GSSA 2024: Caledonians claim Brenda McCann match honours, Stirling Rangers break drought in men’s competition

A clinical Caledonians eased past Rovers in their annual Brenda McCann Match on Friday night, honouring one of the Great Southern Soccer Association’s most loyal servants. The two teams came together for the annual women’s division one fixture to celebrate Brenda McCann who helped establish one of the inaugural women’s teams in the Great Southern. Caledonians took little time to spur into action with a destructive four-goal first half on their way to a 5-0 win over the Rovers. Abi Matthews and Bella Jeffs each scored vital braces for Caledonians, while Milla Trichilo netted one in the dominant win. McCann was on hand to present the Brenda McCann Award to Matthews after her two-goal effort. Denmark notched their 14th straight victory of the campaign to keep their glisteningly perfect season alive with a 5-0 triumph over Polonia behind a sublime hat-trick from star striker Lumeah Masih. In the final game of the round, Phoenix completed one of the great comebacks of the season to win 4-3 over Mt Barker. Melanie Greeney had Mt Barker in the box seat at the half after netting a hat-trick to lead Phoenix 3-2. However, when Asha Postmus scored off the bench in the 65th minute and Mt Barker recorded a scorned own goal in the final three minutes, Phoenix escaped with a 4-3 win. After 13 straight losses to start the season and conceding 75 goals, Stirling Rangers finally broke the drought to secure their first men’s division one win of the league competition. They defeated Polonia 3-1 thanks to goals from Caelen Lambe, Nathan Rogozinski and Albert Gouldthoup on Saturday night. Lambe gave the Rangers the ideal start with his strike in the 13th minute before Polonia were dealt a severe blow just minutes later when Noah Irvine was shown red. Trailing 2-0 in the second, Dylan Burrow handed Polonia a lifeline before Rogozinski netted a late dagger for Rangers’ maiden victory. A pair of late heroics from Joseph Love handed ladder leaders Caledonians a great escape, downing Phoenix 4-2. Locked at 2-all heading into the final minutes, Love scored in the 85th minute before another in the 90th to single-handedly lifted his side to their sixth consecutive victory. A Justin Bielecki brace gifted Rovers a strong 3-1 in the final match of the round.