GSSA 2026: Escher Nash hat-trick fires Polonia to top of ladder as six of the best gives them pole position

Polonia’s 6-2 victory over Phoenix at North Road on Saturday took them to the top of the Great Southern Soccer Association ladder on goals scored as they made the most of rivals Caledonians’ rest day.

A hat-trick from Escher Nash in the senior men’s league clash did most of the damage with Polonia earning the best of starts thanks to a four-goal first half.

Nash’s exploits brought his side’s total goals tally to 12, three more than Calies, last year’s champions, with whom they are level on nine points after four games.

Caelen Lambe gave Polonia an 18th minute lead with Nash grabbing his first just two minutes later.

A Cameron Dekker penalty got Phoenix on the scoresheet after half an hour, but it was only a minute after that when Nash struck again to put Polonia 3-1 up.

There was still time for one more before the break, Evan Pretorius giving Polonia all the breathing space they wanted with the fourth goal after 44 minutes.

There was little respite for Phoenix after half-time as Archie Smith made it 5-1 in the 58th minute.

Beau Timmer struck for Phoenix in the 71st minute but Polonia had the final say as Nash completed both his treble and his side’s six of the best with 14 minutes remaining.

In the other senior men’s clash, Bayswater were beaten again, this time 6-0 by Rovers.

The goals came at regular intervals with Andreas Bouzinekis grabbing a hat-trick and Bradley Bielecki and William Chetwin grabbing one apiece.

Bayswater’s misery was complete by an own goal in the 85th minute.

In Saturday’s women’s senior competition, Caledonians are already four points clear of the rest with five games played.

They maintained their unbeaten run with a 4-0 win over Phoenix while Polonia edged Rovers 2-1 and Denmark were comfortable 5-0 victors over Sharks.

Holly Froehnelt was on fire for Caledonian, grabbing a hat-trick which was topped up by Kayla Stoney.

Another to hit the scoresheet three times was Denmark’s Elise Beaubien while a Libby Morris penalty in the 58th minute proved the consolation for Rovers in their narrow defeat.

In the men’s reserves’ competition, Caledonian were 9-1 winners over Phoenix while Polonia beat Rovers 5-0.

Dylan Cook was the hat-trick man for Calies while Charlie Corson grabbed three for Polonia.

The women’s reserves’ matches, both ended in 1-1 draws.

A last-minute penalty for Phoenix evened the scores in their contest with Caledonian after Skye Fuller had put Calies ahead, while Julianne Langley and Venja Ruggera were on target as Denmark Rezzies and Polonia shared the spoils.

Old Boys, Phoenix and Denmark were the winners in the men’s masters’ contests on June 4 while Denmark and Cross Keys triumphed in the socials the night before.

Polonia and Sharks finished 1-1 in the socials.

Denmark Dream and Denmark Diamonds drew 0-0 in the women’s socials on June 5 while Rovers, Polonia, Griffins and Mt Barker were the week’s winners.