APOLLO has been knocked off the top of the ladder in the final minor round of the Limestone Coast Football Association season, after it hosted Gambier Centrals for a tough 2-1 loss on Sunday.
It was the first 10 minutes of play that decided the match, as the guests scored twice in this time through captain Cameron Saint and Mitch Thomson.
A slow first term for Apollo saw it struggle to convert, with its multiple opportunities in the forward line often resulting in a turnover, due to a rushed attempt at goal or the solid work of Centrals’ defence.
However, the hosts were able to make their mark on the scoreboard late in the half, with Matthew Pohlner scoring a fine goal to narrow the margin before the break.
Apollo’s lack of focus was addressed at half time and the side came out firing in the second term to have most of the control in its opening stages.
But this enthusiasm was short-lived, as a red card to Luke McCallum turned the game once again for Apollo, just as it was looking to be in a position to level the scores.
Centrals then took advantage of this and the ball soon found its way into the visitor’s forward half once more.
Some missed attempts saw the scores unchanged at the final whistle, but Centrals’ initial damage proved enough to deprive Apollo of both the minor premiership and a home qualifying final against International.
Centrals’ coach Robert Nagy agreed the beginning of the match put his team in a good position to hold off its hosts for the duration of the game.
“It was a good start,” he said.
“We probably could have got it to three at one point, but we missed a one-on-one.”
Considering the side was missing a few players on Sunday, Nagy said the result was a good one.
“We didn’t have Jake Blackwell, one of our main strikers,” he said.
“We were probably down a few people, both full-backs from last week were essentially gone too.”
After the last meeting between the two teams saw Apollo the victor, Nagy said it was his team’s ability to make the most of its chances which allowed it to claim the win.
“I think the difference today was their red card kind of changed a bit of the game,” he said.
“They had a slow first half as well, so that probably didn’t help their cause.
“We just happened to capitalise on opportunities given to us.
“It was a really aggressive-type game, so it was a good result going into finals knowing we can get a draw against Inter and a win against Apollo.”
When asked of who delivered the best performances on Sunday, Nagy could not go past Saint, saying the captain “is just too good”.
“His leadership skills are just great – unbelievably positive, really creative on the ball and he’s just one of those people you want in any team.”
Nagy also said the efforts of his entire back-line could not be faulted, as he believed they all played their part well and provided a difficult task for Apollo’s forwards.
Looking ahead to the finals series which will commence with Centrals hosting Blue Lake in the elimination final this weekend, Nagy said his side will need to give its all if it is to back-up its 2016 premiership.
“Obviously we want to defend our premiership from last year,” he said.
“From third place it’s a bit difficult to do, but we have a team willing to put in some hard yards to do it.”
The home-ground advantage will play to Centrals’ favour on the weekend and it will likely take the win over Blue Lake.
“Just having the advantage of training there, playing there and doing everything there – that’s what you want going into finals,” Nagy said.
“If we get to the grand final it will be at Centrals, so that will be good if we can get there, but we’ll take it just one game at a time.”
Meanwhile, at Casadio Park, International claimed a convincing victory over Portland to put itself a single point clear of Apollo on the ladder.
With a final result of 10-1, it was Matthew Bueti who dominated the scoreboard, as he bagged five goals to take out the title of top-scorer for the season.
With Centrals’ Lewis March only a few goals ahead at the start of the round, Bueti’s teammates got behind him as he claimed the leading goal-scorer honours.
He was joined by captain Christian Cella and Chris Fallas who each scored two for their side, while Sam Bueti contributed a single.
Blue Lake made the trip to Millicent for Round 14, where the Rangers returned home with the win.
After a scoreless first half, the visitors hit hard in the second term to secure a 2-1 margin at the final whistle.
Matthew Duncan and Saw Taw Lar Htoo contributed to the winning tally, while for Millicent it was Samuel Papini who put his team on the board.
The last match of the round saw Tatiara host Naracoorte at Bordertown, with the guests proving too strong as they took home the win, 4-3.
With scores level on three-each at half time, Naracoorte was able to find and hold the lead after the break.
However, the match had little effect on the premiership standings, as Naracoorte finishes its season in sixth position.
