The Great Southern Soccer Association competition kicked off on Saturday with defending champions Albany Caledonians’ women starting as they finished last season – with a comprehensive victory.
The GSSA have promised that the women’s game will be the focus in their 25th year of consecutive competition, with Saturday matches for the first time allowing them to share top billing with the men.
Calies might have lost key players in Shelley Thompson and Jess Baines, who have headed to Perth to further their careers, but there was no stopping them as they beat Rovers 7-0.
Playing in the club’s 50th anniversary kit, Holly Froehnelt, Grace Felton and Kayla Stoney grabbed two goals apiece with Milla Trichilo also on the scoresheet in their first outing.
However, they were not the highest-scoring side in the senior women’s league as Phoenix walloped Sharks 10-1.
The goals went in at regular intervals with hat-tricks for Amaya Dobbe and Lee Dekker as Phoenix ran riot.
Erinn Norder, with a 47th-minute consolation, gave Sharks a moment of respite.
Denmark were the other winners on the day, recording a 2-0 victory over Polonia.
Caledonians’ men began the defence of their title with a 3-0 win over Polonia.
A goal just before half-time from Patrick Jones put them in front with Ryan Harper striking the second on the hour and then Dylan Cook adding the third in the 74th minute.
The other match was a pulsating contest between Phoenix and Rovers, who shared eight goals and the points in a 4-4 draw.
Rovers went in front through Andreas Bouzinekis but it was a lead which lasted a minute as Malcolm van Burgel levelled for Phoenix.
Bouzinekis struck again but Jason Bosch made it 2-2 only for Bradley Chapman to make sure Rovers went into the break ahead 3-2.
However, Bosch, with his second, and Beau Timmer gave Phoenix the lead for the first time only for playmaker Bouzinekis to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot with nine minutes left.
In the women’s reserves’ competition Phoenix beat Denmark Rezzies 5-0 while Polonia dispatched Caledonians 8-3.
Venja Ruggera enjoyed her outing, grabbing six goals for Polonia.
In the men’s reserves, Phoenix walloped Rovers 10-0 while Polonia were 2-0 victors over Caledonians.
Joshua Houweling grabbed a hat-trick in the Phoenix mauling.
There were wins for Griffins, Caledonians, Denmark Diamonds and Polonia in the women’s socials on May 1, while Mt Barker and Rovers drew 1-1.
Elana Bastiani put Rovers ahead while Melanie Greeney equalised for Mt Barker with 10 minutes left.
Phoenix and Denmark won their first outings in the men’s masters on April 30 while Bayswater and Caledonians drew 3-3.
In the men’s socials, Denmark and Polonia had successful first starts on April 29.
Griffins and Sharks drew 1-1.
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