Inter holds off challenge

UNDER PRESSURE: International’s Nick Morony gets boot to ball under heavy pressure from Apollo’s Cameron Wallace. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

ROUND 4 of the Limestone Coast soccer season saw the top teams show their dominance with solid wins across the board over the weekend.

A close contest can always be expected when traditional rivals International and Apollo lock horns, but this week saw the black and blue with the edge as they controlled the ball for the majority of the game.

This triumph sees Inter now sitting a win clear on the top of the premiership ladder, while Apollo falls further down into sixth place, with just one win from its three games.

On the other side of town at Bishop Road another tight clash was anticipated between hosts Gambier Centrals and Blue Lake.

The Rangers have shown fine form in recent weeks and few would have tipped the final score of 7-2 in Centrals’ favour.

This loss puts Blue Lake out of the top four and into fifth place, while Centrals currently holds onto the third rung on the ladder.

Despite a comfortable win in the end, the closest match for the round was at Casadio Park, where the Inter hosts claimed a 4-1 victory over Apollo in another physical clash between the two heavyweights.

With a 2-1 margin at the half time break, Inter did not appear to be under threat, despite Apollo with plenty of opportunities up forward.

Inter goalkeeper Brayden May was in fine form and saved many shots on goal which could have tightened the game.

At the other end of the ground, Matt Bueti was in dangerous form, with two goals for the match, while Dan Bronca and captain Christian Cella contributed with one each.

For Apollo, Lungani Emmual scored the only goal, while the likes of Matthew Pohlner, Tom Inglis and Cameron Wallace provided plenty of resistance down back.

Goal-keeper Ben Morris managed some solid saves, but Inter’s firepower was too much on the day and the hosts claimed the honours.

Inter coach Gareth Vonduve was pleased with his team’s performance this week, after a close call against Blue Lake in the previous round.

To add the icing on the cake for Inter, this match was the Michielan Cup, with youngster Tyler Michielan playing a full game in a proud moment for him and his family.

He was also awarded the Michielan medal for best-on-ground as voted by the referees on the day.

“Young Tyler Michielan, he played a full 90 (minutes) and was really good,” Vonduve said.

“I know his mum and dad are pretty proud of him.

“I asked him to play a half and he gave me a full 90.”

Vonduve was pleased with Michielan’s efforts, along with juniors Austin Rossi and Connor Prior, who took to the senior stage once again in the later stages of the game.

“Young Austin Rossi got to have a run and didn’t do a thing wrong, along with Connor Prior as well,” Vonduve said.

“The juniors stepping up are really starting to take shape and are doing good things.”

But it was the efforts of strikers Bueti and Bronca who earned the most praise, with the two backed up by Cella in a deadly combination in Inter’s attacking half.

Nick Morony also received mention, while Sar Hay Moo also had some classy moments throughout the match.

Vonduve said Patrick Wilondja was strong in the second half, but a red card penalty saw the upcoming player sidelined in the later stages of the match.

“He was pretty disappointed in himself, but other than that he played well,” Vonduve said.

“Ricky was also really good and Fintan (Cuthbertson) is really starting to come out of his shell and he’s making it hard for us to find a reason not to start him, which is good.”

Across town at Centrals’ home ground, Nathan Fleetwood was once again a deadly force at the helm of his side.

Fleetwood opened the match with the first two goals and an assist finished off by Nathaniel Thorpe.

Centrals looked to have the match won early and another goal before the break saw a 4-0 deficit for Blue Lake going into the second term.

The Rangers managed to score two goals through Jacob Phillips and Bryce Strachan in the second half, but Centrals added another three to its tally and there was little the guests could do.

Fleetwood led the way alongside Mitch Thomson with two goals each, while Thorpe and Jayden Brueker finished with singles.

Lewis March and captain Cameron Saint were also in fine form and helped set up opportunities up forward, while the likes of Craig Wright and goal-keeper James Kipping were also strong.

The final senior clash for the round saw Portland host Millicent under lights on Saturday night for a convincing 6-1 triumph.

With a half-time score of 2-0, Portland made the most of the home ground advantage to run away with the game in the second term.

This win puts Portland in fourth place on the ladder, but it will need to hold strong after the bye this week, as both Blue Lake and Apollo will be eager to return to finals’ contention.