12 February 2018

Our Tuggies go down in an 11 goal spectacular

| johnboy
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This in from Capital Football on this week’s action:

Loop Premier League
Round 7

Canberra FC is back in the title hunt following an extraordinary 7-4 win over Tuggeranong United at Deakin Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Michael Spaleta scored four goals for the home team in what was an amazing match as Tuggeranong’s youngsters came from 1-3 behind to lead 4-3 before running out of steam.

There was little indication of the fireworks to come when Michael Spaleta opened the scoring early on as a routine home win seemed inevitable. This is a new-look Tuggeranong though and the visitors roared back to level within two minutes through leading scorer Mark Shields. Canberra FC then restored their lead though Michael Spaleta’s second of the match before Adam Spaleta crashed home wonderful third. United refused to buckle though and Shields scored his sixth of the season when turning in a Sam Griffiths cross and the scores were level after Tim Ireson headed home from close range after a succession of corners.

United’s comeback was complete five minutes after the break when Shields fed Griffiths who smashed his shot high into the roof of the net to send the travelling support wild. Canberra FC is champions for a reason though and hit back when Daniel Bennett was on hand to tap in at the far post in the 58th minute. Six minutes later they were in front when Danai Gapare reacted quickest to a Ryan Keir cross shot to turn the ball into the net. The killer goal arrived five minutes from time when Michael Spaleta completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before adding his fourth of the game, and ninth of the season, to complete a 7-4 win in an amazing match.

Canberra Olympic got back to winning ways on Saturday evening claiming the Robin Waring Shield with a narrow 3-2 victory over Canberra City at Hawker Football Centre in what was an entertaining duel. A hat-trick from returning striker Domenic Giampaolo did the damage for Olympic with the lively forward in enterprising mood throughout the ninety minutes.

A glut of three goals in as many minutes around the half an hour mark brought the match to life with Giampaolo giving the visitors the lead in the 29th minute, turning in a Robbie Deeley cross. City responded immediately and was awarded a penalty for a foul on Ben Doyle which Marcial Munoz confidently converted. Olympic though hit back within sixty seconds with Giampaolo on hand again to turn a cross home from close range and give his team a half-time lead. A stunning equaliser from David Dexter in the 51st minute brought City back on level terms but Olympic were dominating possession and won the match when Giampaolo converted from the spot after Hristjan Tanoski has been felled by a clumsy challenge from Grant Davoren.

Belconnen United emerged triumphant from the top of the table clash with Cooma Tigers winning 2-1 at McKellar Park in a tense encounter. Matt Valeri gave the Blue Devils an early lead on a brisk afternoon in Canberra and it was an advantage they held until midway through the second half when Cooma winger Stephen Domenici brought the visitors back on level terms. It looked as if honours would be shared until late on when Jack Blackley emerged as the goal scoring hero with his match-winning goal coming six minutes from full time much to the delight of the Blue Devils aficionados.

Elsewhere two goals from Regan Walsh helped Woden Valley to a 4-1 win over Monaro Panthers at Woden Park. Pete Marlette gave Woden a first half lead as the Panthers made it hard for the surging Woden side. Eventually though the Panthers had to break and a brace from Walsh had Woden in control of the fixture. Darian McGarry –Watson pulled one back for the Panthers before a late strike from Josh Calabria made the points secure.

MATCH STATISTICS

Canberra City 2 (Marcial Munoz 31’ (pen), David Dexter 51’) Canberra Olympic 3 (Domenic Giampaolo 29’, 32’, 80’ (pen))

Belconnen United 2 (Matt Valeri 12’, Jack Blackley 84’) Cooma Tigers 1 (Stephen Domenici 65’)

Woden Valley 4 (Peter Marlette, Regan Walsh (2), Josh Calabria) Monaro Panthers 1 (Darian McGarry-Watson)

Canberra FC 7 (Michael Spaleta 3’, 24’, 85’ (pen), 92’, Adam Spaleta 28’, Daniel Bennett 58’, Danai Gapare 64’) Tuggeranong United 4 (Mark Shields 5’, 39’, Tim Ireson 43’, Sam Griffiths 50’)

table

(Always good to see a Sam Griffiths doing well)

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