A goal from Levi Clay two minutes from time gave Albany Caledonians a hard-fought, comeback victory over Polonia in the Great Southern Soccer Association’s senior men’s competition on Saturday.
Clay struck as an eventful contest went to the wire with four yellow cards brandished — two to each side — in the last 10 minutes, the late flurry completing the total of eight overall.
Clay’s strike completed a remarkable recovery as Calies were 2-0 down after 20 minutes.
Escher Nash and then Sam Jackson struck for Polonia before Christopher Wallace grabbed a brace in the opening stages in the second half to draw Calies level.
When the match looked set for a draw, Clay popped up to convert the winner for the 3-2 victory.
It was just as close in the other contest, which Rovers edged 4-3 against Phoenix.
They were 3-0 and 4-1 up before holding on at the death as Phoenix struck twice in the last 15 minutes.
Rovers’ goal scorers were James Scanlan, Bradley Bielecki, Bradley Chapman and Andreas Bouzinekis.
Beau Timmer, Ziah Dekker and Samuel Bosch were on target for Phoenix.
The results mean Caledonians lead the ladder with 12 points, three ahead of Polonia and four ahead of Rovers.
Calies were also winners in the women’s senior competition, beating Rovers 4-1.
Holly Froehnelt and Kayla Stoney each scored twice for Calies while Georgia Whitelaw replied for Rovers.
Denmark were 4-2 winners over Polonia while it was a bad day for Sharks who went down 14-0 to Phoenix, Amaya Dobbe grabbing five goals in the rout.
In the men’s reserves’ competition, Polonia beat Phoenix 5-1 while Calies were 5-0 victors over Rovers.
Denmark Rezzies, with a 2-1 win over Phoenix, and Calies, who beat Polonia 2-0, claimed the points in the women’s reserves competition.
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