Chapman Athletic get first win of the season over top team Rovers in huge upset

It took 14 games but Chapman Athletic managed to get a win on the board, and they did so against the top team in the league last Saturday. Geraldton Rovers had previously only lost one game prior, winning the other 12 games they had played in. But they were handed their second loss of the season against Chapman Athletic in a 2-1 clash. The win adds three points to the Tigers’ total, after they managed to secure their first points just two games prior in a 1-1 draw against Abrolhos. After a quiet first half, Chapman Athletic had a score come off the boot of Matthew Eastough early in the second, putting them ahead. Team mate Ardy Dennis followed up not long after with a score of his own and gave the Tigers control of the game. A late score from Hamish Fraser put the Rovers on the board with about five minutes left, but it was all too late and Chapman Athletic walked away with the win against the top side. Coming into the game, the Rovers had a goal differential of 28 while Chapman’s was -31, but the team managed to hold up defensively and steal the win. In the other men’s game, Olympic had a comfortable 4-1 win against Abrolhos, putting them just two points behind Rovers with two rounds left to play. In the women’s, the battle between the top two sides was won by the dominant La Fiamma as they continued to run the league with a 2-0 win against Chapman Athletic on Monday. After having their winning streak snapped by Chapman earlier in the season with a 1-1 draw, La Fiamma came back and got revenge with the win. Both scores in the game came in quick succession from Olivia Bidwell, which brought her season total at 30 placing her just two behind Selina Kiddle for league leader with only one round left. Abrolhos extended their winning streak to four after a 5-0 win against Marconi, with Ava Gould scoring twice and Emelie Allan, Giaan Manuel and Lani Wyatt each hitting the scoreboard in the win. In the other women’s game, Olympic now sit on equal points with Rovers after getting a 2-1 win, however, Rovers retain fourth on the ladder due to having the better goal differential.