FOLLOWING its success in the Belgiorno Cup, International Soccer Club’s senior team upheld its 2018 undefeated status with a victory over Gambier Centrals in the opening round of the Limestone Coast Football Association premiership cup at Bishop Road on Sunday.
There was no doubt this was the match of the round and many were eager to see how the two teams would match up for the first time this year, after Centrals’ productive off-season saw it with some valuable new recruits.
The game started evenly, with both sides flexing their muscles in the early stages.
With the ball moved back and forth along the ground, Centrals looked to be in a good position as it maintained heavy pressure with plenty of play in its attacking half.
However, it was Inter which was the first – and only – to touch the scoreboard, receiving a penalty kick late in the opening term as captain Christian Cella took the shot and converted for his team’s first of three goals for the match.
This acted as somewhat of a turning point for the black and blue, with Inter finding a lot more of the offensive ball from there, while the hosts looked to be on the back foot.
Inter headed to the break with a 1-0 lead, leaving plenty of work for Centrals in the second half.
The second goal for the game saw an offensive run by Matt Bueti, before he passed out wide to Sar Hay Moo.
Moo kicked the ball in towards the square, which was then touched by a Centrals player before going through for an own goal.
This saw Inter in good stead and the side capitalised on its 2-0 lead when it was rewarded with another penalty.
Cella squared up again and although the shot was saved, Centrals’ goal keeper James Kipping stepped off his mark and the penalty was retaken.
This time Cella put it through and the score was left at the final winning margin of 3-0.
This win was a positive sign for the depth in the Inter camp, as injuries have plagued the team in recent weeks.
Sam Bueti, who has been on the scorer’s list every game this season, did not make it through the match, with a knee injury ending his game before the first goal was scored.
This sees him join a long line of injuries within the Inter squad, after Ricky McRobert was sidelined again on Sunday, along with Josh Grubb and Dan Bronca.
Nick Morony was also carrying a hamstring injury, but played out the majority of the game before handing the reigns to Connor Prior.
Prior had the difficult job of playing on Centrals coach Nathan Fleetwood, who came on late in the second half, but the youngster held his own and Fleetwood was left scoreless for the first time this season.
Inter coach Gareth Vonduve said it was a good experience for the up-coming player, while fellow Under 17 Austin Rossi also came on for the final minutes for some valuable A Grade time.
Vonduve also gave praise to the likes of Moo, Matt Heesemans and Philip Muzaliwa, all rising stars in the A Grade scene.
But despite these valiant efforts, it was Chris Fallas who earned the best-on-ground honours for the victors.
“A lot of people do not rate Chris,” Vonduve said.
“But I think in the last few weeks he has just proven why (he’s playing A Grade).
“He does everything I ask him to and he’s really strong in the way he plays his position.”
For Centrals, captain Cameron Saint was a massive presence on the ground, with his ball skills and leadership often looked to from teammates.
James Fallas also played his part, while the likes of Craig Wright and David Cole were strong as well.
Lewis March – who can make a massive impact at goals when given the opportunity – had a quiet game, with Vonduve saying he knew the danger of leaving him unmanned.
“We probably had a bit of a shut down role for him (March) and I thought we did well,” Vonduve said.
“He is dangerous against us.”
With Inter going into the bye this weekend, it will give a chance for its injured players to rest and Vonduve is hopeful they will be back on the field the following week when they take on Blue Lake.
“It will be a nice easy week on the track just to refresh ourselves and get ready for Blue Lake next week, which will be another big task I think,” he said.
“I do not take them lightly.”
Blue Lake has shown it will be a finals contender this season, with solid efforts throughout the early stages of the season.
The Rangers proved this once again on Sunday, when they claimed a convincing 9-1 victory over Millicent.
With a 4-0 scoreline at the half-time break, Blue Lake continued to dominate in the second term, bagging another five goals to Millicent’s one.
Yuki Akita led the charge with a five-goal haul, while Saw Yor Hay Doh Say finished with three for the game and Fraser Howard scored a single.
This week the Rangers will take on Apollo at home, while Millicent will make the trip to Naracoorte and Centrals host Portland.
No scoresheets were received from the Portland v Naracoorte game this week.
