Polonia’s strong start to men’s premier league in shortened Great Southern Soccer season

After months without competitive action, players returned to the pitches for the start of the shortened 2020 Great Southern Soccer Association season at the weekend.

The GSSA decided that due to the shortened season there would be no individual or team awards this year.

In the men’s premier league, reigning champions Polonia could not have started their season any better on Saturday afternoon.

Polonia led 3-0 at half-time over Caledonians before extending their margin in the second half to record a 6-1 win as Nathan Griffiths netted a hat-trick.

Rovers also started their season in style with a 3-0 win over Phoenix thanks to two goals from Jeffery Lisso.

Laura Hunt guided Polonia to an upset win over defending cup champions Phoenix, netting three goals in the women’s premier league competition on Friday night.

Her side had total control at half-time as they led 3-0 before Phoenix pegged two goals back in the second half but they were unable to prevent Polonia from winning 4-2.

Reigning league champions Denmark won on forfeit over Caledonians in the other women’s premier league match.

In the men’s reserves competition on Saturday there were two very one-sided games with Polonia and Bayswater notching emphatic wins.

Polonia dominated Caledonians winning 15-0 with five individual goal scorers. Joel Baty and Connor Bunce combined for seven goals in the rout.

A powerful second half from Bayswater guided them to 10-1 win over Royals. They led 4-0 at half-time before adding six goals in the second half and Fred Opuni finished with a hat-trick.

In the other reserves match, Rovers defeated Port Albany 2-0.

Libby Morris and Melanie Greeney steered Mt Barker to a resounding 10-1 win over Great Southern Grammar, scoring four times each.

Two first-half goals from Royals helped them secure a 2-1 win over Rovers while three goals in the second half from Caledonians got them over the line against Denmark 3-1.

In the women’s social competition on Friday, Denmark and Great Southern Grammar drew 3-3 while Polonia defeated Bayswater 3-0.

In the men’s social-masters competition, Grammar and Baysie Masters drew 1-1 while Old Boys won 9-0 over Rovers Social.

The Vets and Bayswater Social were the other winners on Tuesday night.