Under 13 girls – International 3 d Centrals 2

It was a wild weekend of thrilling Limestone Coast Football Association grand final action and it all started on Saturday morning when the Under 13 girls faced off.

Not even a sudden thunderstorm could stop the girls from chasing premiership glory and they contested a thrilling affair.

Having been undefeated all year and leading 1-0 at half time, Centrals were expected to win, but International launched a two-goal counterattack with the wind.

Despite an own goal almost undoing their work, the black and blue sealed the thrilling 3-2 win after Ashlyn Cornolo kicked the sealer at the death.

For leading the Lions’ fighting effort Amelia Holmes was named best on ground.

Under 16 girls – Millicent d Centrals

Millicent United snatched an unlikely Under 16’s premiership with the last kick of the game against Centrals.

The Lions pressed hard with prolific scorer Emmy Jeffrey looking dangerous, but some crucial saves from the Millicent defence meant the game came down to penalties after no one could trouble the scorers.

After both teams kicked three of their first four shots, nerves could not be higher as Kitana Castignani went back to kick Millicent’s last penalty.

To make matters worse the unrelenting wind kept interrupting Castignani’s preparation, but she still sent it into the back of the net.

Centrals were still alive with Emily Brooks lining up for goal, but her shot was saved by keeper Dianne Wilson which sent Millicent into raptures.

Millicent won 3-2 on penalties with captain Lana Shepherd leading from the front.

Under 12 boys – Millicent 2 d Centrals 1

Millicent United’s joy continued the following day when its Under 12 boys completed a come from behind heist.

Centrals was in the box seat in the rain leading 1-0 deep into the second half thanks to Patrick Muzaliwa’s strike.

But armed with the wind the team in green gave it everything with captain William Dower and striker Tait Grgetic running in waves.

The duo teamed up to send Millicent United in front with two quick goals to the delight of their big travelling supporter base.

The Lions made a late play to level the scores, but Isaac Salmon’s header hit the crossbar.

When the final whistle sounded all the Millicent players joyfully started mud sliding simultaneously celebrating the club’s first junior male premiership and grand final of the 21st century.

Tait Grgetic was named as best on, while his dad Matt played in the club’s previous premiership as a junior and lifted the trophy once again as a coach.

Under 14 boys – Blue Lake 3 d International 0

On home turf Blue Lake was too strong to win the only one sided LCFA grand final from the weekend.

After little separated both teams on the ladder, the Rangers stamped their authority early in the contest with their superior speed and skill.

A goal in the opening minutes put the blues on the course to victory and with James Buttler, best on ground Gay NI Hsar and Eh Has Poe all scoring they cruised to a 3-0 win.

Under 17 boys – Gambier Centrals 3 d Blue Lake 1

Blue Lake had been the team to beat all year, but Gambier Centrals had other ideas in the Under 17’s grand final.

The Rangers finished on top of the ladder and entered the big dance as favourites, while the Lions were the outsiders coming from third place and the club had suffered heartbreak in all the previous junior deciders.

The orange army came out firing with a point to prove and surged to a 3-0 lead with Childs, Kobe Cole and Richard Kinyabugma scoring and best on ground Alexander Obedi front the charge.

While Hay Hay Hta was able to put Blue Lake on the board, the flying start left too big of a mountain to climb.

Despite being unable to topple the Rangers all year, the Lions saved their best for last and claimed a sweet win.

Reserves – Naracoorte 1 d Apollo 0

Apollo’s firm three-year grip on the Reserves trophy has been broken by a spirited Naracoorte in the dying minutes of a thrilling final.

Tensions were high around Malseed Park as the blue and white pressed hard for a four-peat and the yellow and black fought equally as hard for a rare flag.

Apollo started with the wind and looked threatening, but the agility of goal keeper Brad Pilven pulled off some special saves to keep his team in the game.

With conditions favouring Naracoorte, it went on the attack, but as the scoreless arm wrestle continued into the twilight minutes, the final looked destined for penalties.

However, a corner opened a window of opportunity for the yellow and black and Hossain Panahi was able to sneak the ball through to score the breakthrough with less than a minute left on the clock.

The crazy celebrations were enough to satisfy Pilven, who announced his retirement after accepting the best on ground award.