APOLLO has earned its place alongside International in the 2017 Limestone Coast Football Association grand final after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Gambier Centrals on Sunday.
Hosted at Millicent, the preliminary final clash saw the wind have an impact on players from both ends of the pitch.
With a grand final berth on the line, Apollo pushed hard and was able to control much of the play in the first half.
However, Centrals was not without its own chances, with the likes of Lewis March and Jake Blackwell creating opportunities in the forward half.
But these chances were left unconverted, with the Apollo back-line and midfield demonstrating why the side has been so hard to put down this year.
Apollo’s defence was in fine form and was a deciding factor in the final result, with Lachlan Bytheway putting his body on the line to limit the opposition’s attack.
Bytheway has played some impressive games of late and will no doubt be an important part of the Apollo line-up this weekend.
With the scoreboard untouched at half time, the second term saw the struggle continue, with neither team able to convert.
The ball spent more time in the Apollo forward half and after several missed attempts, it was Giancarlo Cooper who put the side in the lead with a goal.
If it were not for the valiant efforts of Centrals’ goal keeper Norton Fuller the margin would likely have been even greater, as he once again demonstrated his natural ability in the goal square.
Centrals continued to contest, with a number of promising chances in the box, but the Apollo defence proved too strong and the single goal was enough to claim the win.
Apollo coach Derek Ferguson was pleased with the result on the day and believed his team was deserving of the victory, while he also reflected on the difficulty of the weather conditions.
“The conditions made it a really tough game,” he said.
“It was really windy, so it was hard to play much soccer.
“In the first half we played pretty well against it and controlled the play and then in the second it turned into a bit of a scramble.
“We had our chances and Centrals had a couple of chances, but I think we deserved the win.”
Ferguson said the main aim for his team will keep to its style of game in whatever conditions are thrown its way.
“We try and play the ball no matter what the conditions are,” he said.
“We like to pass the ball, we don’t boot it like some oppositions.
“So we kept doing that and we got the result, so it was good.”
In terms of best-on-ground for the day, Ferguson said it was difficult to pick as the input was evenly spread throughout the team.
“It’s hard to pick,” he said.
“Probably Lachlan Bytheway at the back – I thought he had a really good game.
“Stewie (Stewart) Wallace in the midfield also controlled the play there.
“It was a hard game to play in because of the wind, so we’re just happy to get the result.”
Set to face traditional rival International in the grand final this Sunday, Apollo will welcome Luke McCallum back into its ranks after a two-week suspension.
McCallum is a key player in the side and both him and his teammates will need to be in their best form as they look to knock Inter off its pedestal.
In the Reserves competition the grand final will also see an Inter and Apollo match-up, after the black and blue defeated Blue Lake 5-0 in Sunday’s preliminary final.
With the Rangers taking out Centrals in the elimination final, their premiership dream was put to rest as Inter powered home after the break to extend its 1-0 half-time lead.
Inter’s Under 17’s also secured a grand final berth, after they claimed the win over Blue Lake.
With the scores level on one-all at half time, Inter pushed hard in the second term to extend the margin for an eventual 3-1 victory.
The side is set to face Centrals, in what is sure to be a tough match, with Centrals only loss for the season at the hands of Inter back in Round 9.
Naracoorte has proved itself a solid force in the Under 14 competition, as it defeated Centrals to secure a grand final match against Inter this weekend.
The close game saw the score at nil-all before the break, with Naracoorte able to convert in the second half and see it progress to the big game.
The Under 14’s will see Centrals and Inter go head-to-head for the title, after the latter earned its place in the grand final after it defeated Naracoorte 3-1.
Scores were level at one-all after the opening half, before Inter claimed the lead in the second and was able to extend the margin before the final whistle.
The grand final matches are to be hosted by Gambier Centrals this Sunday from 8.30am.
Seniors – 2.30pm: Inter v Apollo; Under 14 – 1.05pm: Inter v Naracoorte; Reserves – 11.15am: Apollo v Inter; Under 17 – 9.40am: Centrals v Inter; Under 12 – 8.30am: Centrals v Inter.
