NPL: Capital Football - Official Yearbook 2014

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES: CAPITAL FOOTBALL OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2014

What a wonderful season! The 2014 edition of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition will rightly be remembered for a long time. After eighteen pulsating rounds Cooma Tigers emerged victorious and claimed their first league crown in their history. A 63-year wait had been broken and didn’t they enjoy it. The glow of victory was not to last however as a brace of defeats knocked them out of the finals series allowing Canberra FC, who had finished fourth, to sneak in via the back-door and face Belconnen United in what would turn into a classic clash. The Tigers advanced to the NPL Finals Series, sponsored by PlayStation 4 who agreed to support the national competitions. There they met a quality Bonnyrigg White Eagles team who ended their season. We also enjoyed Tuggeranong United’s epic FFA Cup run. From the glory of victory in Tasmania against Hobart through to the build-up and match against Hyundai A-League giants in the Round of 16. You can relive all the action from a tremendous year in this publication. Football in Canberra appears to be in great shape.

Kudos go to Canberra FC for, in what was a difficult season for them, securing two hugely prestigious friendly matches against the professionals from Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC. All of these Hyundai A-League teams expressed their delight at visiting Canberra. Let’s hope it’s a regular occurrence. Enjoy the Yearbook and we look forward to seeing you all at matches next season!

National Premier League: Capital Football Official Yearbook 2014 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 , Nick Guoth and Capital Football

HISTORIC FFA CUP ACTION ON PAGES 70-74

Cooma Tigers—National Premier League Capital Football League Champions 2014 The Tigers won the title for the first time in their 63-year history securing the crown with a penultimate day win over Belconnen United at Nijong Oval. It was a fitting reward for the Tigers who, after losing the first two matches they played in the season, embarked on a remarkable fourteen match unbeaten run, winning thirteen and drawing one.

CONTENTS

PAGE

SEASON REVIEW …….………………………………………………..

5

ROUNDS 1-18 …………………………………………………………..

6

SEMI-FINALS ..………………………………………………………….

42

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

43

GRAND FINAL ………………………………………………………….

44

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

47

CLUB FOCUS …………………………………………………………….

FFA Centre of Excellence ………………………………

Belconnen United …………………………………………

Canberra City ……………………………………………….

Canberra FC ………………………………………………….

Canberra Olympic …………………………………………

Cooma Tigers ………………………………………………..

Monaro Panthers ………………………………………….

Tuggeranong United ……………………………………..

Woden Valley ………………………………………………..

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

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

59

FEDERATION CUP 2014………………………………………………

60

FFA CUP ……………………………………………………………………

70

NPL FINAL SERIES ……………………………………………………..

74

The National Premier Leagues: Capital Football Team of the Year was selected for the second time in 2014 with the composition of the side made up from a selection of players, based on positions, from the points awarded by the match officials at the end of every match in the competition. Capital Football Technical Director Warren Grieve helped select the squad which is representative of the league as a whole.

National Premier League – All-Star X1 1 Rory LARKIN

4 Nathan TIDMARSH

5 Matt GRBESA

3 Jack GREEN

2 Milan POPOVICH

6 Josh GASPARI

8 Tom McLACHLAN

7 Daniel BENNETT

10 Dustin WELLS

9 Robbie CATTANACH

11 Stephen DOMENICI

COACH Dean UGRINIC

2013 TEAM OF THE YEAR 1. Ben KLUG (Belconnen United), 2. Milan POPOVICH (Belconnen United), 3. Ivan PAVLAK (Canberra FC), 4. Jack GREEN (Belconnen United), 5. Harry PETTIT (Tuggeranong United), 6. David KEMP (Belconnen United), 7. Sam McDONALD (Canberra City), 8. Matt MENSER (Tuggeranong United), 9. Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United), 10. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID (Canberra FC), 11. Derek OELMANN (Woden Valley) COACH: Dean UGRINIC (Woden Valley)

They may have had to wait 63-years to achieve it, but when referee Richard Naumovski blew the final whistle at Nijong Oval on Sunday afternoon no-one connected with Cooma Tigers cared. The scenes of joy as the club celebrated breaking their League Championship duck defied the elements on a grey, overcast day on which the rain was incessant.

Whilst the achievement of Gaby Wilk and his troops is commendable and is a testament to their modern day style of fluent, attacking football with the emphasis on goals, goals and more goals, this is a club steeped in history.

Established in 1952 by the workforce of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme, the Tigers remember those who preceded them.

In their clubhouse, which serves a wide selection of food and beverages for the discerning punter, there is a nod to the past as a framed newspaper cutting, yellowing in age, showcases a visit from Chelsea, now an English Premier League powerhouse of course, for a mid-sixties match with the ACT. Featuring for the locals were three boys with Cooma connections as a proud Cooma Clubman informed us post-match.

The League title means a lot to Cooma. Not only does it grant them entry into the National Premier Leagues Final Series and a home fixture with the Champions of New South Wales, it exercises the demons of a couple of seasons ago when they were denied the crown due to an accidental administrative error. Few would have escaped the irony of the man at the centre of the issue in 2012, Goran Josifovski, scoring the brace which effectively sealed the title. Such are the vagaries of the game.

Josifovski rolled back the years with his double, slotting home after superb approach work from Aidan Johnson, arguably the find of the season, for his first before showing the composure required to take advantage of a scintillating break at pace by Stephen Domenici to net the crucial second five minutes into the second half. Fittingly Robbie Cattanach, always at the heart of everything positive that the Tigers create, rounded it all off in stoppage time, bulleting a header from close range past Blue Devils’ stopper Ashley Collins after Jordan Lando had skinned his marker.

And whilst the goals were mostly shared amongst Josifovski, Cattanach and Domenici this season, the trio have twelve apiece heading into the final round, it was far from a three man show. At the back Wilk rotated his two fine goalkeepers, the experienced Francois Bangweni sharing duties with Jack Pettit, the latter going from wooden spoon to League Champion in the space of less than twelve months following his summer transfer from Tuggeranong United.

At the back the introduction of Cristobal Soza, returning for a second stint with the club after his successful spell in 2013, added solidity at the required time. Liam Highmore emerged as a stopper of some repute, assisted by Stefan Todoroski who started the season as a regular before being used as a back-up, whilst club legend Phil Yarnold was his usual clam and efficient self. Then there was Johnson and Iain Elliott.

Whilst Johnson was an unknown, Elliott has been around the Tigers squad for a fair while now. The unsung hero of the team his tireless running, energetic tackling and endless enthusiasm allows the trinity ahead of him to shine. Johnson was an inspired acquisition. His ability to overlap at pace causing endless issues throughout the season. Midfielder Dejan Santrac pulled the strings from deep, allowing Cattanach a free roaming role with Dom Collucciello once again proving to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the competition whilst Julian Borgna added pace, goals and mesmerising skill to the wide role.

Lianel Lauper did much to put Cooma into their current position before departing back overseas following a nine game stint whilst Griffith forward Jordan Lando added strength, height and an eye for goal from the bench with Jordano San Martin another whose presence helped inspire those around him to greater heights.

There can be no argument that the Tigers deserved this prize. But it looked so different back in May. Cooma had lost both their opening matches of the season, narrowly 2-3 to Canberra Olympic, and far more distressingly, 3-1 at Monaro Panthers. It prompted a re-think from the Cooma management and their team responded in some style. Unbeaten in their next thirteen matches with only the FFA COE preventing them from winning ALL their fixtures, a last minute Lando equaliser earning a precious point in Round 16. It was a stunning run and one worthy of the Champions. For Cooma the quest for Championship glory is over. They’ve finally reached the Holy Grail.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE CAPITAL FOOTBALL WEBSITE

Friday 4th April 2014 Belconnen United 3 (Jason Ugrinic 64’, Dustin Wells 77’, 88’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Jon Toole 58’) A late double from Dustin Wells gave Belconnen United a winning start to their National Premier Leagues: Capital Football campaign with a 3-1 win over Tuggeranong United at Hawker Football Centre. Wells struck in the 77th and 88th minutes to finally shake off a persistent Tuggeranong who fought throughout and look to be a solid unit. In an even opening half it was the Blue Devils that went closest to scoring the first goal of the season creating the best chances and almost taking the lead with a splendid strike. Michael Taurasi did everything right in the 18 th minute when, from the angle of the top of the penalty box, he cut inside and set his sights with a blistering drive that had Tuggeranong goalkeeper Rowan Shepherd clutching at thin air as it cannoned back off the inside of the post. Shortly after Shepherd denied Goran Mukevski in more conventional circumstances, blocking his goal-bound shot to preserve the stalemate at the break.

Tuggeranong stunned Belconnen by taking the lead early in the second half, Sean Kiddey initiating a lightning fast counter with some exquisite skill to release Zach Munster who set up Jon Toole for the killer finish. The Blue Devils response was excellent as Jason Ugrinic equalised, tapping in at the far post, to round off a neat move that exposed Tuggeranong’s square back four. That left the match neatly poised until Wells, usually the man for the big occasion, stepped up with his match-winning brace.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Jason UGRINIC, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. George TIMOTHEOU, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 8. Zac MAYBURY, 13. Jack GREEN, 16. Tom McLACHLAN Tuggeranong United: 1. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 11. Zach MUNSTER Substitutes used: 13. Sean MUPRHY, 14. Jordan GLOVER, 15. Harry PETTIT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Taylor BEATON, 11. Jason UGRINIC (Belconnen United), 4. Jon TOOLE, 6. Sean KIDDEY (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Adam Powers, Vinh Nga-Do Wednesday 14th May 2014 Canberra City 1 (Misko Naumoski 47’) Monaro Panthers 3 (Josh Calabria 4’, Kamal Ahmed 56’, Darian McGarry-Watson 68’) Monaro Panthers claimed their second win of the season to move into fourth place on the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder ahead of the weekend’s Round 6 matches with a 3-1 victory over Canberra City at Gungahlin Enclosed on Wednesday evening. The Panthers struck twice midway through the second half to seal the result and push themselves into contention for a top four spot. The result meant City are still looking for their first win of the season after five attempt and would head into the bye weekend rooted to the foot of the table. Josh Calabria gave the Panthers the perfect start with a goal inside of five minutes and it was a lead the visiting team held onto until just after the resumption of play in the second half. After a quiet start to the season Misko Naumoski netted his second goal in four days to bring City back onto level terms and leave the game in the balance. Monaro quickly recovered from that setback however and restored their lead only nine minutes later as Kamal Ahmed netted his first goal of the season. Youngster Darian McGarry-Watson made it 3-1 in the 68th minute to put the game out of reach of Canberra City who, despite a late flurry, couldn’t force their way back into a game in which the Panthers were worthy winners.

Canberra City: 1. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 12. Brad SAWYER, 13. Alan GASTON, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 16. Joe BERGIN Substitutes used: 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Michael PERCIVAL, 14. Matt RICE Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Lewis BATES, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Sam LAVELLA, 5. Darian McGARRY -WATSON, 6. Arok THON, 7. Kamal AHMED, 8. Josh CALABRIA, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Deng PADIET Substitutes used: 12. Daniel LINSTEAD, 13. Matur DONG, 15. Ed MCCARTHY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. James PERRY, 16. Joe BERGIN (Canberra City), 2. Lewis BATES, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Sam LAVELLA, 6. Arok THON, 8. Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Scott Robertson, Vinh Ngo-Da

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Saturday 6th July 2014 Round 1 – Rearranged Match Canberra FC 2 (Alex Oloriegbe 11’, 30’) Cooma Tigers 3 (Stephen Domenici 2’, Goran Josifovski 36’, 84’) Cooma Tigers moved to within striking distance of Belconnen United at the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football table with a stunning 3-2 victory over Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium thanks to a late winner from Goran Josifovski.

Josifovski headed home a Stephen Domenici cross with six minutes remaining to send Canberra FC stumbling to a third defeat of the season and leave last season’s league champions up against it in the race for top spot heaping more pressure on Head Coach Ray Junna following the midweek loss in the Federation Cup Final.

The Tigers got off to a great start as they took the lead in only the second minutes as Stephen Domenici scored his eighth goal of the season, but the lead was shortlived as Alex Oloriegbe, restored to the starting line-up equalised for the hosts nine minutes later. In a breathtaking first half FC found themselves in front when Oloriegbe won a race for the ball with Francois Bangweni to put the home team in front but the Tigers levelled six minutes later as Josifovski netted his first of the match and seventh of the campaign. Daniel Bennett was later denied by the face of Bangweni when he looked certain to score whilst Dejan Santrac hit the bar for Cooma, but the match looked set for a draw until Josifovski struck near the death and gave Cooma a priceless win.

Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 18. Alex TILLEY, 21. Danai GAPARE Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 5. Cristobal SOZA, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Iain ELLIOTT, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 16. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 2. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 14. Julian BORGNA, 18 Jordan LANDO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Alex McConachie, Nia Southwell Wednesday 20th August FFA COE 0 Woden Valley 1 (David Carder 16’) Woden Valley made sure they ended the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season with a smile on their faces with their second win in succession as they defeated the FFA COE 1-0 at the Australian Institute of Sport on a Wednesday evening. Playing under the floodlights on the lush green surface of the AIS certainly appeared to agree with Woden Valley who produced one of their best performances of the season to claim a win and follow up their 3-1 away win at Tuggeranong United. Woden have now picked up twelve points in the second half of the season and will finish the campaign in seventh place barring an unlikely huge Monaro Panthers win over Belconnen United.

The match itself was a cagey affair with the FFA COE having made a number of changes from their last encounter and their fractured opening was exploited by the visitors who hit the front in the sixteenth minute. The goal came from an unlikely source as young defender David Carder picked the perfect time to notch his maiden NPL goal. That gave Woden something to hold on to and they defended well, denying the FFA COE the space to trouble Jason Denham and, when the hosts did get past the back four, Denham was in good form. Woden threatened at the other end forcing Duro Dragecevic into a couple of decent saves in a game that had a distinct end of season feel to it.

FFA COE: 1. Duro DRAGECEVIC, 2. Malcom WARD, 6. Joe CALETTI, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 16. Danny KIM, 17. Nicholas PANETTA, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 22. Cameron JOICE, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 8. Daniel ARZANI, 21. Jamal REINERS Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 4. David CARDER, 5. John GIBSON, 9. Rowan BLAKE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 15. Marco GAYER, 19. Liam WALSH, 22. Owen STEER, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 18. Jake WILSENER, 37. Andrew KILEY Substitutes used: 10. Ryan JOHNSON, 30. Fernando ALVES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 19. Liam WALSH, 37. Andrew KILEY (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Scott Robertson, Duncan McLaren

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 1

ROUND 1 WAS A WASH-OUT SO NO LEAGUE TABLE IS RECORDED

Saturday 12th April 2014 Monaro Panthers 3 (Deng Padiet 45’, Thomas James 52’, 90 (pen)) Canberra FC 7 (Domenic Giampaolo 29’, Aaron Evans 55’, 73’, 74’, Daniel Bennett 58’, Alex Oloriegbe 79’, 82’) Canberra FC overturned a 2-1 deficit to record a comfortable 7-3 victory over Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The result was harsh on the Panthers who were in touch for large parts of the match but fell apart in the latter stages when FC bagged four goals in nine minutes to set the seal on an ultimately comprehensive win. It hardly looked like that would be the outcome after Thomas James craftily slotted the Panthers ahead seven minutes into the second half, following Deng Padiet’s first-half stoppage time equaliser of Domenic Giampaolo’s opener for the visitors, but falling behind just seemed to awaken the slumbering League Champions. Aaron Evans emerged as an unlikely goal hero netting a second half hat-trick, the latter two goals part of that four-goal Canberra FC blitz.

Once Evans had equalised James’ strike, FC upped the ante and Daniel Bennett slotted home into an open goal after Domenic Giampaolo unselfishly squared when through one-on-one. Evans was able to complete his treble by the 74th minute to take the score to 5-2 before a late brace from substitute Alex Oloriegbe took the match away from the Panthers. A stoppage time penalty from the lively James, after he was brought down by Jakob Cole, was at least a consolation for the home team who probably deserved more.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 3. Saputra BACHSAN, 4. Alex HOLLIS, 5. Lewis BATES, 6. Arok THON, 7. Pater MATHIANG, 8. Adrian CANIZARES, 9. Kamal AHMED, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Deng PADIET Substitutes used: 13. Sam ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Tyler BONNEAU, 15. Sammy ZEMICAEL Canberra FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Aaron EVANS, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 14. Antonio BARBARO, 15. Jordan LAMB, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 7. Kaz PATAFTA, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Thomas JAMES (Monaro Panthers), 1. Jakob COLE (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Thomas Klein, AN Other Saturday 12th April 2014 Woden Valley 2 (Regan Walsh 11’, Andrew Slavich 40’) Belconnen United 4 (Taylor Beaton 2’, Goran Mukevski 14’, Andrew Slavich (og) 33’, David Kemp 88’) Belconnen United made it two from two at Hawker Football Centre on Saturday evening as they continued their excellent start to the National Premier League Season with a 4-2 win over Woden Valley. The Blue Devils even survived the entirety of the second half with ten men after skipper Taylor Beaton was dismissed for kicking on the stroke of half-time. Earlier the Blue Devils captain had given his team the lead with a contender for goal of the season, collecting a clearance with one touch, swivelling and sending an outrageous half-volley from 35m over the head of Jason Denham and into the net. Woden responded with a cracker of their own, Regan Walsh showing his dead-ball technique with a free-kick that David Beckham would have been proud of, arcing over the wall and dipping into the net in the 11th minute. In a breathless opening Goran Mukevski restored Belconnen’s lead following excellent approach work by Michael Taurasi and Belconnen went further in front when Mukevski’s 33rd minute shot bounced back off the upright and into the net via the shins of Andrew Slavich. Slavich atoned for his unfortunate own goal with a stunning strike of his own, a crisp low effort that thundered into the net off the post, before Beaton’s dismissal ended a rip-roaring half. Woden couldn’t make the extra man tell in the second stanza and a late fourth, from David Kemp, secured another win for the Blue Devils.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Lukas COLE, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 12. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 13. Andrew SLAVICH, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 28. Dominic SMEDLEY Substitutes used: 19. Jake WILSENER, 23. Owen STEER Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Jason UGRINIC, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 3. Tom McLACHLAN, 8. Zac MAYBURY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. John GIBSON, 8. Conor NOLAN, 28. Dominic SMEDLEY (Woden Valley), 6. David ARRANZ, 10. Michael TAURASI, 15. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United) RED CARD: 7. Taylor BEATON (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Sam Nixon (referee), Bruno Kehl, Duncan McLaren

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

50th MATCH Dom COLLUCIELLO Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra Olympic 3 (Hawker Football Centre), 12/04/14

Jonathan REIS Tuggeranong United 1 Canberra City 0 (Hawker Football Centre), 15/04/14

Sunday 13th April 2014 Cooma Tigers 2 (Stephen Domenici 37’ (pen), Robbie Cattanach 64’) Canberra Olympic 3 (Michael Reeve 31’, Mark Shields 46’, Callum Smith 51’) Canberra Olympic made sure that they took maximum points from their first outing of the season as they defeated Cooma Tigers 3-2 at Hawker Football Centre. With Nijong Oval waterlogged, the match was switched to the synthetic field and it was Olympic who settled the quickest, the visitors taking the lead in the 31st minute. A long ball released Michael Reeve and his delicate lob over the advancing Jack Pettit in the Tigers goal opened the scoring. Cooma replied within six minutes when Stephen Domenici calmly sent Nick Owen the wrong way from the penalty spot and, on the balance of play, it was a deserved leveller. With the teams all-square at the break it took Olympic just fifteen seconds to reclaim the initiative as Josh Gaspari found Mark Shields in the penalty area and the striker stabbed home from twelve metres. Five minutes later Olympic had a third as Callum Smith showed strength and tenacity to brush off a challenge and hammer a half-volley past Pettit for his first goal for the club. Cooma weren’t done though and Robbie Cattanach ensured a tense finale, dancing past a challenge and curling a sublime finish into the bottom corner. Tigers pressed hard for a third to gain a share of the spoils, but a resilient Olympic defence held firm to take the three points.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Phil YARNOLD, 3. Stefan TODOROSKI, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Jeremias IBARRA, 8. Lianel LAUPER, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Rishabh SHARMA, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 14. Julian BORGNA, 17. Pepe VARGA Canberra Olympic: 1. Nick OWEN, 2. Marc O’NEILL, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Nick SALLECCHIA, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 14. Callum SMITH, 15. Michael REEVE, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 3. Daniel FULTON, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 99. Tim WOMACK Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers), 7. Robbie DEELEY, 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Brett Woodford, Pat Hiolloway Tuesday 15th April 2014 Tuggeranong United 1 (Jon Toole 81’) Canberra City 0 A piece of magic from midfielder Jon Toole proved the difference as Tuggeranong United edged past Canberra City at Hawker Football centre on a cool Tuesday evening. Toole struck with nine minutes to play to settle the contest that had, up until that point, been an evenly balanced match with goalscoring opportunities limited. And whilst the crowd had to wait for the decisive moment, it proved worth it as the winning goal was sublime. Cameron Doherty created it with a run adjacent to the top of the penalty area teeing up Toole who still had plenty to do. The midfielder took aim and, with the outside of his boot, sent a swerving, dipping drive with minimum back lift, swooping high over the head of City stopper James Ward, caressing the underside of the bar on its way into the net. Prior to that moment of magic both teams had their chances with Tuggeranong wasting a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the first half, Tim Stewart burst through a static City back-line and unselfishly squared for Muad Zwed who inexplicably managed to send his shot against the bar from eight metres with Ward stranded. The follow-up was hastily cleared. For their part City looked lively out wide with Jeremy Hegarty a constant source of threat, but the lack of a cutting edge in the final third was to prove costly. However, the match seemed destined for a draw until Toole struck with time running out.

Tuggeranong United: 1. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 5. Chris RUIZ, 13. Sean MUPRHY, 17. Adam CASEY Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 9. Ben DOYLE, 13. Alan GASTON, 14. Matt RICE, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 16. Joe BERGIN Substitutes used: 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 8. Jon HAND, 12. Aidan LEES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Michael GURNEY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO (Tuggeranong United), 16. Joe BERGIN (Canberra City) Match Officials: Alex McConachie (referee), Matt Rynne, Duncan McLaren HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 2 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Belconnen United

2

2

0

0

7

3

+5

6

2

Canberra FC

1

1

0

0

7

3

+4

3

3

Canberra Olympic

1

1

0

0

3

2

+1

3

4

Tuggeranong United

2

1

0

1

2

3

-1

3

Sunday 27th April 2014 Canberra FC 7 (Ryan Keir 4’, Domenic Giampaolo 48’ (pen), 60’, Daniel Bennett 50’, 57’, Alex Oloriegbe 83’, Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 84’) Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra FC stormed to a 7-0 victory over Tuggeranong United at Deakin Stadium to continue their excellent start to the campaign. The hosts ultimately won with some comfort but were made to battle in the first half by their visitors before upping the tempo and proving their lethal touch in front of goal. Canberra FC got off to a flying start when Ryan Keir steered a Daniel Bennett cross into the roof of the net in only the 4 th minute but Tuggeranong regrouped well and defended expertly whilst offering a threat on the break. But, after Domenic Giampaolo made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half from the penalty spot after Bennett had been upended

by Sean Kiddey, it was all one way traffic. Daniel Bennett struck twice in quick succession to increase the lead before Giampaolo swept home a superb sixth that Rowan Shepherd in the Tuggeranong goal could do nothing about. With the game secure Canberra FC could afford the luxury of introducing Philippe Bernabo-Madrid and Alex Oloriegbe from the bench and both strikers found their way onto the score sheet within the space of sixty seconds as United, opening up and still trying to play football, were caught on the counter by the pace of the league leaders. United by then were down to ten men after Kiddey was dismissed in the 72 nd minute for a second bookable offence.

Canberra FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Aaron EVANS, 5. Antonio BARBARO, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Jordan LAMB, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS, 16. Matt GREBSA Substitutes used: 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Tuggeranong United: 1. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 10. Muad ZWED, 13. Sean MUPRHY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 9. Michael GURNEY, 12. Adam CASEY, 16. Jordan GLOVER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 16. Matt GRBESA, 23. Nathan EVANS (Canberra FC), 15. Harry PETTIT (Tuggeranong United) RED CARD: 6. Sean KIDDEY (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: David Bruce (referee), Owen Goldrick. Sam Clark Sunday 27th April 2014 Canberra City 1 (Gimale Essacu 93’) Woden Valley 1 (Regan Walsh 86’) REPORT BY BRENDAN HAWES: A game of two halves as Woden Valley battled Canberra City to a close-knit draw. It was a level contest throughout the first half as both Woden and City attempted to assert their stance on the game. With even possession and limited attacking chances causing the momentum to swing both ways scrambled defence, lacklustre attack and a reaction save from Woden number one Jason Denham lead to player frustration. Woden midfielder Regan Walsh was an integral part, taking two close free kicks and receiving a yellow card for a rough challenge on the halfway line.

Each team had decent chances on the counter, but a wayward last pass and poor shot on goal kept both teams scoreless at halftime. Woden shot out of the blocks after the break earning an early corner after quick attacking play. A nifty one - two lead to a shot from captain John Gibson, landing straight in the mitts of City keeper, James Ward. It proved to be a necessary save as in the next minute, City player Alan Gaston was shown a second yellow for a handball in the box, forcing City to ten men.

Though surviving instant attack from Woden, City dug in their heels and dragged themselves back into the contest, as the game soothed to an even keel. Each side sharing attacking play before an 86 th minute, outside the box strike from Regan Walsh surged Woden into the lead. The two teams played out the remaining minutes until City substitute Gimale Essacu scored a stylish equaliser in the 90 th minute. The game ending shortly afterwards in a 1-1 deadlock.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Adam DOBELL, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 13. Alan GASTON, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 16. Joe BERGIN Substitutes used: 7. Gimale ESSACU, 12. Brad SAWYER, 14. Matt RICE Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 4. Dominic SMEDLEY, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Jake WILSENER, 19. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH Substitutes used: 22. Owen STEER, 27. Julien RENARD, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Adam DOBELL, 16. Joe BERGIN (Canberra City), 7. Regan WALSH (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Sam Nixon (referee), Brett Woodford, Duncan McLaren

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 27th April 2014 Belconnen United 3 (Goran Mukevski 40’, Jack Blackley 59’, 73’) FFA COE 2 (Daniel Maskin 36’, Kye Rowles 94’) Belconnen United remains unbeaten and clear at the top of the NPL: Capital Football table, albeit having played a game more than their rivals, after surviving a scare against newcomers FFA COE at McKellar Park eventually triumphing 3-2. It was a sluggish performance from the Blue Devils, missing the suspended Taylor Beaton and the absent Dustin Wells and George Timotheou, forcing a reshuffle for Head Coach Dean Ugrinic. And it looked a bit patchy in parts from the home team who were made to work by an FFA COE team that oozed pace and confidence following their recent pre-season tour of Italy. The youngsters, all new to the AIS this term, took the lead before the break when Daniel Maskin struck their first goal of the season but their joy was short-lived as Goran Mukevski brought Belconnen level just four minutes later meaning the scores were deadlocked at half-time. The strength and experience of Belconnen came more to the fore in the second half but they needed an unlikely source to pop up and put them in control of the match. Jack Blackley is by no means a regular goalscorer but he found his touch twice in the space of fourteen minutes to put Belconnen 3-1 up and looking good for the points. A late goal from Kye Rowles made for a nervy ending but Belconnen held on to claim the win.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 6. David ARRANZ, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Jason UGRINIC, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Jack BLACKLEY, 17. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 7. Aisosa IHEGIE, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 16. Bernard RENE FFA COE: 1. Duro DRAGICEVIC, 3. Perry FOTAKOPOULOS, 4. Kye ROWLES, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 13. Christian VERBI, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 15. Zak WATERS, 17. Nicholas PANETTA, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 23. Kosta PETRATOS Substitutes used: 6. Joe CALETTI, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 11. Peter KEKERIS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 10. Michael TAURASI, 13. Jack GREEN (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Alex McConachie, Delfina Dimoski Sunday 27th April 2014 Canberra Olympic 6 (Robbie Deeley 12’, 88’, 92’, Mark Shields 14’, 60’, Nick Bobolas 70’) Monaro Panthers 1 (Thomas James 7’) A hat-trick from midfielder Robbie Deeley helped Canberra Olympic to a 6-1 victory over Monaro Panthers at O’Connor Enclosed as last year’s Grand Final winners made it two wins from two at the start of the season. Olympic had to come from behind to win the fixture however as the Panthers started strongly and a stunning free-kick from Thomas James, his third goal of the season, belted into the top corner, had the visitors in front on seven minutes. It was a short lived lead though as Olympic hit back straight away as Deeley cracked in his first goal of the afternoon. Soon the hosts were in front as Mark Shields slotted home a goal that gave Olympic a 2-1 half-time lead. The Panthers continued to press after the break but Olympic was devastating on the counter-attack utilising pace and power to tear into the Monaro back-line. Shields notched his second following good approach work by Marc O’Neill, the forward showing tremendous strength to hold off two attempted challenges to net from inside the area before Nick Bobolas thumped home a bullet header to seal the points. The late dismissal of Panthers’ substitute Matur Dong left plenty of space for the home team to exploit and Deeley duly took advantage, grabbing his second with a diving header and completing his treble with a neatly taken third just before the final whistle.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Nick OWEN, 2. Marc O’NEILL, 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 14. Callum SMITH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 99. Tim WOMACK Substitutes used: 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 9. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 12. Adam ROGIC Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Lewis BATES, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Sam LAVELLA, 5. Darian McGARRY -WATSON, 6. Arok THON, 7. Adrian CANIZARES, 8. Josh CALABRIA, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Deng PADIET Substitutes used: 7. Peter MATHIANG, 13. Matur DONG, 15. Andrew MYSSONSKI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic), 4. Sam LAVELLA, 10. Thomas JAMES (Monaro Panthers) RED CARD: 13. Matur DONG (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Matt Cropper (referee), Gary Vandeburgt, Vinh Ngo-Da

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 3 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Belconnen United

3

3

0

0

10

5

+5

9

2

Canberra FC

2

2

0

0

14

3

+11

6

3

Canberra Olympic

2

2

0

0

9

3

+6

6

4

Tuggeranong United

3

1

0

2

2

10

-8

3

Saturday 3rd May 2014 Tuggeranong United 3 (Jon Toole 4’, Daniel Colbertaldo 17’, Harry Pettit 92’) Canberra Olympic 2 (Mark Shields 39’, Callum Smith 61’) A stoppage time winner from Harry Pettit saw Tuggeranong United inflict a first defeat of the season on Canberra Olympic as the hosts won 3-2 on a cold afternoon at Kambah. United stole the points in added time when Sean Murphy crossed low into the area past the sprawling Nick Owen in the Olympic goal and Chris Ruiz helped the ball on for Pettit to stab home from close range. It was arguably nothing more than Tuggeranong deserved for a display that was in marked contrast to last weekend’s heavy loss to Canberra FC and a performance that surprised their high flying opponents. United got off to a flyer against a lethargic and complacent Olympic as Jon Toole showed ample composure to cut inside his marker and slot home his third goal of the season in only the fourth minute. When Daniel Colbertaldo rifled in a low drive from 25m thirteen minutes later Tuggeranong was in dreamland. Olympic are too good a side to be kept quiet for long however and before the break they got back into the contest after Mark Shields steered the ball into the roof of the net from six yards for his fourth of the campaign. Substitute Callum Smith brought the teams level just past the sixty minute mark, prodding in following a goalmouth scramble inside the Tuggeranong area but, just as it appeared the points would be shared, Pettit struck the match-winner.

Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Mark DI BITONTO, 4. Jon TOOLE, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 12. Adam CASEY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 5. Chris RUIZ, 11. Zach MUNSTER, 13. Sean MUPRHY Canberra Olympic: 1. Nick OWEN, 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 12. Adam ROGIC, 15. Michael REEVE, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 2. Marc O’NEILL, 9. Tim WOMACK, 14. Callum SMITH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Nick OWEN (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Adam Powers, Duncan McLaren Sunday 4th May 2014 Canberra FC 4 (Daniel Bennett 25’, 72’, 88’, Ian Graham 92’) Woden Valley 0 A hat-trick from Daniel Bennett ultimately gave Canberra FC their third win of the season as they defeated Woden Valley 4-0 at Deakin Stadium but the final score-line was perhaps a rough injustice on the visitors who conceded two late goals whilst attempting to find a way back into the match. In a tight first half in which Canberra FC dominated most of the possession it took one moment of brilliance to break the deadlock. It came midway through the half and was mostly down to the hard work put in by Alex Oloriegbe. The forward chased a long ball and knocked it past Woden ‘keeper Jason Denham before unselfishly squaring to Bennett to fire home his fourth goal of the season. After that chances were scarce for both teams with Oloriegbe going closet to adding to the score but seeing his one-on-one blocked by Denham. Woden was in the game at this stage but finally was punctured in the 72 nd minute as Bennett netted his second of the match. The young winger is enjoying a superb start to the season and brought up half a dozen goals in three matches by completing his hat-trick with two minutes remaining and, with Woden aiming for a consolation, Ian Graham hit them with a fourth in stoppage time.

Canberra FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Aaron EVANS, 5. Antonio BARBARO, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 4. Dominic SMEDLEY, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 19. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 15. Jake WILSENER, 22. Owen STEER, 27. Amanzie KESSIE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC), 19. Liam WALSH (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Owen Watson, Peter Knights

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Muad ZWED Tuggeranong United 3 Canberra Olympic 2 (Kambah 2-1), 03/05/14

Sunday 4th May 2014 FFA COE 3 (Zak Waters, 55’, Daniel Maskin 56’, Nicholas D’Agostino 85’) Canberra City 0 The FFA Centre of Excellence recorded their first win of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season in their second outing as they saw off Canberra City 3-0 at the AIS Playing Fields with a dominant second half display in which they netted their trio of goals. Following their narrow loss to Belconnen United in their maiden outing, hopes were high for the FFA COE and in an even first half they gave as good as they got against a City side that had looked difficult to break down so far in 2014. However, two goals within the space of sixty seconds turned the match inexorably in favour of the home team as the FFA COE struck twice in quick succession ten minutes into the second half. A Daniel Masking free-kick caused consternation in the City defence with the ball cannoning down off the crossbar for Zak Waters to tap home from close range for the opener before the lively Maskin made it two in two in terms of goals netting when well-placed moments later. City, as is their wont, never gave up and continued to battle to find a way back into the match but was killed off five minutes from time when Nicholas D’Agostino found space inside the penalty are to crack home the third and decisive goal.

FFA COE: 1. Duro DRAGICEVIC, 2. Malcolm WARD, 4. Kye ROWLES, 6. Joe CALETTI 7. Daniel MASKIN, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 15. Zak WATERS, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 23. Kosta PETRATOS Substitutes used: 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 22. Cameron JOICE Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Brad MOORE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 16. Joe BERGIN, 17. Josh. O’BRIEN Substitutes used: 9. Ben DOYLE, 12. Brad SAWYER, 14. Matt RICE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 17. Josh O’BRIEN (Canberra City), 4. Kye ROWLES, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 15. Zak WATERS, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, (FFA COE) Match Officials: Sam Nixon (referee), Scott Robertson, Allyson Flynn Sunday 4th May 2014 Monaro Panthers 3 (Stefan Todoroski (og) 35’, Thomas James 68’, Deng Padiet 78’) Cooma Tigers 1 (Goran Josifovski 47’) Monaro Panthers stunned Cooma Tigers at the Riverside Stadium coming out on top with a 3-1 victory to arrest their early season woes. And it was a thoroughly deserved win for Njegosh Popovich and his team whose philosophy of football proved too much for the Tigers to handle and resulted in a first win of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season for the Queanbeyan based side. The match was poised on a knife-edge for large parts of the ninety minutes with chances for both teams but it was Monaro who went in front ten minutes from the break. Martin Deng, a thorn in the Tigers side throughout, crossed into the area where the ball was steered past his own keeper by the unfortunate Stefan Todoroski. Cooma regrouped at the interval and came out firing, equalising within two minutes of the resumption as Goran Josifovski netted. From there it was anyone’s game but the Panthers were next to strike. Thomas James has been an inspired signing for Monaro and the English forward bagged his fourth goal in three starts to restore the home sides’ lead with twenty-two minutes remaining. A third goal, struck by the irrepressible Deng Padiet ten minutes later, put the match out of reach of Cooma and saw Monaro take home the three points.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Sam LAVELLA, 5. Lewis BATES, 6. Arok THON, 7. Kamal AHMED, 8. Josh CALABRIA, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Deng PADIET Substitutes used: 12. Peter MATHIANG, 13. Dylan SHANLEY, 14. Mark SALASAY Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 3. Stefan TODOROSKI, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Lianel LAUPER, 9. Dejan SANTRAC, 10. Jeremias IBARRA, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 16. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 12. Rishabh SHARMA, 14. Tony ALEKSOVSKI, 15. Jordan LANDO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Deng PADIET (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Matt Rynne, Pat Holloway HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 4 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

3

3

0

0

18

3

+15

9

2

Belconnen United

3

3

0

0

10

5

+5

9

3

Canberra Olympic

3

2

0

1

11

6

+5

6

4

Tuggeranong United

4

2

0

2

5

12

-7

6

Sunday 11th May 2014 Canberra FC 6 (Aaron Evans 3’, Alex Oloriegbe 11’, Daniel Bennett 28’, 41’, 73’, 93’) FFA COE 1 (Kosta Petratos 16’) Daniel Bennett continued his remarkable start to the 2014 National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season by claiming another four goals as Canberra FC defeated the FFA Centre of Excellence 6-1 at Deakin Stadium. Bennett now has ten goals in only four matches in what has proved to be a blistering start to the season for the young flier. Canberra FC took the lead in the match in only the third minute as Aaron Evans netted an early goal and he was followed onto the score-sheet by the skilful Alex Oloriegbe just eight minutes later. The FFA COE hit back in the 16th minute as Kosta Petratos reduced the deficit but that was just a precursor to an extraordinary display from Bennett. The winger/forward started his personal haul in the 28 th minute and had his second before the break as Canberra FC moved 4-1 ahead. The scoring abated a little in the second half but Bennett was on hand to complete his hat-trick in the 73rd minute and, as time was running out, he showcased his growing confidence with his fourth of the match in stoppage time. It was far from a one man show with FC showing across the park that they have the skills and quality that justifiably makes them championship favourites. And with 24 goals in four matches, they are in rare form.

Canberra FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Aaron EVANS, 5. Antonio BARBARO, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 10 Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 17. Aiden BRUNSKILL FFA COE: 1. Duro DRAGICEVIC, 2. Malcolm WARD, 3. Henry DAVIES, 6. Joe CALETTI, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 15. Zak WATERS, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 5. Zachary SPETH, 16. Danny KIM, 21. Jamal REINERS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Ryan KEIR, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID (Canberra FC), 8. Daniel ARZANI (FFA COE) Match Officials: Matt Cropper (referee), Adam Powers, Cooper Pike Sunday 11th May 2014 Canberra City 1 (Misko Naumoski 94’) Belconnen United 7 (Michael Taurasi 17’, 35’, Dustin Wells 45’, 70’, 93’, Jason Ugrinic 75’, Goran Mukevski 85’) Belconnen United reiterated their title challenge with a stunning 7-1 demolition of Canberra City at Gungahlin Enclosed. The Blue Devils were in stunning form in front of goal as City struggled to cope with the pace and movement of their on-song opponents. The game was as good as done by half-time as Belconnen led 3-0 after dominating the opening exchanges.

Michael Taurasi got the visitors off to a flier by scoring in the 17th minute and the striker doubled his and his team’s tally, in the 35th minute. A third goal, netted by the mercurial Dustin Wells on the cusp of the half-time whistle had Dean Ugrinic’s team in total command. They didn’t let up after the interval either with Wells netting his second with twenty minutes remaining. This opened up the floodgates a little as City visibly wilted and Jason Ugrinic took advantage to score his second goal of the season. Goran Mukevski made it 6-0 with five minutes still to play, enough time for Wells to complete his treble in stoppage time. Bizarrely City scored their consolation straight from the kick-off as Gimale Essacu waltzed through the Belconnen defence unchallenged before sliding a pass square to Misko Naumoski who stroked into the empty net.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. Brad MOORE, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 13. Alan GASTON, 14. Matt RICE, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 16. Joe BERGIN Substitutes used: 8. Patrick CLARKE, 12. Brad SAWYER, 17. Scott SIME Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Jason UGRINIC, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 16. George TIMOTHEOU, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Bernard RENE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Bruno Kehl, Vinh Ngo-Da

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 11th May 2014 Cooma Tigers 4 (Robbie Cattanach 9’, 23’, 45’, 78’) Tuggeranong United 0 Four goals from Robbie Cattanach proved the difference at Nijong Oval as Cooma Tigers romped to a 4-0 win over Tuggeranong United on a warm day in the mountains. The Tigers talisman was in an almost unstoppable mode as he took advantage of some slack play in the Tuggeranong defence to show just why he is regarded as one of the best players in the region. Cattanach started his goal-blitz in the ninth minute with a low free-kick that wrong-footed Rowan Shepherd in the United goal and he was on target again in the 23rd minute, guiding a half-volley beyond the reach of Shepherd after a neat chested lay-off from Stephen Domenici. Lianel Lauper and Iain Elliott were causing issues out wide and it was from the former’s pass that Cattanach crashed home his hat-trick goal on the stroke of half-time. United emerged from the changing rooms in a much more organised fashion and Adam Casey and Matt Menser both went close. It was the home team that looked the more dangerous in the final third and they secured the points twelve minutes from time. Awarded an indirect free-kick on the edge of the six yard box Cattanach did the rest, rifling into the top corner for his fourth of the game, and fifth of the season, to round out a quite brilliant individual performance.

Cooma Tigers: 24. Jack PETTIT, 2. Phil YARNOLD, 3. Stefan TODOROSKI, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Dejan SANTRAC, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 12. Rishabh SHARMA, 14. Jordan LANDO Tuggeranong United: 1. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Tim IRESON, 4. Jon TOOLE, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 12. Adam CASEY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO Substitutes used: 5. Chris RUIZ, 13. Sean MUPRHY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Rowan SHEPHERD, 7. Matt MENSER (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Matt Rynne, Matt Schofield Sunday 11th May 2014 Canberra Olympic 0 Woden Valley 2 (Lukas Cole 15’ (pen), 30’) A brace of goals from ex-Canberra Olympic forward Lukas Cole ensured that Woden Valley picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 win at O’Connor Enclosed. Cole looked in superb form against his ex-employers and, determined to prove a point, led the line with pace and power causing all manner of problems for the Olympic defence. The visitors took the lead in the fifteenth minute from the spot. Given a penalty for an infringement in the area Cole took responsibility and rammed home the dead-ball to give his team the perfect start. With Olympic pressing for an equaliser Woden hit them once again. Cole was on the end of the move and bludgeoned his second of the afternoon on the half-hour. Olympic was left chasing the match but with Conor Nolan restricting the space afforded Mark Shields frustration began to grow. Woden did come under some expected pressure in the second stanza but with Domenic Smedley in top form their attacks petered out upon the solid defensive line issued by Mitch Stevens. The Woden coach had an interesting day himself, removed from the touchline after the officials took exception to comments made following a yellow card issued to one of his players. But it mattered little as Woden comfortably held on to claim the three points.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Nick OWEN, 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 14. Callum SMITH, 15. Michael REEVE, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT Substitutes used: 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 99. Tim WOMACK Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 4. Dominic SMEDLEY, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Marco GAYER, 19. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 27. Lukas COLE, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 15. Jake WILSENER, 22. Owen STEER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Chris NIKITAS, 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic), 7. Regan WALSH, 19. Liam WALSH (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Alex McConachie (referee), Sam Clark, Nic Gillies

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 5 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

4

4

0

0

24

4

+20

12

2

Belconnen United

4

4

0

0

17

6

+11

12

3

Canberra Olympic

4

2

0

2

11

8

+3

6

4

Tuggeranong United

5

2

0

3

5

16

-11

6

Saturday 17th May 2014 Belconnen United 2 (Jason Ugrinic 66’, Michael Taurasi 71’) Canberra FC 2 (Philippe BernaboMadrid 58’, Josip Jadric 94’) A 94th minute header from substitute Josip Jadric earned Canberra FC a point from a 2-2 draw with Belconnen United at McKellar Park on Saturday evening. Jadric rose highest to nod past Blue Devils goalkeeper Ashley Collins deep into added time to deny Belconnen the three points, but it was hard to argue that the league leaders weren’t worthy of a point from an excellent contest. In a fairly dour opening half there was very little to choose between the teams with Belconnen firing the closest salvo when main man Dustin Wells tested the reflexes of Canberra FC shot-stopper Jakob Cole early on, the ‘keeper diving to his right to palm, the ball over the bar for a corner. After a goal-less first half Canberra FC took the lead when Philippe Bernabo-Madrid headed in a cross after Belconnen failed to clear a free-kick. Belconnen then turned the match on its head with a brace of goals within five minutes. After FC failed to clear a long ball Jason Ugrinic sent a majestic lob over Cole and into the net. And the hosts were in front in the 71 st minute when Dustin Wells swung over a delicious cross that Michael Taurasi met with a bullet header that flashed into the corner. With time running out and the home team looking certain of victory, FC sent one last foray forward and Jadric pounced to send the away support into delirium.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 11. Jason UGRINIC Canberra FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Aaron EVANS, 5. Antonio BARBARO, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 23. Nathan EVANS, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Cameron REINHART, 5. Dustin WELLS, 8. Zac MAYBURY (Belconnen United), 1. Jakob COLE, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 14. Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Matt Skinner (referee), Alex McConachie, Nic Gillies Sunday 18th May 2014 FFA COE 2 (Kosta Petratos 23’, Peter Kekeris 57’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Mark Shields 47’) A goal from Peter Kekeris in the 57th minute ultimately condemned Canberra Olympic to a third defeat of the season as the FFA Centre of Excellence downed the faltering Grand Final trophy holders 2-1 at the Australian Institute of Sport. It’s a mystifying fall from grace for Olympic who have lost their mojo of late as were left trailing midway through the opening half as Kosta Petratos scored his second goal in two matches to put the home team ahead. Facing the possibility of being on the end of a trio of losses, Olympic rallied at the interval and hit back within two minutes of the re-start. Awarded a freekick within striking distance, Kiwi Robbie Deeley curled a cracker over the wall that cannoned back off the post. Hit-man Mark Shields was quickest to react to the rebound and had the simplest of tasks to nod home from close range for his fifth goal of the season. At 1-1 the game was there for the taking but it was the young charges from the Institute that took the bull by the horns and struck next as Kekeris rounded off a move to restore the FFA COE lead. Staring down the barrel of another defeat Olympic fought hard to get back on level terms but, try as they might, they could not penetrate the FFA COE defensive line and slumped to a third defeat in a row that sees them drop to fifth on the ladder.

FFA COE: 1. Duro DRAGICEVIC, 2. Malcolm WARD, 3. Henry DAVIES, 6. Joe CALETTI, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 15. Zak WATERS, 17. Nicholas PANETTA, 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 5. Zachary SPETH, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 14. Callum SMITH, 16. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 9. Michael REEVE, 99. Victor YANES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA (FFA COE), 12. Adam ROGIC, 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Greg Taylor, Duncan McLaren

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH Taylor BEATON Belconnen United 2 Canberra FC 2 (McKellar Park), 17/05/14

Sunday 18th May 2014 Woden Valley 1 (Lukas Cole 51’) Cooma Tigers 3 (Robbie Cattanach 29’, 75’, Stephen Domenici 49’) Cooma Tigers recorded a second win in succession with a 3-1 win over Woden Valley at Kaleen Enclosed in a high octane match that showed the qualities of both combatants. Having stunned Canberra Olympic last week Woden started brightly but it was the visitors, and in particular the in-form Robbie Cattanach, who took a strangle-hold on proceedings. Having blitzed Tuggeranong for four at Nijong Oval seven days ago Cattanach opened the scoring in the 29 th minute. It was a lead they held until half-time although they were grateful to Woden striker Lukas Cole for passing up the opportunity to score a penalty with an amazing display of sportsmanship after his team were awarded a spot-kick with a Tigers player down injured. Cole simply passed the ball back to Francois Bangweni instead of attempting to level the scores. After the break it took only four minutes for Gaby Wilk’s team to extend their advantage as Stephen Domenici struck his second goal of the season. Woden however refused to buckle and within 120 seconds had got themselves right back into the contest. Cole had smashed a double in the win over Olympic and the striker showed he was still in prime form with another well-taken goal to make it 2-1. Mitch Stevens’ group have a solid look about them right now and they pushed on looking for an equaliser. However, in Cattanach the Tigers have a genuine match-winner and the playmaker netted his seventh goal of the season with fifteen minutes remaining to kill off the Woden challenge.

The home team still kept plugging away but a two-goal deficit proved too much to handle.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 4. Dominic SMEDLEY, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 12. Mitch ‘STEENBERGEN, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. David JENKINS, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 27. Lukas COLE, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 15. Jake WILSENER Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 3. Stefan TODOROSKI, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Dejan SANTRAC, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 16. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 12. Aden Johnson, 13. Jordan LANDO, 14. Jeremias IBARRA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Stefan TODOROSKI, 12. Aden Johnson (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Scott Robertson, Bruno Kehl Sunday 18th May 2014 Tuggeranong United 2 (Muad Zwed 25’, Sean KIddey 57’) Monaro Panthers 1 (Michael Gurney 21’ (og)) Tuggeranong United moved into third place on the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder after they defeated Monaro Panthers 2-1 at Kambah 2. United had to come from behind to do so, over-turning a Monaro opener to claim the three points in a game that could have gone either way and was excellent entertainment for a decent crowd. The Panthers took the lead in the 21st minute when Tim Stewart was robbed on the edge of his own area by Thomas James whose low cross was inadvertently diverted into the net by defender Michael Gurney. Tuggeranong equalised five minutes later when a superb team move culminated with Muad Zwed scampering around Kris Trajanoski in the Panthers goal to roll home from eight yards. Both teams had chances after these goals with James a menace to the Tuggeranong defence throughout the encounter. At 1-1 at the break it was anyone’s game and the second half was an even affair with defences firmly on top. But the hosts made the crucial breakthrough in the 57th minute as Sean Kiddey latched onto a loose ball to thunder a glorious half-volley beyond Trajanoski and into the top corner for a stunning match-winner that pushed United closer to the top two.

Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Jon TOOLE, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 12. Adam CASEY, 13. Sean MUPRHY, 15. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 7. Matt MENSER, 11. Michael JOHN, 14. Ciaran RAYMENT Monaro Panthers: 1. Kris TRAJANOSKI, 2. Daniel LINSTEAD, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Sam LAVELLA, 5. Matur DONG, 6. Arok THON, 7. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 8. Josh CALABRIA, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Kamal AHMED Substitutes used: 12. Deng PADIET, 14. Lewis BATES, 15. Tyler BONNEAU Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Matt MENSER, 12. Adam CASEY, 15. Harry PETTIT (Tuggeranong United), 10. Thomas JAMES (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Matt Rynne, Matt Schofield

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 6 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

5

4

1

0

26

6

+20

13

2

Belconnen United

5

4

1

0

19

8

+11

13

3

Tuggeranong United

6

3

0

3

7

17

-10

9

4

Cooma Tigers

4

2

0

2

10

7

+3

6

Sunday 25th May 2014 Canberra FC 5 (Alex Oloriegbe 13’, 82’, 91’, Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 18’ (pen), 56’) Canberra City 0 Canberra FC ensured they remained top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football after defeating a belligerent Canberra City 5-0 at Deakin Stadium. The home team was always in control of the match but City made them work hard for their goals with strikers Alex Oloriegbe and Philippe Bernabo-Madrid sharing the five between them. Oloriegbe put FC ahead in the 12 th minute, slotting home from close range after great approach work from Daniel Bennett and the home team went 2-0 up when Bernabo-Madrid converted from the spot following a foul on Oloriegbe by James Perry. City striker Deng Aleer Deng was causing mischief to the FC defence with his tireless running and, after Bernabo-Madrid has scored his second of the match, following a cut back from Ryan Keir, Deng won City a spot-kick after he was adjudged to have been pushed by FC custodian Jakob Cole.

Ben Doyle fluffed the chance though, hammering high and wide and denying City a consolation. As it was FC went on to score two more before the close as Oloriegbe claimed a hat-trick. After tapping in a Bernabo-Madrid cross the forward, at the third time of asking, crashed a shot into the roof of the net to round out another excellent performance.

Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO -MADRID, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 18. Antonio BARBARO, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 1. Rashid FARID, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 15. Jordan LAMB Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4, Brad MOORE, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Patrick CLARKE, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Deng Aleer DENG, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY Substitutes used: 2. Andrew MANLEY, 12. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 13. Justin RANKINE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 22. Jakob COLE (Canberra FC), 11. Deng Aleer DENG (Canberra City) Match Officials: Alex McConachie (referee), Duc Mac, Sam Ockerby Sunday 25th May 2014 Cooma Tigers 5 (Goran Josifovski 5’, 14’, 42’. Stephen Domenici 45’ (pen), 47’ (pen)) FFA COE 0 The FFA COE was taught a lesson by Cooma Tigers at Nijong Oval on Sunday afternoon as they were defeated 5-0 in a match that saw the Tigers virtually wrap up the three points by the halftime interval. The Centre of Excellence youngsters were up against it from the off as Cooma hit the front as early as the fifth minute when Goran Josifovski, who would go on to complete a hat-trick, opened his account with a fine finish. Josifovski was on fire in the first half and made it 2-0 to the home team in the fourteenth minute before completing a first half treble with three minutes remaining of the half. There was still time for one more before the break as the Tigers were awarded a penalty and Stephen Domenici made no mistake from the spot. Trailing 4-0 at the interval the FFA COE needed a good start to the second half, unfortunately for the visitors they found themselves further behind only a couple of minutes after the resumption. Again the Tigers were awarded a penalty and again Domenici did the honours showing his clinical streak from the dead ball to take the game firmly out of reach of the FFA COE. The Centre of Excellence defended stoutly after this and there were no further goals but, by then, the damage had already been done.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Stefan TODOROSKI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Dejan SANTRAC, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 13. Aden Johnson Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 12. Jordan LANDO, 16. Phil YARNOLD, FFA COE: 12. Brandon OSIPOV, 2. Malcolm WARD, 3. Henry DAVIES, 5. Zachary SPETH, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 15. Zak WATERS, 17. Nicholas PANETTA, 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 7. Daniel MASKIN, 9. Charlie DEVEREUX, 21, Jamal REINERS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Stefan TODOROSKI, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 12. Jordan LANDO (Cooma Tigers), 9. Charlie DEVEREUX, 12. Brandon OSIPOV, 24. Jackson BANDIERA (FFA COE) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Thomas Klein, Matt Schofield

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 25th May 2014 Canberra Olympic 3 (Michael Reeve 13’, Josh Gaspari 72’, Robbie Deeley 90’) Belconnen United 1 (Jason Ugrinic 67’) Canberra Olympic snapped their three game losing streak with a stunning 3-1 success over second placed Belconnen United inflicting a first defeat of the season on the Blue Devils in a manner that suggests they may soon be back to the kind of form that brought them silverware last term. In a nervy encounter it was evident that Olympic had real need and had a super start, taking the lead in the thirteenth minute as a pair of former Belconnen players combined to open up their ex-club. Callum Smith made the inroads and Michael Reeve applied the coup de grace to send the home support crazy. The Blue Devils aren’t fighting for the title for nothing however and they stormed back into the game to end an even half trailing by the odd goal. The advantage that Olympic gained was cancelled out in the 67th minute as Jason Ugrinic equalised for the visitors with a well-taken goal, his fourth of the season. But far from demoralising Olympic the setback only spurred them into further action and they regained the lead just five minutes later as Josh Gaspari found room to belt a low shot into the bottom corner past Rade Kosanovic. Belconnen pressed for an equaliser for the second time but Olympic wrapped up the points in stoppage time as Robbie Deeley netted a priceless third.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 14. Callum SMITH, 15. Michael REEVE, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT Substitutes used: 9. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 99. Victor YANES Belconnen United: 1. Rade KOSANOVIC, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Jason UGRINIC, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 16. George TIMOTHEOU Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH (Canberra Olympic), 6. David ARRANZ, 16. George TIMOTHEOU (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Greg Taylor, Matt Rynne Sunday 25th May 2014 Monaro Panthers 1 (Josh Calabria 25’) Woden Valley 1 (Mitch Steenbergen 40’) Monaro Panthers and Woden Valley shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium but the Panthers had their goalkeeper Rory Larkin to thank for preserving a share of the spoils with the stopper making a series of superb saves to deny Woden all three points. In what is sure to be a tight race for top four spots, the point apiece keeps both teams on the coat-tails of those already occupying the semi-final places with honours even. It was the Panthers who took the initiative first taking the lead in the first half thanks to a goal from Josh Calabria, his second of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football campaign. It was a lead that the hosts seemed certain to take into the break but Woden hit back with a god goal of their own as Mitch Steenbergen levelled matters up with his first goal of the season. With the scores all square at the break the chance was there for either side to take all three points and both had opportunities to do so with Woden creating the better chances but some solid defending and some excellent goalkeeping from Monaro, meant they could not find the critical breakthrough to take the maximum return. The result pushed the Panthers into sixth place, ahead of the FFA COE, whilst Woden Valley has closed the gap on the Centre of Excellence to a point and is now just four points off the top four in what is turning into a real battle in mid-table.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Alex HOLLIS, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Daniel LINSTEAD, 5. Lewis BATES, 6. Arok THON, 7. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 8. Josh CALABRIA, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Kamal AHMED, 11. Pepe VARGA5.

Substitutes used: 12. Matur DONG, 14. Tyler BONNEAU, 15. Ed McCARTHY Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. David JENKINS, 19. Liam WALSH, 27. Lukas COLE, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 4. Dominic SMEDLEY, 23. Andrew SLAVICH Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 11. Pepe VARGA (Monaro Panthers) RED CARD: 8. Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Scott Robertson, Jennifer Hollis HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 7 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

6

5

1

0

31

6

+25

16

2

Belconnen United

6

4

1

1

20

11

+9

13

3

Cooma Tigers

5

3

0

2

15

7

+8

9

4

Canberra Olympic

6

3

0

3

15

11

+4

9

Sunday 1st June 2014 FFA COE 5 (Daniel Arzani 38', 45', Peter Kekeris 53', 82', Charlie Devereux 89') Monaro Panthers 1 (Darian McGarry-Watson 68’) The FFA COE survived the dismissal of Christian Verbi to record an overwhelming 5-1 victory over Monaro Panthers on the maiden first grade match played on the new FIFA accredited synthetic pitch at the Australian Institute of Sport. Verbi was sent off early in the game for bringing down a Panthers attacker as the last man and denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. However, the man handicap didn’t deter the FFA COE from playing some superb football and they led 2-0 at the break. Daniel Arzani was the goal hero, scoring twice in the space of seven minutes to put the home team in control of the match. And the destination of the points was confirmed shortly after the interval as Peter Kekeris made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute. The Panthers did regroup and gain a goal for themselves as the hard working Darian McGarry-Watson reduced the arrears in the 68th minute but, even with the extra player, they failed to convert the opportunities that presented themselves and the FFA COE made them pay late on. Kekeris registered his second goal of the match with eight minutes remaining and, in the final minute of the match, Charlie Devereux brought up the fifth with a well-taken goal to round out a thoroughly professional display.

FFA COE: 12. Brandon OSIPOV, 3. Henry DAVIES, 6. Joe CALETTI, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 13. Christian VERBI, 15. Zak WATERS, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 21, Jamal REINERS 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 7. Daniel MASKIN, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 16. Danny KIM Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Alex HOLLIS, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Daniel LINSTEAD, 5. Daniel WHITEHORN, 6. Darian McGARRY WATSON, 7. Pepe VARGA, 8. Kamal AHMED, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Deng PADIET Substitutes used: 12. Nikolas POPOVICH, 13. Lewis BATES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Pepe VARGA, 10. Thomas JAMES (Monaro Panthers) RED CARD: 13. Christian VERBI (FFA COE) Match Officials: Alex McConachie (referee), Adam Powers, Sam Jolley Sunday 1st June 2014 Canberra City 1 (Adam Dobell 68’) Canberra Olympic 6 (Robbie Deeley 32’, 85’, Mark Shields 36’, 84’, Daniel Fulton 61’, Oliver Wiederkehr 80’) Canberra Olympic are well and truly back in contention at the top end of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition after they saw off a dogged Canberra City with a 6-1 triumph at Gungahlin Enclosed on Sunday afternoon. Olympic was too strong in nearly every area of the field for City who, try as they might, can’t seem to catch a break this season. Having downed Belconnen United last weekend it was pivotal for Olympic’s title chances that they continued to play in the same vein of form and, once Robbie Deeley had given them a 32 nd minute lead, they always looked the likely victors. Mark Shields settled any lingering nerves with a second goal four minutes later, a piece of individual brilliance from the forward, as Olympic led 2-0 at half-time. Daniel Fulton thundered in the third Olympic goal in the 61 st minute before City got a reward for their perseverance through skipper Adam Dobell. That goal only seemed to galvanise Olympic even further and they glossed the score board with three goals in the last ten minutes. Substitute Oliver Wiederkehr under-lined his impact status with a strike from the bench before Shields and Deeley, in rapid fire succession, brought up their second of the match to confirm Olympic’s superiority.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4, Brad MOORE, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 9. Ben DOYLE, 11. Deng Aleer DENG, 12. Michael PERCIVAL, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY Substitutes used: 8. Justin RANKINE, 10. Aidan LEES, 16. Grant DAVOREN Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 14. Callum SMITH, 15. Michael REEVE, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 19. Marcin ZYGMUNT Substitutes used: 2. Marc O’NEILL, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 12. Michael PERCIVAL (Canberra City), 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic) RED CARD: 2. Andrew MANLEY (Canberra City) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Sam Clark, Matt Rynne

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 1st June 2014 Woden Valley 1 (Conor Nolan 73') Tuggeranong United 2 (Michael John 17', Muad Zwed 20') Tuggeranong United did just enough to ease past Woden Valley and claim the three points with a 2-1 victory at Kaleen Enclosed in Round 8 of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football. United did all the damage in the first half, taking a 2-0 lead into the interval, and doing enough in the second stanza to merit the victory despite a spirited Woden recovery. Tuggeranong took the match by the scruff of the neck early on and was in front in the 17th minute. Sean Kiddey played a delightfully weighted through ball to Michael John and the forward, on his starting debut, kept his cool to round Jason Denham and slot home. The lead was increased just three minutes later as United carved open the Woden defence once more. A slick bout of first time passing found Muad Zwed in the area and he advanced to drill low past Denham and into the bottom corner. If Tuggeranong was in the ascendancy in the first half then Woden was more dangerous in the second forty-five. After forcing a top draw save from Rowan Shepherd in the United goal, Conor Nolan got the reward his performance deserved as he crashed home a loose ball at the second attempt after the visitors had failed to clear their lines. Woden pushed for an equaliser but some stout defence held them out and United took the maximum return.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 5. Conor NOLAN, 7. Regan WALSH, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. David JENKINS, 19. Liam WALSH, 27. Lukas COLE, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 4. Dominic SMEDLEY, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 23. Andrew SLAVICH Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Jon TOOLE, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 10. Muad ZWED, 11, Michael JOHN, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 12. Adam CASEY, 13. Sean MUPRHY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Sam OSSATO, 27. Lukas COLE, 28. Zach HARRIGAN (Woden Valley), 4. Jon TOOLE, 5. Chris RUIZ, 7. Matt MENSER, 10. Muad ZWED, 11, Michael JOHN, 15. Harry PETTIT (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Brett Woodford, Vinh Ngo-Da Sunday 1st June 2014 Belconnen United 2 (Tom McLachlan 67’, 88') Cooma Tigers 4 (Stephen Domenici 33', Goran Josifovski 51', Robbie Cattanach 75', 83') Belconnen United fell to a second defeat in succession as Cooma Tigers stormed McKellar Park to claim a 4-2 victory on a wet afternoon in the national capital. The Tigers, after an indifferent start to the season, now appears to have found their groove and they wasted no time in taking the match to their hosts in an open and exciting encounter. Stephen Domenici scored three times in two matches from the spot last week but it was from open play that he broke the deadlock in this match, striking after 33 minutes. It was the goal that separated the teams at the break but the Tigers didn’t have long to wait to add to that tally as Goran Josifovski made the score 2-0 just six minutes after the re-start. Needing some inspiration, the Blue Devils coaching staff introduced Tom McLachlan into the fray and he pulled one back through a tap-in in the 67th minute to give the home team some hope of a recovery. However, Cooma had other ideas and Robbie Cattanach, who has been in great form this season, restored the two-goal lead with a quarter of an hour to play with a stunning free-kick before sealing the result with another spectacular goal on the half-volley, his ninth goal of the season. McLachlan netted his second three minutes later to give the Blue Devils a consolation but, on the back of Cattanach's magic, Cooma held sway.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 11. Jason UGRINIC, 13. Jack GREEN, 16. George TIMOTHEOU, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 2. Cameron REINHART, 12. Bernard RENE, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Aden Johnson, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Dejan SANTRAC, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 17. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 12. Jeremias IBARRA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. David ARRANZ, 13. Jack GREEN (Belconnen United), 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Bruno Kehl, Nia Southwell

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 8 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

6

5

1

0

31

6

+25

16

2

Belconnen United

7

4

1

2

22

15

+7

13

3

Cooma Tigers

6

4

0

2

19

9

+10

12

4

Canberra Olympic

7

4

0

3

21

12

+9

12

Sunday 8th June 2014 Tuggeranong United 2 (Daniel Colbertaldo 45', Michael John 77') FFA COE 1 (Jamal Reiners 40') A fifth win of the season from eight matches has Tuggeranong United sitting well placed in fifth on the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder after they downed the FFA COE 2-1 at Kambah 2 in a fiercely fought encounter. Both of these teams have eyes on the top four and therefore it was no surprise that the match was a keenly contested battle on a decent surface. After an even half it was the visitors who were celebrating five minutes before the break as Jamal Reiners broke the deadlock with his first goal at this level. If the FFA COE thought that would be enough to send them into the changing rooms ahead, they were rudely awakened just before the break as a strike from Daniel Colbertaldo took a hefty deflection on its way past Brandon Osipov in the FFA COE goal to bring United level. The second half followed the pattern of the first with both teams enjoying spells of possession but it was Tuggeranong who made the crucial breakthrough with thirteen minutes left. Michael John has added spark and excitement to the United team since his arrival from overseas and, on his second start, netted his second goal in two matches to put Tuggeranong ahead and allow the home support to continue to dream of finals football.

Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Jon TOOLE, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 11, Michael JOHN, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT Substitutes used: 3. Jonathan REIS, 12. Adam CASEY, 13. Sean MUPRHY FFA COE: 12. Brandon OSIPOV, 3. Henry DAVIES, 6. Joe CALETTI, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 15. Zak WATERS, 16. Danny KIM, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 21, Jamal REINERS, 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 7. Daniel MASKIN, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 22. Cameron JOINES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Adam Powers, Alex McConachie Sunday 8th June 2014 Cooma Tigers 2 (Jordan Lando 30’, Robbie Cattanach 90’) Canberra City 1 (Gimale Essacu 78’) Cooma Tigers roll continued as they racked up a fifth win of the season to move within a point of the league leaders at the head of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football league ladder. But the home team was indebted to their go-to man and leading scorer Robbie Cattanach to get them out of jail late on, earning a 2-1 win over bottom of the table Canberra City with the winning goal coming in stoppage time. It was the lethal Cattanach’s tenth goal of the season, putting him in joint ownership of the lead in the Golden Boot race, but was rough justice on a City outfit that looked certain to claim only their second point of the season but saw it snatched away from them at the death. Earlier it had appeared to be a routine afternoon for the Tigers who took the lead in the 30th minute as Jordan Lando, deputising for the unavailable Stephen Domenici, netted his first goal of the season for the first grade team.

With the lead and a chance to add further goals thwarted by the stoic James Ward and his back four, Cooma became more frustrated as they game went on and City sensed a way back into the match. They got it with twelve minutes left on the clock as Gimale Essacu, a standout this season, brought his side level. A point each looked likely until Cattanach intervened.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Phil YARNOLD, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Dejan SANTRAC, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Jordan LANDO, 14. Aden Johnson Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 12. Rishabh SHARMA, 16. Julian BORGNA Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. Grant DAVOREN, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Aidan LEES, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Alan GASTON, 9. Ben DOYLE, 11. Deng Aleer DENG, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY Substitutes used: 12. Justin RANKINE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Alan GASTON (Canberra City) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Bruno Kehl, Justin Cho

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 8th June 2014 Canberra Olympic 1 (Robbie Deeley 67') Canberra FC 0 REPORT BY BRENDAN HAWES: A wonder goal from Robbie Deeley proved the difference as Canberra Olympic recorded a fourth win in a row as they defeated Canberra FC 1-0 at O’Connor Enclosed. It was even and tight contest throughout the first half as both teams played without restraint. Attacking flair and dogged defence evened the flow as each side shared close chances and near misses.

Olympic almost took the lead in the 15th minute as a wayward pass at the back was intercepted by Mark Shields but FC goalkeeper Jacob Cole stood firm to save well. FC was next on the attack, bursting through the middle and with quick play and slicing passes, opening a few chances for Philippe Bernabo-Madrid, though each were saved by Olympic’s shot stopper Angelo Konstantinou. Both teams shared even opportunities as the half finished 0-0. The second half started with an FC onslaught. Blitzing the play in the opening minutes, dominating possession and conjuring many scoring chances. However, Olympic brought themselves back into the fray with some close threats of their own only narrowly missing. The deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute when Deeley scored a true screamer from outside the box, rocketing into the top corner. Canberra FC in response upped the ante on their attack though to no avail as poor touches, passes and questionable decisions kept the men in red at bay.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 14. Callum SMITH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT Substitutes used: 2. Marc O’NEILL, 9. Tim WOMACK, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 18. Antonio BARBARO, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic), 16. Matt GRBESA, 18. Antonio BARBARO (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Adam Gehreg (referee), Allyson Flynn, Greg Taylor Sunday 8th June 2014 Monaro Panthers 1 (Josh Calabria 79’) Belconnen United 10 (Goran Mukevski 7’, 29’, Jason Ugrinic 10’, 11’, 49’, 55’, 81’, Tom McLachlan 18’, Aisosa Ihegie 15’, Dustin Wells 53’) A five-star display from Jason Ugrinic was the highlight as Belconnen United thumped a luckless Monaro Panthers 10-1 at the Riverside Stadium. Ugrinic was in fine form in front of goal, taking his season tally to nine, and showing no mercy to the beleaguered and under-fire Panthers’ back-line.

The game was done as a contest by half-time as the visitors had racked up half a dozen goals with no reply to leave the hosts reeling and looking at a hiding. Goran Mukevski started the scoring in the seventh minute before Ugrinic struck twice within the space of sixty seconds. A goal from Aisosa Ihegie made it 4-0 in the 15th minute before Tom McLachlan, with his third in two matches, bagged goal number five three minutes later. When Mukevski rounded out the half dozen before half an hour had been played, there were worrying signs for Monaro. Ugrinic netted his third four minutes after the restart and Dustin Wells got in on the act in the 53 rd minute as the Blue Devils hit eight. Goal number nine was Ugrinic’s fourth of the match with a consolation from Josh Calabria momentarily halting the inexorable Blue tide. There was still time for more and Ugrinic grabbed his fifth two minutes later to wrap up a scintillating performance.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Alex HOLLIS, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Daniel LINSTEAD, 5. Lewis BATES, 6. Josh CALABRIA, 7. Kamal AHMED, 8. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11. Deng PADIET Substitutes used: 12. Ed MCCARTHY, 13. Caleb CULLEN-RUA, 14. Arok THON Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 11. Aisosa IHEGIE, 12. Bernard RENE, 13. Jack GREEN, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 3. Adam DE FRANCESCHI, 6. Sean O’NEILL, 8. Kelvin DELLE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Alex HOLLIS, 8. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 9. Martin DENG (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), David Rowell, Matt Rynne

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 9 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Canberra FC

7

5

1

1

31

7

+24

16

2

Belconnen United

8

5

1

2

30

16

+14

16

3

Cooma Tigers

7

5

0

2

21

8

+13

15

4

Canberra Olympic

8

5

0

3

22

12

+10

15

Saturday 14th June 2014 Tuggeranong United 1 (Michael John 88’) Belconnen United 3 (Tom McLachlan 40’, 68’, Michael Taurasi 94’) Belconnen United went to the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder for at least 24 hours after defeating Tuggeranong United 3-1 at Kambah on a cool Saturday afternoon. And, whilst the Blue Devils were worthy of the three points, Tuggeranong was disappointed not to have emerged from the contest with at least a share of the spoils after missing a sixtieth minute penalty when Ashley Collins brilliantly denied Daniel Colbertaldo from the spot and from the rebound with a superb double save. Earlier Belconnen had dominated the opening half and gone into the break with the lead after Tom McLachlan arrived on cue to slide home a cutback by the over-lapping Milan Popovich. The visitors went 2-0 up with twenty-two minutes to play as McLachlan claimed a second, deflecting substitute Michael Taurasi’s shot past Rowan Shepherd in the Tuggeranong goal with his stomach.

Dustin Wells saw a free-kick crash back off the crossbar for the Blue Devils whilst Muad Zwed and Colbertaldo may have scored before half-time for Tuggies. As it was the hosts did pull one back with time running out as Michael John grabbed his third goal in three games after reacting sharpest to a Sean Murphy flick-on. Any faint hopes of a draw were dashed though when Taurasi broke away in stoppage time to lift the third Belconnen goal over the advancing Shepherd.

Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Jon TOOLE, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 11, Michael JOHN, 12. Adam CASEY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO Substitutes used: 3. Jonathan REIS, 13. Sean MURPHY, 15. Ethan MUNSTER Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Bernard RENE, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 17. Milan POPOVICH Substitutes used: 10. Michael TAURASI Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. David ARRANZ (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Duncan McLaren, Vinh Ngo-Da Sunday 15th June 2014 Woden Valley 2 (John Gibson 25’, 83’) FFA COE 4 (Jamal Reiners 23’ (pen), 57’, Jamie Dimitroff 45’, Peter Kekeris 64’) The FFA COE closed the gap on the top four with a 4-2 win over ten-man Woden Valley at Kaleen Enclosed on a cold Sunday afternoon in Canberra. The hosts saw Conor Nolan dismissed for a second yellow card offence early in the second half and, with their midfield inspiration, went any chance that they had of getting back into the contest. The early exchanges were fairly even as both teams went close before the FFA COE took the lead midway through the half. Awarded a penalty for an infringement in the area, Jamal Reiners took the responsibility to score, calmly finishing from the spot. The lead was short-lived however as Woden hit back within three minutes as John Gibson levelled. Just as it appeared as if the sides’ would enter the interval all-square, the FFA COE hit the front through a goal from Jamie Dimitroff. Needing to force a way back into the match, the hosts were soon up against it as Nolan saw red and the visitors profited from the extra man as Reiners netted his second of the match and third of the season. With Woden looking for a way back into it, the Centre of Excellence hit them on the break again and Peter Kekeris put the tie out of reach of Woden, making it 4-1.

There was still time for a Woden consolation through Gibson’s second, but the FFA was deserved winners.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Conor NOLAN, 4. Domenic SMEDLEY, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 9. David CARDER, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. David JENKINS, 19. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 27. Lukas COLE FFA COE: 12. Brandon OSIPOV, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 13. Christian VERBI, 15. Zak WATERS, 16. Danny KIM, 17. Nicholas PANETTA, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 21, Jamal REINERS, 22. Cameron JOICE, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 7. Daniel MASKIN, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Domenic SMEDLEY, 14. David JENKINS, 19. Liam WALSH, 28. Zach HARRIGAN (Woden Valley) RED CARD: 3. Conor NOLAN (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Matt Rynne, Delfina Dimoski

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH

Sean MURPHY Tuggeranong United 1 Belconnen United 3 (Kambah 2-1 14/06/14

John GIBSON Woden Valley 2 FFA COE 4 (Kaleen Enclosed), 15/06/14

Sunday 15th June 2014 Cooma Tigers 2 (Goran Josifovski 53’, Stephen Domenici 88’) Canberra FC 1 (Iain Elliott 58’ (og)) A goal in the last minute from Stephen Domenici has handed Cooma Tigers what could prove to be a priceless 2-1 victory over Canberra FC on a difficult playing surface at Nijong Oval. Domenici struck the winner with time running out to continue the Tigers remarkable recent run and push them up into second place on the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder. The result means that long time leaders Canberra FC have now slipped to third having lost their last two matches. With the game being played on the adjacent pitch to the normal Tigers’ home matches due to an unplayable surface, the smaller arena proved tough for both teams to master. After a goal-less opening half the fixture kicked into gear early in the second stanza. Goran Josifovski is enjoying a superb 2014 in the Cooma colours and the free-scoring forward netted his sixth goal of the campaign to put Cooma ahead. Canberra FC’s response was almost immediate as they upped the tempo and drew the ledger level as an unfortunate own goal off Iain Elliott made it 1-1. Both teams had their chances to take out the victory but it was Cooma who would be triumphant at the final whistle as Domenici hit his sixth of the NPL season to pilfer a priceless success.

Cooma ended the match with ten men after Dejan Santrac was sent off.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Phil YARNOLD, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Dejan SANTRAC, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 14. Aden Johnson, 16. Julian BORGNA Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 3. Alex OLORIEGBE, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABOMADRID, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 16. Matt GRBESA, 18. Antonio BARBARO, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI (Cooma Tigers), 7. Aaron EVANS, 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC) RED CARD: 8. Dejan SANTRAC (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), David Ockerby, Gareth Biggs Monaro Panthers 1 (James Ward (og) 19’) Canberra City 0 Monaro Panthers recorded their third win of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season with a scrappy 1-0 victory over Canberra City on a bitterly cold day at the Riverside Stadium. The Panthers were just about worthy of their victory over a battling City but the manner in which they achieved it owed much to a stroke of good fortune. Daniel Linstead’s deep cross from the right-hand touchline, close to half-way, in the nineteenth minute looked destined for the hands of City custodian James Ward. Unfortunately for the visiting ‘keeper he either misjudged the flight, or lost the ball in the low afternoon sun and, after getting a good piece of the ball, inexplicably fumbled it over the line and into the back of the net. If that was fortune favouring the Panthers, it deserted them after that as they twice went close to establishing a two-goal lead. Martin Deng was the unfortunate player on both occasions as firstly he saw a thumping header cannon off the bar safety with Ward a statue, before a curling shot from the same player crashed back off the base of the post and away to safety. For their part City threatened an equaliser in a second half in which they probably shaded the action. Daniel Di-Salvatore, summoned from the substitutes’ bench, went closest but was denied by Rory Larkin and Monaro took the win.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Daniel LINSTEAD, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Josh CALABRIA, 5. Caleb CULLEN-RUA, 6. Andrew MYSSONSKI, 7. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 8. Adrian CANIZARES, 9. Thomas JAMES, 10. Ed McCARTHY, 11. Martin DENG Substitutes used: 12. Arok THON, 13. Kamal AHMED, 14. Pepe VARGA Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. Grant DAVOREN, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Deng Aleer DENG, 12. Michael PERCIVAL, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY Substitutes used: 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 16. Patrick CLARKE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Alex McConachie, Georgia Ghirardello

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 10 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Belconnen United

9

6

1

2

33

17

+16

19

2

Cooma Tigers

8

6

0

2

23

9

+14

18

3

Canberra FC

8

5

1

2

32

9

+23

16

4

Canberra Olympic

8

5

0

3

22

12

+10

15

Sunday 22nd June 2014 Canberra FC 6 (Domenic Giampaolo 7’, 53’, Ian Graham 57’, Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 66’ (pen), Josip Jadric 67’, Alex Oloriegbe 84’) Monaro Panthers 2 (Martin Deng 21’, Pepe Varga 30’) Canberra FC emerged victorious from their National Premier Leagues: Capital Football Round 11 match with Monaro Panthers at Deakin Stadium but the final result doesn’t tell the full story of a match in which the Panthers forced Canberra FC to dig deep and put in a scintillating second half shift to edge out the plucky Monaro. It seemed routine when Domenic Giampaolo put the hosts in front in only the seventh minute but they reckoned without the determined response from their opponents. Famously the Panthers had caused a huge upset at this venue before and when Martin Deng levelled matters in the 21st minute, the Panthers dared to dream. They had even more reason to smile on the half-hour as Pepe Varga struck to put Monaro in front. It was a lead they held until the half-time break but, just eight minutes into the second half, FC was level and Giampaolo netted his fifth goal of the season. By now Canberra FC was on the front foot and when Ian Graham put them in front in the 57th minute, Monaro had no response. Two goals in a minute killed off the Panthers as firstly Philippe Bernabo-Madrid struck from the spot before Josip Jadric made it 5-2 sixty seconds later. Alex Oloriegbe emerged from the bench to wrap it up with the sixth, six minutes from the final whistle.

Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Darian McGARRY-WATSON 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Josh CALABRIA, 5. Jacob CULLEN-RUA, 6. Andrew MYSSONSKI, 7. Pepe VARGA, 8. Adrian CANIZARES, 9. Thomas JAMES, 10. Ed MCCARTHY, 11. Martin DENG Substitutes used: 12. Alex HOLLIS, 13. Sam ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Arok THON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Nick Gillies, Matt Rynne Sunday 22nd June 2014 Belconnen United 2 (Michael Taurasi 67’, Dustin Wells 88’) Woden Valley 0 Belconnen United did enough to preserve their precarious lead at the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder with a hard fought 2-0 win over a Woden Valley team that put in a huge amount of effort for, ultimately, no reward. The Blue Devils lacked the spark and inspiration that is usually associated with their performances at McKellar Park as, playing their third game in seven days they struggled to break down a well organised and resilient Woden defence. Neither side could find a way to break the deadlock inside the opening forty-five minutes in a scrappy affair that had few chances. It was a similar tale in the second half as Woden defended well and looked to break with their pacey wide players, but it was Belconnen who finally found a way through in the 67th minute. Forward Michael Taurasi had been introduced into the fray as an early first half replacement for the injured David Arranz and the striker, with an eye for goal, found the key to unlock the Woden rear guard with his fifth goal of the season. Far from perturbed Woden attempted to come back into the match, but the spoils were taken away from them with three minutes remaining as Dustin Wells found the space to notch his seventh goal of the season and secure another important three points.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Bernard RENE, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 10. Michael TAURASI, 11. Marty RAINES, 13. Jack GREEN Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 10. Romeo ROMEO 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. David JENKINS, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 22. Owen STEER, 23. Andrew SLAVICH Substitutes used: 4. David CARDER, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 27. Michael IRELAND Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumoski (referee), Sam Clark, Vinh Ngo-Da

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 22nd June 2014 Canberra Olympic 0 Cooma Tigers 4 (Stephen Domenici 50’, Lianel Lauper 65’, Julian Borgna 84’, 90’) Cooma Tigers continued their recent run of great form with a convincing 4-0 victory over Canberra Olympic at O’Connor Enclosed thanks to an impressive second half display of firepower. Olympic however will be annoyed that they weren’t ahead by the half-time break as they played well in the opening stanza and should have taken the lead when awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for the home faithful, sharp-shooting striker Mark Shields saw his spotkick saved by Jack Pettit in the Cooma goal. The Tigers would take full advantage of that let-off with a superb performance in the second stanza. Taking the lead in the 50 th minute through a seventh goal of the season from the lively Stephen Domenici, Cooma had the foothold in the match that they were looking for. Building on that lead Cooma made it 2-0 in the 65th minute as summer signing Lianel Lauper found the net for the first time in Tigers colours. Facing defeat Olympic pushed looking for a way back into the match, but Cooma was solid in defence and creative in attack. With space appearing in the home back line, substitute Julian Borgna was just the man to make the most of the openings and the former Canberra FC junior nabbed a late brace to blow out the score line and condemn Olympic to what could be a costly loss.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Marc O’NEILL, 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 12. Adam ROGIC, 13. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 14. Callum SMITH, David McCARRON, Michael RINAUDO Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Liam HIGHMORE, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Aden Johnson, 16. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 8. Julian BORGNA, 12. Jeremias IBARRA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic), 14. Aden Johnson (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Rick Schneider (referee), Sam Nixon, Nia Southwell Thursday 17th July Canberra City 5 (Misko Naumoski 4’, 55’, Sam McDonald 17’, Gimale Essacu 51’, 70’) Tuggeranong United 3 (Muad Zwed 7’, Zac Munster 67’ (pen), Ethan Munster 88’) Canberra City recorded their first win of the NPL season as they put a huge dent in Tuggeranong United’s hopes for a top four spot with a surprise, but well-merited, 5-3 victory at Gungahlin Enclosed in a midweek catch-up game. City was worthy victors looking sharper and hungrier to every ball against a surprisingly lacklustre and lethargic Tuggeranong. There were stand-outs across the park for City, in particular winger Luke Gibson and central defensive pairing David Dexter and James Perry with Valentine Ugwumba enjoying a fine match in midfield. City went ahead in the 4th minute as Misko Naumoski took advantage of a punched clearance to curl home a delightful top-corner finish. Muad Zwed quickly restored parity only for Gibson to turn his marker inside out and cross to the far post where Sam McDonald expertly volleyed into the corner.

City increased the lead after the break as Gimale Essacu swept home at the end of a breakaway before Naumoski added his second, pouncing on a loose ball to coolly slot past Forbes-Shepherd. United defender Matt Menser then saw red for a second yellow card offence before Zac Munster pulled one back from the spot. Essacu made the game safe for City with his second, a stooped header, in the 70 th minute making substitute Ethan Munster’s debut first grade goal largely meaningless. Just reward for City’s perseverance and determination in what’s been a tough year.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Luke GIBSON, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 12. Aidan LEES, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 17. Valentine UGWUMBA Substitutes used: 9. Ben DOYLE, 11. Deng Aleer DENG Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan FORBES-SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 10. Muad ZWED, 11. Zac MUNSTER, 13. Sean MUPRHY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO Substitutes used: 4. Ethan MUNSTER, 9. Michael GURNEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Luke GIBSON, 11. Deng Aleer DENG (Canberra City), 2. Cameron DOHERTY (Tuggeranong United) RED CARD: 7. Matt MENSER (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Bruno Kehl, Tom Wodzinski HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 11 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Belconnen United

10

7

1

2

37

17

+20

22

2

Cooma Tigers

9

7

0

2

27

11

+16

21

3

Canberra FC

9

6

1

2

38

11

+27

19

4

Canberra Olympic

9

5

0

4

22

16

+6

15

Sunday 29th June 2014 FFA COE 1 (Daniel Maskin 68’) Belconnen United 4 (Marty Raines 31’, Aisosa Ihegie 38’, Tom McLachlan 53’, Dustin Wells 58’ (pen)) Belconnen United increased their lead at the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football league ladder with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over the FFA Centre of Excellence at the AIS Grass Fields on a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon.

The Blue Devils never looked likely to be coming away with anything less than the full quota of points after Marty Raines netted his first goal in the NPL for the club.

The forward, recovered from injury, had also scored in the midweek Federation Cup semi-final victory over Canberra Olympic, and continued his good form with the opener here. Youngster Aisosa Ihegie also scored twice in that Cup match and therefore few were surprised when the leggy striker added to Raines’ opener seven minutes later to open up a two-goal cushion and leave the FFA with plenty to do after the break. Any hopes that the FFA COE had of getting back into the match were dispelled within eight minutes of the restart as the in-form Tom McLachlan struck for the sixth time in the league this season. With FFA COE committed forward, the Blue Devils were able to add to their tally as Dustin Wells hit home his eighth of the campaign from a 58th minute penalty. There was time for the Centre of Excellence to pull one back, through Daniel Maskin, but they were second best on the day to a title chasing Belconnen.

FFA COE: 12. Brandon OSIPOV, 3. Henry DAVIES, 5. Zachary SPETH, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 13. Christian VERBI, 16. Danny KIM, 17. Nicholas PANETTA, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 21, Jamal REINERS, 22. Cameron JOICE Substitutes used: 6. Joe CALETTI, 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Marty RAINES, 11. Aisosa IHEGIE, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 6. Kelvin DELLE, 10. Michael TAURASI, 12. Bernard RENE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Daniel MASKIN (FFA COE), 11. Aisosa IHEGIE (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Vinh Ngo-Da, Georgia Ghirardello Sunday 29th June 2014 Woden Valley 3 (Tom Hirst 1’, Marco Gayer 24’, Andrew Slavich 59’) Canberra City 0 Woden Valley celebrated their second win of the season on Sunday afternoon as they defeated bottom of the table Canberra City 3-0 at Hawker Football Centre. With Kaleen Enclosed unplayable, the match was switched to the synthetic surface and Woden wasted no time settling into the encounter. The hosts took the lead after only fifty seconds with a stunning strike. Tom Hirst, recently returned to the club from England, collected the ball some thirty metres from goal and set his sights to rifle home a thunderous drive that rocketed past James Ward in the City goal and threatened to tear the net from its stanchion as it whistled into the top corner. It was just the start that Woden craved and left City playing catch-up, an all too familiar position for Nick Palagyi and his team this season. Their position was worsened in the 24th minute as Woden went 2-0 ahead through another superbly taken goal. Marco Gayer had the confidence and ability to take on the City defence out wide, weaving his way into the penalty area and blasting a vicious cross-shot past Ward and into the far side-netting for a brilliant goal. Leading 2-0 at the break it was Woden’s match to lose and they added a third to seal the deal just before the sixty minute mark as Andrew Slavich rounded off the win with his second of the season.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 7. Regan WALSH, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. Julien RENARD, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 19. Liam WALSH, 22. Owen STEER, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 28. Tom HIRST Substitutes used: 4. Andrew KILEY, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Alan GASTON, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Deng Aleer DENG, 12. Michael PERCIVAL, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY Substitutes used: 4. Patrick CLARKE, 6. Yumi OGUNROLA, 14. Valentine UGUWUMBA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Matt Cropper (referee), David Ockerby, Duncan McLaren

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 150th MATCH Misko NAUMOSKI Canberra City 0 Woden Valley 3 (Hawker Football Centre), 29/06/14

200th MATCH Aidan BRUNSKILL 50th MATCH Aaron EVANS Tuggeranong United 1 Canberra FC 3 (Kambah 2), 12/07/14

Saturday 5th July 2014 Round 12 – Rearranged Match Monaro Panthers 1 (Pepe Varga 48’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Daniel Barac 90’) A last minute goal from returning striker Daniel Barac earned Canberra Olympic a point in a 1-1 draw with Monaro Panthers at Hawker Football Centre. Barac struck in the last minute after Rory Larkin had pushed away a fierce Josh Gaspari drive in to the path of the striker making his second debut for the club. It was a point that Olympic deserved on the balance and keeps their finals hopes alive. There was a bizarre opening at as Panthers goalkeeper Larkin was late for the scheduled kick-off giving 16-year old Harrison Cohen a surprise first team debut. It may have only lasted for eight minutes but the youngster acquitted himself well and made two decent saves to deny Olympic an early goal. Shortly after his introduction Larkin was a mere spectator as a Robbie Deeley free-kick thundered back off the underside of the crossbar and away to safety and Olympic would have been wondering how they weren’t ahead by the interval as they dominated territory and possession but went into the changing rooms all-square at 0-0. The deadlock didn’t last for long however and it was the Panthers who made the breakthrough three minutes into the second half. Pepe Varga outpaced the covering Olympic defence and calmly slotted past the advancing Angelo Konstantinou and in off the far post. But Barac had the final say earning Olympic a point late on, powering home the rebound from close range.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Harrison COHEN, 2. Daniel LINSTEAD, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Josh CALABRIA, 5. Jacob CULLEN-RUA, 6. Andrew MYSSONSKI, 7. Pepe VARGA, 8. Adrian CANIZARES, 9. Thomas JAMES, 10. Ed MCCARTHY, 11. Darian McGARRY-WATSON Substitutes used: 1. Rory LARKIN, 12. Martin DENG, 13. Alex HOLLIS Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Marc O’NEILL, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Victor YANES, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 14. Callum SMITH, 19. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 22. Daniel BARAC, 28. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM Substitutes used: 3. Nick MIHAILAKIS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Michael REEVE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Pepe VARGA, 9. Thomas JAMES (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Bruno Kehl, Greg Taylor Saturday 12th July 2014 Tuggeranong United 1 (Daniel Colbertaldo 81’) Canberra FC 3 (Adam Spaleta 23’, 42’, Alex Oloriegbe 32’) Canberra FC entered a new era under the caretaker management of former Socceroo Andy Bernal by recording a 3-1 win over Tuggeranong United and moving to within striking distance of the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition. Bernal handed a starting debut to 18-year-old Alex Tilley and 16-year-old Benjamin Van Meurs and the teenagers did not let his down, repaying the faith shown in them by putting in an excellent shift, particularly Van Meurs who looked born to play at the highest level. Canberra FC led 3-0 at the break having taken the match to United from the start but they were given a helping hand by some poor Tuggeranong defending. Adam Spaleta opened the scoring in the 23rd minute lashing home a superb low drive after a wonderfully fast-paced passing movement that included Alex Oloriegbe and James Field.

And it was Oloriegbe who netted the second latching onto a misjudged back-pass from Cameron Doherty to skip around Rowan Shepherd and slot into the net from an acute angle for his eleventh league goal of the season making him the league’s leading scorer. Spaleta crashed home the third before half-time, via a deflection, and that was the points. Tuggeranong improved immeasurably after the break and pulled one back through a Daniel Colbertaldo volley, but they never looked like restoring any sort of parity.

Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 10. Muad ZWED, 13. Sean MURPHY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO Substitutes used: 9. Michael GURNEY, 11. Zac MUNSTER, 15. Ethan MUNSTER Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 2. Benjamin VAN MEURS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 18. Alex TILLEY, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD, 21. Danai GAPARE Substitutes used: 4. Daniel SUBASIC, 21. Danai GAPARE, 23. Nathan EVANS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO (Tuggeranong United), 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Matthew Rynne, Delfina Dimoski HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 12 (re-arranged match included) Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Belconnen United

11

8

1

2

41

18

+23

25

2

Cooma Tigers

10

8

0

2

30

13

+17

24

3

Canberra FC

11

7

1

3

43

15

+28

22

4

Canberra Olympic

10

5

1

4

23

17

+6

16

Saturday 19th July 2014 Woden Valley 1 (Marco Gayer 42’) Canberra FC 5 (Adam Spaleta 16’, Alex Oloriegbe 31’ (pen), John Gibson 34’ (og), James Field 45’, Anthony Giorgi 90’) Canberra FC moved top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football league table, albeit ahead of Cooma Tigers Sunday afternoon clash with Monaro Panthers and having played a game more than Belconnen United, as they saw off Woden Valley 4-1 in an away game played at their home venue of Deakin Stadium due to the unplayable pitch at Kaleen Enclosed. The match was as good as won by half-time as FC took the game by the scruff of the neck, opening the scoring through a deflected Adam Spaleta shot in the 16th minute and adding a second from the penalty spot in the 31st, Alex Oloriegbe netting after Julien Renard was penalised for handball. John Gibson was unfortunate to turn in the third FC goal after Jason Denham had saved Daniel Bennett’s shot, the ball rebounding off the Woden skipper and rolling in, before Marco Gayer got one back, looping a header over Jakob Cole after an under-hit back-pass from Aidan Brunskill. James Field added Canberra FC’s fourth on the stroke of half-time, slotting home after Denham had denied Oloriegbe. The match petered out after the break with chances rare at either end. FC took the opportunity to give a first team debut for teenager Anthony Giorgi close to full-time and the youngster rounded out the match with a superb solo effort, dancing into the area and finishing with aplomb.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Sam OSSATO, 4. David JENKINS, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Marco GAYER, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 19. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH Substitutes used: 14. Julien RENARD, 22. Owen STEER, 28. Michael IRELAND Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 2. Benjamin VAN MEURS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 18. Alex TILLEY, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 5. Anthony GIORGI, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 11. Marko VRKIC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. David JENKINS, 15. Zach HARRIGAN (Woden Valley), 13. Daniel BENNETT (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Matt Cropper (referee), Alex McConachie, Duncan McLaren Sunday 20th July 2014 Canberra City 1 (Misko Naumoski 10’ (pen)) FFA COE 0 Canberra City recorded a second victory within the space of four days as they followed up their midweek win against Tuggeranong United, their first of the campaign, with a second, defeating FFA COE 1-0 at Gungahlin Enclosed thanks to a 10th minute penalty from Misko Naumoski. Naumoski calmly converted from the spot to register his third goal in two matches with what ultimately proved to be the decisive moment of the encounter. There’s no doubt that City deserved their win once more having gained a degree of confidence in shaking the monkey off their back on Thursday night and they played with a freedom and style seldom seen this term by the men in yellow. Defensively, City was sound once more with James Perry and David Dexter marshalling the area in font of goalkeeper James Ward to great effect and denying the FFA COE the clear cut opportunities that they craved. City created chances themselves with the free-running Gimale Essacu causing issues to the FFA COE defence and Luke Gibson once more underlying his importance to the squad with some barnstorming runs down the wing. Maximum points from their last two matches has lifted City to within a point of Woden Valley in eighth and in with a chance of lifting themselves off the bottom of the ladder and avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Luke GIBSON, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Deng Aleer DENG, 12. Aidan LEES, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 17. Valentine UGWUMBA Substitutes used: 9. Ben DOYLE, 14. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 16. Chris McEWAN FFA COE: 18. Jamie DELIANOV, 3. Henry DAVIES, 5. Zachary SPETH, 6. Joe CALETTI, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 10.

Jamie DIMITROFF, 15. Zak WATERS, 17. Nicholas PANETTA, 20. Perry FOTAKOPOULOS, 21, Jamal REINERS, 23. Kosta PETRATOS Substitutes used: 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 17. Nicholas PANETTA (FFA COE) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Allyson Flynn, Matt Rynne

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Stephen DOMENICI Cooma Tigers 5 Monaro Panthers 2 (Nijong Oval), 20/07/14

Sunday 20th July 2014 Cooma Tigers 5 (Stephen Domenici 24’, 44’, Julian Borgna 32’, 79’ Jordan Lando 72’) Monaro Panthers 2 (Darian McGarry-Watson 55’, Josh Calabria 76’) Cooma Tigers roared to the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football league ladder as they saw off the visiting Monaro Panthers with a 5-2 win at Nijong Oval. The Tigers knew that the three points would send them top of the pile and they duly obliged taking the game to Monaro and leading 3-0 at the interval to virtually ensure top spot by the half-time whistle. The hosts took the lead in the 24th minute as livewire Stephen Domenici netted his first of the afternoon and it wasn’t long before they were celebrating a second as Julian Borgna made it 2-0 only eight minutes later.

Cooma has been in superb form of recent weeks and wrapped up a ninth win in succession when Domenici gabbed his second, and tenth of the campaign, just before half-time. It was much better second half performance from Monaro who fought back into the contest when Darian McGarry-Watson reduced the deficit ten minutes after the resumption, but that only kicked Cooma up another gear and Jordan Lando, summoned from the substitutes bench, restored the three-goal lead with eighteen minutes left on the clock. Josh Calabria then brought Monaro back to 2-4 but the leaders had the last laugh when Borgna notched his second of the day and completed a 5-2 win with the Tigers run showing no sign of stopping.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aden Johnson, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7.

Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Julian BORGNA, 9. Jeremias IBARRA, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI Substitutes used: 12. Jordan LANDO, 13. Sime CELESKI Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Lewis BATES, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Alex HOLLIS, 5. Jacob CULLEN-RUA, 6. Andrew MYSSONSKI, 7. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 8. Josh CALABRIA, 9, Adrian CANIZARES, 10. Ed MCCARTHY, 11. Martin DENG Substitutes used: 1. Nathan ALFERINK, 12. Daniel HEARLE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Lewis BATES (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Delfina Dimoski, Jose Izurieta Sunday 20th July 2014 Canberra Olympic 4 (Mark Shields 14’, 35’, 38’, Daniel Barac 32’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Daniel Colbertaldo 71’) Canberra Olympic boosted their own finals hopes and put a dent in Tuggeranong United’s aspirations of a place in the top four with a convincing win at O’Connor Enclosed. Four first half goals, including a hat-trick for former United striker Mark Shields, had Olympic home and dry by the interval and, despite a better performance from the visitors after the interval, the damage had already been well and truly done. Olympic were ahead in the 14 th minute as Shields rose to head into the top corner, but it was a three-goal burst in six minutes that decided the result. Daniel Barac was first onto the score sheet showing hunger and desire to stretch and reach a cross ahead of Rowan Forbes Shepherd in the Tuggeranong goal, flicking his finish into the net off the underside of the crossbar. But Shields wasn’t far behind.

Barac pounced on a mistake by Michael Gurney in defence and was hauled down by the United defender. Referee Sam Nixon played the advantage and Shields advanced to coolly flick past the ‘keeper for his second. And the forward had the match-ball two minutes later as he reacted fastest to an attempted headed clearance to nod over Forbes Shepherd from a tight angle, the ball looping into the net. Daniel Colbertaldo’s flicked header was scant consolation for Tuggeranong in the second half.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 13. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 14. Callum SMITH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS Substitutes used: 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Michael REEVE, 99. Victor YANES Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Mark DI BITONTO, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 11, Zac MUNSTER, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO Substitutes used: 4. Tomas RUIZ, 13. Sean MURPHY, 15. Harry PETTIT Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 99. Victor YANES (Canberra Olympic), 2. Cameron DOHERTY (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Sam Nixon (referee), Owen Goldrick, Nia Southwell HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 13 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Cooma Tigers

11

9

0

2

35

15

+20

27

2

Canberra FC

12

8

1

3

48

16

+32

25

3

Belconnen United

11

8

1

2

41

18

+23

25

4

Canberra Olympic

11

6

1

4

27

18

+9

19

Saturday 26th July 2014 Tuggeranong United 0 Cooma Tigers 3 (Goran Josifovski 8’, Jordan Lando 20’, Stephen Domenici 75’) Cooma Tigers remained top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition after a 3-0 win over Tuggeranong United at Kambah. The Tigers ultimately claimed a convincing victory, but it could have been a very different outcome had Tuggeranong taken the number of chances they created. Daniel Colbertaldo missed a first half penalty for the hosts whilst Sean Murphy, Muad Zwed and substitute Matt Menser, making his 150 th Premier League appearance, passed up presentable opportunities. By contrast Cooma was deadly when they got in behind the United defence with Goran Josifovski getting the leaders off to the perfect start, slamming home his tenth goal of the season with an arrowed finished. And the Tigers were 2-0 up in twenty minutes after Jordan Lando swept home a first time half volley following a superb break down the right flank by the outstanding Iain Elliott. Tuggeranong then missed their penalty and were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as Cooma sealed the points fifteen minutes from time. A ball over the top allowed Stephen Domenici to get in on goal and, after he rounded Rowan Forbes Shepherd, he confidently drilled home his tenth of the campaign to seal another win and another step towards the title.

Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 4. Jon TOOLE, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 13. Sean MURPHY, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT, 17. Tomas RUIZ Substitutes used: 5. Chris RUIZ, 7. Matt MENSER, 11. Ethan MUNSTER Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Aden Johnson, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 10. Jordan LANDO, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Julian BORGNA, 15. Dejan SANTRAC Substitutes used: 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 12. Stefan TODOROSKI, 16. Phil YARNOLD Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Muad ZWED (Tuggeranong United), 2. Aden Johnson, 14. Julian BORGNA (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Ving Ngo-Da, Duncan McLaren Sunday 27th July 2014 FFA COE 4 (Peter Kekeris 5’, Jamal Reiners 48’, Nicholas D’Agostino 66’, Daniel Arzani 70’) Canberra FC 1 (Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 30’) FFA COE have given the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football title race another twist as they humbled Canberra FC 4-1 at the Australian Institute of Sport to leave the visitors with a huge amount to do if they are to retain their league championship crown.

FC ended the match with only nine players as midfielder Ian Graham and substitute Josip Jadric both saw red for second yellow card offences in the second half. With nine men the visitors, who started with four teenagers in the team, couldn’t get back into the match and face a tricky task against Belconnen next weekend with a depleted squad.

Peter Kekeris had given the FFA COE the lead early on, only for Philippe BernaboMadrid, restored to the starting team, to equalise in the 32 nd minute. It remained 1-1 at the break but the hosts got off to a flyer in the second half as Jamal Reiners beat Jakob Cole to a long ball to score. Following the dismissals of Graham and Jadric, FFA COE substitute Nicholas D’Agostino made it 3-1 with a smart finish to leave FC teetering in the ropes. Daniel Arzani landed the knock-out blow with 20 minutes remaining, netting the fourth home goal and leaving FC defeated and five points behind the leaders with time running out.

FFA COE: 18. James DELIANOV, 12. Brandon OSIPOV, 3. Henry DAVIES, 6. Joe CALETTI, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 15. Zak WATERS, 20. Perry FOTAKOPULOS, 21, Jamal REINERS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 2. Benjamin VAN MEURS, 5. Anthony GIORGI, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO MADRID, 11. Marko VRKIC, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 18. Alex TILLEY, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 14. Josip JADRIC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Daniel ARZANI, 21, Jamal REINERS (FFA COE), 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 20. James FIELD (Canberra FC) RED CARD: 8. Ian GRAHAM, 14. Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Allyson Flynn, Scott Robertson

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 150th MATCH Matt MENSER Tuggeranong United 0 Cooma Tigers 3 (Kambah 2), 26/07/14

50th MATCH Nick BOBOLAS & Jason UGRINIC Woden Valley 2 Canberra Olympic 1 / Belconnen United 4 Canberra City 0

Sunday 27th July 2014 Woden Valley 2 (Regan Walsh 24’, Liam Walsh 31’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Oliver Wiederkehr 74’) Woden Valley scored a stunning upset win over Canberra Olympic, downing the visitors 2-1 in difficult conditions at Kaleen Enclosed. The hosts did the damage in the first half with two goals in seven minutes that left Olympic with much to do. Despite substitute Oliver Wiederkehr reducing the gap with sixteen minutes to play, Woden held on to record a third win of the season and move up above Monaro Panthers in the ladder into seventh place. Olympic are now six points off of third but crucially still four ahead of fifth. Woden took the lead in the match with a brilliant goal in the 24 th minute. Regan Walsh, so often the inspiration for the Valley side, set his sights from outside the area and cracked a thumping drive high past Angelo Konstantinou and into the top corner for a superb opener. Olympic, who boast a prolific front line, attempted to equalise immediately but they were left up against it as Woden scored a second in the 31 st minute. A neat move culminated in midfielder Liam Walsh applying the finishing touch for his first goal of the season and to give his team a crucial 2-0 lead at the break. Olympic responded well after the start of the second half and duly got their reward when replacement Wiederkehr pulled a goal back but, try as they might, they could not get the leveller and Woden recorded a well-deserved success.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 4. David CARDER, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 13. Marco GAYER, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 19. Liam WALSH, 22. Julien RENARD, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 28. David JENKINS Substitutes used: 3. Tom HIRST, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. Jake WILSENER Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 7. Robbie DEEELY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 14. Callum SMITH, 15. Michael REEVE, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT Substitutes used: 3. Daniel FULTON, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 12. Adam ROGIC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Robbie DEEELY (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Sam Nixon (referee), Brett Woodford, Nic Gillies Belconnen United 4 (Marty Raines 15’, 62’, Jason Ugrinic 56’, Jack Green 64’) Canberra City 0 Belconnen United kept their championship challenge afloat at the top of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder after they defeated Canberra City 4-0 at McKellar Park to move within two points of Cooma Tigers with both teams having played twelve matches. City, as is their wont, defended heartily and threatened on the break with Misko Naumoski and Sam McDonald their best outlets, but Belconnen was always in command of the match from the moment that Marty Raines arrowed a low shot across the face of James Ward in the City goal and into the far corner. That it took the Blue Devils until the 56 th minute to add a second, Jason Ugrinic beating the City offside trap to round Ward and slot home his tenth goal of the season, showed just how competitive the visitors were in the main. That second goal appeared to knock some of the stuffing out of the City team and further goals followed with two coming within the space of 120 seconds. The first saw Dustin Wells pick out the run of Raines with a stunning pass and the forward lofted the ball past Ward for the third. Two minutes later it was 4-0 as Ugrinic sent over a superb corner that was met by Jack Green who knocked home his first goal of 2014. And that was enough for Belconnen who saw out the remainder without much undue difficulty.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 11. Marty RAINES, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 6. David ARRANZ, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Bernard RENE Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Yumi OGUNROLA, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 17. Valentine UGUWUMBA Substitutes used: 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 11. Deng Aleer DENG, 16. Henry WILLIAMS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Zac MAYBURY (Belconnen United), 5. Andrew ALIFFI (Canberra City) Match Officials: Matt Cropper (referee), Matt Rynne, Nia Southwell

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 14 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Cooma Tigers

12

10

0

2

38

15

+23

30

2

Belconnen United

12

9

1

2

45

18

+27

28

3

Canberra FC

13

8

1

4

49

20

+29

25

4

Canberra Olympic

12

6

1

5

28

20

+8

19

Friday 1st August 2014 Monaro Panthers 1 (Darian McGarry-Watson 78’) Tuggeranong United 5 (Matt Menser 7’, 82’, Pepe Varga 30’ (og), Muad Zwed 39’, Jon Toole 66’) Tuggeranong United warmed up for the FFA Cup clash with South Hobart on Tuesday night by scoring a confidence-boosting 5-1 win over Monaro Panthers at Hawker Football Centre on Friday evening. had too much guile and experience for a young Monaro side in which only one player was over twenty years old. As such Tuggeranong dominated the play from the start and, but for some unfortunate luck, hitting the woodwork four times, could have had many more goals. Matt Menser in particular was unlucky not to come away with a treble to his name after book-ending the scoring with the opener early on and the last goal of the evening with eight minutes remaining. After Menser’s early strike, Tuggeranong took the match under control as an own goal from Pepe Varga, toe-ending past Rory Larkin when attempting to cut out a cross, and a goal from early substitute Muad Zwed had them 3-0 up and coasting by the interval. After the break United eased back a little but still added a fourth as Jon Toole registered against his former club. Youngster Darian McGarry-Watson pulled one back for the Panthers with twelve minutes to play but Menser had the last word, as he had had the first, hitting his second of the night, and Tuggeranong’s fifth, to send them to Tasmania in great spirit.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Daniel LINSTEAD, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Alex HOLLIS, 5. Jacob CULLEN-RUA, 6. Saputra BACHSAN, 7. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 8. Adrian CANIZARES, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Ed MCCARTHY, 11. Pepe VARGA Substitutes used: 12. Arok THON, 15. Lewis BATES, 16. Andrew MYSSONSKI Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 11. Zac MUNSTER, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT, 17. Tomas RUIZ Substitutes used: 5. Chris RUIZ, 10. Muad ZWED, 13. Sean MURPHY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Ed MCCARTHY (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Vinh Ngo Da, Tom Wodzinski Sunday 3rd August 2014 Canberra FC 0 Belconnen United 2 (Jack Green 71’, Tom McLachlan 91’) Two late goals, scored by Jack Green nineteen minutes from time and Tom McLachlan in stoppage time, kept Belconnen United in the title hunt at the expense of Canberra FC with the Blue Devils claiming a narrow 2-0 win at Deakin Stadium. And, with Cooma Tigers winning as expected, FC have surrendered their League Championship crown as they now trail the leaders by eight points and have only two matches remaining. It could have been different had the hosts not passed up a glorious chance to open the scoring midway through the first half when Alex Oloriegbe squared to strike partner Philippe Bernabo-Madrid whose first time shot was beaten away to safety by Ashley Collins in the Belconnen goal. It was a fine save by the Blue Devils custodian, but Bernabo-Madrid really should have scored. Earlier Marty Raines had tested the reflexes and agility of FC number one Jakob Cole with an arching shot that the home stopper pushed over the crossbar as the Blue Devils started brightly. But, in truth, there was little in the contest between two evenly matched teams until Green’s intervention late on. Cushioning the ball, Green swivelled to send a low shot that was expertly placed into the far corner past Cole.

The points were wrapped up in stoppage time as Tom McLachlan arrived late into the box to net his seventh of the season and keep Belconnen in the championship race.

Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 2. Marko VRKIC, 7. Aaron EVANS, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 18. Alex TILLEY, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 21. Niko KRESIC Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 24. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 11. Marty RAINES, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 10. Jason UGRINIC, 12. Bernard RENE, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 2. Marko VRKIC, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID (Canberra FC), 10. Jason UGRINIC (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Alex Azcurra (referee), Owen Goldrick, Adam Powers

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 3rd August 2014 Cooma Tigers 3 (Julian Borgna 4’, Goran Josifovski 16’, Stephen Domenici 35’) Woden Valley 0 A tenth win in a row has put Cooma Tigers to within touching distance of the League Championship crown as they saw off a workmanlike Woden Valley 3-0 at Nijong Oval to maintain their two point advantage over Belconnen United with three games remaining. All the damage was down in an exhilarating opening forty-five minutes that saw the Tigers score three times without reply to leave Woden staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat. Julian Borgna settled any pre-match nerves with the first goal of the afternoon early on and from then on in Cooma was always in control of the destination of the points. Goran Josifovski made it 2-0 with his eleventh goal of the season before Stephen Domenici joined him on eleven goals in the race for the Golden Boot by securing the win before a half had been completed. Woden started the second half well and restricted the Tigers in the final third but Cooma was in cruise control by this stage moving divinely through the gears to take another three points and extend their remarkable run of form. The Tigers know that their destiny is in their own hands and that if they continue this winning streak, then they will emerge with their first ever league title. The countdown for Cooma is on.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Phil YARNOLD, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Julian BORGNA, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Aden Johnson Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 13. Daniel ROBERTS, 16. Jared TONINI Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Julien RENARD, 4. David CARDER, 7. Regan WALSH, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 19. Liam WALSH, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 27. David JENKINS, 28. Tom HIRST Substitutes used: 9. Amanzie KESSIE, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. Jake WILSENER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Matt Cropper (referee), David Ockerby, Nic Gillies Canberra Olympic 5 (Josh Gaspari 32’, Mark Shields 58’, Oliver Wiederkehr 66’, Callum Smith 81’, Nathan Tidmarsh 84’) FFA COE 2 (Jamal Reiners 28’, 35’) Canberra Olympic was forced to come from behind in order to secure a much-needed and potentially pivotal 5-2 victory over the FFA COE at O’Connor Enclosed. The FFA youngsters led twice in the match before Olympic suddenly found their gears and ramped up the action to come away fairly secure winners and cement their place in the top four. With three games to play Olympic has a four point advantage over Tuggeranong United with one more win being enough to secure finals football. The visiting team got off to a flyer in this match as Daniel Arzani slipped a pass through the Olympic defence for Jamal Reiners to finish confidently, only for the hosts to get back onto level terms almost immediately as Josh Gaspari equalised. A second goal for Reiners had the FFA COE back in front at the break but Mark Shields cancelled that out with his eleventh goal of the season to restore parity. After that it was Olympic who was again in the ascendancy and they took the lead for the first time in the match as Oliver Wiederkehr netted a top corner stunner. As the FFA COE pushed for a third goal the home team made them pay with a series of scintillating counter-attacks. Callum Smith was on the end of one such move to make it 4-2 before Nathan Tidmarsh sealed the deal with a thumping fifth as time was running out.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 14. Callum SMITH 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 37. Adam ROGIC Substitutes used: 19. Josh PARISI, 99. Tim WOMACK FFA COE: 18. Jamie DELIANOV, 3. Henry DAVIES, 6. Joe CALETTI, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 15. Zac WATERS, 20. Perry FOTAKOPOULOS, 21, Jamal REINERS Substitutes used: 16. Danny KIM, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 22. Cameron JOICE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 15. Zac WATERS (FFA COE) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Duncan McLaren, Jennifer Hollis

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 15 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Cooma Tigers

13

11

0

2

41

15

+26

33

2

Belconnen United

13

10

1

2

47

18

+29

31

3

Canberra FC

14

8

1

5

49

22

+27

25

4

Canberra Olympic

13

7

1

5

33

22

+11

22

Saturday 9th August 2014 FFA COE 2 (Daniel Maskin 53’, 64’) Cooma Tigers 2 (Robbie Cattanach 38’, Jordan Lando 90’) A last minute goal from Jordan Lando earned Cooma Tigers a 2-2 draw with the FFA COE at the Australian Institute of Sport on a cold Saturday afternoon, but the visitors eleven game winning streak was brought to a sudden end by the hosts. The FFA COE were well worth the draw and could have won it even after substitute Lando’s leveller, with penalty claims waved away by the match officials as the influential Daniel Maskin went in search of his hat-trick.

The league leaders, heading into the match, the Tigers started well and took the lead seven minutes before the break when Robbie Cattanach received a pass with his back to goal, swivelled and found the bottom corner for his eleventh goal of the season. Goran Josifovski might have made it 2-0 before half-time but wasted two great chances, the first well saved

by Jamie Delianov in the FFA COE goal. After the interval it was the FFA youngsters who took control of the match and they equalised when a swift break culminated in Daniel Maskin sweeping home at the far post. Shortly afterwards they were in front courtesy of the same source as Maskin’s shot was deflected past Francois Bangweni in the Cooma goal. Just as it appeared as if Cooma would suffer a costly defeat, up popped Lando to rescue a point and set up a top of the table showdown next weekend.

FFA COE: 18. Jamie DELIANOV, 3. Henry DAVIES, 6. Joe CALATTI, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 20. Perry FOTAKOPOULOS, 22. Cameron JOICE, 23. Kosta PETRATOS, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 5. Zachary SPETH, 17. Nicholas PANETTA Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Aden Johnson, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Julian BORGNA, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 12. Dejan SANTRAC Substitutes used: 8. Daniel ROBERTS, 14. Jordan LANDO, 15. Phil YARNOLD Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 10. Julian BORGNA (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Duncan McLaren, Owen Watson Saturday 9th August 2014 Belconnen United 1 (Goran Mukevski 89’) Canberra Olympic 1 (Adam Rogic 43’) A last minute goal from Goran Mukevski rescued a point for Belconnen United in a 1-1 draw with Canberra Olympic at McKellar Park. Mukevski levelled Adam Rogic’s first half goal with time running out to leave the Blue Devils heading to Cooma next weekend knowing that a win would put them top of the pile and in pole position for the NPL: CF Championship crown. In a lacklustre opening half, Olympic broke the deadlock two minutes before the break in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Initially it looked as if Olympic had been hard done by as the match officials pulled up a free-kick when the advantage may have seen Mark Shields clear on goal. Any disappointment in the visiting camp was soon forgotten however as Rogic floated the free-kick in and over the head of Blue Devils custodian Ashley Collins a la Ronaldinho’s remarkable effort against England in the 2002 World Cup. In truth the hosts barely threatened Angelo Konstantinou in between the posts for Olympic in a largely lethargic and disappointing opening half. The second half brought much of the same as the two teams fought out an intense midfield battle with neither team able to get fully on top. As such there were few opportunities in either penalty area and when penetration was made it was quickly snuffed out via a succession of blocks and clearances. Just when it appeared that Olympic had done enough to win it, up popped Mukevski to earn a draw.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 11. Marty RAINES, 12. Bernard RENE, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 3. Aisosa IHEGIE, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 19. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 15. Tim WOMACK Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Zac MAYBURY (Belconnen United), 10. Mark SHIELDS, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 19. Victor YANES (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Thomas Klein, Georgia Ghirardello

APPEARANCE MILESTONES

No appearance milestones in NPL: CF this week

Sunday 10th August 2014 Canberra City 2 (Sam McDonald 23’, Jeremy Hegarty 79’) Canberra FC 0 Canberra City posted the upset result of the season as they stunned Canberra FC with a wholly deserved 2-0 success at Hawker Football Centre. Although they rode their luck at times, they defended staunchly and broke to steal a second late on and crush the life out of a Canberra FC team who looked distracted, distraught and a shadow of their former selves. It was a third loss in a row in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition for the visitors who only threatened sporadically with shots from distance as Domenic Giampaolo and substitute Philippe Bernabo-Madrid tested the agility of James Ward with the latter effort bringing an outstanding save from the ‘keeper. City took the lead half way through the opening stanza with a quick counter attack stretching the FC defence and freeing Sam McDonald who clinically finished past Jakob Cole. In the main City was untroubled in Deng Aleer Deng and Misko Naumoski combining to find Jeremy Hegarty who supplied the finishing touch, sweeping high into the roof of the net from close range to seal an outstanding result.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 11. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 12. Henry WILLIAMS, 13. Sam McDONALD, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY Substitutes used: 7. Gimale ESSACU, 14. Deng Aleer DENG 16. Alex OLLMAN Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 6. Marko VRKIC, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 18. Alex TILLEY, 20. James FIELD Substitutes used: 5. Anthony GIORGI, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 21. Jackson CLEMENT McNEE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 18. Alex TILLEY (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Sam Nixon, Nia Southwell Sunday 10th August 2014 Woden Valley 0 Monaro Panthers 1 (Thomas James 25’ (pen)) Monaro Panthers moved up into seventh place on the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder with a 1-0 win over Woden Valley at Kaleen Enclosed. The decisive moment came midway through the first half as Jason Denham brought down a Panthers attacker in the penalty area, earning himself a yellow card in the process, with English striker Thomas James keeping his composure to slot home his fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot. The Panthers deserved their first half advantage but after the interval it was Woden who was in the ascendancy. Panthers’ cause wasn’t helped by the dismissal of James for a two-footed challenge on debutant Rowan Blake, the tackle receiving s straight red card. After that Woden pressed for an equaliser with Panthers goalkeeper Rory Larkin in inspired form to deny the hosts an equaliser and a way back into the match. Woden included young Ryan Johnson in their line-up, on debut along with Blake as Head Coach Mitch Stevens rang the changes. For the Panthers the win means they will probably avoid the wooden spoon this season whilst Woden still has that possible ignominy hanging over their heads. They sit just a point clear of bottom club Canberra City.

Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 4. David CARDER, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 9. Ryan JOHNSON, 14. Rowan BLAKE, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 19. Liam WALSH, 22. Owen STEER, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 27. David JENKINS Substitutes used: 10. Romeo ROMEO, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Marco GAYER Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Daniel LINSTEAD, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Josh CALABRIA, 5. Darian McGARRY -WATSON, 6. Arok THON, 7. Pepe VARGA, 8. Adrian CANIZARES, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Ed MCCARTHY, 11. Thomas JAMES Substitutes used: 12. Lewis BATES, 13. Jacob CULLEN-RUA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 1. Jason DENHAM, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 23. Andrew SLAVICH (Woden Valley), 6. Arok THON (Monaro Panthers) RED CARD: 11. Thomas JAMES (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Adam Powers, Vinh Ngo-Da

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 16 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Cooma Tigers

14

11

1

2

43

17

+26

34

2

Belconnen United

14

10

2

2

48

19

+29

32

3

Canberra FC

15

8

1

6

49

24

+25

25

4

Canberra Olympic

14

7

2

5

34

23

+11

23

Saturday 16th August 2014 Tuggeranong United 1 (Matt Menser 18’ (pen)) Woden Valley 3 (Rowan Blake 37’, 73’, Marco Gayer 87’) Tuggeranong United was brought crashing back down to earth after their FFA Cup heroics as Woden Valley emerged from the Southside derby with a warranted 3-1 success. United was lethargic in the main and Woden took full advantage to claim a priceless victory that pushed them up to seventh in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition at the close of play on Saturday evening, United started brightly and took the lead when Matt Menser netted from the penalty spot after Muad Zwed was brought down, but any thoughts of comfortable three points was soon abandoned. Woden levelled when Tuggeranong failed to clear a corner sufficiently and when the ball was returned into the danger area young central defender Rowan Blake was on hand to loop a back-header over Rowan Forbes Shepherd and into the net. At 1-1 at the break it was anyone’s match but it was Woden who came out of the traps the sharpest and deservedly hit the lead when Blake was on hand again, scoring off the base of the post after pouncing on a loose ball inside the United area. And Woden made sure of the derby day spoils with a terrific third goal three minutes from time. Counter-attacking at pace Marco Gayer found space inside the box to hammer a shot past Forbes Shepherd and seal the victory.

Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 11. Zac MUNSTER, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Mark DI BITONTO Substitutes used: 5. Ciaran RAYMENT, 13. Sean MURPHY, 17. Tomas RUIZ Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 4. David CARDER, 5. Andrew KILEY, 7. Regan WALSH, 9. Marco GAYER, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 14. Rowan BLAKE, 15. Zach HARRIGAN, 22. Owen STEER, 27. David JENKINS Substitutes used: 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 18. Adam BROOKS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 9. Michael GURNEY, 10. Muad ZWED (Tuggeranong United), 27. David JENKINS (Woden Valley) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Owen Watson, Gareth Biggs Saturday 16th August 2014 Monaro Panthers 2 (Martin Deng, Pepe Varga) FFA COE 4 (Daniel Maskin (2), Cameron Joice, Kosta Petratos) The FFA COE moved into fifth place on the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football ladder with a 4-2 victory over Monaro Panthers at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The young Panthers outfit tried their hardest to end their home campaign with a win but were found wanting by a slick FFA COE team who have ended the season in strong form heading into the commencement of their National Youth League journey. The visitors took the lead in the fixture when Daniel Maskin put them ahead in the first half and it was that narrow advantage that they took into the changing rooms at the break.

After the interval Cameron Joice struck to give FFA COE a 2-0 lead before the Panthers sprang into action and Martin Deng reduced the arrears with a welltaken strike. A couple of goals in quick succession, firstly from the FFA COE when substitute Kosta Petratos netted his third goal of the season, and then from the home team as Pepe Varga responded, had FFA COE 3-2 up with time running out. A late fourth, a second for the afternoon for the lively Maskin, completed a satisfactory outing for the AIS-based team who deserved their win against a Panthers team that never gave in and fought to the end.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Daniel LINSTEAD, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Josh CALABRIA, 5. Jacob CULLEN-RUA, 6. Adrian CANIZARES, 7. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 8. Sam LAVELLA, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Ed MCCARTHY, 11. Pepe VARGA Substitutes used: 12. Lewis BATES, 13. Sam ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Lachlan HUNTER FFA COE: 18. Jamie DELIANOV, 5. Zachary SPETH, 6. Joe CALETTI, 7. Daniel MASKIN, 8. Daniel ARZANI, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 13. Christian VERBI, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 16. Danny KIM, 22. Cameron JOICE, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Substitutes used: 2. Malcom WARD, 23. Kosta PETRATOS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 11. Pepe VARGA, 12. Lewis BATES (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Tom Klein, Vinh Ngo-Da

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 50th MATCH Cameron DOHERTY Tuggeranong United 1 Woden Valley 3 (Kambah 2), 16/08/14

Jason DENHAM Tuggeranong United 1 Woden Valley 3 (Kambah 2), 16/08/14

Sunday 17th August 2014 Cooma Tigers 3 (Goran Josifovski 13’, 50’, Robbie Cattanach 91’) Belconnen United 0 History was made at Nijong Oval on Sunday afternoon as Cooma Tigers claimed the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football League Championship title for the first time. If there was any doubt as to the validity of their claims to be top dogs in Canberra, and the ACT representative in the end of season NPL Finals series, they were swept aside as closest challengers Belconnen United were put to the sword in explosive fashion with a brace from Goran Josifovski and a goal from Robbie Cattanach ensuring 3-0 Tigers win to spark ecstatic celebrations at the final whistle.

Cooma was thoroughly deserving of their victory outplaying their title rivals on a wet and miserable day with constant drizzle falling throughout. The Tigers got off to a great start as Josifovski slammed home from close range after exquisite approach work from Aden Johnson with just thirteen minutes on the clock. It was precarious advantage that they took into the halftime interval but any thoughts of letting that lead slip were dispelled five minutes after the resumption as Stephen Domenici picked out Josifovski who controlled before steering his finish past Ashley Collins in the Blue Devils goal for his thirteenth of the season. Cooma went close to a third when Domenici was denied by Collins before Iain Elliott glanced a header just past the post but the party was kick-started in earnest in stoppage time as substitute Jordan Lando stood up a cross that was gleefully headed in from close range by Cattanach to round off the result and start the celebrations.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aden Johnson, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Julian BORGNA, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 14. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 13. Jordan LANDO, 16. Stefan TODOROSKI Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Aisosa IHEGIE, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 6. David ARRANZ, 11. Marty RAINES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI (Cooma Tigers), 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Bruno Kehl, Nia Southwell Sunday 17th August 2014 Canberra Olympic 3 (Daniel Barac 34’, Robbie Deeley 42’, Mark Shields 51’) Canberra City 3 (Deng Aleer Deng 27’, Adam Dobell 45’, Misko Naumoski 79’) Canberra Olympic and Canberra City shared the Robin Waring Shield after a six-goal thriller ended in a 3-3 draw at O’Connor Enclosed. The match ebbed and flowed on an atrocious day in Canberra with wet weather prevalent for the majority of the ninety minutes. City took the lead in the 27th minute through Deng Aleer Deng but Olympic responded sharply with a spectacular diving header from striker Daniel Barac. Olympic was then able to take the lead with a beautifully crafted goal three minutes before the break. Shields and Oliver Wiederkehr combined for the latter to cross low, a ball which was dummied by Barac and buried into the bottom corner by Robbie Deeley. City weren’t to be denied though and was level by the interval. Adam Dobell caught Olympic overplaying in defence and pounced to make it 2-2 at the break. The end to end battle continued in the second stanza as Olympic re-took the lead through a twelfth goal of the season from their leading scorer Mark Shields. But this is a more resolute City than earlier in the season and they earned their point when Misko Naumoski made it 3-3 with eleven minutes remaining to round out what was an exhilarating match played in the memory of Robin Waring who played for both clubs before his tragic passing.

Canberra Olympic: 42. Costa FALLAS, 4. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 12. Adam ROGIC, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 19. Tim WOMACK, 40. David McCARRON Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 6. Adam DOBELL, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 12. Henry WILLIAMS, 13. Sam McDONALD, 14. Deng Aleer DENG Substitutes used: 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Alex OLLMAN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Sam Nixon, Delfina Dimoski

HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 17 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Cooma Tigers

15

12

1

2

46

17

+29

37

2

Belconnen United

15

10

2

3

48

22

+26

32

3

Canberra FC

15

8

1

6

49

24

+25

25

4

Canberra Olympic

15

7

3

5

37

26

+11

24

Sunday 24th August 2014 FFA COE 4 (Jamal Reiners 5’, 20’, Jamie Dimitroff 66’, Jackson Bandiera 86’ (pen)) Tuggeranong United 3 (Matt Menser 32’, Muad Zwed 40’, Zac Munster 57’) The FFA COE ended their involvement in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition for 2014 by signing off with a victory by the odd goal in a seven-goal thriller with FFA Cup entrants Tuggeranong United. United, who had been drawn to face Hyundai A-League giants Melbourne Victory in the Round of 16 on Friday, started as if their minds were on that task as the home team came out of the blocks at a sprinters pace hassling Tuggeranong in possession and breaking sharply. It took the home team just five minutes to break the deadlock as lively forward Jamal Reiners stepped away from his man to slide a finish beyond the reach of Rowan Forbes-Shepherd. And it was 2-0 fifteen minutes later as Reiners repeated the feat, collecting a poor clearance from the United custodian to finish with aplomb. Tuggeranong needed a response and they got it with two goal in eight minutes before the break. Matt Menser headed the visitors back into the contest before Muad Zwed arrowed home from outside the area for 2-2. The turnaround was complete in the second half as Zac Munster raced away to round Duro Dragecevic to slot home, moments after missing a one-on-one. But the FFA was to have the last word as Jamie Dimitroff cleverly lobbed them level and Jackson Bandiera won it from the penalty spot.

FFA COE: 1. Duro DRAGECEVIC, 3. Henry DAVIES, 5. Zachary SPETH, 6. Joe CALETTI, 10. Jamie DIMITROFF, 11. Peter KEKERIS, 13. Christian VERBI, 19. Charlie DEVEREUX, 20. Perry FOTAKOPOLOUS, 21. Jamal REINERS, 23. Kosta PETRATOS Substitutes used: 8. Daniel ARZANI, 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 24. Jackson BANDIERA Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 5. Ethan MUNSTER, 7. Matt MENSER, 10. Muad ZWED, 11. Zac MUNSTER, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT, 17. Tomas RUIZ Substitutes used: 8. Tim STEWART, 9. Michael GURNEY, 13. Sean MURPHY Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 14. Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, 21. Jamal REINERS, 23. Kosta PETRATOS (FFA COE), 5. Ethan MUNSTER, 7. Matt MENSER, 9. Michael GURNEY (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Brett Woodford (referee), Matt Rynne, Nic Gillies Sunday 24th August 2014 Canberra FC 2 (Domenic Giampaolo 57’, James Field 66’) Canberra Olympic 4 (Oliver Wierderkehr 27’, Mark Shields 70’ (pen), 73’, Daniel Barac 90’) Canberra Olympic heads into next weekend’s third versus fourth minor semi-final with a 4-2 win over Canberra FC under their belts and the psychological advantage of having inflicted a fourth defeat in a row on the fallen League Champions. FC’s ‘annus horribilis’ continued on Friday evening when goalkeeper Jakob Cole was forced to withdraw from the squad with a groin injury that could potentially end his season at the most inopportune time. That meant that youngster Shaun Burke was handed a first team debut and, in the main, he acquitted himself well in trying conditions. However he could little to prevent Oliver Wiederkehr opening the scoring in the 27th minute, the forward reacting quickest to slot home after Mark Shields hit the post. It was remarkable that Wiederkehr did score having only got married the day before!

FC trailed at the interval but they turned the match on its head in the second half through quick goals from Domenic Giampaolo and James Field. Olympic wasn’t to be denied and their experienced strike force took over. Leading scorer Shields levelled from the spot with twenty minutes to play before striking from a freekick only moments later to put the visitors in front. With FC aiming for a late equaliser Olympic caught them on the break and Daniel Barac rifled home a cracking fourth to seal the points.

Canberra FC: 1. Shaun BURKE, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA, 18. Alex TILLEY, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 6. Joshua GULEVSKI, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL Canberra Olympic: 1. Nick OWEN, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 12. Adam ROGIC, 15. Josh PARISI, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 2. Marc O’NEILL, 8. Josh GASPARI, 14. Alexander EFKARPIDIS Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 7. Aaron EVANS (Canberra FC), 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 9. Daniel BARAC (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Daniel Rajic, Bruno Kehl

APPEARANCE MILESTONES 100th MATCH Ian GRAHAM Canberra FC 2 Canberra Olympic 4 (Deakin Stadum), 24/08/14

Domenic GIAMPAOLO Canberra FC 2 Canberra Olympic 4 (Deakin Stadum), 24/08/14

Sunday 24th August 2014 Canberra City 0 Cooma Tigers 8 (Goran Josifovski 2’, Stephen Domenici 36’ (pen), 37’, 41, 68’, Iain Elliott 73’, Robbie Cattanach 87’, Francois Bangweni 89’ (pen)) Cooma Tigers put in a Champion display at Gungahlin Enclosed as they ended their successful National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season with a thumping 8-0 victory over bottom of the table Canberra City to head into next weekend’s finals matches in good stead. In the process Cooma extended their unbeaten run to fourteen matches and are the form side as you’d expect from the Champions. It took them barely a minute to break through the City defence as Goran Josifovski scored his 13th goal of the season to briefly gain possession of the Golden Boot.

However, the final destination of that prize was to be the trophy cabinet of Stephen Domenici as the jet-heeled winger cum striker would go on to crash home four goals and end the season with sixteen strikes to his name, two more than Canberra Olympic goal-getter Mark Shields. Domenici opened his account here from the penalty spot and made it 3-0 less than a minute later. By halftime he has his hat-trick and the Tigers were out of sight. Domenici added his fourth in the 68 th minute and Iain Elliott brought up the half dozen with seventeen minutes remaining. Robbie Cattanach got in on the act with his 13th of the season in the 87th minute and there was still time for goalkeeper Francois Bangweni to join the party, the Tigers shot-stopper entrusted with, and scoring, a last minute spot-kick.

Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY, 4. David DEXTER, 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 6. Adam DOBELL, 8. Luke GIBSON, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 12. Henry WILLIAMS, 14. Deng Aleer DENG, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY Substitutes used: 2. Andrew MANLEY, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 16. Christopher McEWAN Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Aden Johnson, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Julian BORGNA, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 12. Robbie CATTANACH, 16. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 15. Stefan TODOROSKI, 19. Jeremias IBARRA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 33. James WARD, 3. James PERRY (Canberra City), 2. Aden Johnson, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Sam Nixon, Jose Izurieta Sunday 24th August 2014 Belconnen United 5 (Marty Raines, Jason Ugrinic, Cameron Reinhart, Kieran Mattress, Bernard Rene) Monaro Panthers 2 (Martin Deng, Caleb Cullen-Rua) Belconnen United came from 0-2 down to see off Monaro Panthers and end their season with three more points in what was an exciting match at McKellar Park. A young Panthers outfit gave their more experienced opponents a severe fright and Den Ugrinic’s team had to dig deep to make sure that they entered next weekend’s Major Semi Final fixture with Cooma Tigers at this venue with a modicum of form having slipped off the pace in recent weeks as injury and unavailability has hit their squad. Monaro was 2-0 to the god in the first half as they surprised Belconnen with the pace and ingenuity of their attacks as goals from Martin Deng and Caleb Cullen-Rua out the visiting team clear much to the disbelief of most of the watching crowd at the Blue Devils home. Any thoughts of an unlikely victory to end the campaign for Monaro were swiftly brushed aside however by an incredible second half display from the home team who, after a rocket from their coach at the break, turned into a different team in the second stanza. Goals from Marty Raines and Jason Ugrinic brought them level before further strikes from Cameron Reinhart, Kieran Mattress and Bernard Rene gave the score line an emphatic look that, arguably, the Panthers performance did not deserve.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 11. Marty RAINES. 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 9. Aisosa IHEGIE, 12. Bernard RENE, 16. Kieran MATTRESS Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Alex HOLLIS, 3. Sam LAVELLA, 4. Josh CALABRIA, 5. Jacob CULLEN-RUA, 6. Arok THON, 7. Pepe VARGA, 8. Adrian CANIZARES, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Ed MCCARTHY, 11. Kamal AHMED Substitutes used: 12. Dylan SHANLEY, 13. Lachlan HUNTER, 14. Sosso KHENNANE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Owen Goldrick (referee), Adam Powers, Duncan McLaren HOW THEY STOOD THE TOP FOUR: AFTER ROUND 18 Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Cooma Tigers

16

13

1

2

54

17

+37

40

2

Belconnen United

16

11

2

3

53

24

+29

35

3

Canberra Olympic

16

8

3

5

41

28

+13

27

4

Canberra FC

16

8

1

7

51

28

+23

25

Saturday 30th August MAJOR SEMI-FINAL Cooma Tigers 0 Belconnen United 6 (Tom McLachlan 9’, Jason Ugrinic 14’, 39’, 90+1’, Marty Raines 44’, Goran Mukevski 77’) Belconnen United cruised into the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football Grand Final on the back of a scintillating half of football at McKellar Park as they defeated the League Champions Cooma Tigers, ending their fourteen game unbeaten run, with a stunning 6-0 win. The result gave the Blue Devils a measure of revenge for their capitulation in the league decider at Nijong Oval a fortnight ago and was achieved by blowing their opponents off the park in the opening forty-five minutes. Belconnen took the lead in the ninth minute via a superb free-kick from Tom McLachlan, the midfielder curling his effort over the wall and into the net off the underside of the crossbar. If that was the perfect start it was to get even better just fix minutes later. Belconnen were speedy in their transition and, after McLachlan saw a shot blocked, they worked the ball into space for Jason Ugrinic who crunched a low shot across Jack Pettit and into the bottom corner. Cooma was shell-shocked and it got worse for Gaby Wilk and his team in the 39 th minute. Ugrinic, full of confidence, cut infield and fired a shot from distance that carried accuracy and venom and bounced past the flailing Pettit. The tie was secured virtually on half-time as the Blue Devils had a fourth, Marty Raines, who has added an extra level to the forward line since returning from injury, making it 4-0 at half-time. The second half brought much of the same as Belconnen created chance after chance. Pettit stood tall to deny McLachlan and substitute Goran Mukevski in quick succession, with Jack Green blazing well over when clean through in between times. Mukevski was to get on the score sheet with thirteen minutes to play, taking a pass from McLachlan and planting an effort into the top corner. In an incredibly open match there was also two missed penalties. Stephen Domenici saw his effort saved by Ashley Collins, whilst Pettit replicated the feat at the other end to deny Ugrinic a hat-trick. But Ugrinic wasn’t to be denied for long, claiming his treble in stoppage time, to round out a superb Blue Devils performance.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Jack PETTIT, 2. Aden JOHNSON, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Jordan LANDO, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 12. Robbie CATTANACH, 16. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 15. Stefan TODOROSKI, 19. Jeremias IBARRA Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 11. Marty RAINES. 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes used: 3. Aisosa IHEGIE, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Bernard RENE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Jordan LANDO, 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers), 17. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Owen Goldrick, Scott Robertson Sunday 1st September MINOR SEMI-FINAL Canberra Olympic 2 (Callum Smith 38’, Mark Shields 45’) Canberra FC 3 (Josip Jadric 26’, Alex Oloriegbe 82’, Domenic Giampaolo 97’) A goal seven minutes into extra-time from Domenic Giampaolo has kept Canberra FC’s season alive with a narrow 3-2 win over Canberra Olympic in an exhilarating Minor Semi-Final with the defeat eliminating the reigning Grand Final winners. It was fitting that a match that flowed from end to end should be decided in such a dramatic manner as the large crowd were treated to an exhilarating spectacle. Canberra FC was given a gilt-edged chance to take the lead in the twentieth minute when they were awarded a penalty for handball. A cross from the near side bounced up and struck Marcin Zygmunt on the hand with the officials awarding the penalty.

Giampaolo struck his kick well enough but experienced goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou guessed correctly and made a great save to preserve the stalemate. FC weren’t too be denied for long however and took the lead six minutes later. Alex Oloriegbe was instrumental in the build-up, skipping away and drawing Konstantinou before playing a perfectly weighted pass to Josip Jadric who slid the ball into the empty net from just inside the area. Olympic drew level with seven minutes of the half left as FC failed to clear and the ball dropped just outside the area for Callum Smith to thump a first time volley into the bottom corner. If that goal was a cracker the one to put Olympic ahead on the stroke of half-time was even better. Shortly after Konstantinou denied Jadric with a superb one-handed save, Olympic broke and a cross was controlled by Mark Shields on the chest before the striker swivelled and unleashed a thumping volley that crashed into the bottom corner. The game was turning into a cracker and both teams had decent shouts for a penalty turned away in the second half. Olympic midfielder Josh Gaspari wasted a great chance when clean through and FC forward Domenic Giampaolo did likewise when he skewed a shot wide of the post. Extra-time saw some tired legs from both sides and it took a moment of magic from Giampaolo to seal the Preliminary Final spot. The enigmatic forward collected a pass and fired a shot past Konstantinou to send FC through.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 14. Callum SMITH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 3. Daniel FULTON, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 15. Michael REEVE Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 15. Jordan LAMB, 18. Alex TILLEY, 21. Niko KRESIC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic), 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 14. Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Owen Goldrick, Adam Powers

Saturday 6th September PRELIMINARY FINAL Cooma Tigers 0 Canberra FC 3 (Daniel Bennett 72’, 90+6’, Alex Oloriegbe 86’) Canberra FC booked a place in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football Grand Final against Belconnen United with a 3-0 win over League Champions Cooma Tigers at McKellar Park. Two late goals gave an added gloss to the score-line and gave a lop-sided feel to the result which the game did not deserve. The dismissal of Tigers’ goalkeeper Francois Bangweni in stoppage time was, however, a disappointing end to a fractious clash that FC just about edged. The first half saw limited opportunities for both teams with Canberra FC in the ascendancy in the main, dominating territory and possession and creating what few chances there were. Indeed, FC really should have been in front inside the opening twenty minutes only for some wayward finishing costing them dear. The Tigers had made one change to the team that was mauled by Belconnen United in the Major Semi-Final bringing in Stefan Todoroski onto the left side of defence in place of Jordan Lando with Aden Johnson moving into midfield.

The Tigers’ defensive re-jig took a while to settle and Canberra FC almost took advantage. Jordan Lamb, the only change from the FC team that defeated Canberra Olympic last week, got into a shooting position but failed to find the target whilst Domenic Giampaolo appeared to have left his shooting boots at home firing wide from a more than presentable position. Shortly afterwards Alex Oloriegbe fed Daniel Bennett inside the area and he side-stepped a challenge but could only clip the outside of the post with his shot.

At the other end Jakob Cole was a virtual spectator, rarely touching the ball in the opening forty-five minutes with Cooma threatening only once when Robbie Cattanach stole in behind the defence but he was snuffed out by the massed ranks of the FC defence who denied the ACT representative the space to get his effort away on goal. Apart from that the League Champions looked out of sorts as an attacking force with Stephen Domenici and Goran Josifovski strangely subdued as the teams went in to the changing rooms level at 0-0.

It was becoming clear that one moment could change the destiny of the fixture, and perhaps the season, and it was Cooma’s turn to miss a huge chance seven minutes into the second half. A move down the centre of the field ended with the ball deflecting kindly to Josifovski, unmarked on the penalty spot. His turn was sweet enough but the finish lacked the composure and quality we have come to expect of the Tigers hit-man who skewed his effort badly wide. In a largely scrappy encounter it was perhaps fitting that the deadlock should be broken by a less than stellar goal. The finish was all class but the build-up boarded on the farcical. A cross was nodded down by Daniel Bennett to Alex Oloriegbe who completely missed his connection. Laying on the ground the forward had the presence of mind to poke the ball back to midfielder Ian Graham. Graham’s shot was blocked but the ricochet fell nicely for Bennett who spun and crashed his shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

Cooma was still in the game at the point but their fortunes were to turn for the worse on a bizarre moment four minutes from time.

The danger to the Tigers’ goal appeared to have been nullified when Bangweni collected a routine through ball. The custodian’s attempted throw out rebounded off the head of Phil Yarnold and dropped straight to Oloriegbe who had the simplest of tasks to slot into the empty net. Needing a miracle comeback Cooma was breached again in stoppage time. Bennett chased a long ball but was beaten to it by Bangweni. Inexplicably the Tigers ‘keeper followed through with a studs-up challenge on Bennett’s chest giving the officials no alternative but to brandish the red card and award a penalty. Bennett duly did the honours from the spot to send FC through and leave Cooma with the consolation of an NPL Finals fixture with Bonnyrigg White Eagles in a fortnight.

Cooma Tigers: 1. Francois BANGWENI, 2. Aden JOHNSON, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Cristobal SOZA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 15. Stefan TODOROSKI, 16. Phil YARNOLD Substitutes used: 3. Jordan LANDO, 24. Jack PETTIT Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 18. Alex TILLEY, 21. Niko KRESIC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 10. Dejan SANTRAC, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 15. Stefan TODOROSKI (Cooma Tigers), 23. Nathan EVANS (Canberra FC) RED CARD: 1. Francois BANGWENI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Matthew Cropper (referee), Delfina Dimoski, Owen Goldrick

GRAND FINAL REVIEW Belconnen United 3 (Tom McLachlan 47’, Cameron Reinhart 107’, Jack Green 120’) Canberra FC 3 (Alex Oloriegbe 39’, Josip Jadric 110’, 115’) – after extra time, Belconnen United win 3-2 on penalties It was a fitting end to an absorbing season. After 120 minutes of battle these two titans of ACT football had fought themselves to a standstill and yet nothing could separate them. A quite remarkable match seemed headed for a Canberra FC victory as stoppage time in extra-time ticked over before Jack Green scrambled the most unlikely of equalisers to force the penalty shoot-out where Ashley Collins’ save from FC Captain Matt Grbesa won the trophy.

That Grbesa should miss the vital spot-kick was harsh on a player who was a colossal presence throughout the match. The FC skipper bestrode Deakin Stadium with a display of guts and determination that deserved a winners’ medal. But that was a description that could also be applied to any number of players. For the victors Green and Jack Blackley, their twin pillars in the centre of defence were outstanding. Tom McLachlan was a worthy Valeri Medal recipient for Man of the Match and Marty Raines put in a 66 minute shift that swung the momentum in favour of the Blue Devils.

For the vanquished, left back Jordan Lamb can rarely have played a better game. Two-goal Josip Jadric, recovered from a suspected fractured foot was a constant menace and young Marko Vrkic, introduced as a 69 th minute substitute for Aidan Brunskill, showed his character with a number of exquisitely timed tackles to deny Belconnen.

The first half was marginally shaded by Canberra FC and they just about deserved their narrow lead at the interval. Alex Oloriegbe and Jadric had already been denied by Collins, saving well on both occasions, but the stopper could do nothing about the goal that opened the scoring in the 39th minute. David Kemp, otherwise imperious in his 76 minutes of action, under-hit a back-pass that was greedily seized upon by Oloriegbe who rounded Collins to slot home.

Belconnen, who had ended the season as runner’s-up to Cooma Tigers, regrouped at the break and came out a different side in the second half. They were level within one minute and ten seconds. A peach of a disguised pass from Raines fed McLachlan, running in behind the FC defence from deep, and the Blue Devils man of the season drilled his low shot past Jakob Cole and into the far corner to bring his team level. Shortly after Raines went close again, denied at the near post by Cole, and Jason Ugrinic may have done better when beating his man but firing a tame shot at target.

Ninety minutes failed to find a winner and the match exploded into life in the extra half-hour. Cameron Reinhart had a difficult week losing a family member, so it was perhaps destiny that the diminutive full-back should give his team the advantage in the 107th minute. Cole made a fine save in the first instance, but could not prevent Reinhart following up to ram home from close range. He almost scored again late on but was denied by a goal-line clearance from Nathan Evans.

By that stage FC had re-taken the lead as Jadric put in a devastating fiveminute spell. Alex Tilley had had his moments in 2014 and he picked the perfect time to illustrate his talent, standing up his marker and swinging over a cross that Jadric met on the volley, beating Collins at the near post with an effort that the Belconnen custodian perhaps should have done better with. Jadric, whose passion for the club shines through in his performances, then put his team ahead with a long range free-kick that deceived Collins and dipped past the ‘keeper to send Deakin Stadium into raptures.

Belconnen weren’t done however and as the clock ticked into stoppage time they forced one last corner. From it the ball was knocked down and there, lurking at the back-post, was Green who slid full stretch to divert the ball past Cole, make it 3-3 and send the match to penalties. A test of nerve at the best of times it was surprising to see Taylor Beaton fail, his shot saved by Cole. Olorigebe hit the bar, the ball almost crossing the line on its downward trajectory, before Reinhart blasted over.

At this stage, especially after Ian Graham had calmly converted his penalty, FC was in the box-seat. Blackley made it 2-2 before Field emulated Olorigebe, this time on the other side of the goal and the fates appeared to be favouring Belconnen. There was still work to do but after Goran Mukevski, a muscular presence in a late cameo, blasted home, Collins saved from the unfortunate Grbesa and the glory was the Blue Devils’.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 4. David KEMP (7. Taylor BEATON 76’), 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ (2. Cameron REINHART 101’), 8. Zac MAYBURY, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 11. Marty RAINES (9. Goran MUKEVSKI 66’), 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 17. Jack BLACKLEY Substitutes not used: 12. Bernard RENE, 20. George KAZOLIS Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO (18. Alex TILLEY 97’), 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 13. Daniel BENNETT (21. Niko KRESIC 112’), 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL (6. Marko VRKIC 69’), 20. James FIELD, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes not used: 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 1. Shaun BURKE Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. David ARRANZ, 17. Jack BLACKLEY (Belconnen United), 6. Marko VRKIC, 18. Alex TILLEY, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 20. James FIELD, 22. Jakob COLE, 23. Nathan EVANS (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Owen Goldrick, Adam Powers, Luke Withell (4 th Official)

Above Left: Belconnen United substitute Cameron Reinhart wheels away in delight after his effort at the beginning of the second period of extra-time put the Blue Devils in front for the first time at 2-1. Above Right: Canberra FC Goalkeeper Jakob Cole bravely pounces on a loose ball at the feet of the on-rushing Jason Ugrinic. Ugrinic ended the season as the Blue Devils top scorer in the National Premier Leagues; Capital Football competition.

Above Left: Josip Jadric slides on his knees into the corner to take the acclaim of the Canberra FC fans after his far-post volley from an Alex Tilley cross had levelled the scores at 2-2 moments after Reinhart’s goal for Belconnen. Above Middle: Jordan Lamb, who had a courageous match at full-back, does battle with Ugrinic. Above Right: Belconnen captain David Arranz tries to block the run of Domenic Giampaolo in what was a classic contest.

Above Left: Alex Oloriegbe, Canberra FC striker, plays a pass under the watchful gaze of David Arranz. Oloriegbe opened the scoring six minutes before half-time when he collected a poor back-pass and rounded Ashley Collins to slot into the empty net.

Above Right: Nathan Evans clears his lines under pressure from the advancing Zac Maybury whilst Josip Jadric (left) and Marty Raines (background) look on.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ON THIS PAGE AND CONTAINED IN THE REST OF THIS PUBLICATION ARE FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES. THESE IMAGES ARE COURTESY OF CAPITAL FOOTBALL, GOAL WEEKLY OR THE CANBERRA TIMES. GLENN DAWSON IS ALSO THANKED FOR THE USE OF MANY OF HIS IMAGES FROM HIS PERSONAL COLLECTION.

Round 1 Sunday 6th April Belconnen United 3 Tuggeranong United 1 Round 2 Saturday 12th April Monaro Panthers 3 Canberra FC 7 Woden Valley 2 Belconnen United 4 Sunday 13th April Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra Olympic 3 Wednesday 16th April Tuggeranong United 1 Canberra City 0 Round 3 Sunday 27th April Canberra FC 7 Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra City 1 Woden Valley 1 Belconnen United 3 FFA COE 2 Canberra Olympic 6 Monaro Panthers 1 Round 4 Saturday 3rd May Tuggeranong United 3 Canberra Olympic 2 Sunday 4th May FFA COE 3 Canberra City 0 Canberra FC 4 Woden Valley 0 Monaro Panthers 3 Cooma Tigers 1 Round 5 Sunday 11th May Canberra FC 6 FFA COE 1 Canberra City 1 Belconnen United 7 Cooma Tigers 4 Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra Olympic 0 Woden Valley 2 Round 6 Wednesday 14th May Canberra City 1 Monaro Panthers 3 Saturday 17th May Belconnen United 2 Canberra FC 2 Sunday 18th May FFA COE 2 Canberra Olympic 1 Woden Valley 1 Cooma Tigers 3 Tuggeranong United 2 Monaro Panthers 1 Round 7 Sunday 25th May Canberra FC 5 Canberra City 0 Cooma Tigers 5 FFA COE 0 Canberra Olympic 3 Belconnen United 1 Monaro Panthers 1 Woden Valley 1

Round 8 Sunday 1st June FFA COE 5 Monaro Panthers 1 Canberra City 1 Canberra Olympic 6 Woden Valley 1 Tuggeranong United 2 Belconnen United 2 Cooma Tigers 4 Round 9 Sunday 8th June Tuggeranong United 2 FFA COE 1 Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra City 1 Canberra Olympic 1 Canberra FC 0 Monaro Panthers 1 Belconnen United 10 Round 10 Saturday 14th June Tuggeranong United 1 Belconnen United 3 Sunday 15th June Woden Valley 2 FFA COE 4 Cooma Tigers 2 Canberra FC 1 Monaro Panthers 1 Canberra City 0 Round 11 Sunday 22nd June Canberra FC 6 Monaro Panthers 2 Belconnen United 2 Woden Valley 0 Canberra Olympic 0 Cooma Tigers 4 Round 12 Sunday 29th June FFA COE 1 Belconnen United 4 Woden Valley 3 Canberra City 0 Round 13 Saturday 5th July Monaro Panthers 1 Canberra Olympic 1 Sunday 6th July Canberra FC 2 Cooma Tigers 3 Saturday 12th July Tuggeranong United 1 Canberra FC 3 Thursday 16th July Canberra City 5 Tuggeranong United 3 Saturday 19th July Woden Valley 1 Canberra FC 5 Sunday 20th July Canberra City 1 FFA COE 0 Cooma Tigers 5 Monaro Panthers 2 Canberra Olympic 4 Tuggeranong United 1 CONTINUED OVERLEAF

Round 14 Saturday 26th July Tuggeranong United 0 Cooma Tigers 3 Sunday 27th July FFA COE 4 Canberra FC 1 Woden Valley 2 Canberra Olympic 1 Belconnen United 4 Canberra City 0 Round 15 Friday 1st August Monaro Panthers 1 Tuggeranong United 5 Sunday 3rd August Canberra FC 0 Belconnen United 2 Cooma Tigers 3 Woden Valley 0 Canberra Olympic 5 FFA COE 2 Round 16 Saturday 9th August FFA COE 2 Cooma Tigers 2 Belconnen United 1 Canberra Olympic 1 Sunday 10th August Canberra City 2 Canberra FC 0 Woden Valley 0 Monaro Panthers 1

Round 17 Saturday 16th August Tuggeranong United 1 Woden Valley 3 Monaro Panthers 2 FFA COE 4 CONTINUED

Sunday 17th August Cooma Tigers 3 Belconnen United 0 Canberra Olympic 3 Canberra City 3 Wednesday 20th August FFA COE 0 Woden Valley 1 Round 18 Sunday 24th August FFA COE 4 Tuggeranong United 3 Canberra FC 2 Canberra Olympic 4 Canberra City 0 Cooma Tigers 8 Belconnen United 5 Monaro Panthers 2 MAJOR SEMI-FINAL Saturday 30th August Cooma Tigers 0 Belconnen United 6 MINOR SEMI-FINAL Sunday 1st September Canberra Olympic 2 Canberra FC 3 – after extra time

PRELIMINARY FINAL Saturday 6th September Cooma Tigers 0 Canberra FC 3 GRAND FINAL Saturday 13th September Belconnen United 3 Canberra FC 3 – after extra time, Belconnen won 3-2 on penalties

CLUB

PAGE

FFA COE

50

Belconnen United

51

Canberra City

52

Canberra FC

53

Canberra Olympic

54

Cooma Tigers

55

Monaro Panthers

56

Tuggeranong United

57

Woden Valley

58

A name change for the Australian Institute of Sport saw the team come under the umbrella of the FFA, playing in FFA kit and being rebranded the FFA Centre of Excellence. And, unlike some of the AIS teams that have preceded them, this group played with a fire in the belly and were certainly not intimidated by facing up to some of the more rugged elements in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football.

With Head Coach Tony Vidmar utilising his squad to the full throughout the season, it was no surprise to find that, at times, the performances of the team were up and down. Their home record was sensational, five wins and a draw, including a 4-1 drubbing of the then-reigning League Champions Canberra FC. Indeed, only Woden Valley (0-1—Round 17) and Belconnen United (1-4—Round 12) tasted success at the AIS. It was their dismal away record that stopped the FFA COE from finishing any higher than the creditable fifth that they managed, three points off a place in the top four. In eight outings away from the manicure turf of their home ground, the FFA COE manage done win and seven losses. Only a 4-2 success over Woden Valley at Kaleen Enclosed stopped them from being white-washed on the road.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR DANIEL ARZANI

Based on 3-2-1 points

Joe Caletti and Jamie Dimitroff played the most matches for the FFA COE with the speedy Jamal Reiners leading the scoring charts with eight. The match officials recorded the 3-2-1 points and, in their opinion, had Daniel Arzani as the Player of the Year. But there were numerous other high caliber candidates that could have taken that honour. This group will be back again in 2015, further battle hardened and ready to improve on their 2014 form.

Home Venue AIS Technical Director PETER De ROO Head Coach Premier League TONY VIDMAR Media Contact JACKSON KUPKE (0478 474 752) Official Club Website www.ausport.gov.au/ais/sports/ football_men/home 2014 Premier League Position 5th 2014 Leading Appearances 14—Joe CALETTI, Jamie DIMITROFF 2014 Leading Scorer 8—Jamal REINERS APPEARANCES 12(2)—Joe CALETTI, 11—Henry DAVIES, Zak WATERS, 10(4)—Jamie DIMITROFF, 10(3)— Jackson BANDIERA, Charlie DEVEREUX, 10(2)— Peter KEKERIS, Kosta PETRATOS, 9(4)—Daniel ARZANI, 8(4)—Daniel MASKIN, 8(3)—Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, Jamal REINERS, 7(1)— Nicholas PANETTA, 6—Duro DRAGICEVIC, Perry FOTAKOPOULOS, Christian VERBI, 5(3)—Cameron JOICE, Danny KIM, Zac SPETH, 5(1)—Malcolm WARD, 5—James DELIANOV, Brandon OSIPOV, 2(3)—Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 2—Kye ROWLES GOALS 8—Jamal REINERS, 7—Daniel MASKIN, 5—Peter KEKERIS, 3—Daniel ARZANI, Kosta PETRATOS, 2—Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, Jamie DIMITROFF, 1—Jackson BANDIERA, Charlie DEVEREUX, Cameron JOICE, Kye ROWLES, Zak WATERS

DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 2—Daniel ARZANI, Solomon MONAHAN-VAIIKA, Jamal REINERS, 1—Jackson BANDIERA, Charlie DEVEREUX, Daniel MASKIN, Brendan OSIPOV, Nicholas PANETTA, Kosta PETRATOS

RED CARDS 1—Christian VERBI, Zak WATERS

2014 will go down in the annals of the history of Belconnen United as one of the most successful on the field. Off it however, much still needs to be done to ensure that this most-storied of clubs can continue the legacy that has been passed down through the years as some financial issues remain to be addressed.

Sticking with the football however and the NPL: CF Coach of the Year Dean Ugrinic can look back at his first season’s work with satisfaction. A win in the Federation Cup over arch-rivals Canberra FC was followed by a second place finish on the league ladder and, ultimately, an epic Grand Final victory in which they stole the trophy from under the noses of FC at Deakin Stadium, claiming a stunning penalty shoot-out triumph after a Jack Green equaliser in the 122nd minute made it 3-3.

For a long time it looked like the treble was on the cards. Riding high in the league the team lost only three matches all season in the round-robin fixtures. However, two of those defeats were to Cooma Tigers and that was the reason they finished five points shy of the eventual League title winners. A 10-1 thrashing of Monaro Panthers underlined their goalscoring ability.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR TOM McLACHLAN

Based on 3-2-1 points

Player of the Year was easily Tom McLachlan. The midfielder was outstanding in scoring nine goals from seventeen matches and showing the kind of form that saw him collect the Valeri Medal as Grand Final Player of the Match and a place in the NPL: CF Team of the Season. David Kemp was his usual consistent self and Marty Raines showed his class, despite missing a number of matches through injury. Keeping hold of his key players for 2015 may well be Ugrinic’s toughest task.

Home Venue McKELLAR PARK Technical Director ULISSES DA SILVA Head Coach Premier League DEAN UGRINIC Media Contact JOHN HELGESEN (0409 627 359) Official Club Website www.bluedevilsfc.co 2014 Premier League Position 2nd 2014 Leading Appearances 18—David KEMP 2014 Leading Scorer 14—Jason UGRINIC APPEARANCES 18—David KEMP, 17—Ashley COLLINS, 16— Milan POPOVICH, Dustin WELLS, 14(2)—Jack GREEN, 13(4)—Tom McLACHLAN, 13(3)—Zac MAYBURY, 13(2)—David ARRANZ, 13(1)— Taylor BEATON, 12(3)—Jason UGRINIC, 11(2) —Jack BLACKLEY, 10(4)—Goran MUKEVSKI, 8(6)—Cameron REINHART, 7(2)—Marty RAINES, 6(3)—Michael TAURASI, 4(8)— Bernard RENE, 3(4)—Aisosa IHEGIE, 3(1)— George TIMOTHEOU, 1—Rade KOSANOVIC, (2)—Kelvin DELLE, (1)—Adam DE FRANCESCHI, Kieran MATTRESS, Sean O’NEILL GOALS 14—Jason UGRINIC, 9—Tom McLACHLAN, 8—Duatin WELLS, 7—Goran MUKEVSKI, 5—Marty RAINES, Michael TAURASI, 3—Jack GREEN, 2—Jack BLACKLEY, Aisosa IHEGIE, Cameron REINHART, 1—Taylor BEATON, Davie KEMP, Kieran MATTRESS, Bernard RENE, Own GOALS DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 7—David ARRANZ, 4—Zac MAYBURY, 3—Jack BLACKLEY, 2—Jack GREEN, Michael TAURASI, Dustin WELLS, 1—Taylor BEATON, Aisosa IHEGIE, Cameron REINHART, George TIMOTHEOU, Jason UGRINIC RED CARDS 1—Taylor BEATON

As it turned out, 2014 would prove to be the final year for Canberra City in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football in its current guise as the club failed in their application to gain a licence for the 2015 season following the review at the end of the season. That was to be a disappointing end to what was a poor season for the club on the field.

Only three wins from sixteen matches told its own story but Head Coach Nick Palagyi wasn’t helped by a litany of injuries to key players at important times of the season.

When he did get his full compliment more or less back together the impact was immediate. A 5-3 win in a midweek clash against Tuggeranong United was followed by a narrow success over the FFA COE, 1-0. But perhaps the performance of the season was reserved for a remarkable win over Canberra FC. The 2-0 victory at Hawker Football Centre was a stunning turn around in form for the team and a thoroughly deserved win in a game in which, by their own admission, they rode their luck at times only to score at critical junctures and seemingly seal a death-knell to FC’s campaign. Goals from Sam McDonald, lured out of premature retirement to help his ailing club, and the impressive Jeremy Hegarty, who had a cracking debut season in first grade, sealed the win.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR MISKO NAUMOSKI

Based on 3-2-1 points

Gimale Essacu enjoyed a breakthrough year with the forward, a blur of perpetual motion, netting four times in sixteen appearances. Adam Dobell was his usual influential self, whilst James Perry and David Dexter formed a decent central defensive pairing. Misko Naumoski was their player of the year with his six goals leading the way for City, especially in their latter half resurgence. They may be gone from the NPL: CF for now, but hopes remain that one day City will resume their place at the top table.

Home Venue GUNGAHLIN ENCLOSED Technical Director MATT MOORE Head Coach Premier League NICK PALAGYI Media Contact NICK PALAYGI (0412 312 558) Official Club Website www.pitchero.com/clubs/ canberracityfootballclub/ 2014 Premier League Position 9th 2014 Leading Appearances 16—Gimale ESSACU, James WARD 2014 Leading Scorer 6—Misko NAUMOSKI APPEARANCES 16—James WARD, 15—Jeremy HEGARTY, James PERRY, 13(3)—Gimale ESSACU, 13—Adam DOBELL, Misko NAUMOSKI, 10(3)—Andrew ALIFFI, Ben DOYLE, 9—David DEXTER, 8(3)—Deng ALEER DENG, 8(2)—Andrew MANLEY, 6—Alan GASTON, 5—Joe BERGIN, 4—Brad MOORE, 4(1)—Luke GIBSON, 6(1)—Sam McDONALD, 3(2)—Aidan LEES, 3(1)— Michael PERCIVAL, Valentine UGWUMBA, Henry WILLIAMS, 2(2)—Matt RICE, 2(1)—Grant DAVOREN, 1(3)—Patrick CLARKE, Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 1(2)—Brad SAWYER, 1(1)—Yumi OGUNROLA, 1—Josh O’BRIEN, (3)—Justin RANKINE, (2)—Christopher McEWAN, Alex OLLMAN, (1)—Jon HAND, Scott SIME

GOALS 6—Misko NAUMOSKI, 4—Gimale ESSACU, 2—Adam DOBELL, Sam McDONALD, 1—Deng Aleer DENG, Jeremy HEGARTY DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 3—Andrew ALIFFI, Joe BERGIN, 2—Deng Aleer DENG, Adam DOEBLL, James PERRY, 1—Alan GASTON, Luke GIBSON, Jeremy HEGARTY, Josh O’BRIEN, Michael PERCIVAL, James WARD RED CARDS 1—Andrew MANLEY

By their own high standards 2014 will be seen as something of a disaster for Canberra FC who ended the season in an unaccustomed fourth place and with only the much-maligned NPL Pre-Season Cup in their trophy cabinet. That was achieved via an 8-0 hammering of a weakened Belconnen United at Hawker Football Centre and was hardly a highpoint for a club with a glorious past.

But it could have been so different. A width of a crossbar denied them a 4-2 lead in the dying embers of the Grand Final against the Blue Devils, who then promptly went and snuck an improbable extra-time, stoppage-time Leveler. The Federation Cup Final was also lost, 2-3 to the same opponents who had raced into an early three-goals lead only for FC to go agonisingly close to dragging the game level and forcing extra-time. On such fine margins are seasons defined.

Ray Junna was relieved of his first team duties halfway through the season and replaced by former Socceroo Andy Bernal who, its fair to say, had a roller-coaster ride in charge before leaving in the post-season. Bernal introduced a raft of young players into the first team environment, some with more success than others as the season PLAYER OF THE YEAR lurched from highs to lows in rapid succession.

DANIEL BENNETT

Based on 3-2-1 points

Daniel Bennett was Player of the Year after a blistering start to the season, curtailed by an Untimely mid-season hiatus due to injury with Alex Oloriegbe leading the scoring charts with fifteen goals. Much will, once more, be expected of Canberra FC in 2015 as they look to re-emerge as the pre-eminent club in the National Capital. If they are to do so the new Coach will need to hit the ground running.

Home Venue DEAKIN STADIUM Technical Director ANDY BERNAL Head Coach Premier League RAY JUNNA / ANDY BERNAL Media Contact RAY JUNNA (0488 624 295) Official Club Website www.canberrafc.com 2014 Premier League Position 4th 2014 Leading Appearances 19—Alex OLORIEGBE

2014 Leading Scorer 15—Alex OLORIEGBE

APPEARANCES 18—Jakob COLE, Ian GRAHAM, 17—Aaron EVANS, Matt GRBESA, 16—James FIELD, 15(4)—Alex OLORIEGBE, 15(1)—Daniel BENNETT, 12(4)—Aidan BRUNSKILL, 11(1)—Nathan EVANS, 10(4)—Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 9(3)—Jordan LAMB, 8—Antonio BARBARO, 7(6)—Philippe BARNABO-MADRID, 7—Ryan KEIR, 6(4)—Alex TILLEY, 5(2)—Josip JADRIC, 5(1)—Adam SPALETA, 4(1)—Izach CLEMENTS, 3(2)—Marko VRKIC, 3—Benjamin VAN MEURS, 1(2)—Anthony GIORGI, 1—Shaun BURKE, (4)—Niko KRESIC, (1)—Jackson CLEMENT-McNEE, Rashid FARID, Joshua GULEVSKI, Kaz PATAFTA, Daniel SUBASIC

GOALS 15—Alex OLORIEGBE, 12—Daniel BENNETT, 7—Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 6—Philippe BERNABOMADRID, 5—Josip JADRIC, 4—Aaron EVANS, 3—Adam SPALETA, 2—James FIELD, Ian GRAHAM, 1—Anthony GIORGI, Ryan KEIR, Own GOALS

DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 6—Matt GRBESA, 4—Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, Jakob COLE, Nathan EVANS, 3—Daniel BENNETT, 2—James FIELD, Domenic GIAMPAOLO, Josip JADRIC, Alex TILLEY, Marko VRKIC, 1—Antonio BARBARO, Aaron EVANS, Ian GRAHAM, Ryan KEIR, Alex OLORIEGBE RED CARDS 1—Ian GRAHAM, Josip JADRIC

The 2014 Grand Final winners struggled to regain the momentum that saw them end last season with a wet sail and emerge victorious from the showdown with Canberra FC at McKellar Park. And yet they so nearly booked a repeat passage, falling at the Minor Semi-Final stage to Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium.

That they should probably have won that match, and had ample chances to do so before the fixture went into extratime, should be used as a motivational tool for 2015.

Head Coach Frank Cachia, who took over from Leo Exarhos as the new season approached, must have been left scratching his head at some of the games that Olympic lost with his team packed full of quality and with individuals who can turn a game on its head. The introduction of Daniel Barac alleviated much of the pressure on striker Mark Shields whose seventeen goals means he has forty in 42 league matches since his switch from Tuggeranong United.

Josh Gasapri was instrumental in the midfield alongside Robbie Deeley who, once more, was the heartbeat of the team and emerged as Olympic’s Player of the Year. Deeley was one of a number of PLAYER OF THE YEAR players who enjoyed a decent campaign along with ROBBIE DEELEY defender Nathan Tidmarsh, midfielder Adam Rogic and the Futsalroo Callum Smith.

Based on 3-2-1 points

More will be expected of Olympic in 2015 as they look to build on a third place finish and push on to further glory. With Cachia at the helm, they have every chance. As with most teams though, keeping their core together, whilst supplementing in a few areas, is the major task in the off-season.

Home Venue O’CONNOR ENCLOSED Technical Director FRANK CACHIA Head Coach Premier League FRANK CACHIA Media Contact DIMI BRENDAS (0402 312 414) Official Club Website www.canberraolympic.com.au 2014 Premier League Position 3rd 2014 Leading Appearances 17—Mark SHIELDS 2014 Leading Scorer 15—Mark SHIELDS APPEARANCES 17—Mark SHIELDS, 15(1)—Josh GASPARI, 15—Nathan TIDMARSH, 14—Nick BOBOLAS, Robbie DEELEY, Marcin ZYGMUNT, 12(2)— Adam ROGIC, 11(2)—Callum SMITH, 9(4)— Daniel FULTON, 10—Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 8—Daniel BARAC, 6(10)—Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 6(4)—Michael REEVE, 5(3)—Victor YANES, 5(2)—Chris NIKITAS, 5—Nick OWEN, 4(4)— Marc O’NEILL, 4(2)—Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 1(7)—Tim WOMACK, 1(1)—Josh PARISI, 1—Costa FALLAS, Nick SALLECHIA, (2)—David McCARRON, Nick MIHAILAKIS, (1)—Alexander EFKARPIDIS, Michael RINAUDO, GOALS 15—Mark SHIELDS, 8—Robbie DEELEY, 4—Daniel BARAC, Callum SMITH, Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 2—Josh GASPARI, Michael REEVE, 1—Nick BOBOLAS, Daniel FULTON, Adam ROGIC, Nathan TIDMARSH DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 7—Robbie DEELEY, 6—Nick BOBOLAS, 4—Nathan TIDMARSH, 3—Daniel FULTON, 2—Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, Chris NIKITAS, Victor YANES, 1—Daniel BARAC, Nick OWEN, Adam ROGIC, Mark SHIELDS

Cooma Tigers ended a 63-year wait for the big one in 2014, claiming the League Championship title, and a place in the NPL Finals Series, for the first time in the history of the club. And, even the most churlish of observers would be hard pressed to say that Gab y Wilk’s team did not deserve to claim the trophy.

A stunning fourteen match unbeaten run heralded the crowning of the champions whose 3-0 home win over nearest challengers Belconnen United sealed the deal with one match to spare. It was perhaps pitting that Nijong Oval should be the venue for the denouement and that club legend Goran Josifovski should bang home a brace. Josifovski was one of the club’s holy trinity that netted an impressive forty-two goals between them with the classy Stephen Domenici taking the Golden Boot with sixteen.

Robbie Cattanach was the star turn, leading by example and romping to the NPL: CF Player of the Year title with a huge thirty points from sixteen matches. But it was the unsung heroes who deserve a lot of the praise.

Aden Johnson was fantastic at full-back with Cristobal Soza a big presence in the centre, they certainly missed the South American in the finals series.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR ROBBIE CATTANACH

Based on 3-2-1 points

Iain Elliott was a consistent performer and Dejan Santrac added guile and nous upon his arrival from White Eagles. In goals, Francois Bangweni and Jack Pettit shared the duties with some success. In all it was a team effort that had it all. Good defence, creativity in midfield and a deadly attack. Wilk may be back for more in 2015. It’s imperative for the future of Cooma football that they build on this initial success. No doubt their major stars will be coveted by other clubs and finding a way to keep them happy could see a Tigers domination.

Home Venue NIJONG OVAL Technical Director HUGO JIMENEZ Head Coach Premier League GABY WILK Media Contact CALUM PATTERSON (0468 865 431) Official Club Website www.coomafc.org.au 2014 Premier League Position 1st 2014 Leading Appearances 18—Iain ELLIOTT, Dom COLUCIELLO 2014 Leading Scorer 16—Stephen DOMENICI APPEARANCES 18—Iain ELLIOTT, 17(1)—Dom COLUCIELLO, 17—Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 16(1)—Stephen DOMENICI, 16—Dejan SANTRAC, 15(1)— Robbie CATTANACH14(3)—Phil YARNOLD, 13(1)—Aden JOHNSON, 10—Liam HIGHMORE, 9(1)—Jack PETTIT, 9—Francois BANGWENI Lianel LAUPER, Cristobal SOZA, 7(4)—Julian BORGNA, 6(4)—Stefan TODORSKI, 5(8)— Jordan SAN MARTIN, 3(9)—Jordan LANDO, 3(5)—Jeremias IBARRA, (2)—Daniel ROBERTS, 1(3)—Rishabh SHARMA, (1)—Sime CELESKI, Tony ALEKSOVSKI, Jared TONINI, Pepe VARGA GOALS 16—Stephen DOMENICI, 13—Robbie CATTNACH, Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 5—Julian BORGNA, 4—Jordan LANDO, 1—Francois BANGWENI, Iain ELLIOTT, Lianel LAUPER DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 4—Stephen DOMENICI, Aden JOHNSON, 3—Goran JOSIFOVSKI, Stefan TODOROSKI, 2—Julian BORGNA, Jordan LANDO, Jordan SAN MARTIN, 1—Francois BANGWENI, Lianel LAUPER, Dejan SANTRAC RED CARDS 1—Francois BANGWENI, Dejan SANTRAC

When a team finishes the season in eighth place in a nine team competition, it seems rather bizarre to be stating that the campaign can be deemed a rather successful one. But in the case of the Monaro Panthers, an argument can be made for just that. The youngsters from the Panthers claimed a win in a quarter of their matches in 2014 leading to hopes that 2015 could prove to be an even better year for the club.

Of the four wins they collected, the best was arguably the 3-1 victory over the eventual League Champions Cooma Tigers in Round 4. On the day Monaro put together some exquisite football and were able to take advantage of any Cooma errors to underline the potential in the squad. The main issue that Head Coach and Technical Director Njegosh Popovich faced was a lack of depth.

Outside of his sixteen man first grade squad, experience and numbers was thin on the ground. This led to a number of players having to back-up from NPL18 or NPL20 duties. And, whilst a lot of these youthful talents were worthy of a call-up, the physicality of playing two matches in a weekend was bound to take its toll.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RORY LARKIN

Based on 3-2-1 points

Thomas James led the scoring charts with five, the feisty English forward would surely have had more but for his apparent predilection for collecting cards, whilst Darian McGarry-Watson played the most matches, filling in at a variety of positions.

Player of the Year though was undoubtedly Rory Larkin. The goalkeeper enjoyed several fine games between the posts and was a well-earned selection for the end of season NPL Team of the Year at the Annual Awards Evening.

Home Venue RIVERSIDE STADIUM Technical Director NJEGOSH POPOVICH Head Coach Premier League NJEGOSH POPOVICH Media Contact MAURO DAVANZO (0405 777 217) Official Club Website www.monaropanthers.com.au 2014 Premier League Position 8th 2014 Leading Appearances 15—Martin DENG, Alex HOLLIS, Rory LARKIN, Darian McGARRY-WATSON 2014 Leading Scorer 5—Thomas JAMES APPEARANCES 15—Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 14(1)—Martin DENG, Rory LARKIN, 14— Sam LAVELLA, 13(2)—Alex HOLLIS, 13—Josh CALABRIA, 11—Thomas JAMES, 10—Adrian CANIZARES, 9(1)—Daniel LINSTEAD, 8(3)—Ed McCARTHY, 8(4)—Arok THON, 8(1)—Kamal AHMED, Pepe VARGA, 7(5)—Lewis BATES, 7(2)— Caleb CULLEN-RUA, 6(1)—Deng PADIET, 4(2)— Andrew MYSSONSKI, 2—Saputra BACHSAN, 1(3)— Matur DONG, 1(2)—Peter MATHIANG, 1—Harrison COHEN, Kris TRAJOANOSKI, Daniel WHITEHORN, (3) —Tyler BONNEAU, Sam ROESTBAKKEN, (2)—Lachlan HUNTER, Dylan SHANLEY, (1)—Nathan ALFERINK, Daniel HEARLE, Sosso KHENNANE, Nikolas POPOVICH, Mark SALAYSAY, Sammy ZEMICAEL

GOALS 5—Thomas JAMES, 4—Josh CALABRIA, Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 3—Martin DENG, Pepe VARGA, Own GOALS, 2—Deng PADIET, 1—Kamal AHMED, Caleb CULLEN-RUA

DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 7—Thomas JAMES, 6—Pepe VARGA, 3—Lewis BATES, 2—Josh CALABRIA, Alex HOLLIS, Sam LAVELLA, Darian McGARRY-WATSON, Arok THON, 1—Martin DENG, Ed McCARTHY, Deng PADIET

RED CARDS 1—Josh CALABRIA, Matur DONG, Thomas JAMES

Tuggeranong United will look back at the 2014 season with a number of fond memories from their participation in the inaugural FFA Cup and an outstanding evening in front of over 5,000 supporters against Melbourne Victory in the round of 16 but on the League front the club will be disappointed at missing out on the top four and a chance to play finals football.

A mid-season slump that included five losses in succession ultimately put paid to any hopes of making the semi-finals with defeats to Canberra City and Woden Valley proving costly. Before that United had shown that they could mix it with the top club having beaten Canberra Olympic at Kambah 2 and pushed Belconnen United all the way. Perhaps the FFA Cup proved to be a distraction to the team at a vital stage of the season?

In the end Tuggeranong finished the season in sixth place with a brace of losses in their final two matches proving to Head Coach Steve Forshaw that he has work to do in the off-season to address certain areas of deficiency within the team. One such spot will not be goalkeeper and keeping hold of Rowan Forbes Shepherd will be priority number one for Forshaw and his coaching staff. The Tuggeranong custodian was a runway Player of the Year for the Southside club.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR ROWAN FORBES SHEPHERD

Based on 3-2-1 points

A lack of goals was a cause for concern throughout 2014 with Muad Zwed leading the way with just five in total in the NPL. United has struggled to find a consistent scorer at this level since the departure of Mark Shields to Canberra Olympic and addressing this may prove the difference in 2015.

There is no doubt that United has a number of exciting young talents in its squad and with several of the NPL18 and NPL20 team putting their hand up for inclusion the future is looking bright.

Home Venue KAMBAH 2 Technical Director JIMMY BLAND Head Coach Premier League STEVE FORSHAW Media Contact JON THIELE (0413 563 099) Official Club Website www.tufc.org.au 2014 Premier League Position 6th 2014 Leading Appearances 16—Cameron DOHERTY, Sean MURPHY, Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, Tim STEWART, Muad ZWED 2014 Leading Scorer 5—Muad ZWED APPEARANCES 16—Cameron DOHERTY, Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, 15(1)—Tim STEWART, Muad ZWED 14—Daniel COLBERTALDO, Jon TOOLE, 13—Sean KIDDEY, 12(2)—Matt MENSER, 10(4)—Michael GURNEY, 9(2)—Harry PETTIT, Jonathan REIS, 7(6)—Chris RUIZ, 6(3)—Zac MUNSTER, 5(11)—Sean MUPRPHY, 4(4)—Adam CASEY, 3(1)—Michael JOHN, Tomas RUIZ, 3—Mark DI BITONTO, 1(3)—Ethan MUNSTER, 1—Tim IRESON, (2)—Ciaran RAYMENT, Jordan GLOVER

GOALS 5—Muad ZWED, 4—Daniel COLBERTALDO, Matt MENSER, Jon TOOLE, 3—Michael JOHN, 2—Zac MUNSTER, 1—Sean KIDDEY, Ethan MUNSTER, Harry PETTIT, Own GOALS

DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 4—Matt MENSER, 3—Harry PETTIT, 2—Daniel COLBERTALDO, Cameron DOHERTY, Michael GURNEY, Jon TOOLE, Muad ZWED, 1—Adam CASEY, Michael JOHN, Sean KIDDEY, Ethan MUNSTER, Chris RUIZ, Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD RED CARDS 1—Michael GURNEY, Sean KIDDEY, Matt MENSER, Muad ZWED

Woden Valley made the top four and finals football for the very first time in 2013 so will look back at the 2014 season with a tinge of regret they could not push on for further glory.

The loss of 29-goal Golden Boot winner Derek Oelmann was a blow with the forward returning to the USA. Mitch Stevens, replacing Dean Ugrinic, who moved to Belconnen, therefore inherited a side who lost an array of key players.

As well as Oelmann, goalkeeper Evan Alexandrow-Ridley departed, initially for Hume City in Victoria and then a professional contract with Ekranes of Lithuania. Midfielder Simon Hinde was attempting to break into pro football overseas, whilst Goran Mukevski, Dean Ugrinic and Ben Pagett all departed for a number of reasons. This left Stevens up against it in turning the squad into a competitive outfit.

That he did, and managed to scored five wins and two draws from sixteen matches, was a testament to his burgeoning coaching skills. Indeed, it could be argued, that Stevens formed a team that was better than the sum of its parts. Towards the end of the season he gave debuts to Rowan Blake and Ryan Johnson, two players of immense PLAYER OF THE YEAR prospect whilst Regan Walsh was his usual self, REGAN WALSH superb on the ball and tough in the tackle to take the Player of the Year accolade.

Based on 3-2-1 points

The merger with Weston-Molonglo FC to create the new entity of Weston Woden FC will make the team a stronger presence in the NPL. A new start, under new management, and with some additions to the squad, could seen Woden pushing for a place in the top four once more. They have the talent. Now to see if they have the durability.

Home Venue KALEEN ENCLOSED Technical Director ROD LYNES Head Coach Premier League MITCH STEVENS Media Contact MITCH STEVENS (0432 365 203) Official Club Website www.wvfc.asn.au 2014 Premier League Position 7th 2014 Leading Appearances 16—Jason DENHAM, Andrew SLAVICH 2014 Leading Scorer 3—Lukas COLE, Marco GAYER, Liam WALSH APPEARANCES 16—Jason DENHAM, 15—Regan WALSH, 14(1)—Zach HARRIGAN, 13(3)—Andrew SLAVICH, 12—David JENKINS, Liam WALSH, 11(4)—Mitch STEENBERGEN, 11(2)—Marco GAYER, 9—John GIBSON, 8—Conor NOLAN, Sam OSSATO, 7(2)— Romeo ROMEO, 6(2)—Domenic SMEDLEY, 6(1)— David CARDER, 5(5)—Owen STEER, 5(3)—Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 5(1)—Lukas COLE, 3(2)—Julien RENARD, 3—Rowan BLAKE, 2(6)—Jake WILSENSER, 2(1)—Tom HIRST, Andrew KILEY, 1(1)—Ryan JOHNSON, (2)—Michael IRELAND, Amanzie KESSIE, (1)—Fernando ALVES, Adam BROOKS

GOALS 3—Lukas COLE, Marco GAYER, Liam WALSH 2—Rowan BLAKE, John GIBSON, Andrew SLAVICH, 1—David CARDER, Tom HIRST, Andrew KILEY, Mitch STEENBERGEN, Liam WALSH DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS 4—Zach HARRIGAN, 3—David JENKINS, Liam WALSH, Regan WALSH, 2—Domenic SMEDLEY, 1—Lukas COLE, Jason DENHAM, John GIBSON, Andrew KILEY, Conor NOLAN, Sam OSSATO, Andrew SLAVICH RED CARDS 1—Conor NOLAN

Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Cooma Tigers

16

13

1

2

54

17

+37

40

2

Belconnen United

16

11

2

3

53

24

+29

35

3

Canberra Olympic

16

8

3

5

41

28

+13

27

4

Canberra FC

16

8

1

7

51

28

+23

25

5

FFA COE

16

7

1

8

35

39

-4

22

6

Tuggeranong United

16

6

0

10

26

45

-19

18

7

Woden Valley

16

5

2

9

20

32

-12

17

8

Monaro Panthers

16

4

2

10

26

59

-33

14

9

Canberra City

16

3

2

11

16

50

-34

11

16 Alex OLORIEGBE (Canberra FC), Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) 15 Mark SHIELDS (Canberra Olympic) 14 Jason UGRINIC (Belconnen United) 13 Robbie CATTANACH, Goran JOSIFOVSKI (Cooma Tigers) 12 Daniel BENNETT (Canberra FC) 9 Tom McLACHLAN (Belconnen United) 8 Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United), Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic), Jamal REINERS (FFA COE) 7 Goran MUKEVSKI (Belconnen United), Domenic GIAMPAOLO (Canberra FC), Daniel MASKIN (FFA COE), Own GOALS 6 Misko NAUMOSKI (Canberra City), Philippe BERNABO-MADRID (Canberra FC) 5 Marty RAINES, Michael TAURASI (Belconnen United), Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC), Julian BORGNA (Cooma Tigers), Peter KEKERIS (FFA COE), Thomas JAMES (Monaro Panthers), Muad ZWED (Tuggeranong United) 4 Gimale ESSACU (Canberra City), Aaron EVANS (Canberra FC), Daniel BARAC, Callum SMITH, Oliver WIEDERKEHR (Canberra Olympic), Jordan LANDO (Cooma Tigers), Josh CALABRIA, Martin DENG, Darian McGARRY-WATSON (Monaro Panthers), Daniel COLBERTALDO, Jon TOOLE, Matt MENSER (Tuggeranong) 3 Jack GREEN (Belconnen United), Adam SPALETA (Canberra FC), Daniel ARZANI, Kosta PETRATOS (FFA COE), Pepe VARGA (Monaro Panthers), Michael JOHN (Tuggeranong United), Lukas COLE, Marco GAYER, Regan WALSH (Woden Valley) 2 Jack BLACKLEY, Aisosa IHEGIE, Cameron REINHART (Belconnen United), Adam DOBELL, Sam McDONALD (Canberra City), James FIELD, Ian GRAHAM (Canberra FC), Josh GASPARI, Michael REEVE (Canberra Olympic), Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, Jamie DIMITROFF (FFA COE), Deng PADIET (Monaro Panthers), Zac MUNSTER (Tuggeranong United), Rowan BLAKE, John GIBSON, Andrew SLAVICH (Woden Valley) 1 Taylor BEATON, David KEMP, Kieran MATTRESS, Bernard RENE (Belconnen United), Deng Aleer DENG, Jeremy HEGARTY (Canberra City), Anthony GIORGI, Ryan KEIR (Canberra FC), Nick BOBOLAS, Daniel FULTON, Adam ROGIC, Nathan TIDMARSH (Canberra Olympic), Francois BANGWENI, Iain ELLIOTT, Lianel LAUPER (Cooma Tigers), Jackson BANDIERA, Charlie DEVEREUX, Cameron JOICE, Kye ROWLES, Zak WATERS (FFA COE), Kamal AHMED, Jacob CULLEN-RUA (Monaro Panthers), Sean KIDDEY, Harry PETTIT, Ethan MUNSTER (Tuggeranong United), David CARDER, Tom HIRST, Conor NOLAN, Mitch STEENBERGEN, Liam WALSH (Woden Valley) Green

As goals in the finals series did not count towards Golden Boot total, Stephen Domenici took the prize.

Thursday 10th April 2014 Belconnen United (CLR) 1 (Will Nichols) ANU FC (SL4) 2 (Ben Nicholls, Luke Palombi) ANU FC (CL) 4 (Adam Condipodero, Danny Krajacic (2), James Russell-Jones) O’Connor Knights (CL) 0 Thursday 17th April 2014 Queanbeyan City (CL) 0 Narrabundah (CL) 2 (Liam Boyle, Chris Tunstall) Goulburn Strikers (SL3) 2 (Nathaniel Ryan, Sino Gemmell (og) Weston-Molonglo FC (CLR) 2 (Josh Pender, Janis Tebecis) – WestonMolonglo FC won 6-5 on penalties Tuesday 29th April 2014 White Eagles (CL) 5 (Marko Nedeljkovic (2), Aleks Nedeljkovic, Vladimir Pantic, Peter Milanovic) Gungahlin United (SL5) 1 (Aiden Thompson) Belconnen United (CL) 6 (Glenn Smith (2), Yousaf Jelaidan, Antoni Jagarinec, Gene Nichols, Adam Cunynghame) Gungahlin United (SL7) 2 (Cornell Hanxomphou, John Byrne) Tuesday 6th May 2014 Weston-Molonglo FC (CL) 2 (Robbie Schroder, Nathan Duck) Senior NTC 1 (Jordan Tsekenis) Weston-Molonglo FC (M1) 1 (Jimmy Baxter) Weston-Molonglo FC (SL6) 2 (Jordan Winslade, Eoin Atkinson) A couple of surprises in the opening round of the Federation Cup as ANU FC from State League 4 disposed of Capital League Reserves opposition in the form of Belconnen United and Weston-Molonglo FC defeated the Senior NTC from the National Premier Leagues: under-20 program with a 2-1 win. Otherwise the expected teams qualified although Goulburn Strikers pushed Weston CLR close.

Four of the Capital League teams that embarked on the Federation Cup journey in 2014. Above Left: ANU FC who won the Capital League Championship were knocked out by Woden Valley in the Quarter Finals. Above Right: Weston-Molonglo FC who won the Capital League Grand Final also made the Quarter Final stage where they were narrowly beaten by Canberra FC. Below Left: White Eagles were beaten 4-3 by ANU FC in Round 2. Below Right: Queanbeyan City were knocked out in Round 1 by Narrabundah.

Tuesday 13th May 2014 Weston-Molonglo FC (CLR) 2 (Harry Pettit 58’ (og), Tim Webb 73’) Tuggeranong United 3 (Dylan Glover 3’, 21’, Sean Murphy 40’) Federation Cup holders Tuggeranong United progressed to the last eight of the competition but was made to sweat by their Capital League Reserve opponents, WestonMolonglo FC, before coming home with a 3-2 victory. A much-changed United team, with the majority of the squad being regulars in the club’s Premier League U20 squad, got off to a flyer against the lower-league opposition virtually taking the tie away from the Magpies in the opening half. Young Dylan Glover had a dream start on his first grade debut putting the favourites ahead in only the third minute and the forward was celebrating again eighteen minutes later as he made it 2-0. When Sean Murphy netted the third goal five minutes before half-time, Tuggeranong was in cruise control. And yet the Cup has a funny way of inspiring those involved and Weston-Molonglo came out firing in the second half. With nothing to lose the underdogs stormed onto the offensive and an own goal from United centre-back Harry Pettit put them right back in the contest. When substitute Tim Webb reduced the arrears further in the 73rd minute a remarkable comeback was on the cards. United responded by introducing a couple of their more seasoned first-grade campaigners however and that was enough to see the holders into the quarter-finals.

Weston-Molonglo FC (CLR): 1. Michael WEST, 2. Christian TANDL, 3. Steven MASTERS, 4. James TAYLOR, 5. Matthew KEIGHLEY, 6. Daniel BLANCO, 7. Simon GEMMELL, 8. Janis TEBECIS, 10. Dylan ALEXANDROW-RIDLEY, 11. Russell ALLEN, 12. Joshua PENDER Substitutes used: 7. Peter HANCOCK, 13. Jarrod ADAMS, 15. Edgar DALY, 16. Tim WEBB Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 2. Robbie JOHNSON, 4. Tomas RUIZ, 5. Chris RUIZ, 7. Andrew SELLERS, 8. Ethan MUNSTER, 9. Will LISTON, 13. Sean MURPHY, 14. Dylan GLOVER, 15. Harry PETTIT, 16. Jordan GLOVER Substitutes used: 3. Jonathan REIS, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 10. Muad ZWED, 12. Tim IRESON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Daniel BLANCO, 12. Joshua PENDER (Weston-Molonglo FC CLR), 7. Andrew SELLERS (Tuggeranong United) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Nunzio Rinaudo, Gordon McDonald Tuesday 13th May 2014 Belconnen United 7 (Jack Blackley 4’, Michael Taurasi 12’, 39’, Dustin Wells 22’, Cameron Reinhart 37’, David Kemp 65’, Jason Ugrinic 86’) Belconnen United (CL) 1 (Gene Nicholls 81’) Belconnen United eased into the last eight of the Federation Cup with a routine 7-1 victory over their stable-mates Belconnen United Capital League Reserves. The underdogs were no match for a nearly full-strength Blue Devils and on the McKellar Park playing surface found themselves virtually done and dusted by twenty minutes with the match out of reach by half-time. They continued to try and play their way back into the game however and were rewarded with a fine consolation goal scored by Gene Nicholls nine minutes from time. There was still enough time for substitute Jason Ugrinic to restore the six-goal cushion for the National Premier League team who comfortably progressed. Earlier goals from Jack Blackley in the fourth minute and Michael Taurasi, just eight minutes later, had given notice that it would be a tough evening for the Capital League side and when Dustin Wells made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute the chance of an upset was over. Cameron Reinhart added the fourth goal in the 37 th minute and Taurasi grabbed his second of the match before the interval as the Blue Devils romped away. David Kemp was able to add goal number six with twenty-five minutes remaining as the top-tier team cruised home.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 10. Michael TAURASI, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Jack BLACKLEY, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 16. Milan POPOVICH Substitutes used: 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Sean O’NEILL, 11. Jason UGRINIC, 12. Aisosa IHEGIE Belconnen United (CL): 1. Keegan JACKSON, 2. Laurence MANDAPAT, 4. Joshua ARGENTI, 5. Dan WYNN, 6. Antoni JAGARINEC, 7. Gene NICHOLS, 9. Glenn SMITH, 10. Eamon RITCHIE, 13. Daniel HUMPRHIES, 14. Adam CUNYNGHAME, 15. Simon SMITH Substitutes used: 3. Yousaf JELAIDAN, 12. Dario DELGADO, 16. Nicholas VOUTILAINEN, 17. Matthew RICHARDSON Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. David KEMP (Belconnen United), 5. Dan WYNN, 6. Antoni JAGARINEC (Belconnen United, CLR) Match Officials: David Ockerby (referee), Andrew Higginson, Club Official

Tuesday 20th May 2014 Narrabundah (CL) 1 (Liam Boyle 40’) Canberra City 1 (Ben Doyle 47’) – Canberra City win 5-4 on penalties Canberra City squeezed into the Quarter Finals of the Federation Cup by just about surviving a potential upset as Capital League side Narrabundah pushed the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football team all the way before succumbing 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in ninety minutes at Hawker Football Centre. Despite City dominating the majority of the game, and Narrabundah playing some fast counterattacking football in response, the game couldn’t be decided in regulation time leading to the lottery of the shoot-out. The underdogs defended valiantly, packing their own area with bodies when required to deny City who wasted some glorious chances to take the lead early on. As it was, the Bulls struck first when Liam Boyle was on the end of a move five minutes before half-time top open the scoring. It was a slender advantage but it gave the Bulls something to cling on to, however their lead lasted only two minutes after the resumption of play as Ben Doyle finally found a way through the defensive line to bring the scores level. After that City looked the more likely but a combination of poor finishing and resolute defending kept them out with Narrabundah always a threat on the break. But the match ended all-square and it was City who take the last eight place as they kept their nerve from the penalty spot.

Narrabundah (CL): 1. Jovanco NAUMOVSKI, 3. Steve NOJA, 4. Jose EXPOSITO, 5. Cesar MARTINEZ, 6. Jaime MAURO, 8. David SMULLEN, 9. Ken MACDONALD, 10. Duncan HARRINGTON, 14. Adrian RUSSELL, 18. Liam BOYLE, 20. Alex TROVATO Substitutes used: 2. Michael WEBB, 15. Daniel GAFFNEY Canberra City: 33. James WARD, 2. Patrick CLARKE, 3. James PERRY, 4. Grant DAVOREN, 7. Gimale ESSACU, 8. Brad MOORE, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 14. Matt RICE, 15. Jeremy HEGARTY, 17. Deng Aleer DENG Substitutes used: 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 11. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 16. Joe BERGIN Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Andrew ALIFFI, 9. Ben DOYLE, 10. Misko NAUMOSKI, 17. Deng Aleer DENG (Canberra City) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Tom Wodzinski, Matt Schofield Thursday 22nd May 2014 Monaro Panthers 1 (Deng Padiet 81’) Canberra FC 10 (Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 14’, 22’, 48’, Daniel Bennett 31’, 42’, 83’, Ryan Keir 36’, 67’, Alex Oloriegbe 37’, Josip Jadric 87’) Rampant Canberra FC stormed into the last eight of the Federation Cup as they swept aside Monaro Panthers at Hawker Football Centre, blitzing their way to a 10-1 victory that could have been even more emphatic had they not had two goals disallowed and struck the woodwork on two further occasions. The match was done inside the opening half as FC showed all their attacking intent. Philippe Bernabo-Madrid swept the favourites into the lead in the 14th minute and added a second only eight minutes later. Daniel Bennett made it three just past the half hour before Ryan Keir was on the end of a slick team move to roll home goal number four. Alex Oloriegbe’s gorgeously struck free-kick, that flashed into the top corner, made it 5-0 and Bennett brought up the half dozen three minutes before the interval. Canberra FC took their foot off the gas after the break but still found time to add more goals to the growing tally. Bernabo-Madrid, on his birthday, completed a hat-trick three minutes after the resumption before Keir blasted home his second of the evening. Panthers’ substitute Deng Padiet pulled one back in the 81st minute, but FC weren’t finished yet. There was still time for Bennett to complete his treble before substitute Josip Jadric brought up double figures.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Rory LARKIN, 2. Mark SALAYSAY, 3. Alex HOLLIS, 4. Daniel LINSTEAD, 5. Matur DONG, 6. Nathan WALKER, 7. Darian McGARRY-WATSON, 8. Josh CALABRIA, 9. Martin DENG, 10. Thomas JAMES, 11.Nikolas POPOVICH Substitutes used: 12. Kamal AHMED, 13. Deng PADIET, 15. Pepe VARGA, 16. Arok THON Canberra FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Aaron EVANS, 5. Antonio BARBARO, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 13. Daniel BENNETT, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 23. Nathan EVANS, 99. Alex OLORIEGBE Substitutes used: 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 12. Izach CLEMENTS, 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. Nathan WALKER, 8. Josh CALABRIA (Monaro Panthers) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Greg Taylor, David Ockerby

Tuesday 27th May 2014 Canberra Olympic 2 (Adam Rogic 21’, Daniel Fulton 42’) Cooma Tigers 2 (Stephen Domenici 25’ (pen), Robbie Cattanach 61’) – Canberra Olympic win 4-1 on penalties Goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou was the hero as Canberra Olympic knocked out Cooma Tigers in the Federation Cup at Hawker Football Centre on a wet and windy evening. The Olympic and Futsalroos custodian saved three times in the penalty shoot-out after the match had ended 2-2 to send Olympic into the last eight at the expense of the 2013 finalists. It was a rough way for the Tigers to depart the competition after they had played their part to the full in an entertaining match however, Olympic will feel they deserved the victory having wasted a glorious chance to seal the result in regulation time when Victor Yanes missed from the spot following the dismissal of Cooma defender Stefan Todoroski. Earlier Olympic had gone in front when Adam Rogic netted his first goal for the club in the 21st minute, but it was an advantage that lasted only four minutes as Cooma equalised through Stephen Domenici, the forward scoring his third successful penalty in three days. Daniel Fulton restored Olympic’s lead before half-time with a fine goal but Cooma was able to force their way back onto level terms just past the hour when the in-form Robbie Cattanach equalised. Neither team could find a winner in what remained of the ninety minutes so the match went straight to penalties where Konstantinou stood firm.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 8. Josh GASPARI, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 12. Adam ROGIC, 15. Michael REEVE, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 18. Daniel McCARRON, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 7. Robbie DEELEY, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 14. Tim BOBOLAS Cooma Tigers: 1. Tom BARTON, 2. Liam HIGHMORE, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Dom COLLUCIELLO, 6. Stefan TODOROSKI, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Dejan SANTRAC, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Lianel LAUPER, 11. Stephen DOMENICI, 16. Aden Johnson Substitutes used: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 12. Jeremias IBARRA, 15. Jordan LANDO, 16. Phil YARNOLD Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS (Canberra Olympic), 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 16. Aden JOHNSON (Cooma Tigers) RED CARD: 6. Stefan TODOROSKI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Bruno Kehl, Vinh Nga-Do Federation Cup: Round 2 Thursday 29th May 2014 ANU FC (CL) 4 (Josh Jordan 12’, Chris Chartres 17’, Chase Deans 62’, 67’ (pen)) White Eagles (CL) 3 (Bensah Afiabo 36’, Milan Santrac 55’, Tadija Milandinovic 63’) ANU FC roared into the quarter finals of the Federation Cup with a deserved 4-3 victory against White Eagles despite playing seventy minutes with only ten men. The dismissal of Nicholas Cooper midway through the first half could have proved catastrophic for the University team however Andrew Sellas penalty was saved by Matthew Thomson and ANU not only hung on but remarkably found the strength to push on for victory after seeing their two-goal cushion wiped out. Early goals from Josh Jordan and Chris Chartres had ANU in the box seat prior to Cooper’s dismissal and with the extra man Eagles hit back through Bensah Afiabo before half-time. When Milan Santrac brought Eagles’ back on terms ten minutes into the second half the momentum appeared to have shifted. However ANU has proven to be a gutsy group this season and Chase Deans restored their lead in the 62nd minute. Back came White Eagles and within sixty seconds Tadija Milandinovic had made it 3-3 exploiting a quickly taken free-kick. ANU continued to defend grimly with their reduced numbers but amazingly still had the energy and ambition for Olaide Yinka-Kehinde to go on a mazy run that resulted in a penalty. Deans did the business from the spot and the University team shut down the Eagles for the last quarter to claim a memorable win.

ANU FC (CL): 1. Matthew THOMSON, 2. Nicholas COOPER, 4. Josh JORDAN, 5. Patrick MAYOH, 6. Sam CARTERS, 7. Chase DEANS, 8. Mark VAN ZEYL, 11. Christopher CHARTRES, 14. Olaide YINKA-KEHINDE, 15. Adam CONDIPODERO, 17. Hugh EKIN-SMYTH Substitutes used: 12. Regan ASHBY, 16. R PETERKIN White Eagles (CL): 1. Philip CITOWICKI, 3. Jovan BATAR, 5. Matthew GRECL, 6. Andrew SELLAS, 8. Bensah AFIABO, 9. Mark NEDELJKOVIC, 10. Milan SANTRAC, 11. Tadija MILADINOVIC, 12. Bojan BANJAC, 13. Alexander NEDELJKOVIC, 16. Stephen MACHALE Substitutes used: 14. Matt McBRIDE, 15. Petar MILANOVIC Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 8. Mark VAN ZEYL (ANU FC), 5. Matthew GRECL (White Eagles) RED CARD: 2. Nicholas COOPER (ANU FC) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Pat Caggiano, Ving Ngo-Da

Federation Cup: Round 2 Tuesday 3rd June 2014 Weston-Molonglo FC (CL) 13 (Robbie Schroder 3', 30', 54', 88', Nick Kramer 5', Aaron Cashman 24', Ben Greig 28', 80', Tom Pagett 36', 38', Tim Anderson 64', Nathan Duck 79', Richard Santiago 83') Weston-Molonglo FC (SL6) 0 Weston-Molonglo FC Capital League crushed their State League 6 club-mates to breeze into the last eight of the Federation Cup with a 13-0 victory at Hawker Football Centre. The game was as good as done by half-time as the CL team led 7-0 and the flood of goals didn’t ease up after the break as the higher ranked team paid the compliment to their opponents of playing to the final whistle.

Incredibly, for a team that conceded thirteen goals, the undisputed man of the match was undoubtedly the State League goalkeeper Cary Finlay who was exceptional. Finlay made several gravity defying stops to frustrate the CL team including a simply sensational trio of saves in one movement late on which, unfortunately for the custodian, ended with Ben Greig slotting his second goal of the game. Robbie Schroder led the way for the victors with four goals, two in each half, whilst early strikes from Nick Kramer and Aaron Cashman had the higher Weston teams’ progress assured. Tom Pagett added a brace before the interval and, upon the resumption, Tim Anderson and substitutes Nathan Duck and Richard Santiago joined the goal scoring party. The Capital League team eased through to the Quarter finals, but the kudos belongs to Finlay.

Weston-Molonglo FC (CL): 1. Joshua WADE, 2. Tom PAGETT, 3. Adam JOHNSTON, 5. Ben GREIG, 6. Jeremy BUTLER, 7. Michael KNEE, 10. Aaron CASHMAN, 11. Nick KRAMER, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 14. Tim ANDERSON, 15. Jordan BODDY Substitutes used: 8. Samale MOHAMED, 9. Richard SANTIAGO, 16. Nathan DUCK Weston-Molonglo FC (SL6): 1. Cary FINLAY, 2. Lachlan MACKENZIE, 3. Andrew KEHOE, 4. Kurt MAHER, 7. Nicholas KAHL, 11. Benjamin WINSLADE, 13. John MOLLOY, 14. Long TRAN, 16. Jordan WINSLADE, 18. Duncan McLEAN, 22. Eoin ATKINSON Substitutes used: 6. Chad LANZON, 8. Bart MELLISH, 17. Tim WELLS, 27. Stewart TURNER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumovski (referee), Gary Vandeburgt, Greg Taylor Federation Cup: Round 2 Wednesday 4th June 2014 ANU FC (SL4) 0 Woden Valley 2 (Conor Nolan 60’, Lukas Cole 92’ (pen)) Woden Valley edged into the Quarter Finals of the Federation Cup with a 2-0 win over State League 4 side ANU FC but was given an almighty scare by the lower grade team who fought until the bitter end of the match which was only put out of reach of a penalty shoot-out when Woden striker Lukas Cole cracked home a stoppage time penalty to set the seal on the fixture. Before then the State League side, who have enjoyed a number of successful years together, had given as good as they have received from their National Premier League opponents and had gone into the half-time break level at 0-0. The tie swung in favour of Woden when they took the lead on the hour as Conor Nolan broke the deadlock. The dismissal of substitute Tiago Peixoto for ANU gave Woden a little bit more breathing space but the University team attacked like dervishes in an attempt to force a penalty shoot-out. As it was Woden was given the chance to secure their place in the last eight when they were awarded a penalty in time added-on. Cole did the honours from twelve yards to end ANU’s dream but full credit to the State League side who, for large parts of the match, outplayed their top flight opposition and had them sweating until the final whistle.

ANU FC (SL4): 1. Won OH, 2. Christopher PITSON, 7. Luke PALOMBI, 6. Aizaz SYED, 8. Nicholas SPELDEWINDE, 11. Paul MULLENS, 12. Sahber MONSHIZADA, 14. Owen FREESTONE, 16. Jamie DAWE, 19. Nick STUBBS, 21. Nicholas WODZINSKI Substitutes used: 9. Zachary PIESSE, 10. Duncan WIGLEY, 17. Brendan HENNESSY, 20. Tiago PEIXOTO Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 7. Regan WALSH, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 10. Dominic SMEDLEY, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. Michael IRELAND, 15. Julien RENARD, 19. Conor NOLAN, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 27. Lukas COLE, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 5. John GIBSON, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 22. Owen STEER Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None RED CARDS: Tiago PEIXOTO (ANU FC SL4) Match Officials: Daniel Rajic (referee), Tom Wodzinski, Delfina Dimoski

Federation Cup: Quarter Finals Thursday 12th June 2014 ANU FC (CL) 1 (Jon Adamidis 86’) Woden Valley 4 (Thomas Zeitlhofer 6’, 62’, David Carder 44’, Conor Nolan 59’) Woden Valley made it to their second successive Federation Cup semi-final with a 4-1 win over ANU FC from the Capital League at Hawker Football Centre. Having been pushed all the way in the previous round by the University State League 4 team, the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football outfit were in no mood to be given such a fright for a second time and took the game to their opponents from the kick-off. Woden settled any nerves by taking the lead in the sixth minute as Thomas Zeitlhofer finished well to give the NPL team the perfect start. Youngster David Carder was enjoying an outstanding debut for Woden and the 16-year-old rounded off a dream start to life with the club by putting his team 2-0 ahead just before the half -time break, a crucial time to notch the potentially game killing second. ANU FC were belligerent after the re-start but Woden had too much class for their lower league opponents and when Conor Nolan registered his second goal of the competition in the 59 th minute, there was no way back for ANU. Zeitlhofer made it 4-0 in the 62nd minute but any fears the score would blow out were nullified by a spirited ending from the Capital League leaders. They deserved a goal for their industry and endeavour, and got one with four minutes to play, as substitute Jon Adamidis struck.

ANU FC (CL): 1. Matthew THOMSON, 4. Jarrod BOWD, 5. Patrick MAYOH, 6. Sam CARTERS, 7. Chase DEANS, 8. Mark VAN ZEYL, 10. Jonathan SCOTT, 11. Christopher CHARTRES, 12. Regan ASHBY, 15. Adam CONDIPODERO, 17. Hugh EKIN-SMYTH Substitutes used: 14. Jon ADAMIDIS, 16. Rowan PETERKIN Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 3. Dominic SMEDLEY, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 12. Conor NOLAN, 13. Julien RENARD, 15. David CARDER, 22. Owen STEER, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 28. Zach HARRIGAN Substitutes used: 10. Romeo ROMEO, 14. David JENKINS, 27. Lukas COLE, 30. Fernando ALVES Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 12. Conor NOLAN (Woden Valley) Match Officials: David Ockerby (referee), Gary Vandeburgt, Delfina Dimoski Federation Cup: Quarter Finals Thursday 12th June 2014 Canberra Olympic 3 (Mark Shields 3’ (pen), Robbie Deeley 35’, 75’) Canberra City 1 (Daniel Di-Salvatore 9’) Canberra Olympic eased into the semi-finals of the Federation Cup with a tougher than expected 3-1 victory over a largely Canberra City reserve grade team at Hawker Football Centre.

City rested the majority of their usual National Premier Leagues: Capital Football squad instead relying on their youngsters to down an Olympic team that featured seven of the team that started the 1-0 win over Canberra FC in the league on the previous Sunday. From the moment Mark Shields coolly converted a third minute penalty it appeared that it would be a routine night for Olympic, however City’s youngsters rallied and Daniel Di-Salvatore netted the equaliser just six minutes later. Olympic restored their lead before half-time when Robbie Deeley arrived to head home a cross from Tim Womack, as the in-form midfielder struck for the second time in five days. Deeley wasn’t finished there and, after a nervous spell in the second half when City threatened a surprise equaliser, the Kiwi struck his second of the match with fifteen minutes left to set the seal on the win. City, to their immense credit, kept plugging away and can be proud of their efforts at making Olympic work exceptionally hard for their spot in the last four.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Marc O’NEILL, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 9. Tim WOMACK, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 14. Callum SMITH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 99. Victor YANES Substitutes used: 3. Daniel FULTON, 4. Chris NIKITAS, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR Canberra City: 1. Steven McLAUGHLIN, 2. Andrew MANLEY, 3. Grant DAVOREN, 4. Alan GASTON, 5. Nicholas CHAN, 6. Christopher McEWAN, 7. Aidan LEES, 8. Jon HAND, 9. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 10. Alex OLLMAN, 11. Justin RANKINE Substitutes used: 12. Mitchell WICKS, 15. Jake BRADLEY, 16. Lamin KOROMA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 4. Alan GASTON, 8. Jon HAND (Canberra City) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), David Ockerby, Delfina Dimoski

Federation Cup: Quarter Finals Tuesday 17th June 2014 Belconnen United 1 (Tom McLachlan 21’) Tuggeranong United 0 A first half goal from midfielder Tom McLachlan was enough for Belconnen United to knock out defending champions Tuggeranong United from the Federation Cup in the Quarter Final match played at Hawker Football Centre on a cold Tuesday evening. McLachlan swept home from close range to round off a stunningly intricate Blue Devils attack down the left channel that involved several first-time passes and a delightful cross from Goran Mukevski to the arriving McLachlan, who provided the games defining moment. Belconnen celebrations were tempered somewhat by the stoppage time dismissal of Dustin Wells, the forward receiving a straight red card for a lunging tackle on the edge of the Tuggeranong penalty area – a challenge deemed harsh enough by the officials to pay the ultimate sanction. Wells will now miss the semi-final. In an even contest both teams created half-chances throughout the match with Tuggeranong’s Devin Carter the busier of the two goalkeepers, the Tuggeranong custodian forced into making a couple of outstanding saves as the Blue Devils mounted some serious pressure. For Tuggeranong Sean Kiddey enjoyed an excellent match in the centre of the park with young Andrew Sellars also performing well in an unfamiliar defensive role.

Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 6. David ARRANZ, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Bernard RENE, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes used: 16. Marty RAINES Tuggeranong United: 1. Devin CARTER, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jonathan TOOLE, 5. Andrew SELLARS, 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 10. Muad ZWED, 13. Sean MURPHY, 15. Mark DI BITONTO, 16. Jordan GLOVER Substitutes used: 8. Tim STEWART, 11. Ethan MUNSTER, 12. Dylan GLOVER, 14. Tomas RUIZ Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 6. David ARRANZ, 8. Zac MAYBURY (Belconnen United), 6. Sean KIDDEY (Tuggeranong United) RED CARD: 5. Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United) Match Officials: Luke Withell (referee), Daniel Rajic, Duncan McLaren Federation Cup: Quarter Finals Tuesday 17th June 2014 Canberra FC 3 (Aaron Evans 2’, 4’, Nathan Evans 46’) Weston-Molonglo FC 1 (Nathan Duck 65’) Canberra FC reached the semi-finals of the Federation Cup with an expected victory over Capital League side Weston-Molonglo FC at Deakin Stadium but the lower grade side made their illustrious National Premier League opponents work every step of the way for their progression in the competition. Initially it looked as if FC would carry on where they left off against Monaro Panthers in the previous round as they stormed onto the offensive, perhaps smarting from their weekend loss to Cooma Tigers, to race into a 2-0 lead inside the opening four minutes. Aaron Evans was the man who did the damage for Canberra FC, netting a brace of goals to give his team the perfect start. To their credit Weston battened down the hatches and continued to perform to the level they have been showing each week in the Capital League, maintaining their shape and attempting to play football the right way.

Unfortunately for Weston the half-time interval knocked them off their stride somewhat and within a minute of the re-start Nathan Evans had ended the contest with a third Canberra FC goal. Again Weston refused to buckle and were rewarded for their endeavour and an excellent display with a consolation goal from Nathan Duck in the 65 th minute to end the game defeated but far from out-classed.

Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 7. Aaron EVANS, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 6. Marko VRKIC, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 21. Niko KRESIC Weston-Molonglo FC (CL): 1. Joshua WADE, 3. Michael KNEE, 4. Tim ANDERSON, 5. Ben GREIG, 7. Adam JOHNSTON, 8. Samale MOHAMED, 10. Aaron CASHMAN, 13. Robbie SCHRODER, 16. Nathan DUCK, 17. Tom PAGETT, 18. Nick KRAMER Substitutes used: 6. Josh GONZALEZ, 9. Richard SANTIAGO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 16. Matt GRBESA (Canberra FC) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), Tom Wodzinski, David Ockerby

Federation Cup: Semi-Finals Tuesday 24th June 2014 Canberra Olympic 2 (Mark Shields 25’, 28’) Belconnen United 5 (Jamie Duncan 16’, Aisosa Ihegie 40’, 59’, Marty Raines 73’, Tom McLachlan 92’) Belconnen United stormed into the Federation Cup Final with a 5-2 victory over Canberra Olympic at Hawker Football Centre with a performance that would have warmed the hearts of their coaching staff on a freezing cold night in Canberra. With Head Coach Dean Ugrinic half a world away, on holiday in Argentina having been watching the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, assistant Lou Gaspari took over and his selection blended the right amount of youth and experience to out-gun an Olympic team that led 2-1 close to half-time. The Blue Devils got off to the perfect start when young striker Jamie Duncan put them in front in the sixteenth minute but Olympic hit back and by the half-hour were ahead. Striker Mark Shields did the damage with a brace of goals within three minutes of each other to put his team in the driving seat. It was another Belconnen young-gun who was to have his say before the interval however as Aisosa Ihegie outlined his enormous potential with a well-taken equaliser. At 2-2 it was anyone’s game and Belconnen made sure they held all the aces when they took the lead for the second time in the 59 th minute. Ihegie again was the man for the moment, netting his second of the encounter. With Olympic pushing for a leveller the Blue Devils hit them with a classic sucker punch as Marty Raines made it 4-2. Tom McLachlan’s strike in stoppage time was merely the icing on the cake shortly after Olympic skipper Robbie Deeley was sent off for receiving a second yellow card.

Canberra Olympic: 1. Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 3. Daniel FULTON, 5. Nathan TIDMARSH, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 7. Robbie DEELEY, 8. Josh GASPARI, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Adam ROGIC, 14. Callum SMITH, 17. Nick BOBOLAS, 19. Marcin ZYGMUNT Substitutes used: 2. Marc O’NEILL, 11. Oliver WIEDERKEHR, 13. Michael RINAUDO Belconnen United: 1. George KAZOLIS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 6. Bernard RENE, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Aisosa IHEGIE, 11. Marty RAINES, 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN, 16. Jamie DUNCAN Substitutes used: 5. Kieran MATTRESS, 9. Kelvin DELLE, 12. Adam DE FRANCESCHI, 17. Ohio ASIHKIA Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None RED CARD: 7. Robbie DEELEY (Canberra Olympic) Match Officials: Gary Vandeburgt (referee), David Ockerby, Bruno Kehl Federation Cup: Semi-Finals Thursday 26th June 2014 Canberra FC 1 (Domenic Giampaolo 26’ (pen)) Woden Valley 0 A first half penalty from Domenic Giampaolo proved enough to end Woden Valley’s Federation Cup dreams and send Canberra FC into the Federation Cup Final after a pulsating semi-final clash at Hawker Football Centre. With the fixture moved from its original venue of Deakin Stadium due to the inclement weather, Canberra FC wasted no time in going on the offensive against a young Woden Valley side who, under Head Coach Mitch Stevens, put in an organised and tactical defensive display that severely frustrated their opponents throughout. Woden was limited in its opportunities with only a penalty area scramble in which Regan Walsh went close their best chance. Canberra FC meanwhile did create several presentable openings but Woden goalkeeper Jason Denham was proving nigh on impenetrable at the back continually making saves when FC threatened a breakthrough. The only goal of the encounter came just past the half-way mark of the first half when referee Richard Naumoski awarded Canberra FC a penalty for hand-ball. Giampaolo took charge of the situation and calmly slotted home from the spot. That was it as far as goals were concerned but Woden can be proud of their display which showed a resilient edge that should hold them in good stead for the second half of the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football season.

Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Alex OLORIEGBE, 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 23. Nathan EVANS Substitutes used: 3. Niko KRESIC, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 21. Danai GAPARE Woden Valley: 1. Jason DENHAM, 5. John GIBSON, 7. Regan WALSH, 10. Romeo ROMEO, 12. Julien RENARD, 13. Marco GAYER, 14. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 19. Zach HARRIGAN, 22. Owen STEER, 23. Andrew SLAVICH, 27. Michael IRELAND Substitutes used: 4. David CARDER, 9. Thomas ZEITLHOFER, 28. Tom HIRST Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None Match Officials: Richard Naumoski (referee), Daniel Rajic, Nick Gillies

Federation Cup Final Wednesday 3rd July 2014 Belconnen United 3 (Tom McLachlan 13’, Dustin Wells 19’, Jason Ugrinic 28’) Canberra FC 2 (Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 53’, Danai Gapare 85’) Belconnen United won their first Federation Cup since 1998 with a 3-2 win over Canberra FC on a freezing cold night at Hawker Football Centre. A first half of power, passion and pace had the Blue Devils in command of the destination of the trophy before a stirring second half comeback by the 17-times winners led to a rousing finale as Belconnen grimly held on. The Blue Devils roared out of the blocks taking the game to Canberra FC and forcing the reds onto the back foot as Dean Ugrinic’s master-plan worked to a tee.

Such was their start to proceedings that it was little surprise when the Blue Devils hit the front in the 13 th minute. Tom McLachlan had already threatened the FC goal with a cross that grazed the crossbar on its way across the penalty area but the midfielder was not to be denied. Canberra FC was split open with consummate ease as McLachlan, at the end of a driving run, collected a square pass, vaulted a challenge and placed his shot beyond Jakob Cole and into the corner.

It was all Belconnen at this stage and they missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 four minutes later when Cameron Reinhart found himself unmarked six yards from goal but could only skew his shot wide after being picked out by a pion-point volleyed pass from Dustin Wells. It mattered little as just two minutes later they had their two-goal cushion. Again the Blue Devils ripped open the Canberra FC defence finding a soft hole in the middle as Wells arrived late, controlled a pass and planted a finish with the outside of his left boot past Cole.

Shortly after Wells struck the upright with a thunderous shot from just inside the area as Belconnen kept up their pressure. And there was a sense of real disbelief amongst the Blue Devils supporters when they went further in front just before the half-hour. Again it was a goal of sheer simplicity in its creation, but deadly in its execution as a pass down the centre found Jason Ugrinic free on the penalty spot and the winger turned to coolly slot past the advancing Cole.

It would have been worse for FC before half-time as Wells got in behind once more, on the end of a raking forward pass but, on the stretch wasn’t able to summon the requisite power to beat the ‘keeper. At the other end Ashley Collins was a spectator for the most part but was called into action late on in the half as Philippe Bernabo-Madrid tested his reflexes with a skidding low drive that Collins parried away to safety.

Whatever Head Coach Ray Junna said to Canberra FC during the half-time interval seemed to pay dividends as the match swung on its head in the second forty-five as Canberra FC began to dominate possession and territory. The record Federation Cup champions gave themselves a glimmer of hope eight minutes after the resumption by pulling one back as Bernabo-Madrid steered a cross past Collins.

ABOVE LEFT: Jason Ugrinic (Belconnen United) challenges Matt Grbesa (Canberra FC) whilst Izach Clements looks on.

ABOVE RIGHT: Celebration time for Belconnen United as Cameron Reinhart congratulates Dustin Wells on making it 2-0

Belconnen was still dangerous on the break and the industrious and skilful Marty Raines was extremely unfortunate not to kill off the tie in the 67th minute. A lightning fast counter attack speared at the heart of the FC defence and resulted in a shot from Wells that Cole pushed away. Raines was sharpest to react and must have thought he had scored as his fierce effort flew past Cole, but FC stalwart Aidan Brunskill was on hand to clear off the line.

With the pattern set, FC probing for an opening and Belconnen content to break swiftly in response, the match edged towards its denouement. Junna sent on Danai Gapare and Niko Kresic late on in an effort to do the impossible but it was his earlier changes that combined to set up a fraught finale. Alex Tilley, who came on at half-time, had been fairly innocuous on the right flank but switched to the left with immediate effect sending over an outstanding cross that fellow replacement Alex Oloriegbe buried past Collins with a firm header. The Blue Devils regrouped for the final five though and comfortably held on to claim their first Federation Cup for sixteen years.

STATISTICS Belconnen United: 1. Ashley COLLINS, 2. Cameron REINHART, 4. David KEMP, 5. Dustin WELLS, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Zac MAYBURY, 9. Marty RAINES, 10. Jason UGRINIC (12. Bernard RENE 69’), 13. Jack GREEN, 14. Milan POPOVICH, 15. Tom McLACHLAN Substitutes not used: 6. Adam DE FRANCESCHI, 11. Kieran MATTRESS, 16. Kelvin DELLE, 20. George KAZOULIS Canberra FC: 22. Jakob COLE, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 7. Aaron EVANS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID (3. Niko KRESIC 80’), 10. Domenic GIAMPAOLO (11. Alex OLORIEGBE 55’), 16. Matt GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD (21. Danai GAPARE 69’), 23. Nathan EVANS (18. Alex TILLEY 46’) Substitutes not used: 1. Farid RASHID OFFICIALS Referee: Matt Cropper Assistant Referee 1: Allyson Flynn Assistant Referee 2: Greg Taylor Fourth Official: Gary Vandeburgt DISCIPLINE YELLOW CARDS: 2. Cameron REINHART, 5. Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United), 7. Aaron EVANS (Canberra FC) RED CARDS: None

TUGGERANONG STUN SOUTH HOBART TO PROGRESS FFA Cup—Round of 32 Tuesday 5th August 2014 South Hobart 1 (Sean Kiddey 69’ (og)) Tuggeranong United 1 (Zach.Munster 85’) Tuggeranong United won 5-4 on penalties @ KGV Park, Glenorchy (TAS) It wasn’t supposed to happen. They said it couldn’t happen. Rank outsiders with the bookies, fifth in their local competition, up against a team clear at the top of their league and a shoo-in for the championship. A team that had scored just 22 goals all season against a team boasting a strike pairing with 39 goals between them so far this campaign. And yet, they prevailed. THAT is the magic of the FFA Cup. Tuggeranong United, 2013 Federation Cup winners, defeated Tasmanian Champions South Hobart 5-4 on penalties after an extraordinary match that stretched emotions to breaking point and saw both clubs strain every sinew in an effort to snatch victory with a 1-1 score-line at full-time precipitating a penalty shoot-out. The lottery to end all lotteries in a football sense and when centre-back Harry Pettit slotted calmly past South Hobart’s stand-in custodian Mark Moncur it sparked ecstasy amongst the ACT players and staff and despair just twenty metres away.

South Hobart, in front of a mostly partisan crowd of over 1400, started like a house on fire, their high pressing game forcing numerous turn overs from the Tuggeranong defence, nervous passes intercepted and the visitors on the back foot. It was clear that South Hobart had a game plan. And it revolved around the pace and power of their explosive winger 21-year-old Andy Brennan. Indeed, Brennan’s match-up with United full-back Sean Kiddey became an absorbing contest. Time and again Brennan stretched Kiddey to breaking point and, time and again, Kiddey responded with some outstanding tackles and blocks.

He wasn’t alone. Central defensive duo Jonathan Reis and Pettit were colossal in keeping the free-scoring Brayden Mann quiet, with Cameron Doherty putting in a tireless shift out wide.

In the centre of the park Tim Stewart settled after a nervy opening to dictate the pace with which United countered, utilising the movement of Muad Zwed and Daniel Colbertaldo to create an opening for Matt Menser which Moncur blocked. Shortly after United carved open the Hobart defence again, Tomas Ruiz, who was a nuisance to Hugh Ludford all evening, lobbing agonisingly over the bar.

At the other end Rowan Forbes Shepherd was underlining his quality. Solid under the high ball, effective in his clearances and near impregnable from distance. With one save with his knees to his credit the teams went into the sheds all square and with everything to play for.

If South Hobart had started better in the first forty-five it was Tuggeranong who looked more likely after the break. Jon Toole suddenly burst into action, skipping past challenges with ease and linking with Menser and Ruiz. With Zwed applying the same silky skilled footwork on the opposite flank chances started to come. Reis went close with a thunderbolt of a shot from range and Menser threatened again.

This page, clockwise from top: Sean Kiddey leaps highest to win an aerial duel, Tomas Ruiz protects the ball, Harry Pettit calm at the back. Opposite page from top: Jonathan Reis was an assured presence, Forbes Shepherd saves and Tuggeranong go wild.

But, against the run of play, South Hobart struck. Doherty was caught in possession on halfway and a quick break ended with Kiddey inadvertently turning the ball into the net past Forbes Shepherd and via the underside of the crossbar. It was a horrible way to go behind and a terrible way to lose a match. For a long time it appeared as if it would be the decisive moment. But United Head Coach Steve Forshaw had other ideas.

Introducing Zachary Munster and Sean Murphy into the fray United suddenly had an aerial threat and South Hobart retreated into their shell, perhaps attempting to preserve their lead but it appeared more likely that they couldn’t handle the extra physical threat of the forward replacements. All evening the home side had struggled to deal with the exocet that is a Kiddey throw. Finally, they broke. Kiddey threw long, the ball was flicked on and Zachary Munster pounced to head home from close range. Cue delirium amongst the Tuggeranong faithful in Tasmania and back in the ACT. Extra-time came and extra-time went. Tuggeranong thought they had won it when Zwed crashed a shot down off the underside of the bar and, after Menser’s follow up headed was cleared off the line, South Hobart survived. South thought they had won it when a shot from Brennan was classily saved by Shepherd, the ‘keeper who enjoyed a stellar match, saving the day – literally.

And so to the dreaded penalties. Hugh Undy blazed over the bar for South whilst Ethan Munster rattled the frame with his effort. The rest were all picture perfect with the scores locked at 4-4 after the allotted kicks. Sudden death brought forward Caleb Ludlow and Forbes Shepherd saved magnificently. That left Pettit to do the honours and book Tuggeranong a place in the last sixteen.

STATISTICS South Hobart: 1. Mark MONCUR, 2. Liam SCOTT, 3. Caleb LUDLOW, 5. Hugh LUDFORD, 7. Nicholas MORTON, 9. Brayden MANN, 10.

Andy BRENNAN, 11. Benjamin HAMLETT (15. Darcy HALL 63’), 13. Hugh UNDY, 14. Matthew LEWIS, 16. Connor KASS (6. Christopher HUNT 112’) Substitutes not used: 4. Scott LAMONT, 8 .Joseph STEVENS, 21. Nicholas BECKER Yellow cards: 2. Liam SCOTT Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE (13. Sean MURPHY 80’), 6. Sean KIDDEY, 7. Matt MENSER, 8. Tim STEWART, 10. Muad ZWED, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO (11. Ethan MUNSTER 98’), 15. Harry PETTIT, 17. Tomas RUIZ (18. Zachary MUNSTER 71’) Substitutes not used: 1. Mitchell MCKENZIE, 9. Michael GURNEY Yellow cards: 15. Harry PETTIT Referee: Patrick Chaplin Attendance: 1,472

FFA Cup—Round of 16 Tuesday 16th September 2014 Tuggeranong United 0 Melbourne Victory 6 (Besart Berisha 11, 21, 85, Matthieu Delpierre 14, Guilherme Finkler 52, Connor Pain 57) @ Viking Park, Canberra (ACT) REPORT BY CHIRS DUTTON (Canberra Times) The scoreboard said they were belted by A-League champions and Socceroos, but the smiles on Tuggeranong United's faces told a different story in the FFA Cup on Tuesday night. A win would have been a fairytale but the reality was it was going to be a fight against the odds and Tuggeranong was beaten 6-0 by the Melbourne Victory at Viking Park. The game which attracted a ground record crowd of 5150 will almost certainly reignite calls for Canberra to start a new bid to join the A-League.

The goals came thick and fast for the Victory, but one of the biggest and most anticipated games in Canberra soccer history will go down as an undeniable success. Lines were 100 metres long just to get into the ground with massive crowd turning up to watch a team of students, public servants, tradies and a distant relative of Muammar Gaddafi take on the Victory's almost $3 million worth of talent. It was also a chance for former Tuggeranong junior Carl Valeri to return home and play in front of almost 100 family and friends. The gap in class was obvious and Tuggeranong coach Steve Forshaw joked that he would walk out of the press conference if anyone mentioned the score. “Even our best supporters would have expected us to lose, we were outclassed by a better team,” Forshaw said.

“A lot of teams might have given up when the score crept out to three, four or five. But we kept going, a lot of it was chasing shadows and they were miles too quick. But you've got to applaud the guys, I've got nothing but admiration. This was a once in a lifetime experience for me.” When asked which players impressed him, Forshaw said: “Most of the Melbourne Victory players.”

The only dampener came just after half-time when security ejected at least two fans after they lit flares and threw them on to the field. Victory coach Kevin Muscat was full of praise for Tuggeranong and the support in Canberra. The FFA has previously knocked back a Canberra bid to join the A-League, despite members and sponsors pledging financial commitment. It's unlikely the sport's governing body will fast-track Canberra into the A-League, but based on the evidence of a 5000-strong crowd at a mid-week fixture, the capital should be in contention.

The crowd roared when Tuggeranong ran on to the field and the players stood opposite some of their idols, including Tuggeranong junior Carl Valeri. They were massive underdogs, rated a $21 chance to beat two-time A-League champions the Victory in the round of 16 of the inaugural FFA Cup. Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper said before the start of the game: “Tuggeranong has a chance, but it's a remote chance.” And the romance of pitting part-timers against professional athletes lasted 11 minutes before the reality sunk in. Super striker Besart Berisha scored after the Victory attack terrorised the Tuggeranong defence. Two minutes later Matthieu Delpierre scored after a beautifully worked free kick which went through four passes before finding the back of the net. When Berisha got his second after 21 minutes, there were fears the avalanche of goals would never stop.

This page, clockwise from top: Rowan Forbes Shepherd had a good game in goal, Muad Zwed showcasing his skills, the United defence block a chance. Opposite page, from top: Jon Toole in possession, Matt Menser welcomes Guilherme Finkler to Viking Park.

But defying their pay brackets, Tuggeranong dug in and refused to budge for the remainder of the first half. Tuggeranong was on the cusp of withdrawing from Canberra's men's competition less than two years ago as the club battled through financial woes. But they've turned it around to be able to pay their players for the first time this season, albeit “fuel money”, and invested $35,000 to put on a spectacular show for the FFA Cup. Tuggeranong defender Sean Keddy impressed Victory coach Muscat with a strong second-half display while Mouad Zwed showed he wouldn't look out of place in an A-League set up.

“We had to break down a stubborn Tuggeranong unit ... from there I thought we stayed professional and completed a professional job,” Muscat said. “I thought it was a great night for football in Canberra. Hopefully we've given something back to the game.

You don't get given anything and there's a perceived gulf in where the two teams sit.

But that was the biggest game in their careers, I thought the way they conducted themselves was fantastic.”

The Victory scored their fourth goal just after half-time when Guilherme Finkler put home a pin-point free kick and Connor Pain and Berisha put the result well beyond doubt to extend the lead to 6-0 late on. The score didn't matter, Tuggeranong fans still rode every shot that went close to the Victory's goal. Berisha finished the game by completing his hat-trick. But Tuggeranong didn't hold back, Jon Reis saying they wanted to "weather the storm" and they put on some brutal challenges against much more experienced rivals.

“Keeping up with them was a problem, getting a hit was good if you could catch them,” Reis said. “Berisha was like a whirlwind, I got a hit on Archie Thompson and he kicked me in the head afterwards. The boys are stuffed ... It was 6-0 but it could have been 16-0, I think we did well. We wanted to go in to get the best result, but we knew it could get away from us.”

STATISTICS Melbourne Victory: 1. Nathan COE, 2. Jason GERIA, 5. Mark MILLIGAN, 7. Guilherme FINKLER, 8. Besart BERISHA, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES (10. Archie THOMSPON 65’), 11. Connor PAIN, 17. Matthieu DELPIERRE, 18. Dylan MURNANE (24. Sam GALLOWAY 63’), 21. Carl VALERI, 23. Adrian LEIJER (6. Leigh BROXHAM 70’) Substitutes not used: 20. Lawrence THOMAS, 22. Jesse MAKAROUNAS Yellow cards: 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES Tuggeranong United: 20. Rowan FORBES SHEPHERD, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Jonathan REIS, 4. Jon TOOLE, 7. Matt MENSER (18. Sean KIDDEY 46’), 8. Tim STEWART (13. Sean MURPHY 71’), 10. Muad ZWED (5. Chris RUIZ 79’), 11. Zachary MUNSTER, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 15. Harry PETTIT, 17. Ethan MUNSTER Substitutes not used: 1. Mitchell MCKENZIE, 16. Jordan GLOVER Yellow cards: 4. Jon TOOLE, 7. Matt MENSER, 14. Daniel COLBERTALDO Referee: Ben WILLIAMS Attendance: 5,150

Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series—Quarter Final Saturday 20th September 2014 Cooma Tigers 1 (Jordan Lando 10’) Bonnyrigg White Eagles 6 (Dylan Fox 22’, Nikola Zonjic 54’, Arron Peterson 57’, 71’, Tynan Diaz 63’, Alexander Doyle 79’) Bonnyrigg White Eagles cruised into the semi-finals of the Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series with a thumping 6-1 success over Cooma Tigers at the AIS Athletics Track in Canberra. The NSW League Champions had to come from 1-0 down however before storming to victory with a scintillating second half display to which the Tigers had no answer.

After a cagey opening it was Cooma who took the lead with only ten minutes on the clock. Robbie Cattanach orchestrated it with a defence splitting pass over the top of the White Eagles defence for striker Jordan Lando to run onto. Lando’s first touch appeared heavy but he stretched to reach the ball ahead of the onrushing James Chronopolous and stab his effort past the Eagles’ ‘keeper and into the net.

That seemed to spur on the visitors who were level within twelve minutes.

Throughout the match the Tigers’ defence struggled with the aerial threat of the NSW representatives and the goal was a direct result of their inability to compete in the air. Tynan Diaz was the provider, curling in a beautiful delivery which was begging to be headed home and Dylan Fox duly obliged, nodding into the net from close range.

And the Eagles almost had the lead on the half-hour. Another superb free-kick caused havoc in the Cooma defence and was deftly headed past Tigers’ stopper Jack Pettit but, to the relief of the home support, the goal was chalked off for offside. Cooma responded via a long-range Cattanach effort that was pushed away by Chronopolous as the half ended all-square at 1-1.

Bonnyrigg came out firing after the interval and a brace of goals within three minutes of each other swung the momentum of the game inexorably in their favour. From a corner in the 54th minute Cooma once more failed to deal with the aerial threat and Nikola Zonjic was able to steal in unmarked and head firmly past Pettit from six yards. Two became three within minutes as Arron Peterson took advantage of some hesitant defending to slot home.

By now the White Eagles were showing their power and they went further ahead in the 63 rd minute with a cracking finish. Pettit could only clear a poor back-pass straight to Diaz who coolly picked his spot from thirty metres and cracked a beauty back over the head of the back-pedalling Cooma number one.

There was still more to come from the rampant White Eagles as Peterson was left unmarked on the penalty spot to swivel and pick his spot with nineteen minutes remaining and extend the lead. And the visitors racked up a sixth in the 79 th minute as Peterson turned provider, finding substitute Terik Ercan who in turn laid it on a plate for Alexander Doyle to bring up the half dozen.

It was tough day at the office for Cooma Tigers in their first venture into the National Premier Leagues Finals Series. The Bonnyrigg White Eagles looked a class act and comfortably defeated the ACT League Champions who had taken an early lead through a 10th minute goal from Jordan Lando. That was as good as it got for Cooma however as they were soundly beaten.

STATISTICS Cooma Tigers: 24. Jack PETTIT, 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 4. Iain ELLIOTT, 5. Jeremias IBARRA, 6. Aden JOHNSON, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 8. Jordan LANDO, 9. Robbie CATTANACH, 10. Dejan SANTRAC (17. Jared TONINI 73’), 11. Stephen DOMENICI (15. Daniel ROBERTS 66’), 16. Phil YARNOLD (21. Sime CELESKI 73’) Substitutes not used: 12. Domenic COLUCCIELLO, 14. Stefan TODOROSKI Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. James CHRONOPOLOUS, 4. David VRANKOVIC (17. Mitchell OSMAND 68’), 5. Chris TADROSSE, 6. Nikola ZONJIC, 8. Alexander CANAK (26. Terik ERCAN 71’), 10. Tynan DIAZ, 12. Dylan FOX, 14. Jordan CRIGHTON (24. Alexander DOYLE 66’), 16. Howard FONDYKE, 19. Arron PETERSON, 21. Bo Hyun CHUN Substitutes not used: 2. Alexander MANSUETO, 22. Liam GOBBO Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 3. Jordano SAN MARTIN, 5. Jeremias IBARRA, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 11. Stephen DOMENICI (Cooma Tigers) Match Officials: Luke WITHELL (referee), Owen GOLDRICK, Adam POWERS, Gary VANDEBURGT (4th Official) Attendance: 288

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES: CAPITAL FOOTBALL OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2014 It was the year of the Tiger in the National Premier Leagues: Capital Football competition as Cooma Tigers ended their 63-year wait to land the League title playing some extraordinary football in a 14-match unbeaten run that secured the crown.

But there was to be no double for the men from Cooma as Belconnen United powered to Grand Final success in a penalty shoot-out against Canberra FC who eliminated the Tigers at the Preliminary Final stage. It was a second trophy of the year for the Blue Devils who also tasted success in the Federation Cup. The National Premier Leagues: Capital Football Official Yearbook brings you the whole dramatic story with match reports from ALL NPL games played in 2014.

There’s also extensive coverage of the Federation Cup plus a Season Review and Statistics on all our NPL clubs.

Also included is comprehensive coverage of Tuggeranong United’s historic participation in the inaugural FFA Cup plus a look at Cooma Tigers NPL Finals Series experience. It’s all here in this comprehensive review of 2014.