By Trevor Jackson
A CHANGING of the guard was completed on Sunday as Gambier Centrals claimed the Limestone Coast Football Association senior men’s Steeline premiership.
With no sign of perennial grand final contenders International in the senior final, a new premiership side would be crowned and the Lions ensured the cup returned to the “Den” out at Bishop Road.
A 2-0 grand final victory over Apollo capped off an impressive year for Centrals, adding to the pre-season cup honours earlier in 2021.
As the score suggests, the result was not cut and dried until the final stages of the second half, as Apollo pushed hard to try to close the deficit.
But at the final siren it was Centrals celebrating after a strong defensive effort.
The Lions were out of the blocks fast and scored in the first 15 minutes thanks to captain Cameron Saint, but from there it was a back-and-forth contest as Apollo looked to even the score.
A 1-0 half-time score set up an intriguing final stanza and it did not disappoint.
However, late in the game a red card to the Apollo goalkeeper James Kipping provided a chance for Centrals to extend their lead and put the game to bed.
A miraculous save by the replacement goalkeeper Jesse Widdison saw Apollo up and about, but it was short lived as Lewis March put the icing on the cake late in the game and the Lions celebrated with gusto.
Lion Mitch Cutting was awarded best on ground in a contest his side appeared to be in control of, despite the close result.
For victorious coach Chris Fleetwood the result came on the back of an impressive year of soccer.
“I think it really started pre-season when we won the cup,” he said.
“That set a kind of a benchmark for us, then we had to keep at that standard.
“We beat Inter in the cup final, so we knew we had the goods on them, but Apollo was a different kettle.
“We had to work out how to beat them.”
Fleetwood said it was the defensive efforts of his players which made a big difference in the season decider.
“Our defence was rock solid,” he said.
“Everything was in front of us … they didn’t get behind us very often.
“Both our full backs were outstanding and so was Mitch (Cutting) in the middle.
“Defensively we were really solid and that lays the foundation for the guys to go forward and create some opportunities.”
With the score sitting at 1-0 late in the game there was still a chance for Apollo to tie the game up or even draw ahead.
Fleetwood said he felt his players did not take enough advantage of the extra possession they had earned.
However, in the end it was an impressive result.
“At 1-0 they were still in it, then there was the send off and that was it really,” Fleetwood said.
“They had to go for it and we needed to keep the momentum up, to keep working hard.
“In the end the guys got the reward for it, getting the double, the cup and the premiership.
“It is a great season.”
On the back of the victory Fleetwood said the club has a positive future.
“Centrals haven’t won a lot of premierships and only won the double once before,” he said.
“We have quite a young side and some young kids coming through so it is probably a bright future for the club.
“Hopefully they can maintain that and we will see what happens.”
Results – Under 12: Centrals 4 d International 1. Centrals: C. Beimans 3, J. Hillstone; International: B. Vorwerk.
Under 13: Apollo 2 d Centrals 1.
Under 14L International 1 d Blue Lake/United 0. International: M. Winter.
Under 16: International 4 d Centrals 1. International: E. Rex 2, I. Morello, L. Murdock; Centrals: L. Robertson.
Under 17: Blue Lake/United 5 d International 2. Blue Lake/United: G. Ler 2, S. Than 2, J. Latham; International: J. Millard, M. Cornolo.
Reserves: International 3 d Apollo 2. International: L. Charlton, F. Pepa, own goal; Apollo: R. van Eyk, S. Htoo.
Senior Women: International 4 d Blue Lake/United 2. International: S. Gilbert 3, E. Doody;
Blue Lake/United: C. Frost 2.
Senior Men: Centrals 2 d Apollo 0. Centrals: L. March, C. Saint.
