GSSA 2025: Ladder leaders Albany Caledonian feel the Love as they edge out Polonia to go seven points clear

Albany Caledonian coach Ben Harris had predicted Polonia would give his runaway ladder leaders a tough battle and a late-stage recovery by the underdogs proved him right, as Calies held on to take the contest 3-2.

The Great Southern Soccer Association senior men’s league match on Saturday night had Caledonians roaring to a 3-0 first-half lead with goals from Fraser Grant, Riley Marsh and Joseph Love, in his second game of the day.

After the break, though, it was a different story as Polonia fought back, Deacon Parsons finding the net after 69 minutes and Kyle Taylor plundering a second after 71.

The result put Calies seven points clear of second-placed Phoenix, who had a bye, with Polonia losing ground in third.

In the men’s reserves’ competition, Calies beat Polonia 3-0.

Baden Cummins-Green, Ehler Mauw and Love got the goals.

In the men’s socials, Phoenix registered a handsome win against Old Boys, Trent Eikelboom and Andrew den Boer scoring doubles in the 8-0 victory.

Denmark Blue Wrens were 5-0 winners over Rovers while Bayswater edged out Griffins 2-1 while Sharks and Denmark Fairy Wrens shared a goalless draw.

In round 10 of the senior women’s competition, Denmark beat Sharks 6-1 on July 4.

An entertaining five-goal first half saw early strikes for Elise Beaubien and Abby Carter and then came a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spell when three goals were scored in the space of three minutes.

Mae Emery put Denmark 3-0 up after 40 minutes, Carter made it four in the 41st and Sienna Owen grabbed what turned out to be the Sharks’ consolation in the 42nd.

Tayah Mastalerz added the final flourish with goals five and six for Denmark.

Denmark are second in the table with 13 points from their eight games but are still nine behind Albany Caledonian, who were not in action.

Rovers and Phoenix shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, Millie Groenewold putting Phoenix ahead after 19 minutes while Breana Payne equalised five minutes after half time.

Denmark Rezzies edged out Rovers 3-2 in the reserves’ competition.

A Julianne Langley penalty and strike from Emily Shaw had the Rezzies in control after only 17 minutes before Tara Spidell pulled one back for Rovers.

Jessica Kinder struck for Denmark to make it 3-1 but Megan Pascoe set up a nervy finale with Rovers’ second after 70 minutes.

Phoenix beat Albany Caledonian 5-0, Amaya Dobbe’s triple doing most of the damage.

In the development competition, Mt Barker were 4-1 winners over Sharks while Bayswater and Polonia finished 0-0.

Kaylyn Williams grabbed a hat-trick for Mt Barker with Hayley Wyland also scoring.

The Sharks’ goal came from Elaina Patterson.

In the women’s socials, there were wins for Calies and Griffins with Denmark Dream and Sharks drawing 0-0.