THERE was no shortage of goals in round four of the Limestone Coast Football Association season.
A total of 27 were kicked across the three A Grade matches on Sunday, with a staggering 19 scored in one match alone.
That came in the 19-0 drubbing dealt to Blue Lake by ladder leader International at Malseed Park.
The home-ground advantage unfortunately did little for the undermanned Rangers and off the back of a 10-goal haul from Matt Bueti, Inter cruised to a percentage-boosting win.
With an 8-0 lead at half time the match had already been won but the reigning premier kept the foot on the gas to secure the demoralising victory over its host.
Complimenting Bueti’s efforts were Noah Koko Htoo, Tyler Michielan and Sar Hay Moo with two goals each in addition to singles from Nick Morony and Connor Prior.
Eventually Bueti was moved into the backline to cool off his boots, with the star striker now sitting comfortable on top of the league goal kicking with an impressive 20 goals from four games – 10 clear of Gambier Centrals’ young gun Broc Linden.
The clash was the only fixture played in Mount Gambier, with the next closest contest at Millicent.
Apollo made the trip for what on paper was the tightest game of the round, yet still provided the guests with a 4-0 win.
A strong breeze played to Millicent’s favour in the opening half but Apollo’s defence held firm to keep the scoreboard clean at half time.
The advantage changed hands after the break and Apollo then made its mark on the match.
Apollo coach Jamie Stephenson said the first half was a challenge as his team competed against the wind and a defensive game plan from the hosts.
“We had a lot of possession, but it was really hard to play balls through – they were playing a lot of defence with two rows of four or five so it was hard to break through,” he said.
“It was a very strong wind so I knew if we put one away we would break their backs a little bit and that is basically what happened.
“We started playing forward and started hitting feet and once we scored we sort of took over the game a little bit.”
Patrick Wilondja was a late out with a corky, while talented young defender Adam Walker was unavailable for the clash.
As such, it was the more experienced heads which stood tall in the backline on Sunday.
“I thought our defence was good and Tom (Inglis) and Brett (Stephenson) played pretty well back there,” Stephenson said.
He also gave credit to Say Say Wah, who has started to look dangerous and was one of four goal scorers for his team, while Erike Irakoze came on in the second half and added some flare up forward, which allowed Tobbei Kennett to move back into the midfield.
Those changes made a positive change to the group and allowed Apollo to take control, until Irakoze was dealt a second yellow card and was handed a one-match ban by the referee.
He will miss this week’s clash with Blue Lake, but should be available for the round six rematch against Naracoorte.
The final game of the round was another 4-0 result, as Centrals travelled to play Naracoorte in a successful road trip.
Once again it was the deadly combination of Linden and Nathan Fleetwood which dealt the damage and the pair finished with three and one goals respectively.
Just one came before half time but the Lions silenced any hope from the hosts in the second term.
Heading into a blockbuster against Inter this Saturday night, the closer result could help Centrals as its round five opponent has had a relatively easy draw so far – its closest game a 3-0 win over Apollo.
The anticipated meeting will kick off the round under lights at Casadio Park, before Apollo hosts Blue Lake and Naracoorte visits Millicent on Sunday.
