A blistering hat-trick from midfielder Alex Castro has given Canberra FC a massive psychological boost with a 4-2 win over Belconnen United in the top-of-the-table Gatorade Premier League match at Deakin Stadium.

Castro struck twice in the first-half, the first after an error from Belconnen ?keeper Ben Cheyne, and completed his treble five minutes after the interval with a near-post header from a corner to put the home team in total control of the big match. Belconnen reduced the gap with a strike from centre-forward Danny Macor but John Glass quickly restored the three goal cushion tapping in from close range after substitute ?keeper Rohan Shepard had saved from Adam Spaleta.

The Blue Devils got back into the game when Tai Smith headed in from close range after Philippe Borgeuad had headed back across goal. Smith should have made it 4-3 but somehow contrived to steer a shot wide of the post from no more than three metres when it seemed far easier to score than miss and the home team held on to increase their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Canberra City moved up into third place after dismissing Tuggeranong United 5-0 at Hawker Football Centre on Friday evening. Misko Naumoski was the main goal threat helping himself to hat-trick with Obeid Shadmann and Tim Mathas, scoring against his former club, completing the one-sided victory which brought an abrupt end to Tuggeranong?s recent run of good form.

It was a similar story at Woden Park on Sunday afternoon where Cooma Tigers ran riot over the top of home team Woden Valley winning the match 5-0 to move up to fifth in the table. The Tigers put in their best performance of the season and were in irresistible form in attack ripping into Woden?s out-gunned defence to score almost at will. Daniel Gecic opened the scoring, and later added a second, with Marcial Munoz, Scott Barsley and Goran Josifovski also getting onto the score sheet as Gaby Wilk?s team enjoyed their run in the chill afternoon air.

There was a major surprise at O?Connor Enclosed as ANU FC defeated Goulburn Strikers 3-2 to record only their second win of the campaign. Tim Womack and Izach Clements gave ANU FC 2-0 half-time cushion which Womack added to after the break. Goulburn weren?t about to lie down though and two goals in three minutes from Josh Phelps and Brody Willis, his sixth goal of the term, turned the match into a contest with ANU FC suddenly holding onto their earlier advantage. The Strikers went for an equaliser but the students held firm for an exciting victory.

Monaro Panthers are also back into the top four of the Gatorade Premier League after a 3-1 win over Canberra Olympic at Riverside Stadium. Goran Veljanovski struck twice for the Panthers after James Barac had cancelled out Yianni Karabalis? second-minute opener for Canberra Olympic. The Panthers were well-worth the three points playing some excellent football that Olympic could not handle with Veljanovski scoring his second and third goals in two matches.

Canberra FC squad: Not available
Substitutes used: Not available

Belconnen United FC squad: Not available
Substitutes used: Not available

Cards: Not available Match Officials: Not available