International’s Matt Bueti and Connor Prior have thrown themselves to the front of the race for the 2021 Golden Boot after a dominant performance in an interesting penultimate round of the Steeline LCFA Premiership Cup.
The pair kicked seven goals between them in a 9-0 drubbing of Naracoorte at Casadio Park.
The home side was never troubled during the game after Prior opened the floodgates with a clean strike inside the first five minutes.
Shortly later Bueti and Erike Irakoze joined in on the fun and an Inter victory was almost certain by half time as the scoreboard read 5-0.
The tough start was a major blow for finals hopeful Naracoorte, but the bigger story in the second half was which playing wearing the black and blue would make the biggest impact on the scoreboard – and like so many times before – it was Bueti.
The defender’s nightmare finished with four goals to increase his 2021 tally to 16.
Prior also claimed a hat-trick in a fine day out, while Irakoze kicked a double.
Bueti now leads the goal-scoring tally after arch rival Sam Shoemark failed to find the back of the net in the match of the round at Webb Street.
Apollo and Gambier Centrals faced off in the high stakes battle with the all-important second spot on the ladder up for grabs.
After a defeat to the blue and white in the opening round, the Lions were hungry for revenge and their wish came true.
Across two tight halves the visitors managed to score a critical moments and captain Cameron Saint rose to the occasion.
The skipper led from the front with two big strikes either side of half time to give his men a satisfying 2-0 triumph.
The result vaults Centrals two wins clear of Apollo in the top two and within striking distance of ladder leader International.
However, the biggest cheers were heard at McLaughlin Park where Blue Lake United broke through the dam to score its first win of 2021.
The Rangers have endured a rough season conceding defeat in each of the first eight rounds.
The side’s loaded defensive setup has proven formidable, but last weekend the strikers stole the headlines.
Despite conceding an early goal to Millicent’s main man Mathew Grgetic, Blue Lake rallied to snatch the lead before half time.
With a 2-1 advantage, the Rangers sensed a huge opportunity to create their happiest memory of 2021 and took it.
Tristan Guess, Jacob Phillips and Shar Nay Thann all found the back of the net in game where the side scored more than double the amount of goals it had scored from its first eight games of the 2021 season.
An own goal from the home side completed Blue Lake United’s special 4-1 win.
