By Lachlan Onions
INTERNATIONAL 3 d/w GAMBIER CENTRALS 3
IN what was undoubtedly the match of the round for the Limestone Coast Premier League, Gambier Centrals came from behind to salvage a draw after a 95th minute equaliser at the death against International on Sunday
There were several comparisons which could be drawn between this game and last year’s grand final between these two teams as the game ended 3-3 after 90 minutes in a game where Inter led by two goals at one stage and like the 2022 grand final, there were two red cards given.
Thomas Weedon brought the game to life in just the sixth minute as he found the back of the net to give Inter an early lead.
However, Centrals captain Jake Blackwell hit back 15 minutes later to level proceedings.
Yet Inter remained unfazed as the hosts restored their lead just two minutes later through Sam Bueti.
Christian Cella extended the lead in the 33rd minute as the home side went into the break with a two-goal advantage.
The second half was a back and forth contest with both goalkeepers being tested.
The Lions caught Inter out on a counter-attack and halved the deficit in the 58th minute thanks to Cameron Saint and a nail-biting climax awaited.
Drama broke out in the 72nd minute with six bookings given – two reds and four yellows.
Inter’s Lachlan Charlton and Centrals’ Henry Shoemark were sent off in what was turning into a fiery contest.
With both sides playing with only 10 men for the final 20 minutes, the game opened up and the Lions looked to press on.
In a dramatic finale, Saint found the back of the net for a second time in the 95th minute to complete the comeback and earn a draw for the reigning premiers in what was an action-packed contest.
APOLLO 3 d BLUE LAKE 2
A seven-minute assault from Apollo proved the difference on Sunday as Apollo claimed a one-goal win over Blue Lake.
In an even contest, Blue Lake struck first in the 32nd minute thanks to Shar Nay Than who converted from the penalty spot.
This proved to be the only goal in the half and the Rangers remained in front with just over 20 minutes to play.
However, So Chree Htoo levelled terms with a goal for Apollo in the 70th minute which brought the contest to life.
Blue Lake was left shell-shocked as Gay Nay Say Ler found the back of the net in the 73rd minute before scoring again four minutes later to give the hosts a 3-1 lead.
In the blink of an eye, the Rangers went from seemingly in control of the contest, to needing a rapid turnaround to salvage a point.
Than gave Blue Lake a glimmer of hope as he scored from the penalty spot once again in the 89th minute.
But it was only a consolation as Apollo held on to claim all three points.
MILLICENT UNITED 6 d NARACOORTE UNITED 1
Millicent claimed a big win at McLaughlin Park over Naracoorte on Sunday.
Leandro Rodriguez opened the scoring with a goal from a penalty in the 21st minute.
He then doubled the hosts advantage eight minutes later to put his side in the driver’s seat.
However, Andrew Diment scored in the 35th minute to reduce the deficit and gave Naracoorte some hope headed into the second half.
Millicent remained unfazed by the minor setback and continued to push on in the second half.
Niall Brennan restored the two-goal buffer for Millicent in the 50th minute before Marcos Morel Quirno made it 4-1 10 minutes later.
From there, Millicent cruised to victory as Mathew Grgetic made it 5-1 before Rodriguez completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute to put the icing on the cake.
