James Murphy
INTERNATIONAL 4 d GAMBIER CENTRALS 1
INTERNATIONAL has claimed the top spot on the Limestone Coast Football Association ladder with a win over Gambier Centrals at MGA Park.
The Lions had held the position since Round 9, but Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against Inter saw the minor premiership up for grabs.
Both teams were fast out of the gates, but it was the boys in black and blue who looked as dangerous as ever.
They generated many opportunities but Centrals’ keeper Alex Hill was most impressive.
He pulled off some strong one-on-one saves, while the likes of Brayden Coppick and Jensen Childs were also vital in holding Inter at bay.
However, the guests eventually found their way through, as Caleb Casey assisted Matt Bueti’s first of three goals for the day midway through the half.
From there it was a bit of an arm wrestle, as both teams fought for ascendancy.
It was Inter again which finally converted, as Bueti slipped through the Lions’ defence again to hand his team a 2-0 lead.
Against the flow of play Centrals managed to chip one back as Lewis March scored before half time, which kept them in touch heading into the break.
However, the home team would not score again for the match, as Inter lifted their defensive pressure.
“In the second half I tasked the boys to work on their defensive efforts,” Inter coach Vlada Gajic said.
“It was a good opportunity to test it out before finals and we didn’t let any more goals in.”
Casey scored an impressive goal in the second half, where he took a free just outside the box and drilled it along the ground and under everyone’s feet.
Bueti then capped things off to bring his season total to 48 – 25 clear of Centrals’ captain Cameron Saint.
The absence of Saint on Sunday hurt the Lions, after a red-card incident the week before.
It helped Inter’s midfield gain control as the side put away a strong win, much to the delight of Gajic.
“The boys really brought it on,” he said.
“It was their opportunity to retake the top spot, so this was a top-spot game.
“Over the years they have played those big games well and they really stepped up and played a good game to take out the win.”
The defensive performance in the second term pleased the coach, with the usual culprits leading the backline.
“Lachie Charlton had a good game and Ricky McRobert had a really good game as well,” Gajic said.
“Both of those boys stood up in the defensive side when they needed to.”
Gajic was pleased to see things start to come together with the team settled into a more consistent line-up in recent weeks.
He said there were a couple players left to come back into the side, but things looked good leading into finals.
“We are just starting to hit our straps at the right time,” Gajic said.
“One more game against Naracoorte and if we can win that we can take out the minor premiership.”
This week is the final minor round and both Inter and Centrals are expected to win their games, which will hand the former the minor premiership.
APOLLO 6 d BLUE LAKE 0
APOLLO proved too much for a visiting Blue Lake at Webb Street on Sunday.
Firmly locked in third place on the ladder, Apollo put on another strong display with its passage play and passing game on show.
The Rangers provided resistance and certainly had their moments, but even with starting goal keeper Jesse Widdison out due to a red-card penalty last round, they were unable to convert.
On the other hand, Apollo scored six goals, with another even spread of contributors.
Reuben van Eyk’s return proved a highlight, with two goals, while Shar Nay Than also bagged two.
Robbie Nagy and Gay Nay Say Ler scored one each.
Off the back of a hot streak, Apollo will look to continue building momentum in this week’s final minor round against Millicent, while Blue Lake will play its final A Grade game of the year against reigning premier Centrals.
NARACOORTE 5 d MILLICENT 0
NARACOORTE has officially locked itself in fourth position with a Round 14 win over Millicent.
Played at Millicent, the home-ground advantage did little to stem the flow of goals from the visitors as they went on to claim a 5-0 victory.
Ciaran Shouksmith top scored with two goals, while Charles Kelly, Murtaza Jafary and Jack Bennett slotted one each.
Millicent has struggled in the top grade this year and is yet to win a match, with that unlikely to change as it heads to Apollo for this week’s final minor round.
Naracoorte now faces a challenge at home against International to wrap up the home-and-away season, before finals start on September 4.
The third fixture will see Blue Lake host Gambier Centrals, in what should be a strong bounce-back win for the Lions.
