Caledonians close the gap

Caledonians closed the gap with league leaders Phoenix after thrashing PR United in round 5 of the Great Southern Soccer Association men’s open competition at North Road soccer grounds on Sunday afternoon.

Last week, Phoenix skipped clear on top of the ladder after their 2-0 win over Caledonians, but the difference was cut to three points after their round 5 bye.

A dominant first half allowed Caledonians to net five goals on their way to an emphatic 7-0 triumph over PR United, lifting them by nine points for their third victory this season.

In a bizarre round of results, the other two men’s open fixtures also finished 7-0, with Albany-Bayswater A extending their winning streak to three games.

Albany-Bayswater A led 3-0 at half time and added four more goals in the second half to run out 7-0 winners.

On Saturday, Polonia were also comprehensive 7-0 victors, downing Royals to move up to fourth place on the league standings.

In the women’s league A competition, a superb hat-trick from Stephanie Grant led Caledonians to their second victory of the season, edging out Phoenix 6-4 in an entertaining round 5 contest last Friday night.

Grant was everywhere up front and helped herself to three goals, while Brigitte Morgan scored a brace and Leah Dunwoodie also found the back of the net.

Caledonians led 4-1 at half time after dominating possession and chances on goal, but they had to survive some nervous moments in the second 45 minutes as Phoenix scored three more goals to have a sniff of victory.

Tianna Korthuis scored twice for Phoenix and Chelsea Roth also made the scoresheet in the loss.

In the other results, Royals recorded their first win of 2016 after prevailing over the winless Rovers, 2-1.

In a pulsating first 45 minutes, all three goals were scored — Shaan Wood and Breanna Payne netting goals for Royals, while Elena Di Bonaventura pegged one back for Rovers.

League leaders Denmark kept their unbeaten season intact with a 3-1 triumph over a gallant Polonia outfit.

Single goals from Denmark’s Layla Wright, star Liah Cassidy-Smith and Katy Rutter guided them to a fifth straight win.

Only three points separates the top four teams in women’s league B after five rounds, with Denmark Black and Mt Barker United posting big wins.

Denmark Black downed Port Albany 9-0 to go to 13 points and Mt Barker United beat Polonia Red 16-0 to jump to second on 12.

Grammar Blue are also on 12 after a thrilling 5-4 win against Denmark White and Polonia White remain on 10 after losing 4-0 to Royals.

In the other fixture, Grammar White held off Rovers 4-1.

Last Tuesday night in the men’s masters fixtures, Denmark defeated Albany-Bayswater B 3-1, while The Vets won a high-scoring affair against Old Boys 5-3 courtesy of a double to Peter Slebos.