James Murphy
Gambier Centrals 3 d International 2
GAMBIER Centrals sits as the current premiership favourite after another win over one of its top rivals.
The Lions faced a tough fixture over the last two rounds, but emerged from meetings with Apollo and International with the maximum points.
On Sunday they visited Inter for what was expected to be a hard contest and it did not disappoint.
A 3-2 win for Centrals was the final result, but it took a first-half arm wrestle for either team to settle.
Opportunities at both ends were turned back by defences, before Centrals found a break through Sam Shoemark.
He pounced on a chance to run into goal and a clever pass out to a lonesome Cameron Saint allowed the latter to finish off the play.
That concluded the scoring for the opening term, despite a couple of chances from Inter to equalise.
Centrals co-coach Brodey Koop said the first half was spent getting a feel for their opponent.
“I think it was a little scrappy to begin with, but then in the second half we got back to what we wanted to do,” he said.
Inter came out firing in the second half with a couple of near misses from striker Matt Bueti.
However, a counter attack from Centrals allowed it to get behind the ball and extend the lead through the first of two Jake Blackwell goals.
Intensity levels rose for the hosts and Bueti finally found the back of the net when he converted his first of two for the day.
Back to a one-goal game, it was still there to be won, but when Blackwell scored again the Lions put themselves in prime position.
A penalty with about two minutes to play rewarded Bueti with his second goal, but it was not enough in the end to deny Centrals the three points.
Koop was impressed by the performance from his team and gave credit again to his backline on the day.
The combination of Steven Crowther and James Davey has become a difficult obstacle, while youngster Alex Hill in goals and Jensen Childs continue to show vast improvement.
Complementing the backline was Justyn Saint, who also impressed.
“He is that link man between our defence and our midfield – he cut out a lot of their dangerous runs through,” Koop said.
“I thought it was a very well-disciplined display and it went a long way towards getting that result for us.”
Blackwell was another standout and really hit his straps in the second half, after a quiet opening term.
For Inter, Bueti looked dangerous whenever he charged towards goal.
Matt Ferguson also kept the Centrals defence on its toes, while down back Ricky McRobert was as solid as ever.
The result puts Central on top of the premiership table with a win buffer over second-placed Inter.
Leading into the business end of the season, the Lions’ den is full of excitement.
“It is a really great place to be around at the moment,” Koop said.
“Our Reserves team had a rough start to the year and they have managed to string together three wins on the trot as well.
“The whole senior squad is up and about and enjoying their soccer at the moment.”
Apollo 2 d Blue Lake 0
In a replication of their Round 4 meeting, Apollo claimed a 2-0 win over Blue Lake in Sunday’s clash at Malseed Park.
Following a disappointing loss to Centrals the previous round, Apollo returned to its winning ways and it was Jack Donehue who stepped up in the goal square.
He kicked both goals on the day in a good display.
For Blue Lake it was another case of what if, as the Rangers continue to struggle for results this season.
Naracoorte 11 d Millicent 0
Once again it was a tough day at the office for Millicent, when it visited Naracoorte for Round 9 of Limestone Coast soccer.
The home team further solidified its place in the top four with a dominant 11-goal win.
Goals were shared around this week and it was Ciaran Shouksmith who topped the sheets with four goals, while Daniel Sribar and Augustine Halumwane scored three and two respectively.
The win boosts Naracoorte’s finals chances and it is now two wins clear of fifth-placed Blue Lake.
However, a reality check could be in store for Naracoorte this week when it faces International at Casadio Park.
Inter will be hungry to bounce back in a big way, while over at MGA Park Gambier Centrals will host Blue Lake in what should be another win for the former.
Apollo makes the trip to Millicent for what it will hope is a percentage-boosting result.
