IT was another muddy affair in Limestone Coast soccer on Sunday, as Apollo hosted Millicent for a 2-0 victory in round eight of the premiership season.
The Webb Street hosts took to their home ground with vigour, but some sloppy passes and inability to finish kept the pressure on early in the first half.
Eventually, a Bailey Musci kick found Stewart Wallace in the corner of the box and he headed it in for the first goal of the day.
Several opportunities followed, but again it was uncontested passes which cost Apollo the finishing touch, while Millicent held its own in the midfield.
However, the visitors found limited entries into their forward half, with Apollo captain Tom Inglis and youngster Adam Walker standing tall in defence.
Harry Wilson provided plenty of run down the wing, while Tobbei Kennett was the general through the middle of the park.
With plenty of forward pressure, Apollo was rewarded with its second goal after a clever short pass from Musci off a corner, which allowed Patrick Wilondja to slot the ball into the back of the net before half time.
That was how the scoreline remained for the rest of the match, as Apollo was unable to capitalise on its opportunities after the break.
A roasting from co-coaches Jamie Stephenson and Bruno Vadori spurred Apollo at half time, but Millicent turned up its defence to deny the hosts a goal in the second term.
Stephenson said it was not his team’s best performance, but with the conditions as they were he was just pleased to record the win.
“In the first five or 10 minutes of the first half we probably should have put away four or five goals,” he said.
“Then it would have been a totally different story.
“As a top team, if we want to stay at the top we have to put those two or three goals away.”
Millicent played a defensive game and put 10 players behind the ball, holding back the Apollo attack on the muddy pitch.
However, that prevented the side from creating its own chances up forward.
Apollo tried to play the game and showed glimpses of its polished style of play, but Stephenson made the point clear the side will need to step up in the future, with two tough games against reigning premier International and Gambier Centrals approaching.
“I wasn’t really happy with the boys, but in saying that we tried to play,” he said.
“Every now and then you just have one of those games.
“We played well in patches, but we need to be more consistent throughout the game.
“Sometimes when the conditions are like that it is hard to play fluently.”
Despite the loss, Millicent continues to show great improvement from last season, which is reflected in its fourth place on the A Grade ladder.
Mathew Grgetic led his team well on the ground and the side certainly showed it is worthy of its top-four position.
The test now is to match up with the top three teams, which will be no small task as the second half of the season continues.
With the clash between International and Gambier Centrals called off due to the pitch condition at Casadio Park, the final game of the round saw Blue Lake record its first A Grade win of the season.
The club had a solid day out as it hosted Portland to claim the honours in all four grades played on the day.
The senior side claimed a solid 9-2 victory over the seasiders, pulling away in the second half after a close 3-2 lead at the break.
David Htoo led the way on the scoreboard with three goals and co-coach Tristan Guess bagged two, while Si Pler Htoo, Michael Walters and Michael Bowering contributed singles.
The final score was an own goal.
This weekend will see only one match played in Mount Gambier, when Blue Lake hosts Inter at Malseed Park.
Apollo will make the trip to Portland for round nine, while Millicent hosts Naracoorte and Centrals has the bye.
