GSSA 2024: Rovers keep pressure on leaders in division one, Rovers Black claim division two derby victory

Rovers are chasing league success in both the men’s division one and two competitions, after another weekend of strong results in the Great Southern Soccer Association. In the men’s division one competition on Saturday night, Rovers kept the pressure on league leaders Caledonians with a comfortable win over Stirling Rangers in round 15. Caledonians thumped Polonia 8-1 in their fixture thanks to braces From Joseph Love and Tyler Buchanan, with five of the eight goals coming after half time. Despite winning a 13th game of the season, Caledonians still only hold a six-point buffer at the top after Rovers notched their 11th win of the campaign. Four goals in a rampant opening half proved the difference in their clash with Stirling Rangers, Rovers going on to win 5-0. Oliver Chetwin, Archer Gordon, Joseph larel and Malachi Tsuki also scored for the winners. Phoenix remains well clear in second on the league standings after a 1-1 draw with Bayswater in the other division one contest. In the men’s division two competition, the Rovers derby was contested between Black and Gold on Saturday afternoon. Rovers Black kept themselves in the title hunt with a dominant 8-3 win, netting five goals in the second half. Thobani Hlophe was outstanding for Rovers Black scoring five goals while teammates Kevan Poole, BasitAli Yousufi and Mohammad Nawroozi chipped in with one goal each. Rovers Gold hit back late with two goals from Jake Swadkins and one from Hayes Butala but it was too late. The win leaves Rovers Gold just one point adrift of Phoenix in the league title race. Phoenix won by forfeit against Bayswater in their round 15 fixture and hold a slender advantage heading into the final five rounds of the season. Caledonians moved to 22 points after beating the third placed Polonia, 4-1. Meanwhile on Friday night in the women’s division one competition Denmark extended their winning streak to 15 games. Title favourites Denmark had to work hard for their 2-0 win over the second placed Caledonians but goals from Isla Emery and Abby Carter helped push their side 15 points clear on top of the standings. Mt Barker were massive 13-2 winners over Polonia and Phoenix downed Rovers 2-0 in the other round 15 games. In the women’s division two results on Friday night Denmark Rezzies won 4-1 over Sharks, Phoenix had a 9-0 win against Rovers and Caledonians were too strong for Bayswater 7-1.