GAMBIER Centrals remains undefeated after three rounds of Limestone Coast soccer, with a 2-1 victory over Apollo at Webb Street on Sunday.
The Lions claimed the scalp of league heavyweight International back in round one, before a bye last week gave them time to nurse injuries, with Nathan Fleetwood and Tom Renzi the two big ins for the round.
Wet and wild conditions greeted players as they took to the pitch, but it did not take long for Centrals to hit the scoreboard, with an early goal to Rhyleigh Hollands – his first of two for the day.
The Apollo hosts fought back and were rewarded soon after with an impressive goal from captain Tom Inglis, who ventured out of the backline to chip the ball over Centrals keeper Steven Hughes’ outstretched arms.
With scores level, the match remained in a deadlock for the rest of the half, with opportunities from both sides unconverted.
Centrals regrouped during the break and came out firing in the second term to eventually convert a second goal.
That saw Fleetwood drive the ball out of the midfield and into attack, before crossing it to Hollands who finished off the quality play.
It was a good team goal, with most players involved as they moved the ball out of the backline to score.
As conditions worsened, further goals remained out of reach and despite opportunities from both sides the score remained unchanged and the Lions claimed the points.
Centrals’ coach David Beaman took heart from the victory and was pleased with the solid “team performance” on display, particularly in the second half.
“It was a bit of a grind,” he said.
“I think we had more of the chances, we probably should have won by more, but that’s the way it is.
“They scored a very good goal at a time that was good for them.
“We had a bit of a lull after we scored our first goal, but I think in the second half we were the better side.”
Hollands was one Lion who impressed his coach on Sunday and Beaman said he is developing into a quality player.
“Rhyleigh Hollands has got to be given a mention for his two goals and his effort,” he said.
“He is just getting better with each game and his confidence is growing.”
But he was not the only rising talent who received phrase.
“I thought Brayden Coppick’s second half performance was excellent – we had to readjust positions when Craig Wright got injured,” Beaman said.
Fleetwood also had plenty of drive into the forward line, while Hughes was strong in goals all day.
For Apollo, youngster Adam Walker was solid in defence all day and worked well with Inglis to hold back the Centrals’ attack.
Tobbei Kennett and Stewart Wallace had plenty of the ball through the middle, while Jack Donehue had a couple of strong runs down the wing.
Looking forward to this week, Apollo is set to face International under lights at Casadio Park, while Centrals visits Blue Lake for round four.
Other games of the round saw Millicent with its second win of the season, when it accounted for Portland 5-1.
Scores were locked at one-all heading into the second half, but the hosts took control from there.
Matthew Grgetic finished with four goals for the day, while John O’Connell scored a single.
The win puts Millicent in fourth position at this early stage in the season and it now has two weeks off due to a bye and the June long weekend.
The final game of the round saw a young Inter roster travel to Naracoorte for a 3-0 victory.
With several injuries to senior players in the black and blue camp, coach Tony D’Agostino fielded one of the youngest teams of his long coaching career.
However, the youngsters stood up and despite just a one-nil lead at the break, two second-half goals sealed the game.
Sam Bueti added some experience on the field as he returned from a knee injury for limited minutes, but even so the average age of the team sat around 19 years old.
Bueti made a solid return to the game with a goal and Phillip Muzaliwa also converted, while the final score was recorded as an own goal.
Inter may face a tough game this week as it hosts Apollo under lights at a later fixture of 6pm and a classic battle between the traditional rivals can be expected.
