The penultimate round of the 2022 Steeline Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Association Senior Women’s Premiership Cup provided some close contests which will only enhance the excitement ahead of finals.

Although the favourites were able to prevail in all three games, they had to fight for their right to win across a competitive weekend of action.

Fourth placed Gambier Centrals are under increasing pressure from Millicent to hold onto its finals position and gave it everything to an undefeated International.

Boosted by the luxury of a full suite of players, the Lions brought the fight to their more favoured rivals.

The much-discussed game-plan worked wonders, with Rose Irakoze and Kiah Connolly flourishing through the midfield.

Centrals was also able to limit Inter’s forward passing and cause a number of headaches for the ladder leaders.

The hosts’ good work allowed them to create opportunities and threaten to snatch the lead.

But International was able to withstand the pressure and started to turn the tables.

Despite both teams threatening to find the net, both sides remained goalless at half time.

The stalemate continued deep into the second half as the respective backlines dictated terms.

But just when a nil-all draw appeared a certainty, some former Lions came back to haunt their old club.

With just 10 minutes left in the game Skye Robertson fired a shot at goal but missed, only for sister Leonie Robertson to pounce on the deflection and break the drought.

The big goal deflated Centrals after a tough fight and to make matters worse Skye Robertson returned to find the back of the net herself with one of the last kicks of the game.

Scraping away with a 2-0 victory International maintained its grip on top of the ladder and coach Ricky McRobert said his girls had to fight for it.

“After a hard-fought and scrappy contest we were able to stay undefeated,” he said.

“Centrals put the pressure on immediately and created some opportunities, but our defence managed to hold them out.

“After weathering the initial pressure from Centrals, we started to gain control over the game and Skye and Leonie Robertson managed to slot away some great goals to finish with a 2-0 win.”

Sitting a safe third and second on the ladder respectively, Apollo and Blue Lake had high hopes of playing a close contest and it did not disappoint.

The two sides prepared for finals with a competitive battle at Webb Street where the result was up for grabs until the final whistle.

The blue and white started strong on home turf, but struggled to test Rangers’ keeper Richelle Huntly.

Apollo was forced to pay the price for not being able to make the most of its opportunities, as Blue Lake did what all good sides do when a door opens.

After beating her opponent in a one-on-one contest, Jasmine White gave herself plenty of room and space to loop the ball over Angela McDonough’s head and into the bottom right corner.

The early goal gave the Rangers an early advantage which only proved more critical as the game continued with the contest becoming tighter as each minute passed.

The first half was a physical battle with Apollo fighting back, but being unable to level the scores after some desperate defensive work from Blue Lake.

After the break both teams dug deep and looked dangerous, with the result still up for grabs.

However, a second half goal proved unreachable, which meant the Rangers escaped with a 1-0 win.

Blue Lake coach Sean Fulton said the tight contest was the perfect preparation for finals.

“It was an even contest with both teams jostling for midfield ascendancy,” he said.

“Jasmine White found herself in a great scoring position after she read the ball better than her opponent and duly slotted the ball to open the scoring.

“It was a physical but fair half and Apollo was unlucky not to level the contest after a goalmouth scramble if not for Adele Wilkinson clearing the ball off the line.

“Although we were able to create several opportunities, we were unable to convert and left the door ajar for the opposition.

“The game was a tussle from the outset, but sheer determination and great formation gave Apollo limited opportunities to attack .

“It was a perfect hit out ahead of finals.”

Millicent continued to make its case for snatching Centrals’ finals berth by scoring another win over Naracoorte.

Eliza Dower, Leonie McCallum, Olivia Montuori and Linda Carter Sheperd all bombarded the goals to ensure Millicent United overcame the visitors despite the latter being boosted by a clean Lauren Smart strike.