GSSA 2025: Albany Caledonian’s eighth win on the trot maintains their 100 per cent record and sees off Phoenix

Albany Caledonian extended their buffer at the top of the Great Southern Soccer Association senior men’s ladder with a 4-3 win over their nearest challengers on July 19.

Unbeaten Calies head the table with a maximum 24 points, 11 clear of Phoenix whose game in hand is not going to cause the leaders to lose sleep.

However, if there’s a concern for the Calies, it’s that their last two wins have come by a single goal, giving some encouragement to those who trail in their wake.

On Saturday, Phoenix went ahead after only three minutes through Malcolm Van Burgel, an advantage they held for 15 minutes before Calies turned the tables.

First Joseph Love levelled and then three minutes later a Nathan Kay penalty put them in front 2-1.

Corey Plug equalised for Phoenix after 28 minutes but Fraser Grant and then Kay, with his second, put Calies 4-2 up early in the second half.

Beau Timmer pulled one back for Phoenix, but Calies held on to record their eighth win on the trot and maintain their perfect record.

In the division’s other game, Rovers got back to winning ways with two late goals in a 4-2 win over Bayswater.

A Justin Bielecki penalty in the 76th minute and a Jake Swadkins strike, to complete his hat-trick seven minutes later, got them home after a tight first half.

They had struck first through Swadkins after seven minutes, but Brad Copeland equalised for Bayswater to leave the sides level at half-time.

Swadkins’ second came on the hour with Zac Cash equalising for Bayswater.

However, the basement battlers capitulated late, which is proving to be the story of their season.

Bayswater’s misery continued in the reserves’ competition as they were walloped 10-0 by Rovers. Swadkins bagged another triple in his first game of the day.

However, Calies were held 2-2 by Phoenix who came from 2-0 down to draw.

Ben Harris scored from the spot and again from open play, but his side were pegged back by Johannes Offringa and Shane Maring late in the second half.