Senior Men


International v Gambier Centrals


Flag favourites International took on Gambier Centrals on Sunday at Casadio Park and came away with a big win, booking their ticket in the Barry Maney Group Limestone Coast Premier League grand final.


Inter came out red-hot from the kick off as Matt Bueti got the first goal on the board within the first six minutes of action.


After the fast start Gambier Centrals was able to stop the bleeding and held off the black and blue from finding the back of the net, with the home side going into the break with a one goal lead.


It did not take long for International to build their lead in the second half, as Seth Michielan found the back of the net early on in the half to give the black and blue a two goal lead.


The Lions finally found the back of the net when captain Jake Blackwell scored to keep his side in the game, but in the back end of the half Centrals found themselves in a hole after Alex Obedi was sent off with a red card.


With the Lions playing a man down, International took full advantage and scored two quick goals to blow the lead out to three, with Dan Allwright and Bueti doing the damage up forward.


Gambier Centrals had its back against the wall, but the players refused to give up as Lewis March found a late goal to bring it back to a two-goal game.


Despite the late chance for Gambier Centrals, International stood strong as Bueti scored another goal in stoppage time to seal the win and his hattrick with the final score 5-2.


International coach Tony D’Agostino was happy with his side’s win despite the pressure the team felt while playing finals.


“I was happy, there’s always pressure when you get into a qualifying final,” D’Agostino said.


“It’s different from any normal round and the players are always going to feel a bit nervous.


“I think we went out there with a little bit of nerves playing in front of a pretty big crowd at home – but I was pretty happy because we scored quite early which settled some of those nerves.”


Blue Lake v Apollo


With elimination looming Blue Lake took on Apollo on Sunday and lived to fight another day, coming away with a big victory.


The pressure was evident in the opening half with neither side able to make a run forward to score, but just when it looked like both teams were going to head into the half time break tied nil-all the Rangers got a break through Shar Nay Than who found the back of the net to put Blue Lake in the box seat heading into the second half.


Apollo wasted no time in equalising the score when play resumed after the break, as Billy Pearce scored the side’s first of the match.


It did not take long for Blue Lake to respond, through a penalty shot, with Than stepping up to score to snatch back the lead.


The Rangers were able to add some more security to their lead as Than scored another goal to seal his hat-trick.


Try as they might, Apollo was unable to find two goals as the clock ran down, leaving them short at the final whistle 3-1.


The win means Blue Lake will face off against Gambier Centrals on Sunday at McLaughlin Park in Millicent, with the winner heading into the grand final to take on International who will be fresh faced after its Qualifying final victory.


Senior Women


Apollo v Blue Lake


Apollo took on Blue Lake on its home field on Saturday and came away with a solid victory, securing their grand final berth in the 2024 Barry Maney Group Premier League.


The pressure was evident in the opening minutes of play, and it took until half way through the term for a goal to be scored.


Apollo’s Deni Atkins found the back of the net to score the opener and give her side the lead.


She showed her goal scoring ability, registering back to back goals for Apollo which took them into the half with a two goal lead.


Apollo’s defence stood strong in the new half and they did well to hold off Blue Lake’s second half attack.


Despite Blue Lake’s relentless attack they could not find an answer to Apollo’s first half goals as they eventually fell to the minor premiers.


Apollo defeated Blue Lake 2-0.


Millicent United v Gambier Centrals


Millicent United took on Gambier Centrals on Saturday with Millicent emerging victorious in the must win game.


Both sides were competitive from the kick off, with no goals scored early on.


Millicent was able to break down Gambier Centrals’ defence as Sarah Thomson scored the opener for Millicent.


It did not take long for Millicent to build from the first goal as Letitia Izzo scored another for Millicent, giving her side a two-goal lead at the break.


Millicent continued to hold off Gambier Centrals in the second half as the side pushed to get back into the game.


However the Lions’ task of making the comeback was made more difficult as Millicent scored another goal when Lana Shepherd found the back of the net put her side up by three goals so cement the 3-0 victory at the final whistle.


Millicent will now take on Blue Lake on Saturday at its home ground, with the winner to meet Qualifying Final victor Apollo in the grand final.