A TIGHT battle ensued at Webb Street on Sunday, when Gambier Centrals visited Apollo for a 2-1 victory in round two of the Limestone Coast Football Association pre-season cup.
It was a game of two halves, with Centrals holding the advantage in the first term to see a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
That goal was eventually converted by Craig Wright, but there were several boots involved.
At half time Centrals looked to be in a good place and an early second-half goal from Mitch Thomson had Apollo on the back foot.
However, from there the hosts took some control and the majority of play was in their attacking half for the remainder of the game.
Several shots on goal were saved by Centrals keeper Steven Hughes, but eventually young-gun Bailey Musci found his mark late in the game to see it back to within a goal.
Despite constant pressure on the Lions’ defence, Apollo was unable to score the equaliser and Centrals claimed its second win of the season.
Centrals coach David Beaman was pleased with the result, but said the team will benefit from more games under its belt.
“The result was good,” he said.
“I think we still need some games, it is early on in the season, but it was a good competition on Sunday I thought.”
Beaman said the best is yet to come from the Lions and he believed the side allowed too many turnovers on Sunday.
However, with several changes from last year’s team, it will take a few weeks for the side to reach its full potential.
“Once we start getting used to each other I think the football will come,” Beaman said.
“We were a little bit short on players and I know they were too, so hopefully we can push on from here.”
Two big inclusions to the roster this year are Tom Renzi and Mitchell Cutting, who have returned to the club.
Both played a part in the 2016 premiership.
“Renzi has been playing a long time and I don’t have to tell him how to play the game,” Beaman said.
“It is just about him realising what his game is.
“When we get Nathan Fleetwood back, I’m sure those two will click.”
Fleetwood can be expected to remain on the sidelines for the completion of the cup’s minor rounds with a slight knee injury.
But Beaman hopes he will be ready to go for finals in a couple of weeks.
Despite the room for improvement, Centrals carry a clean record into its third-round clash with Millicent, which should see the side finish the minor rounds in faultless fashion.
“We have two wins from two games, so we are happy,” Beaman said.
“We would rather go into the semi’s at the top of the group, because that means in theory we get the weaker of the two from the second group.”
He said there were no standouts on Sunday, but he was impressed by the continued improvement of the young faces in the squad.
“I don’t think anyone really stood out that well, but the two young full backs we have – Ryleigh Hollands and Jasper Whitehead – are improving every week,” Beaman said.
“And Brayden Coppick in centre back, they are all only 18 years old and have been playing really well.”
For Apollo the inclusion of Giancarlo Cooper saw some attacking pace added, while Nash Linden played a solid game until he was sidelined with an ankle injury late in the match.
Youngsters Harry Wilson, Jack Donehue and Adam Walker also held their own.
Post game it was a positive atmosphere in the Apollo huddle, with the message there were plenty of positives, but also lots to work on.
Sunday’s other games were also close affairs, with the tightest match of the round a three-all draw between Blue Lake and Naracoorte.
Played on the Rangers’ home deck at Malseed Park, Naracoorte held the advantage at the break, with a 1-0 lead.
However, a higher scoring second term saw Blue Lake co-coach Tristan Guess slot two goals, while David Htoo also hit the board.
But with two second-half goals from Naracoorte, the scores remained locked at the final whistle and the teams were forced to share the points.
The final game of the round saw Portland with a 2-1 win over Millicent.
Millicent was up 1-0 at half time, after a goal to Mathew Grgetic, but the seasiders fired after the break to come back and win by a goal.
International had the bye for the round.
This week will see Centrals host Millicent, while Inter will play at home against Blue Lake and Apollo travels to Portland.
