BLUE Lake Soccer Club hosted a successful 2018 Limestone Coast Football Association Belgiorno Cup grand final event at its Malseed Park venue on Sunday.
This saw the best teams at this point in the competition go head-to-head for the preseason honours, with some tight contests across most grades.
Naracoorte United celebrated its 50th birthday with style, as it won its reserves’ clash against Blue Lake in a thrilling game which went down to the wire.
The match was a close affair for the full 90 minutes, with neither side able to convert in normal time.
This saw overtime played to determine the champion and the clash continued to be an even contest.
With shots from both ends, it was Naracoorte’s Muhammad Haidar who finally scored, bagging the only goal for the match.
Play resumed and Blue Lake desperately tried to level the scores once more, but it was to no avail and Naracoorte claimed the title.
Naracoorte players and supporters erupted at the sound of the final whistle as they celebrated the cup win which has eluded the club for many years.
Under 17
International 4 d Apollo 3
ANOTHER high-intensity affair was the Under 17 Belgiorno Cup grand final between International and Apollo.
The high scoring match saw a total of seven goals for the game, with Inter narrowly claiming the honours with a 4-3 victory.
Both teams came out of the gate strong, with Inter scoring three goals to Apollo’s two in the first half.
After the break both teams added another goal to their tallies to see Inter hold on for the one-goal win.
Phillip Muzaliwa led the way on the scoreboard for the black and blue, claiming two goals for the match.
He was backed up by Mitchell Tye who bagged one, while a corner from Inter’s Connor Prior saw the ball touched by Apollo’s Franco Kwibuka before going through for an own goal.
For Apollo Harry Wilson, Adam Walker and Toby De Wit claimed a goal each for their side.
Under 14
Blue Lake 4 d Apollo 0
BLUE Lake was in blistering form when its Under 14 side took to its home ground for its grand final meeting with Apollo.
It was not long before the first score was on the board for the Rangers and they managed to add a second unanswered goal before half time to hold a 2-0 lead.
After the break, Blue Lake maintained its dominant form and held Apollo scoreless once again, while bagging to more goals for its final tally of four.
Gay Nay Say Ler led the way on the scoreboard with two for the match and he was also a major presence around the ground for his side.
He was joined by Shar Nay Than, who also played an impressive game, while scoring a single goal and Brandon Day, who claimed one as well.
Under 12
Centrals 5 d International 1
OPENING the 2018 Belgiorno Cup grand final day was the Under 12 match between Gambier Centrals and International.
With both clubs having strong junior development programs, Centrals went into the game as the favourites and it delivered on this with a solid 5-1 win.
Scoring three unanswered goals in the opening term, Inter had a big task on its hands going into the break.
The black and blue managed to make its mark on the board in the second half with a goal to Marcus Gajic, but this did not come without two further goals to Centrals.
Finn Dickson and Mee Reh Htoo led the charge with two goals each for the game, while Jacob Salmon managed a single to bring Centrals’ tally to five.
