading scorer Mark Shields. The summer signing from Tuggeranong United, where he had scored 21 goals in a struggling side last season, was an inspired acquisition by Exarhos and the Olympic backroom staff with the forward’s 23 goals firing the team to third place on the ladder and the Grand Final, None were more important than the treble he bagged in the 4-2 Preliminary Final victory over Belconnen United, a result that ended the Blue Devils season. Flying winger Oliver Wiederkehr ended the season on a high, playing some of his best football of the campaign at the pointy end of the year when it mattered most.

Olympic’s success was based on a team ethos and a bond built on, and off, the field during 2013. At the back goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou led by example with a series of dominating displays aided and abetted by his central defensive pairing of Joel Valtonen and Nick Bobolas who were towers of strength throughout their push for the crown. In midfield Robbie Deeley was his usual combative self and there was a timely cameo from Victor Yanes who added mush needed composure at crucial times. But it was the quality of the two youngest members of the squad that shone brightest. Nathan Tidmarsh stood out all year long with his tenacity and versatility belying his age in a campaign that ensconced him as a Premier League regular. Joshua Gaspari also had an astounding season. The midfielder was a bundle of energy in all the games he played, 26 in total making him Olympic’s top appearance maker alongside Shields and Valtonen. His star is sure to rise even higher in forthcoming season’s. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the team, they did suffer a mid-season blip, and struggled in a number of matches, but they came good when required and lost only once at home all season, to Woden Valley in Round 5.

The challenge now is to build on this success. Last summer Olympic was aggressive in the recruitment market landing a number of players who would go on to play an integral part in their success. Retaining those players, and their Grand Final crown, will be target #1.

Home Venue O’CONNOR ENCLOSED Technical Director ROB GRAHAM / TBC Head Coach Premier League LEO EXARHOS Media Contact DIMI BRENDAS (0402 312 414) Official Club Website www.canberraolympic.com.au 2013 Premier League Position 3rd 2013 Leading Appearances 25—Joel VALTONEN 25, Mark SHIELDS, 23(2), Josh GASPARI 22(3) 2013 Leading Scorer 23—Mark SHIELDS APPEARANCES 25 - Joel VALTONEN, 23(2) - Mark SHIELDS, 22 (3) - Joshua GASPARI, 22(1) - Matt CACHIA, 22 - Nick BOBOLAS, Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 21 - Robbie DEELEY, 20(1) - Nathan TIDMARSH, 18(4) - Robbie SCHRODER, 18(3) - Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 17(6) - Chris NIKITAS, 17(1) Daniel FULTON, 13 - Hristjan TANOSKI, 8(3) Victor YANES, 6(12) - Lukas COLE, 2(8) - Liam CAREY, 4 - Costa FALLAS, 2(1) - Trent FLANIGAN, Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 1(12) Tim BOBOLAS, 1(1) - Nikolas NIKITAS, (9) - Nick MIHAILAKIS, (2) - Daniel McCARRON, (1) Yianni KARABALIS GOALS 23 - Mark SHIELDS, 7 - Robbie DEELEY, Robbie SCHRODER, Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 4 - Lukas COLE, 3 - Victor YANES, 2 - Joel VALTONEN, 1 Nick BOBOLAS, Matt CACHIA, Daniel FULTON, own GOAL DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (1): Robbie DEELEY YELLOW CARDS (41): 9 - Robbie DEELEY, 7 - Matt CACHIA, 4 - Nick BOBOLAS, Chris NIKITAS, Hristjan TANOSKI, 3 - Nathan TIDMARSH, 2 - Mark SHIELDS, Oliver WIEDERKEHR, Joel VALTONEN, 1 - Tim BOBOLAS, Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, Angelo KONSTANTINOU, Victor YANES

Heading into the 2013 season as the reigning Grand Final trophy holders and with a squad containing several well-known and hugely experienced heads, the Tigers would have been hoping that they could continue where they left off in 2012, challenging for the League Championship trophy that just eluded their grasp twelve months ago and making a fist of the defence of their Grand Final success. As it was the 2013 season was to prove one of disappointment to Gaby Wilk and his team as they failed to make the top four and, despite reaching the Federation Cup Final—a trophy that they have never won—fell to lowly Tuggeranong United in that tournament’s denouement. All in all it was ultimately a season that promised much but, significantly, failed to deliver. There was much change in the playing personnel with a number of their South American players returning overseas but in the veteran Alex Castro, experienced goalkeeper Francois Bangweni and goal-machine’s Robbie Cattanach and Stephen Domenici, there was enough quality to suggest they would be a challenger.

They certainly started brightly enough, an opening day surprise 0-1 loss to Woden Valley notwithstanding, remaining unbeaten for the next five rounds, which included four wins and a draw. But then the wheels fell off and the inconsistency that was to plague their season reared its ugly head. The next ten outings yielded only three victories and included an upset 2-3 loss at home to Monaro Panthers and a startling 3-7 capitulation to Woden Valley, both matches at their Nijong Oval ground which is usually a fortress for the Tigers.

Just when it seemed that their season was all but done they switched on again. A 2-1 success over a high-flying Canberra Olympic was followed by a remarkable 1-0 win away to Canberra FC where substitute Thom Lommers came off the bench to secure a crucial three points. A narrow loss by the odd goal in seven in Round 20 against Canberra Olympic at O’Connor Enclosed virtually ended their hopes of a top four spot and it was confirmed when the Panthers completed a stunning double with another 3-2 win, this tm eat the Riverside Stadium. In a miserable end to the year the Tigers were walloped 2-7 by Canberra FC at Nijong and went down 0-5 to Olympic before losing the Federation Cup Final. Cattanach, as expected, led from the front with thirteen league goals to his name whilst an injury early on to Domenici made his contribution of ten goals a nod to what might have been. Jair Wilk made the most appearances but it was unsung heroes Dom Colucciello and Iain Elliott who shone brightest with Liam Highmore one for the future.

Home Venue NIJONG OVAL Technical Director GABY WILK Head Coach Premier League GABY WILK Media Contact CALUM PATTERSON (0468 865 431) Official Club Website www.coomafc.org.au 2013 Premier League Position 5th 2013 Leading Appearances 22—Jair WILK, 15(7) 2013 Leading Scorer 13—Robbie CATTANACH APPEARANCES 20(1) - Robbie CATTANACH, Dom COLUCCIELLO, 20 - Francois BANGWENI, Alex CASTRO, 16(2) - Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 15(7) - Jair WILK, 15(2) - Stephen DOMENICI, 15(1) - Iain ELLIOTT, 14(2) - Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 12 - Goran MUKEVSKI, 10(1) - Serdan BIRCAN, 10 - Zach MUNSTER, 9(2) - JP D’AMBROSIO, 8(1) - Jordano SAN MARTIN, 7(5) - Marc O’NEILL, 7(4) - Glen CABLE, 7(1) - Eric BONNETT, 6(2) Thomas MANGA, 5(5) - Felipe FLORES, 5(2) - Liam HIGHMORE, 3(4) - Marco GAYER, 3(3) - Thom LOMMERS, 3 - Costa FALLAS, 1(5) - Michael SYDNEY, 1(1) - Zach SCHOON, (2) - James GAZY, (1) - Callum PATTERSON, Daniel ROBERTS, Jarred TONINI, Gary VAN DER PLAAT GOALS 13 - Robbie CATTANACH, 10 - Stephen DOMENICI, 6 - Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 3 - Thom LOMMERS, 2 - Serdan BIRCAN, Dom COLUCCIELLO, Zach MUNSTER, Jair WILK, 1 - Eric BONNETT, Felipe FLORES, Marco GAYER, Goran MUKEVSKI, Daniel ROBERTS, own GOALS DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (1): Alex CASTRO YELLOW CARDS (41): 7– Jair WILK, 6 - Stephen DOMENICI, Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 3 - Thomas MANGA, Goran MUKEVSKI, 2 - Francois BANGWENI, Serdan BIRCAN, Alex CASTRO, Iain ELLIOTT, Jordano SAN MARTIN, 1 - Tony ALEKSOVSKI, Eric BONNETT, Robbie CATTANACH, Dom COLUCCIELLO, Felipe FLORES, Marc O’NEILL

The Monaro Panthers project continued apace at the Riverside Stadium in 2013 with joint coaching staff Njegosh Popovich and Frank Cachia improving on the team’s rather abject 2012 campaign to bring better performances, better results and a sense of belonging to the Queanbeyan based club. Finishing eighth on a nine team table may seem, on paper at least, to be a disappointing conclusion to the year but an eight point gap over bottom club Tuggeranong United and half a dozen wins thrown into the mix bodes well for the future. Especially when you take into consideration who was beaten. Monaro defeated Cooma Tigers twice during the season, once at the Riverside and once at Nijong Oval, and they also surprised Woden Valley (2-0 at home in Round 3) and, in their best performance of 2013, Belconnen United (4-1) in a memorable Round 9 match in mid-May. That display certainly had the rest of the competition sitting up to take notice and a 0-0 draw away at Canberra Olympic further emphasised their potential.

On the reverse side the team did suffer some almighty shellacking’s with three games particularly forgettable. A horror 0-9 loss to Woden Valley in Round 16 on 30th June was a reminder of the vagaries of football at this level if the performance drops off whilst the end of the season was disappointing with a 0-8 defeat at Hawker Football Centre against Canberra City in midweek followed by a 0-9 hammering off League Champions Canberra FC in the final round. The lack of depth certainly caught up with the Panthers in the closing stages of the season and, perhaps, goes someway to explaining their atrocious conclusion to the year. But let nothing take away from the improvements made by the club in 2013. There squad gained more experience at the highest level with young forward Pepe Varga outlining his potential with ten goals to lead the scoring charts. Tim Womack enjoyed some excellent displays in midfield during the course of the season and Jonathon Toole pushed on from an exciting 2012 to further underline his quality since his move from Belconnen United to sample more first-team action. There was experience as well in the squad with central defender Tom Crossley leading by example and Andrew Aliffi, a former Goulburn Strikers representative, returning to play at this level. It’s the youngsters though on which the club must build. Toole and Varga are joined by the likes of Josh Calabria, Tyson Cottam, Sam Ossato and Sam Lavella as players of Premier League quality. Helping them progress to the next level will be crucial for the Panthers.

Home Venue RIVERSIDE STADIUM Technical Director NJEGOSH POPOVICH Head Coach Premier League NJEGOSH POPOVICH / FRANK CACHIA Media Contact MAURO DAVANZO (0405 777 217) Official Club Website www.monaropanthers.com.au 2013 Premier League Position 8th 2013 Leading Appearances 23—Jon TOOLE, 23, Pepe VARGA, 22(1) 2013 Leading Scorer 10—Pepe VARGA APPEARANCES 23 - Jon TOOLE, 22(1) - Pepe VARGA, 22 - Tom McLACHLAN, 21 - James BRADBURY, 20(1) - Danny BYRNE, Tim WOMACK, 17(1) - Tom CROSSLEY, Tyson COTTAM, 15(3) - Andrew ALIFFI, 15(1) - Sam OSSATO, 14(3) - Sam LAVELLA, 14(1) - Jonathon REIS, 12(1) - Josh CALABRIA, 11(8) - Adrian CANIZARES, 4(3) - Cameron DALZELL, 2(7) - Ed McCARTHY, Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 2 - Paul IVANIC, 1(1) - Todd WHITTAKER, 1 - Tony GIANNASCA, Jake STEIN, (4) - Thomas HEWITT, (3) - Christopher DENNISS, Nikola RAJAK, (2) - Nick LEVANT, Daniel WHITEHORN, (1) - Bradley GREEN, Daniel LINSTEAD GOALS 10 - Pepe VARGA, 5 - Tim WOMACK, 4 - Tom McLACHLAN, 3 - Josh CALABRIA, 2 - own GOALS, 1 - Danny BYRNE, Adrian CANIZARES, Tyson COTTAM, Ed McCARTHY, Jonathon REIS DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (2): James BRADBURY, Tim WOMACK YELLOW CARDS (28): 7– Joshua CALABRIA, 3 - Danny BYRNE, Tom McLACHLAN, Pepe VARGA, 2 - Andrew ALIFFI, Tom CROSSLEY, Sam OSSATO, Tim WOMACK, 1 - Adrian CANIZARES, Sam LAVELLA, Jonathon REIS, Jon TOOLE

What to make of 2013 for Tuggeranong United? On the one hand they ended their nineteen year trophy drought with an against-all-odds march to, and ultimate triumph, in the Federation Cup. On the other there’s the sight of the proud club propping up the rest of the ladder in an undignified last place.

With the roster that they posses you’d have to draw the conclusion that this was a disappointing season for the Southside club, Federation Cup glory aside, and the fact that they went through two coaches in the progress hints at the disappointment from the hierarchy within the club structure.

John Bull started the season in the hotseat before making way for Martin Lategui. Lategui guided the club to that piece of silverware with a memorable 3-2 win over Cooma Tigers at Deakin Stadium but found out 24-hours later that he wouldn't be kept on as Head Coach with Steve Forshaw, the former Belconnen United head honcho, tasked with lifting the team off the bottom.

Changes in the playing personnel are likely. Central defender Tim Ireson racked up his 150th Premier League match for the club in 2013, an astonishing achievement, but how much longer can he go around? Keeping hold of leading scorer Muad Zwed will be a challenge and there’s the question of Matt Menser and where best to deploy the twogoal Cup Final hero. Sean Murphy had a fine first season in green, holding up play well whilst Tim Stewart was his usual meticulous and tidy self in a holding role in midfield.

Adding to this quality, and continuing to improve the youth set-up, is paramount for United to improve. It wasn’t all doom and gloom in the Premier League set-up however with three wins and two draws being achieved. Monaro Panthers were on the receiving end twice as Tuggeranong claimed a 1-0 win in Round 6 at Kambah, their first victory of the season, and again in Round 15 at the Riverside Stadium as a brace from Zwed ensured a 2-0 success. The other win was a memorable 3-2 success at Hawker Football Centre against Canberra City where United struck three times in an amazing opening spell in what was arguably their best 45 minutes of the season. Draws at home to Cooma Tigers (2-2 in Round 5) and Canberra Olympic (3-3 in Round 13, a match in which former striker Mark Shields blasted a penalty over the bar, much to the delight of the home crowd) indicated their potential but it was frustratingly rarely seen. Inconsistency was the problem but United found enough of that on their successful Cup run. Harnessing that winning feeling will be a vital part of Forshaw’s preparations for 2014.

Home Venue KAMBAH 2 Technical Director JIMMY BLAND Head Coach Premier League JOHN BULL / MARTIN LATEGUI Media Contact JON THIELE (0413 563 099) Official Club Website www.tufc.org.au 2013 Premier League Position 9th 2013 Leading Appearances 23 - Muad ZWED, 21(2) 2013 Leading Scorer 8 - Muad ZWED APPEARANCES 21(2) - Muad ZWED, 21 - Tim STEWART, 20(2) - Sean MURPHY, 20(1) - Daniel BEAUMONT, 19(1) - Tim IRESON, 18(3) - Chris RUIZ, 17(2) - Matt MENSER, 17 - Jack PETTIT, 16(2) - Cameron DOHERTY, 14(3) Dale OHLMUS, 14(1) - Aaron CASHMAN, 13(8) Mark DI BITONTO, 13(1) - Harry PETTIT, 9(7) - Danny MOUTREY, 5 - Daniel PEKEVSKI, 4(1) - Alex WEBER, 4 - Devin CARTER, 2(1) - Tomas RUIZ, Dragan STEGNJAIC, 1(3) - Ashley BLOUNT, Ciaran RAYMENT, 1(1) - Martin CORUJO, Jordan GLOVER, (6) - Andrew SELLERS, (2) - Zac LAWRENCE, (1) - Tim ANDERSON, Jordan CARIGE, Carl HYNES, William LISTON, Chris PHILLIPS GOALS 8 - Muad ZWED, 5 - Sean MURPHY, 3 - Daniel BEAUMONT, Matt MENSER, Danny MOUTREY, 2 own GOALS, 1 - Danny BYRNE, Adrian CANIZARES, Tyson COTTAM, Ed McCARTHY, Jonathon REIS DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (2): Aaron CASHMAN, Matt MENSER YELLOW CARDS (27): 4– Mark DI BITONTO, Tim IRESON, 3 - Matt MENSER, Danny MOUTREY, 2 - Andrew SELLERS, 1 - Tim IRESON, Daniel PEKEVSKI, Harry PETTIT, Chris RUIZ, Tim STEWART

A maiden finals appearance may have been snuffed out early by Canberra Olympic, who ended Woden Valley hopes in the Elimination Semi-Final, but that should take nothing away from a remarkable season for Woden who achieved more than most experts predicted.

Under a new Head Coach, Dean Ugrinic took over the role from the departed Pat McCann the team had a youthful feel to it with the burgeoning promise of midfield stars Conor Nolan and Regan Walsh joined in pre-season by Jason Ugrinic, a capture from Canberra Olympic. With a highly rated goalkeeper in youngster Evan Alexandrow-Ridley, recently returned from a season learning the ropes at EPL club Fulham, there was certainly potential in the ranks. But the most important signing was to be that of American striker Derek Oelmann. The forward made little impact on his arrival in Canberra, going five matches without a goal and being dropped to the under20 side. But a brace in that division against Canberra Olympic, who would have had a hat-trick but for the width of a post, kickstarted one of the most outrageous goal-scoring spree’s in the elite division’s history.

The following eighteen matches yielded a quite amazing 29 goals with no club immune to the striking power of a reformed and revtalised Oelmann. Indeed, such was the turn around, that it was s surprise when he didn’t score in a match as opposed to when he did.

Tap-ins, headers, free-kicks, penalties, even a quite ridiculous back-heel volley off a corner against Belconnen United, Oelmann scored them all. Elsewhere the experience in defence of John Gibson and Ben Pagett was immeasurable with Mitch Stevens, a signing from Canberra City, adding more steel in an area in which Woden had been noticeably soft in the past. Reaching the top four appeared to be in their grasp throughout the season but a three-game slump between Round 20-22, when they lost to Belconnen United (1-2), Canberra City (1-2) and Canberra FC (0-2) left them glancing nervously over their shoulder at the approaching Cooma Tigers. As the Tigers imploded so Woden took advantage crushing Tuggeranong United 6-3 to secure their spot. They achieved notable success throughout the year, winning 2-0 at McKellar Park against Belconnen United on the final Sunday of the season and, perhaps most memorably, derailing Canberra FC’s title charge, at least for a week, with a 4-1 win over the champions elect at Woden Park. A Federation Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out loss to Tuggeranong meant no chance for silverware for the club but, make no mistake about it, 2013 was an exceptional year.

Home Venue WODEN PARK Technical Director DEAN UGRINIC Head Coach Premier League DEAN UGRINIC Media Contact JOHN HELGESEN (0409 627 359) Official Club Website www.wvfc.asn.au 2013 Premier League Position 4th 2013 Leading Appearances 23 - Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, Derek OELMANN 2013 Leading Scorer 29—Derek OELMANN APPEARANCES 23 - Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, Derek OELMANN, 21(1) - John GIBSON, Ben PAGETT, Jason UGRINIC, 19(3) Mitch STEVENS, 19(2) Regan WALSH, 19 - Conor NOLAN, 17 - Sime CELESKI, 15(5) - Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14(5) Liam WALSH, 9(7) - David JENKINS, 9 - Stephen LEE, 8(1) - Goran MUKEVSKI, 6 - Simon HINDE, 5(5) - Deckay BETTAY, 4(6) - Zac HARRIGAN, 3(2) - Andrew SLAVICH, 3(1) - Jaz ABARQUEZ, 1(8) - Andrew KILEY, 1(5) - Luke MCGRATH, 1 - Fernando ALVES, Brendan DIMESKI, Julien RENARD, (4) - Jake WILSENER, (2) - Sean O’NEILL, (1) - Lukas FUHRMANN GOALS 29 - Derek OELMANN, 13 - Jason UGRINIC, 4 - Goran MUKEVSKI, 3 - Mitch STEENBERGEN, 2 - Simon HINDE, Stephen LEE, Regan WALSH, 1 - Jaz ABARQUEZ, John GIBSON, Ben PAGETT, own GOALS DISCIPLINE RED CARDS (3): Sime CELESKI, Zac HARRIGAN, Conor NOLAN YELLOW CARDS (37): 8 - Conor NOLAN, 5 John GIBSON, Liam WALSH, 4 - Jason UGRINIC, 3 - Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, Ben PAGETT, Regan WALSH, 2 - Stephen LEE, Goran MUKEVSKI, 1 - Deckay BETTAY, Mitch STEVENS

Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

23

18

0

5

86

22

+64

54

2

Belconnen United

23

15

2

6

47

35

+12

47

3

Canberra Olympic

23

13

6

4

47

25

+22

45

4

Woden Valley

23

13

2

8

58

43

+15

41

5

Cooma Tigers

23

10

1

12

46

54

-8

31

6

AIS

16

7

3

6

28

26

+2

24

7

Canberra City

23

6

1

17

41

61

-20

19

8

Monaro Panthers

23

6

1

16

30

78

-48

19

9

Tuggeranong United

23

3

2

18

30

71

-41

11

29 Derek OELMANN (Woden Valley) 23 Mark SHIELDS (Canberra Olympic) 22 Alex OLORIEGBE (Canberra FC) 20 Philippe BERNABO (Canberra FC) 15 Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United), Sam McDONALD (Canberra City) 13 Robbie CATTANACH (Cooma Tigers), Jason UGRINIC (Woden Valley) 10 Pepe VARGA (Monaro Panthers), Own GOALS 9 Pat ROSS-MAGEE (Canberra City), Domenic GIAMPAOLO (Canberra FC), Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) 8 Muad ZWED (Tuggeranong United) 7 Misko NAUMOSKI (Belconnen United), Robbie DEELEY, Robbie SCHRODER, Oliver WIEDERKEHR (Canberra Olympic) 6 David KEMP (Belconnen United), Ivan PAVLAK (Canberra FC), Goran JOSIFOVSKI (Cooma Tigers), Sean MURPHY (Tuggeranong United) 5 Bai ANTONIOU, Anthony KALIK (AIS), WOMACK (Monaro Panthers), Goran MUKEVSKI* (Woden Valley) 4 Dylan SMITH (AIS), Taylor BEATON, Jack GREEN, Michael TAURASI (Belconnen United), Daniel BENNETT, Ian GRAHAM, Kaz PATAFTA, Adam SPALETA (Canberra FC), Tom McLACHLAN (Monaro Panthers) 3 Marc MARINO (AIS), Jay KELLY (Canberra City), Julian BORGNA, James FIELD (Canberra FC), Lukas COLE, Victor YANES (Canberra Olympic), Thom LOMMERS (Cooma Tigers), Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers), Daniel BEAUMONT, Matt MENSER, Danny MOUTREY (Tuggeranong United), Mitch STEENBERGEN (Woden Valley) 2 Bright APPIAH, Steve KUZMANOVSKI, Darcy MADDEN (AIS), Milan POPOVICH, Matt VALERI (Belconnen United), Michael PERCEVAL, James PERRY (Canberra City), Josip JADRIC, Ryan KEIR (Canberra FC), Joel VALTONEN (Canberra Olympic), Serdan BIRCAN, Dom COLUCCIELLO, Zach MUNSTER, Jair WILK (Cooma Tigers), Tyson COTTAM (Monaro Panthers), Andrew SELLERS (Tuggeranong United), Simon HINDE, Stephen LEE, Regan WALSH (Woden Valley) 1 Alexander GERSBACH, Todd NORRIS, Marc OCHIENG, Jordan PUDLER (AIS), David ARRANZ, Zach MAYBURY, Cameron REINHART, Callum SMITH (Belconnen United), Daniel DI-SALVATORE, Adam DOBELL, Ross EDWARDS, Luke GIBSON, Ben HARRINGTON, Luke HARTIN, Ryuhei NOSE, Brad SAWYER, Luke UDVARDI, Reece VEENHOVEN (Canberra City), Aidan BRUNSKILL, Aaron EVANS, Nathan EVANS, Matt GRBESA, Marcin ZYGMUNT (Canberra FC), Nick BOBOLAS, Matt CACHIA, Daniel FULTON (Canberra Olympic), Eric BONNETT, Felipe FLORES, Marco GAYER, Daniel ROBERTS (Cooma Tigers), Danny BYRNE, Adrian CANIZARES, Ed McCARTHY, Jonathan REIS (Monaro Panthers), Mark DI BITONTO, Tim IRESON, Daniel PEKEVSKI, Harry PETTIT, Tim STEWART (Tuggeranong United), Jaz ABARQUEZ, John GIBSON, Ben PAGETT (Woden Valley) * includes goals scored for Cooma Tigers

COACHING MERRY-GO-ROUND 2013 Three coaches who started the 2013 season, or were appointed during it, departed clubs during the year. They were: Steve FORSHAW (Belconnen United), John BULL (Tuggeranong United) and Martin LATEGUI (Tuggeranong United). At the end of the season FORSHAW would be announced Tuggeranong Head Coach, Dean UGRINIC would leave Woden Valley to take over at Belconnen United from Lou GASPARI who had replaced FORSHAW at the Blue Devils whilst Mitch STEVENS was announced at the new Head Coach of Woden Valley.

Federation Cup Round 1 Saturday 6th April 2013 ANU FC (Masters) 6 (Michael Wiseman (4), Oliver Brunet (2)) Queanbeyan City (Masters) 0 ANU FC (CL) 4 (Chase Deans (3), Jonathon Scott) Senior NTC 2 (Jordan Tsekenis, Alex Tilley) White Eagles (CL) defeated Queanbeyan City (SL3) – forfeit Queanbeyan City (CL) 8 (Richard Santiago (3), Tim Anderson (2), Goran Milutinovic, Samale Mohamed, Vele Dukoski) Gungahlin United (SL5) 1 (Cornell Hanxomphou) O’Connor Knights (CL) 4 (Zlatko Tanoski (2), Kynan Dodd, Nato White) Tuggeranong United (SL2) 0 Tuggeranong United (SL3) 6 (Steve Mitchell (2), Cale Padrotta (2), Steve Diggle, Scott Barrett) Palerang United (SL5) 1 (Troy Clark) Burns FC (SL3) 1 (Paul Lawson) Weston-Molonglo FC (SL4) 0 Weston-Molonglo FC (SL6) 4 (Ben Appleton, Nicholas Kahl, Ben Winslade, own goal) Crossroads (SL7) 1 (Justin Waddell) Weston-Molonglo FC (Masters) 1 (Steve Lazzari (pen)) Narrabundah (CL) 2 (Ken MacDonald, Jaime Mauro) Weston-Molonglo FC (SL2) 2 (Simon Gemmell, Tim Webb) Canberra FC (CL) 4 (Johnny Zdrunca, Elia Salloum, Frank Giorgi, own goal) BYES: UC Pumas (CL), Weston-Molonglo FC (CL), ANU FC (SL2), Narrabundah (SL3), Gungahlin Juventus (SL5), Gungahlin United (Masters) The Federation Cup had a new-look for 2013 with an open-style FA Cup competition well received by the teams that entered. With the National Premier League teams seeded until Round 3 there was early opportunities for the lower grade teams to make a name for themselves with their cup exploits. However, there were no surprises in the opening Round with the closest thing to an upset seeing Weston-Molonglo FC Masters narrowly falling to Capital League opponents in Narrabundah. ‘Bundah squeezed home 2-1 but had to survive late pressure from the veterans to progress. Other than that it was pretty much as expected with the other four Capital League sides safely ensuring their passage. Richard Santiago scored a hat-trick for Queanbeyan City in their 8-1 win over Gungahlin United from State League 5, O’Connor Knights proved too strong for State League 2 Tuggeranong United, Canberra FC worked hard for a 4-2 victory over Weston-Molonglo FC (State League 2) and ANU FC came out on top in an exciting match with the Senior NTC as Chase Deans bagged a treble. Tuggeranong United State League 3 welcomed new opposition in Palerang United from State League 4 and promptly defeated the country team 6-1, the score blowing out with four goals in the last ten minutes, while a Paul Lawson goal was enough for Burns from SL3 to narrowly see off Weston-Molonglo SL4. There was better news for Weston-Molonglo FC State League 6 who hammered Crossroads from a Division lower by 4-1 and always looked in command against the lowest ranked State League team. At least Crossroads got on the park, a fate that Queanbeyan City SL3 couldn’t achieve as a stack of last minute unavailability saw them forfeit against Capital League heavyweights White Eagles. The scoring feat of the round belonged to Michael Wiseman of ANU FC Masters who netted four as the University Old Boys swamped Queanbeyan City Masters 6-0. The striker blotted his copybook though receiving a straight red for an elbow and facing a subsequent seven match ban.

Federation Cup Round 2 Saturday 13th April 2013 O’Connor Knights (CL) 1 (Steve Rezo) ANU FC (CL) 0 Narrabundah (CL) 1 (Ken MacDonald) Canberra FC (CL) 2 (Elia Salloum (2)) Weston-Molonglo FC (SL6) 1 (Nicholas Kahl) Burns FC (SL3) 5 (Mark Jordan (2), Tim Jordan, James Douglas, Artyom Dziouba) Queanbeyan City (CL) 6 (Tim Anderson (3), Zach Knight, Milos Milutinovic, Nikolce Noveski) Gungahlin Juventus (SL5) 0 ANU FC (Masters) 3 (Oliver Brunet (2), Robert Stoddart) Narrabundah (SL3) 4 (Omar Muscat (4)) UC Pumas (CL) 2 (Edwin Davison, Daniel Di-Salvatore) Tuggeranong United (SL3) 0 ANU FC (SL2) 1 (Rowan Peterkin) White Eagles (CL) 1 (Eoin Devaney) – White Eagles win 6-5 on penalties Weston-Molonglo FC (CL) 7 (Tom Radocaj (2), Domenic De Salis (2), Edgar Daly, Jarrad Thomas, Alexander Meisbusch) Gungahlin United (Masters) 0 As with Round 1 all the higher ranked teams progressed into the third round draw but many made their opponents work doubly hard for the privilege. None more so than ANU FC from State League 2 who forced White Eagles (Capital League) to a penalty shoot-out after the match ended 1-1. With no extra-time it was straight to the shoot-out where a relieved Eagles team scraped home 6-5 to book a tie with Premier League Canberra Olympic. Omar Muscat ended any hopes of Masters representation in the third round draw as the striker scored all four for Narrabundah SL3 in their 4-3 win over ANU FC Masters, who badly missed the suspended Michael Wiseman. The other Masters team in Round 2, Gungahlin United, had been given a bye from Round 1 but found the pace of WestonMolonglo FC (Capital League) too hot to handle with Weston comfortably winning 7-0. Tuggeranong United State League 3 saw their cup dreams evaporate as UC Pumas from the Capital League won 2-0 and the Capital League numbers in the third round draw swelled to six as a double from Elia Salloum edged Canberra FC past Narrabundah 2-1 and a solitary strike from Steve Rezo was enough to see O’Connor Knights home against ANU FC in a brace of all-Capital League affairs a while a hat-trick from Tim Anderson was the highlight for Queanbeyan City in a 6-0 rout of Gungahlin Juventus SL5. There would be lower league teams aiming for glory in the last eight as Burns FC from SL3 joined Narrabundah from the same division after beating Weston-Molonglo SL6 by 5-1, Mark Jordan scoring twice.

With the National Premier League clubs joining the competition for Round 3, some sup upsets were on the cards.

Thursday 2nd May 2013 Woden Valley 2 (Chris Trajanoski (og) 75’, Jason Ugrinic 76’) Queanbeyan City (CL) 1 (Vele Dukoski 31’) Two goals in less than a minute gave Premier League Woden Valley a narrow 2-1 win over Capital League Queanbeyan City in the first of the Federation Cup Third Round ties and, whilst Woden may have deserved the win on balance of play and more shots on goal, City can feel aggrieved at the manner in which they exited the competition. At stages the match resembled a two-man contest between Woden forward Derek Oelmann and City custodian Chris Trajanoski with the latter making two outstanding saves from the American, the second of which seemed destined for the top corner.

Queanbeyan stunned their higher-ranked opponents in the 31st minute when they took the lead. The goal, scored by Vele Dukoski, had more than an element of fortune about it as the midfielders free-kick from 35 metres deceived everyone before drifting into the net. With Zach Knight heroic in the centre of the park City were holding firm until a disastrous sixty seconds, a quarter of an hour from time. Woden equalised when a brilliant flick on from Oelmann, off a John Gibson pass, freed Jason Ugrinic whose fiercely struck shot cannoned back off the crossbar and hit the unfortunate Trajanoski on the back crossing the line for a bizarre own goal. If that goal was taken off Ugrinic there was little doubt he hit the second only moments later. Oelmann’s lay-off found Liam Walsh and, when his shot was blocked, the ball fell kindly for Ugrinic who calmly placed it in the corner to win the tie for his team.

Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 6. Sime CELESKI, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Jaz ABARQUEZ, 10. Stephen LEE, 11. Dicky BETTAY, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 3. Ben PAGETT, 5. John GIBSON, 22. Liam WALSH Queanbeyan City (CL): 1. Chris TRAJANOSKI, 4. Samale MOHAMED, 5. Milos MILUTINOVIC, 6. Matthew RYAN, 7. Vele DUKOSKI, 10. Zach KNIGHT, 13. Anthony PULCIANI, 15. Arok THON, 17. Tim ANDERSON, 19. Dylan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 20. Nikolce NOVESKI Substitutes used: 11. Goran MILUTINOVIC, 14. Richard SANTIAGO, 16. Charles BAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Mitch STEVENS, 23. Jason UGRINIC (Woden Valley), 7. Vele DUKOSKI (Queanbeyan City) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Alex McConachie, Duncan McLaren Thursday 2nd May 2013 Tuggeranong United 8 (Muad Zwed 5’, 62’, 92’, Tim Stewart 24’, Tim Ireson 45+1’, Ciaran Rayment 78’, 79’, 86’) Narrabundah (SL3) 0 From the moment that Tuggeranong United striker Muad Zwed slotted the opening goal after only five minutes there was no chance of a cup upset at Hawker Football Centre as National Premier League Tuggeranong United made short work of Narrabundah from State League 3 winning 8-0. Tim Stewart rocketed in the second of the match midway through the half and Tim Ireson put the issue beyond doubt in first half stoppage time, sweeping in the third. Narrabundah, who had already both of the substitutions they had available, returned with only ten men due to another injury and Tuggeranong ruthlessly exposed their numerical advantage. Zwed tapped in his second of the match after substitute Ciaran Rayment saw his effort beaten away by Michael Dascarolis to make it 4-0 before young Rayment took centre stage claiming a quick-fire hat-trick as the extra fitness of the Premier League team told. Stewart was the architect for most of what was good in the United midfield and he was involved in the final goal of the evening as Zwed had the freedom of the penalty area to complete his hat-trick with a near post shot. Indeed, if it hadn’t been for some terrible finishing, a touch of greediness in the final third and Dascarolis’ heroics the score would have been well into double figures by the conclusion despite Narrabundah’s brave defiance.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Dale OHLMUS, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Cameron DOHERTY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON Substitutes used: 13. Harry PETTIT, 14. Ciaran RAYMENT, 15. Zac LAWRENCE Narrabundah (SL3): 1. Michael DASCAROLIS, 5. Zoran ZAVEVAC, 6. Yucel CETINAY, 7. Nikola BOZANIC, 8. Daniel SPARROW, 9. Adrian GIAMPIETRO, 10. Rueben ARES, 13. Spiro TSIROS, 14. Kevin WALLACE, 16. Budd ILIC, 26. Omar MUSCAT Substitutes used: 2. Joshua HOOK, 4. Michael KOUNDOURIS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Daniel SPARROW (Narrabundah) Match Officials: Alex McConachie (referee), Greg Taylor, Duncan McLaren

Wednesday 8th May 2013 Burns FC (SL3) 1 (Patrick Ryan 91’) Canberra FC (CL) 2 (Josh Brennan 26’, Elia Salloum 73’) Canberra FC from the Capital League eased their way into the draw for the Quarter Finals of the Federation Cup with a 2-1 win over Burns FC from State League 3 that was more comfortable than the score line perhaps portrays. The Deakin club were always in control of the match and were rarely troubled by their lower league opponents until Patrick Ryan curled in a superb freekick with what was the last kick of the match, giving the otherwise impeccable Michael Lukasik no chance. Canberra FC should have taken the lead in the first half when they were awarded a penalty following a goal-mouth scramble instigated by an outrageous overhead kick by Johnny Zdrunca. Frank Giorgi took the kick but Dylan Garcia guessed correctly and plunged low to his right to push the ball away to safety. The Burns custodian was powerless minutes later though as Josh Brennan, via a slight deflection, gave Canberra FC the lead with a well-placed effort from just outside the area that faded from right to left. Despite their dominance of possession the killer goal didn’t come for Canberra FC until seventeen minutes from time. Leo Exarhos created it, sending a pinpoint accurate pass between the covering defence for Elia Salloum, who killed the ball and sent an instant snap-shot crashing into the back of the net. Ryan responded late for Burns but, by then, it was all but done and Canberra FC progressed.

Burns FC (SL3): 1. Dylan GARCIA, 2. Christopher HERD, 6. Nathan O’NEILL, 7. Ismaila JURJA, 9.

Riley MITCHELL, 10. Lorenzo FALLACE, 11. Paul LAWSON, 12. Patrick RYAN, 14. Steven MURPHY, 16. Matthew FERRIMAN, 17. Mark JORDAN Substitutes used: 13. Jesse LEEDER, 5. Troy MORGAN, 15. James STUART Canberra FC (CL): 1. Michael LUKASIK, 2. Josh BRENNAN, 5. Giuseppe STRAMANDINOLI, 6. John ZDRUNCA, 7. Gabriel EXPOSITO, 8. Anthony BEKAVAC, 11. Frank GIORGI, 12. Dominique LABUTTE, 21. Dimitri BRENDAS, 22. Jon ISON, 25. Elia SALLOUM Substitutes used: 3. Leo EXARHOS, 15. Giancarlo DEL MIGLIO, 23. Anthony SUSA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 17. Mark JORDAN (Burns FC), 7. Gabriel EXPOSITO, 21. Dimitri BRENDAS, 22. Jon ISON (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Matthew Cropper, Anton Churchyard Wednesday 8th May 2013 Canberra City 0 Canberra FC 6 (Philippe Bernabo 2’, 68’, 89’ Ryan Keir 53’, Daniel Bennett 61’, Alex Oloriegbe 85’) Canberra FC’s Premier League team followed their Capital League counterparts into the last eight of the Federation Cup with a routine, and ultimately comprehensive, 5-0 victory over Canberra City at Deakin Stadium. Both teams fielded experimental line-ups with Canberra City fielding four player’s under20 years of age and Canberra FC seven, in an exciting, attacking team and it took FC only 85 seconds to break down the City rear guard. A right wing cross from Daniel Bennett picked out Philippe Bernabo, unmarked eight yards from goal, and the striker wasn’t going to pass up the early gift, finishing past James Ward with a firm downward header. Ivan Pavlak later saw a goal disallowed for offside as Canberra FC wasted numerous chances to add to their slender advantage heading into the half-time break. City made two changes at the interval but it was Canberra FC who struck first as a fluent team move culminated in a simple tap-in for Ryan Keir after a low cross from Pavlak had beaten Ward. After that it was one-way traffic, as Bennett cut infield to drill in number three before an unfortunate slip in defence allowed Bernabo to claim his second of the match. Substitute Alex Oloriegbe made it 5-0, five minutes from time with a blast from the edge of the box before Bernabo claimed a hat -trick to round off a comfortable evening for Canberra FC. Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Jon HAND, 3. Alex BARNES, 5. Michael PERCEVAL, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Andrew MANLEY, 8. Luke UDVARDI, 10. Grant DAVOREN, 13. Jay KELLY, 14. Matt RICE, 17. Christopher McEWAN Substitutes used: 4. David DEXTER, 9. Ryuhei NOSE, 16. Gracia MBALE, Canberra FC: 1. Allan CREER, 3. Aaron EVANS, 4. Jordan LAMB, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Adam AL-ADHAMI, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA Substitutes used: 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Daniel Rajic, Anton Churchyard

Thursday 16th May 2013 Belconnen United 5 (Matt Valeri 12’, 42’, Jack Green 19’, Dustin Wells 23’, 83’) Weston-Molonglo FC (CL) 0 Belconnen eased into the last eight of the Federation Cup with a convincing 5-0 win over Weston-Molonglo FC. The Blue Devils proved just a yard too quick in every department for their lower league opposition and never looked likely to fall to a ‘Cupset’ as soon as Matt Valeri was gifted the freedom of the penalty area to pick his spot and blast home in the 12th minute. Jack Green made it 2-0 seven minutes later, nipping in at the far post to head in a deep cross and by the time Dustin Wells shimmied his way into the box and planted a firm drive beyond Joshua Wade in the Weston goal in the 23 rd minute, it was game over. Valeri added the fourth before the break, bursting clear of the defence to slide in his second of the match just after his thunderous shot cannoned back off the bar. In fact it could have been a whole lot worse for Weston if it hadn’t been for some superb defending. On no fewer than four occasions Belconnen appeared certain to score as Wade was left helpless only for his defence to rally and clear off the line. The pattern continued into the second half, even if Weston regrouped well, and Belconnen visibly eased off. Wells sent a stunning effort thumping off the woodwork and Michael Reeve followed suit, his near post pile-driver sending the goalposts reverberating. Wells eventually made it five with seven minutes remaining to set the seal on the result.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 3. David KEMP, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Callum SMITH, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Michael REEVE, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Matt VALERI, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI Weston-Molonglo FC (CL): 1. Joshua WADE, 2. Tom RADOCAJ, 3. Ben GREIG, 4. James TAYLOR, 5. Top SATHAYAKNOM, 7. Janis TEBECIS, 8. Russell ALLEN, 9. Edgar DALY, 11. Adam JOHNSTON, 16. Matt COREY, 17. Aaron MILLS Substitutes used: 14. Chris O’REGAN, 18. Michael KNEE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Peter Chapman, Tom Wodzinski Thursday 16th May 2013 Monaro Panthers 1 (Tom Crossley 3’) Cooma Tigers 5 (Jair Wilk 7’, Robbie Cattanach 39’, 51’ (pen), 68’ (pen), Stephen Domenici 75’) A hat-trick from Robbie Cattanach pushed Cooma Tigers into the Quarter Finals of the Federation Cup with a 5-1 win over Monaro Panthers. The Panthers hit the front in only the third minute as Tom Crossley stole forward into the area, sold a dummy and sent a flicked shot across the face of Costas Fallas in the Cooma goal and into the far corner. The lead was short-lived however as, within four minutes, the Tigers equalised. Cattanach picked out the run of Jair Wilk with a cross-field ball of exquisite weight and Wilk despatched it, on the halfvolley, over the head of James Bradbury from 22 metres. Wilk should have had a second close to the half hour, but somehow contrived to blaze over from only two yards with the goal at his mercy. Tom McLachlan then hit the post for Monaro from a free-kick before Wilk turned provider, setting up Cattanach to give Cooma a half-time lead. The Panthers needed to score first in the second half but it was Cooma who did, Cattanach bagging a second from the spot after Daniel Whitehorn hauled down Goran Mukevski. The striker completed his treble in the same manner in the 68th minute to put the matter beyond doubt before a late goal from Stephen Domenici completed a good evening’s work.

Monaro Panthers: 1. James BRADBURY, 2. Sam OSATTO, 4. Daniel WHITEHORN, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 8. Tom McLACHLAN, 9. Pepe VARGA, 10. Tim WOMACK, 12. Danny BYRNE, 15. Tyson COTTAM, 17. Sam LAVELLA Substitutes used: 13. Adrian CANIZARES, 14. Cameron DALZELL, 22. Ed McCARTHY, 33. Nick LEVANAT Cooma Tigers: 12. Costas FALLAS, 2. Liam HIGHMORE, 3. Thomas MANGA, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Daniel ROBERTS, 6. Marc O’NEILL, 7. Goran MUKEVSKI, 8. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Marco GAYER Substitutes used: 13. JP D’AMBROSIO, 14. Zach SCHOON, 15. Liam GAVRAN, 16. Stephen DOMENICI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Daniel WHITEHORN, 5. Tom CROSSLEY, 12. Danny BYRNE, 17. Sam LAVELLA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Greg Taylor, Tom Wodzinski

Thursday 23rd May 2013 O’Connor Knights (CL) 1 (Trent Flanigan 67’) UC Pumas (CL) 0 A single goal proved enough for O’Connor Knights to progress into the last eight of the Federation Cup on a cold evening at Hawker Football Centre. It was rough luck on UC Pumas who should have come away with a result having wasted a number of presentable opportunities, particularly in a first forty-five minutes that saw them play the better football.

Jeremy Hegarty headed the best chance straight at Anthony Vatalis in the Knights goal whilst forward Daniel Di-Salvatore forced the shot-stopper into a low, sprawling save to his righthand side to preserve the status quo at the half-time break. Arguably, the Pumas started the second period the better as well so it was somewhat against the run of play therefore that O’Connor took the lead midway through the second half. And the goal, when it came, was a perfect example of not having to take the leather off the ball to score. Midfielder Trent Flanigan was the scorer, finding some space in the left channel and passing his shot beyond the reach of a leaden-footed Paul O’Kane who could only look on helplessly as it trickled past him and into the far corner of the net. The University team had a couple of late chances to send the match to a penalty shoot-out but Nicholas Seefried elected to pass when wellplaced and Edwin Davison fired over as the Knights stood firm to advance.

O’Connor Knights (CL): 1. Anthony VATALIS, 4. Lachlie RIDDELL, 6. Mark DJIKIC, 11. Zlatko TANOSKI, 12. Brett FORWARD, 13. Steven REZO, 15. Trent FLANIGAN, 19. Nikola SPORCIC, 20. Kynan DODD, 21. Chris PERCIVAL, 27. Igor CAUSOSKI Substitutes used: 18. Robert HRSTIC UC Pumas (CL): 1. Paul O’KANE, 2. Andrew McDONALD, 3. Asher GROVES, 4. Scott ANDERSON, 6. Matthew GRAYSON, 7. Edwin DAVISON, 8. Jeremy HEGARTY, 9. Nicholas SEEFRIED, 10. Rishbah SHARMA, 11. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 16. Cameron LINDSAY Substitutes used: 5. Thomas HAWKETTS, 13. Mark SHEPHERD Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Peter Chapman, Tom Wodzinski Thursday 23rd May 2013 Canberra Olympic 2 (Lukas Cole 66’, Robbie Deeley 76’) White Eagles (CL) 2 (Eoin Devaney 81’, Mark Nedeljkovic 86’) – Canberra Olympic win 6-5 on penalties Two saves in the penalty shoot-out from Canberra Olympic goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou saw the National Premier League leaders through against White Eagles in a proper cup-tie. In a feisty opening half it was the Capital League leaders who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute. Bensah Afiabo cut inside and curled a beautiful shot around the reach of Konstantinou but watched in agony as it crashed back off the base of the post and ricocheted off an Olympic defender to safety. At the other end Mark Shields, on his return to the Premier League team’s line-up, was being well-shackled by the Eagles defence, restricting their higher level opponents to efforts from distance. As it was neither side could make the breakthrough and the half ended all-square at 0-0. Robbie Deeley went close to putting Olympic ahead five minutes into the second half as his free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar but the respite was short-lived for the Eagles as Olympic struck in the 66th minute. Lukas Cole made the critical incision, playing a neat one-two with Shields, and slotting into the corner.

Deeley thundered in an absolute beauty ten minutes later to put Olympic in the driving seat, hammering home a belter from 30m and Olympic looked home. Eagles had other ideas and two goals in five minutes from Eoin Devaney and Mark Nedeljkovic, almost carbon copies of each other sent the match to penalties.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 6. Joshua GASPARI, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Chris NIKITAS, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Hristjan TANOSKI, 16. Matt CACHIA, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 99. Nick MIHAILAKIS Substitutes used: 3. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 12. Tim BOBOLAS, 13. Robbie SCHRODER White Eagles (CL): 1. Nicholas OWEN, 3. Jovan BATAR, 4. Sasha TANASKOVIC, 5. Alexandar NEDELJKOVIC, 6. Eoin DEVANEY, 7. Andrew SELLAS, 8. Bensah AFIABO, 9. Mark NEDELJKOVIC, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 12. Adam ROGIC, 18. Matthew GRECL Substitutes used: 14. Rory DEVLIN, 15. Joseph BARTONE, 17. Milan SANTRAC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Chris NIKITAS (Canberra Olympic), 10. Dejan SANTRAC (White Eagles) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Daniel Rajic, Tom Wodzinski

Thursday 20th June 2013 Belconnen United 2 (Michael Reeve 4’, Misko Naumoski 42’) Cooma Tigers 3 (Zach Munster 40’, 41’, Robbie Cattanach 83’) A late goal from Robbie Cattanach put Cooma Tigers into the semi-finals of the Federation Cup at the expense of Belconnen United on a cold evening at Hawker Football Centre. Cattanach struck the match winner with seven minutes to play with a low drive from just outside the area that flew through a forest of bodies and unsighted Blue Devils goalkeeper Ben Klug into the bottom corner. Earlier Belconnen had taken the lead when Michael Reeve nipped in behind the Cooma defence to fire a composed effort into the top corner in the 4th minute but the match was plodding along until a remarkable burst of three goals in three minutes just before half time. Ironically it was former Blue Devil Zach Munster that turned the match on its head with a brace of goals within seconds of each other.

Munster, who had signed for Cooma earlier in the day, rose highest to head home a deep cross five minutes before the interval and doubled his, and the Tigers tally, immediately from the kick-off, showing pace and power to hold off a challenge and flick a fine finish past Klug. Belconnen hit back straight away though as Misko Naumoski arrived to tap in unmarked at the back post. And that was how it stayed until Cattanach’s moment of inspiration in the 83rd minute.

Belconnen United: 1. Ben KLUG, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Zach MAYBURY, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Callum SMITH, 9. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Elliot ZWANGOBANI, 12. Michael REEVE, 13. Jack GREEN, 15. David KEMP Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 10. David LEET Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 3. Thomas MANGA, 4. Alex CASTRO, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. Felipe FLORES, 7. Zach MUNSTER, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 13. Marc O’NEILL, 14. Thom LOMMERS, 15. Glen CABLE, 16. Serdan BIRCAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Zach MAYBURY (Belconnen United), 1. Francois BANGWENI, 5. Alex CASTRO (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Peter Chapman, Tom Wodzinski Thursday 20th June 2013 Canberra Olympic 1 (Oliver Wiederkehr 10’) Tuggeranong United 3 (Muad Zwed 46’, 69’, Ciaran Rayment 87’) Tuggeranong United caused a Federation Cup upset at Hawker Football Centre as a virtuoso display from second half substitute Muad Zwed saw them to a 3-1 victory over Canberra Olympic. Zwed scored twice and set up the third as Tuggeranong stunned the favourites with an effervescent display, thoroughly deserving the win. Canberra Olympic broke the deadlock in only the tenth minute of the match with a well-crafted opener. A precise through ball pierced Tuggeranong’s attempted offside trap allowing speedy winger Oliver Wiederkehr a clear run on goal. Sizing up the chance perfectly, Wiederkehr stepped around the attempted challenge of United ‘keeper Devin Carter and slotted into the empty net to the delight of his team mates and the Olympic support. Trailing at the break, it took Tuggeranong just 48 seconds of the second half to level as Zwed, introduced in the half-time interval, waltzed into the area and finished in off the far post for a splendidly taken goal. And Zwed wasn’t finished there.

Taking advantage of a mistake in the Olympic defence Daniel Beaumont slid over a cross that Zwed emphatically swept past Angelo Konstantinou from close range to put the underdogs ahead with twenty minutes to go. United secured their semi-final spot with the third close to full time as Matt Menser released Zwed who squared for Ciaran Rayment to tap home.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 4. Joel VALTONEN, 5. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Hristjan TANOSKI, 14. Liam CAREY, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 56. Matt CACHIA, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 3. Tim BOBOLAS, 6. Nick MIHAILAKIS Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 2. Aaron CASHMAN, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Dale OHLMUS, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Ciaran RAYMENT, 14. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 7. Matt MENSER, 9. Muad ZWED, 15. Mark DI BITONTO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Aaron CASHMAN (Tuggeranong), 4. Joel VALTONEN, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 56. Matt CACHIA (Olympic) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Luke Withell, Tom Wodzinski

Thursday 3rd July 2013 O’Connor Knights (CL) 0 Woden Valley 6 (Goran Mukevski 14’, Derek Oelmann 20’, Jason Ugrinic 27’, Mitch Steenbergen 29’, Nato White (og) 77’, Tom Pagett 83’) Woden Valley eased their way into the semi-finals of the Federation Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win over Capital League O’Connor Knights at Deakin Stadium on a cold evening in Canberra. The Knights fought bravely and even threatened to take the lead when Brett Forward saw his fourth minute strike tipped onto the bar by Woden shotstopper Evan Alexandrow-Ridley but thereafter were mainly second best. Woden had the tie, and their progress to the last four, secured by the half-time interval as they blitzed the Knights with four goals in fifteen minutes. Goran Mukevski opened the goal account in the 14th minute, tucking home after Derek Oelmann created the chance for the former Cooma man before Oelmann got on the score sheet himself, sweeping home from close range after good work from Mitch Steenbergen and Jason Ugrinic in the build-up. Ugrinic lashed in the third from outside the area before Steenbergen blasted home number four from the angle before the half-hour. The Knights tightened up after the break but an own goal from Nato White, turning in a Ugrinic cross-shot, and a header seven from substitute Tom Pagett minutes from time sealed their fate and saw Woden through.

O’Connor Knights (CL): 1. Anthony VATALIS, 10. Nato WHITE, 11. Lachlie RIDDELL, 13. Kynan DODD, 14.Loui POCHI, 15. Trent FLANIGAN, 16. Steven REZO, 18. Mark DJIKIC, 25. Brett FORWARD, 27. Igor CAUSOSKI, 33. Stipe RADIC Substitutes used: 4. Nikola SPORCIC, 19. Matthew FARRIN Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 5. Zach HARRIGAN, 6. Sime CELESKI, 7. Liam WALSH, 8. Connor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 23. Jason UGRINIC Substitutes used: 4. Andrew KILEY, 15, Jake WILSENER, 28. Tom PAGETT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 16. Steven REZO (O’Connor Knights) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Peter Chapman, Sam Nixon Thursday 3rd July 2013 Canberra FC 8 (Domenic Giampaolo 3’, 4’, 28’, 49’, James Field 33’, 86’, Julian Borgna 63’, Jordan Lamb 84’) Canberra FC (CL) 0 There was little chance of an upset in the second Federation Cup Quarter Final of the evening at Deakin Stadium as National Premier League: Capital Football pacesetters Canberra FC met their Capital League counterparts who are slumped at the foot of their respective ladder and it took just four minutes to confirm that fact. That was as long as it took Domenic Giampaolo, one of three strikers selected for the last eight clash, to score twice and kill off any unlikely hopes of a major surprise. Giampaolo opened his account with a dinked finish over the advancing Jason Denham and although Alex Oloriegbe headed it in the ball appeared to have already crossed the line. Less than sixty seconds later Giampaolo had a second, scooting across the area before hammering a low finish into the corner, and at 2-0 it was already game over. Giampaolo completed a hat-trick by the interval and added his fourth early in the second half after a stunning curler from James Field had made it 4-0 at the break. Julian Borgna danced past a couple of defenders to add number six just past the hour as the game meandered towards its inevitable conclusion, Jordan Lamb and Field bagging late goals. Canberra FC gave a debut to 16-year-old Alexander Lazarov off the bench late on as Miro Trninic rested some of his big guns for their NPL title challenge.

Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Aaron EVANS, 4. Marko VRKIC, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 12. Nathan EVANS, 13. Jordan LAMB, 20. James FIELD, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 8. Alexander LAZAROV, 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA Canberra FC (CL): 1. Jason DENHAM, 2. Josh BRENNAN, 4. Corey RUKAVINA, 6. John ZDRUNCA, 7. Gabriel EXPOSITO, 9. Michael SPALETA, 11. Frank GIORGI, 14. William TOWNSEND, 21. Dimitri BRENDAS, 24. Saputra BACHSAN, 25. Elia SALLOUM Substitutes used: 3. Leo EXARHOS, 10. Nicholas BARISIC, 13. Adrian LABUTTE, 23. Anthony SUSA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Aaron EVANS (Canberra FC), 11. Frank GIORGI (Canberra FC, CL) Match Officials: Mathew Cropper (referee), Peter Chapman, Vinh Ngo-Da

Thursday 25th July 2013 Cooma Tigers 3 (Zach Munster 9’, Robbie Cattanach 74’, Thom Lommers 91’) Canberra FC 2 (Domenic Giampaolo 55’ (pen), Philippe Bernabo 95’) A stunning goal from Robbie Cattanach and a last minute finish from Thom Lommers has put Cooma Tigers into the Federation Cup Final at the expense of holders Canberra FC with a 3-2 victory at Hawker Football Centre on a cold Thursday evening. Cattanach struck in style in the 74 th minute, whilst Lommers scored in stoppage time, to secure the victory and cause what many would see as a major upset. The Tigers enjoyed much the better of the opening half and were in front with their first concerted attack in only the ninth minute. Jair Wilk made the goal, clipping a delightful chip over the flat Canberra FC back four, for striker Zach Munster. Munster took one touch to control before thrashing his shot from 25 metres beyond Adam Perakovic and into the bottom corner. It was the goal that separated the teams at the interval after a half in which both Francois Bangweni and Perakovic needed to make vital interventions. Parity was restored ten minutes into the second half as Canberra FC was awarded a penalty. Ryan Keir turned a cross towards goal where it was adjudged that Glenn Cable had handled allowing Domenic Giampaolo the opportunity to equalise from the spot, the forward coolly placing his effort into the corner after sending the impressive Bangweni the wrong way. It stayed 1-1 for nineteen minutes until Cattanach intervened with a special goal. Collecting a pass Cattanach flicked the ball past his marker and, on the half-volley, blasted a drive in at the near post that Perakovic, despite getting a hand on to it, couldn’t keep out of the net. Bangweni saved splendidly from Ian Graham in the 82 nd minute, pushing a fizzing shot away for a corner, whilst Lommers fired narrowly wide from the angle at the other end. Lommers then wasted a great chance to seal the victory, heading wide when unmarked six yards out, but it mattered little as the substitute linked superbly with Goran Josifovski to slide home the goal that sealed the deal. Philippe Bernabo’s late goal was mere consolation.

Cooma Tigers: 12. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Glenn CABLE, 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO, 6. JP D’AMBROSIO, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 14. Zach MUNSTER Substitutes used: 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 15. Thom LOMMERS, 17. Michael SYDNEY Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 3. Aaron EVANS, 9. Philippe BERNABO, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Aaron EVANS (Canberra FC), 3. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Glenn CABLE, 10. Jair WILK (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Peter Chapman (referee), Allyson Flynn, Brett Woodford Thursday 1st August 2013 Tuggeranong United 0 Woden Valley 0 – after extra time, Tuggeranong United wins 3-2 on penalties Tuggeranong United reached the Federation Cup Final for 19 years after a dramatic 3-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Woden Valley at Hawker Football Centre. Matt Menser scored the decisive spot-kick after goalkeeper Devin Carter had saved from Jason Ugrinic with Derek Oelmann and Conor Nolan blazing their spot-kicks over the bar. The first half was typical Southside derby fare with a fast and frenetic tempo not allowing for any fluidity of football from either team. Even so opportunities were created and spurned by both sides in what was an even opening forty-five minutes. Woden started the brighter and might have scored as early as the second minute but Goran Mukevski was denied when his curling effort was pushed round the post by United custodian Devin Carter before Jason Ugrinic wasted the best chance for Woden sixteen minutes in when he broke the offside trap and advanced on goal only to stab his shot wide with Carter in no-man’s land. Tuggeranong responded with their best spell of the first half. Former Woden front man Muad Zwed blazed wide from the edge of the box after being neatly set up

by Sean Murphy whilst Danny Moutrey saw his half-volley smothered by Evan Alexandrow-Ridley as the half ended all-square. It was a similar tale in the early stages of the second half as Zwed and Murphy went close for United before Woden’s leading scorer, Derek Oelmann, saw a free-kick fade a whisker over the bar and his acrobatic overhead kick from an Ugrinic knock back flash just past the post. Mukevski was next to go close, clipping his shot past Carter but also agonisingly wide but neither side could make the crucial breakthrough as the match headed into extra time. Both Carter and Alexandrow-Ridley were called upon to made superb saves in the extra half hour from an Ugrinic dipper and a Menser free-kick respectively forcing the match to be decided on penalties.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 5. Dale OHLMUS, 6. Mark DI BITONTO, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Danny MOUTREY, 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 4. Daniel BEAUMONT Woden Valley: 1. Evan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 2. Derek OELMANN, 3. Ben PAGETT, 4. Mitch STEVENS, 5. John GIBSON, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Liam WALSH Substitutes used: 6. Sime CELESKI, 11. Jake WILSENER, 22. Zach HARRIGAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 14. Harry PETTIT (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Owen Goldrick, Sam Nixon

Wednesday 28th August 2013 Cooma Tigers 2 (Robbie Cattanach 67’, Iain Elliott 78’) Tuggeranong United 3 (Matt Menser 14’, 80’, Danny Moutrey 105’) – after extra time, full-time 2-2 A goal in extra-time from substitute Danny Moutrey won the Federation Cup for Tuggeranong United after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Cooma Tigers at Deakin Stadium. Moutrey found himself unmarked in the penalty area to glance a header past Tigers custodian Tom Barton for the decisive moment and end Tuggeranong’s 19-year wait for the Capital’s knockout trophy. The goal sealed an exciting match that could have gone either way with both team’s having great opportunities to stamp their authority on the fixture but few present would have begrudged United their success and the manner in which they achieved it.

It was the Tigers’ Stephen Domenici who was looking sharpest in the opening stages however causing a nuisance to the Tuggeranong defence whenever in possession with his bursting runs and quick feet. Indeed, it was Domenici who had the ball in the net in the 10th minute, steering a shot past the advancing Devin Carter after latching onto a precise Robbie Cattanach through pass, but his celebration was short-lived as the flag was up for offside. The deadlock was broken four minutes later and in some style. Tuggeranong had been threatening sporadically in the opening quarter of an hour and took the lead through a stunning goal from Matt Menser. The United midfielder latched onto a flick and took aim from 25 metres sending a crashing half-volley over the head of goalkeeper Barton, starting in place of the suspended Francois Bangweni, and into the back of the net much to the delight of the Tuggeranong support.

Menser went close again on the half-hour firing a shot in from the angle which Barton did well not only to push to safety but get enough purchase to divert the ball away from the onrushing Daniel Beaumont. As the game opened up Domenici came more to the fore as the Tigers pressed for an equaliser. They almost had it as well in the 33 rd minute. Goran Josifovski found Domenici in space and the forward wriggled past his marker and sent a hammer of a strike at goal that rattled Carter’s left-hand upright, shaking the frame of goal. Cattanach pounced on the rebound at the edge of the penalty area but his shot was too tame to trouble Carter who saved easily. At the other end Tomas Ruiz found space to lob a shot towards goal after the tireless Menser worked the angle but Barton wasn’t called into action and United led 1-0 at the interval.

After the break the action was unrelenting. Cattanach fired the first salvo misdirecting a free header from twelve yards and failing to test Carter but it was United who could have put the seal on proceedings in the 58 th minute. The lively Muad Zwed combined well with Sean Murphy down a narrow corridor on the left flank to sprint clear of the Tigers defence. The striker picked his spot but Barton stood strong, diving to his left to palm the ball away. It could have been a pivotal moment as Cooma turned the tie on its head with two goals in eleven minutes. Cattanach had been well marshalled by United central defenders Tim Ireson and Harry Pettit for the majority of the encounter but the one time the talented attacker got free with a decent chance he made the most of it, collecting a pass over the defence and lifting the ball over the onrushing Carter and into the far corner.

And Cooma would lead with twelve minutes remaining. Winger Iain Elliott was the man for the moment, bringing down a cross and thumping a fierce drive that was still rising as it crashed into the roof of the net with Carter helpless. Incredibly the advantage lasted less than two minutes as United drew level through their go-to man, and man of the match, Menser. The experienced playmaker was in the right place to control a cross, swivel on a sixpence and drill his effort into the bottom corner for a brilliant equaliser. Menser almost had his hat-trick seconds later, leaping to meet a cross but seeing his flicked header bounce away off the top of the crossbar. It wasn’t all Tuggeranong though and Domenici almost won it at the death with a rasping near-post shot that Carter parried away for a corner to send the match into extra-time.

Then came Moutrey’s moment. On as a late substitute for the hard-working Beaumont, Moutrey ghosted into space and finished with the aplomb of a seasoned centre-forward. Tigers pushed forward for the goal to send the game to penalties and substitute Thom Lommers saw his smart finish ruled out for offside in the latter stages of the second half of extra-time but nothing was going to deny Tuggeranong who, at the final whistle, were understandably jubilant as they raised the silverware in front of their joyous and vocal supporters.

MATCH STATISTICS Cooma Tigers: 1. Tom BARTON, 2. Alex CASTRO, 3. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Tony ALEKSOVSKI (19. Thomas MANGA 90’), 5. Dom COLUCCIELLO (15. Thom LOMMERS 64’, 12. Zach SCHOON 103’), 6. Zach MUNSTER (14. JP D’AMBROSIO 54’), 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes not used: 13. Marco GAYER Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 2. Tomas RUIZ (6. Dale OHLMUS 95’), 3. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Daniel BEAUMONT (15. Danny MOUTREY 86’), 5. Chris RUIZ (8. Mark DI BITONTO 77’), 7. Matt MENSER (13. Aaron CASHMAN 119’), 9. Muad ZWED, 10. Tim STEWART, 11. Sean MURPHY, 12. Tim IRESON, 14. Harry PETTIT Substitutes not used: 20. Jack PETTIT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Tomas RUIZ, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Mark DI BITONTO, 9. Muad ZWED, 11. Sean MURPHY, 15. Danny MOUTREY (Tuggeranong United), 2. Alex CASTRO, 4. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Jair WILK, 14. JP D’AMBROSIO (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Greg Taylor, Alex McConachie, Brett Woodford (4 th Official) Attendance: 400 (approximately)

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE: CAPITAL FOOTBALL OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2013 The inaugural National Premier League: Capital Football season brought much drama both on and off the field as nine clubs strived for glory and the chance to participate in the first-ever National Premier League Finals series that pitted the best against the best Australia-wide.

There were some inspired displays and some insipid displays. Experienced campaigners stood up and new faces emerged from the youth set-ups throughout the competition. And there would be a fairytale ending in the Grand Final as a veteran, called out of retirement on the eve of the first round kicking off, decided the game in thrilling fashion in extra-time.

This review brings all the drama of the 2013 National Premier League: Capital Football season to life.

Round by round reviews offer match reports and statistics on EVERY match played in the year culminating in an explosive finals series that defied most pre-season predictions. There’s also a club by club season review and a round by round analysis of the Federation Cup. In all, it’s the indispensible review of a scintillating campaign.