Senior Men’s
Apollo v International
International has claimed yet another Barry Maney Group Limestone Coast Senior Men’s Premier League title with a 2-0 win over Apollo.
After finishing the season well on top having only lost the one game all season, International went into the match heavy favourites and the expectation did not affect the side.
Early into the match Apollo was on top, both sides created some dangerous chances but International struggled to move the ball out of its own half.
Apollo failed to capitalise on some golden opportunities to gain an early lead against the minor premiers.
Both defences were on top early, not allowing either side’s attack to find the back of the net.
Apollo’s centre backs Robert Nagy and So Chree Hto were excellent in shutting down International’s attack in the first half.
The match remained deadlocked at 0-0 at half time with both sides failing to take chances early.
International came out firing in the second half and looked more comfortable, with an excellent cross finding the head of Dan Allwright.
Allwright’s header went over the top of Apollo keeper Jesse Widdison and found the back of the net.
Allwright’s opening goal in the 54th minute was an incredible heart breaker for Apollo, which had failed to capitalise on opportunities early.
Apollo pushed hard to find an equaliser with its wingmen Say Say Wah and Gay Nay Say Ler creating several chances.
International’s defence, led by Ricky McRobert, managed to keep the Apollo attack at bay, with International keeper James Kipping saving when called upon.
The intensity of the game started to increase as tensions rose, with International’s Dan Allwright sending the ball into the box from distance.
Apollo goalkeeper Jesse Widdison claimed the ball but clashed with an International player and the ball found the back of the net.
The goal was given much to the dismay of Apollo with the game looking all but over.
Allwright’s second goal came in the 83rd minute all but sealing the result International’s way.
Apollo continued to hunt for its goal but it never came and the final whistle confirmed an incredible victory for the team in black and blue.
Allwright was named man of the match after a match winning two goals as well as providing excellent play through the middle of the ground.
For Apollo the decade-long title drought will continue with the focus turning to next season with hopes of bringing it to an end.
Coach Tony D’Agostino admitted after the match the win did not come as easy as he’d hoped. “Little bit harder than I thought it would be, but we were expecting Apollo to be a bit better and they were.
D’Agostino was pleased with how his side fought out in a tough match “We had to be up for the battle and we were” he said.
D’Agostino believes last years penalty shootout loss gave the side the extra hunger to go a step further this season.
“After last year the boys had a burning desire and it was a tough day and the motivation was there, it was just a matter of getting them up and fit and ready to go and the rest of it they did.”
D’Agostino believes his sides group spirit was an important part of getting it over the line “The fight and desire to win is amazing and the spirit they had as a group was amazing all the credit goes to them”
He was pleased with how his side reacted to Apollo’s good start “We needed to be our best today, Apollo stopped us from playing the best football we could, but we did enough to get through it”.
Dan Allwright’s performance was also noted by D’Agostino “Dan’s the player will know will be around and is very good with set plays, he’s a very smart player, one of the smartest I have seen”
International are back as the premiers of the Barry Maney Group Limestone Coast Premier League after a fantastic 2-0 win.
Senior Women’s
Apollo v International
International pulled off an incredible upset in the Barry Maney Group Limestone Coast Premier League Senior Women’s grand final day to beat minor premiers Apollo and to snatch its second premiership in three years.
Apollo went into the grand final heavy favourites having finished top of the ladder after only losing to Blue Lake this season.
International faced an incredibly tough task and showed up on the day ready to pull off the seemingly impossible.
The first half was incredibly tight as both sides looked for the early advantage, Apollo wasted some good opportunities early and allowed the International defence to get on top.
Tess Andrews controlled the back from the backline for International and helped her side get on top of Apollo.
The match was deadlocked at half-time, with neither side able to find the opener during the first 40 minutes.
Coming back out after the break with only 40 minutes left in the season the first goal would prove crucial.
It did not take long after the break for the goal to come with the dangerous Evany Rex beating the keeper in the 43rd minute.
The goal gave International hope the black and blue could cause an upset to claim the 2023 premiership.
Apollo gave its all to fight back into the match but International had control and were not looking to let Apollo through.
With the full time whistle approaching Apollo threw everything it had at International’s defence, however it battled well and held on.
The final whistle blew declaring International the premiers of the 2023 Barry Maney Group Limestone Coast Premier League.
Tess Andrews was named player of the match for her stand-out performance.
Apollo will no doubt be disappointed that it could not go that step further than last season as it claimed back to back runner up medals.
International is back on top of the league and will enjoy returning to the place of premiers.
International coach Ricky McRobert was well aware of the tough task his side faced going up against Apollo.
“Apollo is an amazing team. They have been a force to be reckoned with all year, they were minor premiers and had beaten us three times this season,” he said.
“They’re a quality side, so to go out there today and come away with the result.”
The win for International and McRobert was especially pleasing considering the circumstances.
“Winning a grand final is an amazing accomplishment, so to go up against a hard rival and one that had beaten you all year it’s an amazing feeling,” he said.
McRobert believed the heat for the preliminary final was helpful preparation going into Saturday’s match and he enjoyed the closeness of the league.
“Between International, Blue Lake and Apollo I think all three teams are just right up there and anyone can win on any given day and playing in the heat last week was good preparation for this week,” he said.
He was also pleased with how his team lifted with a few out due to injuries.
“As with all teams we have had our ups and downs especially with injuries, we had three players go down with knee injuries during the season, and it was awesome to come out with two full teams and have an intense senior women’s match,” McRobert said.
