By Declan Smith

Women’s Charity Shield

Canberra Croatia have been crowned the Women’s Charity Shield Champions for 2022 after a dominant performance over West Canberra Wanderers.

Croatia got off to the best possible start, scoring inside of two minutes. After some brilliant work from Isabella Barac, a well weighted pass found the feet of Sienna Birnie who calmly slotted the ball home to give her side the lead.

Less than ten minutes later and Croatia doubled their lead. After bouncing around the box, the ball ricocheted off Barac and into the back of the net for the second of the afternoon.

Long range efforts from Jen Bisset and Krista Hagan could have put the score out further but thundered off the crossbar.

Croatia started the second just as they did the first as Dianne Wilson slipped through the Wanderers backline and expertly slotted the ball into the bottom corner for a three-goal lead.

After a long period of control, Croatia finished strong with three goals in the final minutes to Brittany Palombi, Mia Giorgi, and Shania Settin.

The dominant result saw Croatia claim the 2022 Charity Shield, winning six goals to nil over West Canberra Wanderers.

Men’s Charity Shield

 

After both sides took time to adjust to the wet conditions, it was Panthers that took the lead through new man Andre Carle. After a beautiful run from Nikos Kalfas, Carle was on hand to tap home the rebounded save to open the scores.

Kalfas would add to the score minutes later, controlling the ball well to smash it home past Jakob Cole.

Continuing their dominance, Panthers made it three-nil as Carle added a second, meeting a Darren bailey free-kick at the front post.

Panthers picked up where they left in the second half, as Carle sealed his hattrick with a beautifully weighted lob over the on-rushing Cole, to put the result beyond doubt for the Panthers.

Josh Gulevski pulled one back for the Tigers with a great strike just after the hour mark, but it counted for little as Monaro continued their rout soon after.

Adam De Franceschi and Jai Selden both scored on their club debut, putting the Panthers five to the good.

Ben Basser-Silk scored late in the game to make it seven goals for Panthers in an utterly ruthless performance for the side, claiming the 20222 Charity Shield