Lions roar to crucial victory

Lions roar to crucial victory

Two Limestone Coast Football Association senior women’s finals contenders went blow for blow at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday afternoon.

Apollo and Gambier Centrals faced off with the winner awarded bragging rights ahead of a likely fight to the death later this year in the finals.

As the players were surrounded by the vast open spaces of Blue Lake Sports Park, the home-pitch advantage was diminished and a classic battle was the result.

Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance across an exciting first half as the ball bounced from one end to the other.

After suffering a significant 10-2 defeat to the Lions in the opening round, the blue and white were keen to show what they were made of.

Apollo’s hopes received a huge boost from Evie Thompson, who went bang, bang to snatch the lead after Danika Picken opened Centrals’ account inside the first five minutes.

Suddenly the blue and white enjoyed a 2-1 lead at the main break and had every reason to believe a special win was on the cards.

However, the Lions wanted the premiership points just as much and roared back to life in the second half.

Scott Dixon’s side rallied and threatened to steal the game in a fight back.

Eventually Central’s pressure proved too much and young gun Isla Dickson booted her first goal in seniors soccer to level the scores.

With 15 minutes on the clock and all results possible, no one left the Blue Lake Sports Park reserve as the rivals fought for supremacy ahead of finals.

Both sides found avenues to score but could not find the missing ingredient and a draw appeared the inevitable result.

However, in the final minute of regular time, Lions’ captain Kiah Connolly showed why she wears the armband.

Despite carrying Centrals’ hopes on her shoulders and facing a determined defence, Connolly found the back of the net to send her side to victory at the last possible moment.

The stunning 3-2 win firms up the Lions’ stranglehold on third spot on the ladder.

Unfortunately, the same excited scenes were not replicated at the other senior women’s fixtures in the rescheduled round 6.

The dominant force of Blue Lake United kept ticking along and navigated the road trip to McLaughlin Park with ease.

The ladder leaders extended their winning streak by scoring two goals either side of half time.

Aimee Brooks, Lauren Frost, Brooke Gilbert and Adele Wilkinson kicked truly while the goalkeeper completed a clean sheet.

Blue Lake’s nearest title rival International had an even easier time of it at Casadio Park disposing of Naracoorte.

The visitors had a faint sniff trailing 2-0 at half time, but were blown away by the rampant hosts before the final whistle.

Inter struck six times in the second half to set up a crushing 8-0 triumph.

Tess Clark and Stephanie Gilbert both found the back of the net twice, while Satu Aumo, Ella Doody, April Hockey and Barbara Metzger also appeared on the score sheet.

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