Queanbeyan City awarded the match versus Monaro Panthers on a 3-0 forfeit victory after the Panthers were found in breach of tournament regulations.

Canberra FC 5 (Victor Yanes 38’, Michael Spaleta 40’, 78’ (pen), Matt Valeri (own goal) 62’, Ryan Keir 88’) Belconnen United 0

Canberra FC reemphasised their superiority in the ACT with a resounding 5-0 defeat of perennial rivals Belconnen United in the 2011 loop Federation Cup Final at McKellar Park.

A brace of goals from Michael Spaleta added to Victor Yanes opener and, with Matt Valeri putting through his own goal and Ryan Keir adding to the tally, Canberra FC ruthlessly claimed the first silverware of the ACT season.

There was little sense of the drama to come at the end of the half inside the first twenty minutes of the match as the Blue Devils had the better of the opening exchanges, almost taking the lead inside three minutes when midfielder Michael Reeves broke through and fired a low shot that clipped the outside of the post with Canberra FC goalkeeper Ben Klug at full stretch.

Twenty minutes later Belconnen went close again when Tom Rogic sent a speculative half-volley from distance which dipped just over Klug’s bar with the Canberra FC ‘keeper back-pedalling frantically.

This double chance for the home team sparked the 2010 treble winners into gear and, after Michael Spaleta drilled a low effort just wide, Canberra FC really should have taken the lead on 37 minutes. Adam Spaleta was the architect splitting the Belconnen defence with a sensational pass that sent Victor Yanes sprinting clear. With just Shepherd to beat the forward steadied himself but placed his shot wide of the post.

Within sixty seconds however the skilful playmaker had made amends. Collecting a pass on the left hand side of the field Yanes cut inside before sending a beautiful right-foot curling shot beyond the grasp of Shepherd to give Canberra FC the lead.

And it was double-trouble for the Blue Devils barely two minutes later when Rob Graham’s team took a firm grip on the loop Federation Cup. Michael Spaleta grabbed the opportunity claiming a through ball and standing up his marker before bending a left-foot effort into the top corner for 2-0 and a half-time cushion that they looked unlikely to relinquish.

Any hopes that Belconnen had of getting back into the match were effectively ended just after the hour mark when Josip Jadric burst down the right wing and fired a low cross into the area that Blue Devils central defender Matt Valeri unfortunately diverted past his own ‘keeper for the third, and decisive, Canberra FC goal.

Belconnen attempted to give themselves a foothold in the match with Tom Rogic prominent, the midfielder firing over when well placed and seeing a low left-foot shot saved by Klug who did well to scramble to his feet and push the follow up strike from Michael Reeves round the post but Canberra FC, in general, looked unruffled.

The visitors heaped misery on Belconnen twelve minutes from the end with a fourth goal. Shepherd did well to deny Canberra FC substitute Anthony Bekavac by bravely diving at the youngster’s feet, but as the ball broke to Ivan Pavlak a rash challenge by Zak Maybury gave referee Ben Wilson no option but to point to the spot. Michael Spaleta made no mistake from the penalty mark to claim his second of the afternoon.

The afternoon of torment wasn’t all over yet though for the Blue Devils with substitute Ryan Keir slamming home the fifth from close range to cap a glorious day again for the red machine.

Canberra FC: 18. Ben Klug (gk), 5. John Glass (6. Ryan Keir 78’), 9. Michael Spaleta, 11. Ivan Pavlak, 12. Ian Graham, 14. Josip Jadric, 16. Matt Grbesa, 19. Adam Spaleta (3. Izach Clements 85’), 23. Marcin Zygmunt, 76. Aidan Brunskill, 99. Victor Yanes (8. Anthony Bekavac 66’)

Substitutes not used: 7. Paul Ivanic, , 1. Adam Perakovic (gk)

Belconnen United: 1. Rohan Shepherd (gk), 2. Matt Valeri, 5. Taylor Beaton, 6. Michael Reeves (8. Callum Smith 66’), 7. Callum Beaton, 9. Nicky Rogers, 10. Tom Rogic, 12. Elliot Zwangobani (15. Tom McLachlan 62’), 16. Zak Maybury, 18. Jack Blackley, 19. David Arranz (17. Glenn Smith 34’)

Substitutes not used: 4. Lee Pietrukowski, 20. Jack Kaye (gk)

Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 12. Eliot Zwangobani, 16. Zak Maybury (both Belconnen United)

Match Officials: Ben Wilson (referee), Owen Goldrick, Matt Rynne, David Ockerby (4th Official)