GSSA 2024: Fast-starting Rovers crowned cup champions over Bayswater in men’s division one decider

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GSSA 2024: Fast-starting Rovers crowned cup champions over Bayswater in men’s division one decider

A fast-starting Rovers ended their season with silverware after defeating a determined Bayswater side in the Great Southern Soccer Association men’s division one cup final on Saturday night.

Rovers did all their damage in a commanding first half scoring two goals which both came from the head of prolific striker Justin Bielecki in the hard-fought 2-0 victory.

In a half where chances were thin, Rovers took just four minutes to ******* the lead after Bielecki coolly nodded home his first before a brilliantly placed header across the Bayswater keeper 20 minutes later.

Bayswater were starved of possession throughout the game with Rovers central midfielder Joseph Iaruel owning the midfield and winning the match ball for his performance.

Having finished second in the league, Rovers coach Matt Owen said the cup victory was a deserved reward for his side.

“It’s a good way to finish and I think we deserve something out of the season,” Owen said.

“I’m very happy for the club and for the boys who put the effort in over the year.

“I think we generally controlled the possession most of the game, and just getting that early goal was a little bit of a lift.

“They made us work hard in that second half . . . but we made the most of our chances.

“Our back line is always solid but it was a good balance of players today and it was a good team effort.”

The second half was vastly different from the first, with both sides ******* their shots, only to be met by determined shot-stoppers at either end.

Despite the two-goal deficit, an inspired Basywater outfit bounded onto the Centennial Park pitch spearheaded by goalkeeper Cam McLean who made incredible saves.

Rovers left winger Bradford Fakaafu had a golden opportunity to extend his side’s lead only to be foiled by the outstretched palm of McLean only to be matched moments later by Rovers’ Gabriel Samani who made an equally impressive stop to keep his side’s healthy two-goal buffer.

Bayswater’s Leif Wright then handled the ball in the box, sending Fakaafu to the spot but again McLean was up to the task of saving the penalty shot before making a terrific follow-up save from the rebound.

At the other end, Levi Masih had a brilliant opportunity to peg one back, but a timely glove from Samani met his first-time strike from inside the box and Rovers solidified a brilliant cup victory.

Outgoing Bayswater coach Enzo Manera said while it wasn’t the parting gift he wanted he was proud of his side’s endeavour.

“They actually wanted to win (in the second half) but I think we were unlucky to not get those goals — we had opportunities,” he said.

“We had the momentum in the second half, we just couldn’t finish it.

“This is my last year coaching them but unfortunately we didn’t get the job done.”

A clutch goal in stoppage time of the second half from Polonia’s Dylan Burrow secured a memorable men’s division two cup final victory on Saturday.

Neither side could be separated Escher Nash gave Polonia the lead in the 36th minute before Caledonians’ Morgan Davis equalised in the 57th.

The match looked destined for extra time as the final whistle approached but Burrow stepped up to net a classy winner in the 93rd minute to give his side a 2-1 cup victory.

Phoenix scored two goals in extra time to lift the men’s division three cup after securing a 3-1 triumph over Old Boys on Saturday.

Neither side could be separated after 90 minutes with the scores locked at 1-1 after Phoenix’s Trent Eikelboom opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Old Boys’ Russell Young equalised five minutes later.

But in one fell swoop, Phoenix took control of the game with Josh Vanuyn and Reuben Kroeze each netting a goal inside two minutes to swiftly ******* the cup.

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