Woden-Weston's clash against the Cooma Tigers had a bit of everything: several yellow cards, injuries, a match-winning hat-trick and, bizarrely, a pitch invader who ran onto the field wearing a Mexican wrestling mask while waving a red card at the stunned referee.
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A hat-trick at the hands of star striker Nico Abot spoiled Woden-Weston's perfect start to the season as the Tigers snagged their fourth straight victory with a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon at Melrose Synthetic.
It took just 36 minutes for Abot to break through Woden-Weston dangerous defensive wall to ink the clean scorecard.
The margin was soon extended to two goals when Abot sent a header into the back right corner just moments before the half-time siren.
Cooma coach Gaby Wilk praised Abot and his players' collective effort in their impressive fourth-round triumph.
"Nico scored three goals, he's one of the best," Wilk said.
"I'm very happy with all 11 players."
But the hat-trick was almost overshadowed by a second-half incident which is set to be reviewed by Capital Football.
The protestor stunned referees and players alike as he invaded the pitch wearing a Mexican wrestling mask.
Cooma players managed to rip off his disguise and the invader fled the field still blowing his whistle.
With numerous injuries and a two-goal deficit to deal with, Woden-Weston coach Rey Castro was left fuming when the Tigers took advantage of the disruption and netted their match-winning goal.
"It broke our momentum when we were on top of them," Castro said.
"We lost concentration after that and copped a goal."
The home side slipped back into sloppy old habits which perpetuated throughout the first half.
Undisciplined defence, mistakes and miscommunication had Castro unleashing a half-time spray that could be heard from the other side of the park.
"It's a mental game, these boys are technically good, they're very mature and their football is getting us places," Castro said.
"But to be able to fight with the top teams you need to mentally ready.
"We pushed them to have a better mental approach and then they came firing right back."
And fire back they did.
Alex Oloriegbe responded with a seamless goal in the opening minute which sparked a second half comeback. But unfortunately for Woden-Weston, the damage was already done.
"It doesn't leave me with a bad taste in the mouth because the boys came out in the second half," Castro said.
"If we play with that intensity with any team then we're going to be rewarded. I think this year we're going to cause some damage."
The teams will gear up again for Wednesday's FFA Cup.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
