International undefeatable?

CONTEST: International’s Lachlan Charlton and Blue Lake’s De Caw Htoo battle for the ball in the Limestone Coast Football Association’s Round 8 clash at Malseed Park on Sunday. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

INTERNATIONAL has continued to prove worthy of its undefeated status this year after it claimed a win from its Blue Lake hosts in Round 8 of the Limestone Coast Football Association’s premiership.

Despite an eventual 6-1 scoreline, it was no easy win for the black and blue, as the Rangers have found fine form of late and were coming off a hat-trick of wins going into Sunday’s clash.

The physical match saw Blue Lake hold firm against its visitors and a half-time score of one-all left the game up for grabs after the break.

However, some strategy changes for Inter paid off and it was able to run away on the scoreboard in the second term.

Sam Bueti led the way for the visitors with a solid four goals for the match, while captain Christian Cella and William Circelli rounded out the Inter scorers with singles.

For Blue Lake it was a goal from Kyle Reiner that kept the team in contention going into the half-time break, but the Rangers were unable to further their scoreline from there.

Inter coach Tony D’Agostino reflected on the toughness of the match – especially in the opening term – and credited the performance of the opposition.

“Blue Lake is an improving team playing some really good soccer and developing into a good squad,” D’Agostino said.

“We knew playing Blue Lake at their home ground was going to be a tough game and it was.”

D’Agostino said the last few rounds might not have prepared his side for Sunday’s match and it took Inter some time to find its rhythm in the game.

“We probably hadn’t had a really good build-up in the last few weeks to tough games like this one,” he said.

“In the first half we were one-all and we just had to really bring our A-game into the second half to be able to get a result, which luckily we did.”

“It took us a little bit of a half to settle into it, but once half time came we knew that Blue Lake were really pushing us and we had to start playing a different style.”

Despite this loss, Blue Lake continues to sit in a good position this season as it’s finals dream remains within reach.

“All credit to Blue Lake, they are a very good team and they’re playing some good soccer,” D’Agostino said.

“They are a good and a young team and I think they are going to push a lot of teams this year.”

When asked about the top performers from his own side on the weekend, D’Agostino said the first half was a bit messy, but the whole team raised its game after the break and a number of players put in fine performances.

“It was probably one of those games that was a bit scrappy,” he said.

“Everyone lifted in the second half luckily, but probably the captain Christian Cella lifted most.

“He played in three or four different roles for me – just filling where we thought we were not dominating – and I think when he went there he dominated most of those, so he was good.

“And it’s really hard not to mention my whole defence.

“Yes they conceded a goal, which we haven’t conceded many this year, but they did a really good job.”

Taking on Gambier Centrals this week, Inter will look for a solid start to the match if it is to obtain the result it desires.

“It will be a tough game next week,” D’Agostino said.

“We are hoping Matthew Bueti is back, he’s had an injury which we are hoping he’ll come good from by this week.”

“We still had a couple of players we just wanted to rest a little bit Sunday as well.

“Hopefully we can play a lot better than we did Sunday and get the result.”

In other matches, Tatiara played its first home game at Virgo Park in Bordertown on the weekend, where it hosted Apollo for a 3-1 defeat.

Leading 1-0 at half time, Apollo held the slight advantage, before it continued to put pressure on the hosts in the second term.

Tatiara was able to make a mark on the scoreboard after the break, but Apollo proved too strong once again as it powered on to victory.

Adam Hodge, Wayne Lennon and Jamie Stephenson all contributed to Apollo’s score with a goal to each of their names, while James Duff put one through for Tatiara.

After its narrow loss to Apollo in Round 7, Gambier Centrals gained a confidence boost when it hosted Naracoorte for a credible 6-1 win.

Asserting early dominance, Centrals earned a 3-0 margin by half time and maintained its form for the duration of the game.

Naracoorte gained a glimpse of hope in the second term with a goal, but the side could not compete with the hosts as they ran away with the match.

Lewis March remains at the top of Centrals’ scoring order, claiming three goals on the weekend, while Cameron Saint was not far behind with two.

Jake Blackwell also found his place on the list, with a single goal to his name.

Portland moved one step closer to finals contention on Sunday, when it travelled to Millicent for a solid 5-1 triumph over the home team.

Leading by only a goal at the end of the first term, the Panthers were on a mission after the break as they went on to score four more goals for the match.

Jackson McCulloch scored two for Portland to lead the side on the scoreboard, while Jake Davies and Leo Filer bagged singles.

For Millicent, Nathan Tucker scored a single, but it was not enough to resurrect the game for the hosts.

Portland currently sits one win under Blue Lake on the ladder and will likely be out to steal a place in the top four as we move into the second half of the season.