APOLLO remains a win clear of reigning premier International in second place on the Limestone Coast Football Association A Grade ladder, after an 8-0 triumph over an undermanned Blue Lake on Sunday.
The round-seven clash saw the Webb Street hosts in the box seat for the win, with a 3-0 lead at half time soon doubled after the break.
Blue Lake continues to battle with player shortages with a squad of just 13 player across both senior grades and as a result they were forced to call their A Grade match short.
The Rangers toughed it out until the 70-minute mark to avoid a forfeit, but with several injuries in the team – which had most players backing up from Reserves – they called the game early.
The 8-0 victory puts Apollo just a point behind ladder leader Gambier Centrals heading into the second half of the season this weekend.
Apollo played an impressive second half and banged through five goals in the shortened term of about 20 minutes.
Youngster Bailey Musci was the main culprit up forward with five goals, while Tobbei Kennett was also in fine form and found the back of the net twice.
The final goal was scored by Under 17 talent Broc Linden.
According to Apollo co-coach Jamie Stevenson it was another solid team performance from the white and blues, particularly once the team found extra motivation in the second term.
“It was a pretty hard game to get my boys motivated to go out and play knowing they might not have finished the game,” he said.
“The first half we started off pretty slow, but once we found our second gear in the second half we started pushing away and ended up with a good result.”
Apollo had played just one game in the past three weeks – due to the long weekend and the bye – so it was a positive outcome for the match.
Stevenson said it was a “team effort” on Sunday, but Musci could not be looked past for his impressive haul.
“Tobbei Kennett played really well, Bailey played well and our whole back-line played well,” he said.
“I think it was just a good all-round team effort and everyone played consistently together.”
That consistency is something which will serve the side well heading into the second half of the season this week.
A steady line-up is something Apollo lacked last season and its turnaround from 2018 has been impressive.
“We have a good young team,” Stevenson said.
“The good thing this year is we have a similar 11 or 12 every week.
“They are starting to know who is on either side of them, who is in front and behind – our structures are really starting to come into it.
“I think we are at a good spot now – we are gelling and the momentum is there.”
The talking point of the round was a surprise three-all draw between Centrals and Naracoorte, which put an end to Gambier Centrals’ faultless premiership cup pursuit.
The Lions travelled to Naracoorte and in the words of coach David Beaman it was “a bad day out” for the ladder leaders.
Beaman said it was simply not the Lions’ day and despite a 2-0 lead at half time, Naracoorte fought back after the break.
“We had a lot of possession, but we did not create a lot of good chances,” Beaman said.
“The chances we did create we did not really capitalise on them.
“It was just one of those days.”
With about 10 minutes of play remaining Centrals held a 3-1 lead.
However, Naracoorte capitalised on two costly mistakes from the Lions and levelled the scores before the final whistle.
Despite some injuries throughout the game and the absence of star striker Nathan Fleetwood, Beaman said he will not make excuses for the outcome.
“It is to their credit and our demise more than anything,” he said.
“They are a handy side – they worked very hard for one another all day
“There were definitely three mistakes we made and they capitalised on them very well.
“I am taking no credit away from them, they deserved it.”
Some positives to come from the game saw Jake Blackwell return to the A Grade side and chip in with a goal, while Lewis March and Jose Estevez Bordon also scored one each.
For Naracoorte the goals were shared as well, as Mulugata Abirha, Fletcher Masters and Andrew Diment all found the back of the net.
Beaman said the team will put the game behind it and focus will now turn to this Sunday’s Indigenous round clash with International.
Sunday’s final match was an 8-0 victory to Inter when it travelled to Millicent.
The fixture was supposed to be played at Casadio Park, but the condition of the ground saw it moved in hopes the pitch will be ready for this Sunday’s Indigenous round clash against Centrals.
A half-time score of 4-0 set the tone for the match, while another four after the break provided Inter with a valuable boost in goal difference, as it chases a top-two position.
Matt Bueti made a solid return with four goals, while youngster Caleb Casey was also in fine touch to slot two.
Sam Bueti and captain Christian Cella rounded out the scorers for the black and blue.
Looking ahead to round eight, the clash between Inter and Centrals will be the focal point, while Blue Lake will chase its first win against Portland and Apollo hosts Millicent.
