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GSSA 2026: Polonia sweep to reserves cup triumphs while Phoenix clinch masters’ win after penalty shootout

Headshot of Claire Middleton
Claire MiddletonAlbany Advertiser
Polonia beat Phoenix 1-0 to win the women’s reserves’ cup final at North Road on Saturday.
Camera IconPolonia beat Phoenix 1-0 to win the women’s reserves’ cup final at North Road on Saturday. Credit: Claire Middleton

Polonia enjoyed double success at the Great Southern Soccer Association cup finals, claiming both reserves trophies at North Road on Saturday.

The men’s and women’s sides each claimed victories over Phoenix, the men winning 3-0 and the women edging home 1-0.

The men’s contest was won in the opening moments as Polonia roared out of the blocks and struck three times before Phoenix had time to settle.

Jeremy Wallis struck first after just two minutes, Yeshi Gaadang bagged the second and then Cody Colmer hit the third to give Polonia an insurmountable advantage with just seven minutes on the clock.

Polonia beat Phoenix 3-0 to win the men’s reserves’ cup final.
Camera IconPolonia beat Phoenix 3-0 to win the men’s reserves’ cup final. Credit: Claire Middleton

It was even-stevens after that and Phoenix had their chances to get back into the game.

However, they spurned their best opportunity when Jarrad Korthuis’ penalty was saved by Polonia keeper Jesse Wilson diving low to his left.

Charlie Corson was a constant threat with his speed down the wing for Polonia, but Josh Houweling and Reagan Korthuis could have done better for Phoenix than their off-target piledrivers when the chances presented.

Polonia defender Ross Savage was named best on ground for doing much to keep the Phoenix response at bay.

The cup-winners’ coach Jared Wiegele said his team had wanted to set the tempo from the start.

“The conditions were tricky and made for two different halves of football,” he said.

Polonia’s Ross Savage receives his player-of-the-match ball from referee Peter Bosch.
Camera IconPolonia’s Ross Savage receives his player-of-the-match ball from referee Peter Bosch. Credit: Claire Middleton

“Pre-match we talked about starting well because it’s only 90 minutes and you have to get it right.”

The women’s game was a tight affair, Venja Ruggera getting the only goal as the windy conditions made their mark.

Ruggera, who has been a strike force for the side all season, was also named player of the match.

Phoenix were runners-up in the women’s reserves’ cup final.
Camera IconPhoenix were runners-up in the women’s reserves’ cup final. Credit: Claire Middleton

Phoenix ended up with one triumph from three men’s finals on Saturday when they clinched the masters’ cup on penalties against Old Boys.

The buffeting wind made for a midfield contest which went the distance through 90 minutes and extra time before Phoenix prevailed on spot-kicks.

Old Boys’ right back Scott Donegan was player of the match.

Phoenix won the masters’ cup final on penalties from Old Boys.
Camera IconPhoenix won the masters’ cup final on penalties from Old Boys. Credit: Claire Middleton

Denmark won the men’s socials’ final on Friday night, beating Polonia 5-1.

Jake Loreto blasted four goals while Tyler Udell completed the rout, Polonia’s consolation coming from Travis Demeza with just three minutes left.

The women’s socials’ final on Friday was a humdinger which needed extra time to separate Mt Barker from eventual champions Griffins.

Griffins were winners of the GSSA women's social cup final beating Mt Barker 4-2 aet.
Camera IconGriffins were winners of the GSSA women's social cup final beating Mt Barker 4-2 aet. Credit: Supplied

Anima Opoku and Daisy Tyson scored for Griffins with Melanie Greeney replying twice for Mt Barker as the game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Extra-time efforts from Opoku and Madeleine Tyson saw Griffins home 4-2.

Albany Caledonian won both the senior finals.

The men were 2-1 winners over Phoenix while the women beat Denmark 1-0.

Penalty pain ... Old Boys were runners-up in the masters’ cup final losing on spot-kicks to Phoenix.
Camera IconPenalty pain ... Old Boys were runners-up in the masters’ cup final losing on spot-kicks to Phoenix. Credit: Claire Middleton
Old Boys’ right back Scott Donegan was the masters’ cup final player of the match.
Camera IconOld Boys’ right back Scott Donegan was the masters’ cup final player of the match. Credit: Claire Middleton
Denmark won the men's socials cup beating Polonia 5-1.
Camera IconDenmark won the men's socials cup beating Polonia 5-1. Credit: Supplied

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