Senior women – Apollo def International

Apollo has delivered the shock of the 2022 Steeline Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Association Senior Women’s season by finishing International’s title defence in a stern way.

Inter entered finals as the team to beat having not lost a single game throughout 2022, but their title dreams dashed in a flash having been knocked out in straight sets.

The final nail in the coffin was delivered by Apollo in Sunday’s preliminary final at McLaughlin Park where the team that finished fifth last year played out of its skin to secure an unlikely trip to the decider.

After the final whistle marked the team’s stunning 3-0 victory, coach James Stephenson said the girls struggled to contain their emotions.

“I do not think in all of the years I have played and coached soccer I have heard a louder song at the end of the game,” he said.

“The girls were just screaming it and were almost crying because they were so happy inside.

“You just could not be happier.”

Inter might have entered the game as clear favourites, but Apollo embraced its underdogs tag and attacked with a “nothing to lose” approach.

The enjoyment this mindset created gave the blue and white girls the freedom to take the fight to the minor premiers and enjoy slightly more possession.

But the class of Inter meant they were able to create more scoring opportunities which were surprisingly not converted by stars Tess Andrews and Ella Doody.

After the early scares Apollo found its feet with the midfield of Bella Calderwood, Deni Atkin, Isobelle Fewster, Gabby Ten-Tije and Paris Ackland working together to press forward.

While both teams had their moments the scorers remained untroubled at half time which set the scene for a season-defining half ahead.

An injury to Bibi Paw threatened to derail Apollo’s case as the black and blue launched an assault after the break.

This created an “agonising period” for the Apollo bench, but everything changed as a result of one play.

Ackland slipped a pass through the Inter defence and found Daylia Daylia, who finished the play to put Apollo in front against the run of play.

The striker only needed another 10 minutes to find the net again and put the blue and white in the box seat to the amazement of the crowd after a nervous period where the ball took an age to cross the line.

Suddenly boosted by the two unexpected goals, Apollo kept on pushing the stunned International side to the edge with more counter-attacks and the defence had no answer.

There was no stopping the celebrations when Fewster stepped up and nailed the match-winner in memorable fashion.

She took aim from the edge of the box and fired a low strike into the bottom corner of the net in a “finish she will be dining out for years to come”.

It was a fitting finish to Apollo’s comprehensive 3-0 win where the side had not only caught up to Inter, but left the flag favourites for dust.

Stephenson said the pressure-free mindset paid dividends as the game went on.

“At the start of the year we wanted to get in the top four and win a final and we did that, so for us it was just about having fun,” he said.

“We had absolutely no pressure and both teams had a really good first half going at each other.

“At the start of the second half Inter really put the pressure on us because they are a champion team and know how to play together.

“But we stayed to the game plan, held firm in our defence and played well structurally.

“Then once we scored the first goal we broke away because we had that confidence and belief.

“It became a one way street which was really pleasing because the girls absolutely deserved the win.”

Apollo will now take on Blue Lake in the title decider.

Under 16 – Millicent def International

The excitement levels reached fever-pitch when Millicent sneaked past International in front of their home crowd on penalties in the Under 16’s preliminary final.

The arm wrestle began in the first half where both sides enjoyed some chances, but could not put them away.

The work rate of Isabella Morello and skills of Ashlyn Cornolo put International on the board.

But just when the game appeared gone for the hosts, they pushed everyone forward and after a scramble in the box captain Lana Shepherd stepped up to level the scores with minutes left.

A thrilling 2-2 draw was the result which forced the cutthroat final into penalties.

With Kitana Castignani putting in an Andrew Redmayne effort as keeper, Millicent won 4-3 on penalties amid thrilling scenes.

Under 13 – International

def Blue Lake

International enjoyed a far smoother ride in the Under 13’s preliminary final against Blue Lake.

Cornolo was once again in fine form slotting two goals to give her side the impetus, while Reetinder Kaur also had some fun polishing off the 4-0 win.