Blue Lake soccer advances to finals

MY BALL: Blue Lake’s Sam Richards and Apollo’s Bailey Musci battled in the midfield during their elimination final clash at Malseed Park on Sunday. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

A FIRST-half goal sealed the deal for Blue Lake in the Limestone Coast soccer A Grade elimination final at Malseed Park on Sunday, when it claimed a 1-0 win over Apollo.

The Rangers will now progress to a daunting preliminary final against International at Naracoorte this weekend, after the black and blue went down to Centrals in the qualifier.

Blue Lake coach Jared Vause is proud of his team to make it this far into the season and with the chance to compete in the grand final still up for grabs, the side will be in high spirits.

The opening half saw Blue Lake with plenty of chances to score, but just one of those attempts found its mark.

Si Pler returned to the side in good fashion, with a kick from just inside the 18-yard box going past the outstretched arms of Apollo keeper Ben Morris 20 minutes into the first term.

The score remained on 1-0 at the break and Blue Lake took a more defensive approach into the second half to hold onto its lead.

“The game was close, we had a lot of chances in the first half so were probably a bit disappointed to go into the break one-nil up,” Vause said.

“But at the same time we were happy to have the goal advantage.

“Then we just sat back a bit deeper and tried to protect the one-nil lead.”

Despite best efforts from Apollo, it was unable to score the equaliser and the Rangers took the win.

Vause was pleased with his team’s performance on Sunday and looks forward to this week’s clash with the minor premiers.

He mentioned Pler’s efforts through the midfield and to score the winning goal, while there were plenty of other standouts for him on the day.

“Jacob Ellis at centre-back, he had a terrific game,” Vause said.

“With his pace not too many people out-run him.

“He battled with Erike (Irakoze) down the back, but came out on top.

“Jacob Phillips, our other centre-back player, he also played really well.

“He is always pretty consistent.

“Sam Richards and Si Pler in the midfield were good and Doh Say had a good first half.”

He also mentioned Bryce Strachan, who played well despite being ill, as well as Trsitan Guess who performed with a lingering calf injury.

In terms of Apollo’s better players on the day, Vause said Erike Irakoze was “threatening on the ball” and provided plenty of pace up forward.

He also said youngster Bailey Musci battled hard in the midfield, while Morris was in fine form in goals.

“We had some shots which were within one or two yards from the goals and he was just blocking everything,” Vause said.

The likes of Adam Walker and Matthew Pohlner also did their part in defence to deter the Rangers many attacking plays in the opening term.

Looking now to Inter, Vause said the first two clashes with the black and blue this season – one in the Belgiorno Cup and the other in Round 3 – were close affairs.

He hopes to find similar form and not repeat the previous meeting’s result.

“Our last game against them we had a good first half and then they scored a heap of goals in the second half,” Vause said.

“We will hopefully get things right defensively this time so we do not concede.”

“We will be the underdogs for this game and we are happy with that.

“We will go in to win it.”