Soccer: Rivalry alive

STRONG LEADER: International captain Christian Cella led by example in Sunday’s clash with Apollo, kicking three of his team’s four goals for the match.

IT was a fitting start to the Limestone Coast soccer season when traditional rivals International and Apollo locked horns in the grand final rematch for Round 1 of the Belgiorno Cup.

Played on the black and blue’s home ground at Casadio Park, the two heavy weights engaged in a tight battle.

The hosts eventually came away with a 4-1 win, but this margin did no justice to the closeness of the game.

Both teams took to the pitch boasting slightly different line ups to 2017, but the bulk of the squads remained the same.

The game started slowly, with neither side able to convert a goal, as play switched from end to end in a battle of the midfield.

It was not until Inter captain Christian Cella found the back of the net in the later stages of the half that players and spectators had something to celebrate.

However, this lead was short-lived as Apollo’s Giancarlo Cooper answered soon after with a goal of his own.

From there the game reached another deadlock, with scores tied on one each at the half-time break.

Heading to the break Apollo looked to be the better side and held the momentum going into the second half.

Cooper was in explosive form for Apollo, but unfortunately for his team only one of his multiple shots on goal found its way past Inter keeper Brayden May.

Backed up by the experience of Lachlan Bytheway, Tom Inglis and Matthew Pohlner, Apollo was more than competitive.

However, Inter was able to capitalise on its scoring opportunities in the second term and Cella led by example to kick two more for the day, with the second from a penalty kick.

Returning player Tom Weedon also contributed, with a running goal seeing his team’s total at four on the final whistle.

Inter coach Gareth Vonduve was pleased with how the team came together on the day and gave credit to Apollo for providing a solid contest.

With a couple of players still to slot back into the side, he said this match was a good indication of where Inter is at in the early stages of the season.

“It was a good hit out for our boys,” he said.

“Matt Bueti and Tobbei Kennent are still to come back in, so the structure had to change a little bit.

“Young Tyler Michielan got his debut, he had 10 minutes and played pretty well.”

In terms of the best player on the day, Vonduve said both Nick Morony and Cella were in fine form, but the standout for him was Chris Fallas.

“Fallas dominated all day,” he said.

“His defensive work was really strong and the attacking runs he was doing were fantastic.

“It is a hard position the role that he plays, but I thought he was really strong and he gave us everything we needed going forward and defending at the same time.

“The three back, Ricky (McRobert), Pat (Wilondja) and Dan (Bronca) also played really well and Cella was really strong in the midfield.”

The game could easily have gone either way in the end, but Vonduve was confident in his side’s fitness and that it would shine through in the later stages of the match.

“The first half I think they (Apollo) matched us, probably even a bit better,” he said.

“I still think we missed a few opportunities, but I believe in our system and I believe in the way we are playing and so do the boys.

“So as long as we are able to stick to it and get the win, that’s the main thing.

“To be able to get a few more goals as well, it gives the boys a bit more confidence on how we are playing.”

In other games, Gambier Centrals claimed a 3-1 win when it hosted the Blue Lake Rangers.

However, this victory did not come easily, with the Rangers holding the lead going into the second half.

Fraser Howard scored the guest’s only goal to see them 1-0 up after the first half, but from there Centrals took control on the scoreboard.

Coach Nathan Fleetwood showcased his talent on the field, bagging a goal for his new team, while Cameron Saint and Chris Wright also contributed to the score.

The final match for the round saw Naracoorte put on a dominant display to defeat Millicent 8-0.

With four unanswered goals in the opening half, Millicent needed to hit hard if it was to recover, but instead it once again succumbed to the Naracoorte onslaught.

Two Millicent own goals helped the victors on their way, leaving the side with plenty to work on going into Round 2.

This week will see all games played away, with Inter travelling to Millicent and Apollo making the trip to Naracoorte, while Centrals will face Portland on its home ground.

Blue Lake has the bye for the round.