White Eagles forced themselves back into the conversation for promotion by claiming a vital 2-0 win in the derby with Queanbeyan City, in the process inflicting another severe blow to their rivals hopes of topping the table on another brilliant afternoon of football in the Capital Premier League.
The Eagles took firm command of a superb occasion with a brace of goals from the league’s leading scorer, Cuneyt Caglar, who took his tally for the season to fifteen with a double strike in the space of three minutes. Caglar’s goals silenced the vociferous home support and sent the away fans into raptures.
City have slipped up after a solid start to the campaign and their hopes of automatic promotion into the National Premier League are beginning to slip. They need to rediscover their early season form to get back into contention.
Tuggeranong United took advantage of Queanbeyan’s defeat by seeing off Brindabella Blues, who began the match in third place on the table, 3-0 at Kambah 2 to move eight points clear at the top of the table in their search for an immediate return to the National Premier League.
Early goals have been a highlight of the season from United in 2022 and they struck twice again inside the opening quarter of this one, nullifying the Blues and allowing Harrison Buesnel to find the net once more, the central defender’s goal giving his team the lead inside ten minutes.
Patrick Hislop made it two just ten minutes later and, even in the absence of Head Coach Mitch Stevens, Assistant Jon Caggiano leading the team for the clash, Tuggeranong were too good for Brindabella. They sealed the win, and their advantage at the top, as Sam Walker scored his 13th goal of the season.
Over in the Riverina, Wagga City Wanderers are back in the hunt for a place in the top four after stunning ANU FC with a 3-2 victory at Gissing Oval. A goal two minutes into the second half from Samson Lucas turned the game on its head after the visitors had earlier led twice in the contest.
Chase Deans had given the University side the lead in the sixth minute only for Morris Kadzola to draw the Wanderers level after twenty-three. ANU FC hit the front again fifteen minutes later as Deans scored for a second time, but Tomas Matheson drew Wagga back on terms once more just before the break.
Lucas’ strike proved to be the winner and brought Wagga level on points with their opponents, trailing only on goal difference and back in the top four push for finals places.
Yoogali SC may be seventh on the table, but they are within four points of the top-four after defeating Weston-Molonglo FC 3-1 in Griffith. The victory closes the gap on those above them and leaves the Magpies fourteen points adrift at the foot of the table and still without a point in 2022.
They were competitive in this one and even drew level when Michael Sellers struck to cancel out the opener scored by Isaac Donadel, but that was as good as it got for the visiting team who were unable to hold on and saw their hopes of coming away with a reward swept away by their hosts.
Joe Preece restored Yoogali’s lead in the second half and a first of the season for Dean Armanini made sure of the result as Yoogali kept themselves in with a chance of finals football.
RESULTS
Saturday 2 July
Wagga City Wanderers 3 (Kadzola 23’, Matheson 43’, Lucas 47’) ANU FC 2 (Deans 6’, 38’)
Queanbeyan City 0 White Eagles 2 (Caglar 33’, 36’)
Sunday 3 July
Yoogali SC 3 (I. Donadel, Preece, Armanini) Weston-Molonglo FC 1 (M. Sellers)
Tuggeranong United 3 (Buesnel 10’, Hislop 20’, Walker 77’) Brindabella Blues 0
TABLE
P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
1 | Tuggeranong United | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | +39 | 31 |
2 | Queanbeyan City | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | +8 | 23 |
3 | White Eagles | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | +19 | 20 |
4 | Brindabella Blues | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 18 |
5 | ANU FC | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | +4 | 16 |
6 | Wagga City Wanderers | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | -11 | 16 |
7 | Yoogali SC | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -7 | 14 |
8 | Weston-Molonglo FC | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | -47 | 0 |