SUNDAY’S round 12 of Limestone Coast soccer went more less as expected, with no surprise packages in the A Grade competition.
Apollo travelled to Naracoorte for a 5-1 victory, while ladder leader Gambier Centrals also hit the road to convincingly defeat Portland 11-0.
The closest match of the round was contested at Malseed Park, where Blue Lake hosted Millicent.
A quick start from the visitors decided the game early on and by half time the Rangers trailed 4-1.
The second half was a more even affair, with chances aplenty, but only a single goal was added by both teams to see Blue Lake with a four-goal defeat.
However, with the side under new management and the majority of players backing up from the four-all draw in Reserves, there were certainly positives to come from the game.
The last two weeks have seen both co-coaches Jared Vause and Tristan Guess head overseas for planned holidays, while player availability has been the Rangers’ Achilles heel since round one.
Stuart Cooper and Rajko Kuzmanovic have since been passed the coaching reins and will look to guide the club through the final few rounds.
“In the second half of the season we have lost a few numbers,” Cooper said.
“It has been quite tough, but we have stepped up quite well I think.
“Not having Jared (Vause), Trsitan (Guess) and Jon Bradley available on Sunday didn’t help, but Aiden (Efron) was back and he stood out as a pair of fresh legs.”
Cooper said there is no denying 2019 has been a rebuilding year for the club and at this stage it is simply a matter of keeping players keen for next season.
“We just need to continue the good work Jared and Tristan have already established,” he said.
“We are not changing anything or doing anything different, we just have to manage the guys we have and put the best team on the park.
“It is about just keeping their heads up to keep everyone keen and happy to go on next year.”
Besides the opening stages of the game, Sunday’s clash with Millicent was close and there were certainly highlights for the hosts.
Yuki Akita popped up with two goals, while Cooper said Efron, Daniel Macmillan and Michael Walters all impressed.
Goal keeper Tim Moyes was also solid, as he backed up an impressive performance against the Lions last week.
“He had a brilliant game last week against Centrals and it is always hard to back that up, especially playing two games a week,” Cooper said.
That game saw the Rangers hold the ladder leaders to a nil-all scoreline at half time, before the latter pulled away late in the second half for a 4-0 win.
It is those kinds of results which will keep Blue Lake moving forward and Cooper said the club hopes to reintroduce an Under 17 team in 2020, while a successful recruiting period should return the Rangers to some of their former glory.
Over at Naracoorte, Apollo wasted no time with formalities as the premiership contenders set up a 4-0 lead by half time.
The scoring dried up after the break with just one more goal scored, but the damage had already been dealt.
Youngster Broc Linden continued his fine form and was responsible for two goals, while Stewart Wallace also converted two and young-gun Franco Kwibuka scored one.
Apollo will now wait for the outcome of tonight’s catch up game between International and Centrals, to see whether it will hold onto the top spot of the ladder.
However, based on current form the Lions should reclaim the position as they head to Inter’s home ground off the back of a solid win over Portland.
Centrals welcomed a couple of players back to the fore on Sunday, with Jake Blackwell top scoring with four goals and Kynan Sheedy popping up with two.
Portland had no answers for the onslaught and after a respectable three-goal lead at the break, Centrals booted a further seven to seal the deal in the second half.
Centrals’ captain Cameron Saint and Jayden Breuker also bagged two, while young talent Jasper Whitehead scored a single to round out the scorers.
Tonight’s game under lights will tip off at 6.30pm at Casadio Park.
