James Murphy
BLUE LAKE 1 d MILLICENT 0
ROUND 9 of Limestone Coast women’s soccer produced a mix of results, with the closest contest a 1-0 win to Blue Lake over Millicent.
The battle between third and fourth was expected to be tight and in the end a single penalty proved the difference.
The majority of the match was a fight for control with plenty of back-and-forth throughout.
However, at the 28-minute mark a penalty was awarded to the Rangers and Pip Crewe stepped up to put it past Millicent keeper Dianne Wilson.
That goal was the first and last of the day and Blue Lake was able to defend its way to victory from there.
Both teams had their chances, but the backlines stood tall and deterred any attempts to hit the scoreboard.
In what is shaping up to be a close battle between second, third and fourth, the Rangers will be pleased to come away with the result which has now elevated them to second on the ladder.
APOLLO 5 d GAMBIER CENTRALS 1
Will Apollo’s senior women taste defeat in 2024?
The answer on the weekend was once again ‘not yet’ and after a close opening half, the ladder leaders turned on the rockets after the break and ran away to a four-goal victory over Gambier Centrals.
Played at MGA Park, Centrals scored first when Isla Dickson converted 19 minutes in.
Rebekah Lamb responded for Apollo 10 minutes later and scores remained locked at one-all heading into half time.
It was shaping up to be a thrilling contest, but Apollo demonstrated why it is undefeated when piling on four second-half goals.
Lamb scored her second to open the ledger, before Deni Atkin made her mark with consecutive goals to put the margin out to 4-1.
With no chance of a Centrals’ comeback by this stage, Demi Ingley finished things off with a 75th-minute goal to push it out to 5-1.
INTERNATIONAL 4 d NARACOORTE 1
It might have taken nine rounds, but Limestone Coast women’s soccer reigning premier International notched up its first win of 2024 on Sunday.
Inter hosted Naracoorte for the clash, who were also without a win.
Last time the sides met it was a draw, but Inter was not taking any chances and after a close first half, broke away after the break for a three-goal triumph.
Inter opened the ledger when Marie Onema scored in the 12th minute.
Naracoorte responded through Ashleigh Neil to tie it back up, but shortly after Ashara McNamara converted to give Inter the lead going into half time.
From there it was all about the hosts and two quick goals from Isabella Morello – just two minutes apart – ensured there was no chance of a comeback for Naracoorte.
Although a finals berth is still out of reach for now, a win against fourth-placed Millicent would go a long way to making that a reality for Inter.
They face off this Saturday at McLaughlin Park, while Centrals hosts Blue Lake in what could be another good contest.
Apollo visits Naracoorte on Sunday in what is likely to be a one-sided affair.
