APOLLO Soccer Club’s A Grade team went into Sunday’s match with Portland hungry for a win, with the side outside the top four since the early stages of the season.
After losing to ladder leaders International and second-placed Gambier Centrals in the previous two rounds, Sunday’s match was a must win.
And with that in mind, the side stepped up with a massive first half effort which resulted in four unanswered goals, before a single after the break rounded out the eventual 5-0 scoreline.
With Apollo lacking in forward firepower in recent weeks, the return of Erike Irakoze to the starting lineup saw him in fine form to lead the scoring with three goals.
“He has been out to a few games here and there coming back from injury and on Sunday he found his feet and was magic to watch,” Apollo coach Bruno Vadori said.
It was backed up by a single goal from Tumayine Ndabarinze in the opening term, followed by the final score off the boot of Adam Hodge.
Vadori was pleased with how the team played on Sunday and said it was good to see some reward come from a new game plan.
“I am definitely happy with the way the boys played,” he said.
“The last couple of weeks we changed our game plan a little bit.
“Last week we trialled it and I was quite happy with the way the guys picked it all up.
“Unfortunately we had a fair few out last week.”
With key striker Giancarlo Cooper under an injury cloud and without goal keeper Ben Morris, last week’s clash with Centrals did not go as planned.
This week also saw defenders Matthew Pohlner and Brett Stephenson unavailable, but Morris returned to the ranks and played a good game in goals.
With two key defenders absent, it saw a relatively young backline step up to the task against Portland.
“Young Franco (Kwibuka) had his first A Grade game, he played in the backline and he was a standout, he never missed a beat,” Vadori said.
“We also had Harry (Wilson) from Under 17’s, who has been in the A Grade squad since the start of the year and has been dominating.
“And Hayden Cutting from the midfield, he had a cracker of a game last week and we put him in the defence line just to sure it up.”
These players slotted in alongside captain Tom Inglis, who continued his consistent form as both a key defender and leader for his team.
“Tom (Inglis) is always a standout,” Vadori said.
“He is a true captain, you could put him in any club and you would have to make him captain.
“He is really well spoken and is basically my right hand man, he really rallies the troops and gets them going.”
With last week also showcasing some junior talent, Bailey Musci played his second A Grade game for his new club on the weekend and put in another solid effort, while Jack Donehue also had a good game.
Cameron Wallace also received mention from his coach, as he continues to impress this season.
Vadori said one of his focuses for this year will give the Under 17’s in the team the experience of the senior stage and from what has been seen so far, they are already becoming important parts of the squad.
“These younger guys I’m just trying to give as much of a run as I can now,” he said.
“By the end of the season they are going to be a very integral part of the squad.
“The older guys in the squad are really taking on board these younger guys and trying to mentor them a bit – it is fantastic to see.
“Stewart Wallace has been really good and has been fantastic with some of the younger ones – he’s taken them under his wing.”
The win sees Apollo sitting just outside the top four in fifth position and Vadori said the goal for this season will make finals.
In other games for the round, International travelled to claim a 10-2 victory over Millicent.
However, with Millicent only scoring two goals for the season before this match, Inter will not be pleased to have given the hosts these opportunities.
Both goals came from some sloppy play in the Inter backline, which is unlike the reigning premiers and will no doubt be improved upon this round.
With a 3-0 margin at half time, Inter captain Christian Cella led the way with a five-goal haul, while Dan Bronca and Sar Hay Moo recorded two each and Matt Bueti converted a single.
The only match-up played in Mount Gambier on Sunday saw Centrals host Naracoorte at Bishop Road for a 6-1 victory on its home deck.
The goals were shared around on the day, with Lewis March, Cameron Saint and Nathaniel Thorpe bagging two each.
The result sees the second-placed side remain a win behind Inter going into the bye this round.
