Lew has mentioned Ryan Tobin as a potential starter for Centrals this week against Apollo.
Well the Premiership is done and dusted and we now move on to the next piece of silverware, the Dycer Constructions Top Four competition.
The two Top 4 semi finals will match International against Blue Lake and Apollo against Centrals.
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International v Blue Lake
Malseed Park (home of Blue Lake Soccer Club) at 2:30 pm
The first semi pits Premiers Inter against fourth placed Blue Lake in what promises to be an interesting game. As Premiers, Inter will deservedly go into this match as the hot favourites. Coach Tony D'Agostino has no injury concerns, he said that Robbie Manfrin will be back from injury and Adam Osman is also back after a weeks holiday.
The only concern that D'Agostino has is the fact that Inter have both senior grades and the under 17s involved in the semi finals. The under 17s and A Grade are at Malseed Park while the B Grade will be at Casadio Park. I am sure that this will not hamper them too much with the depth that they have.
D'Agostino believes that Blue Lake is the most improved side this year and both times that they have met has resulted in close games. He says that the young Blues have a fairly balanced side and expects a terrific contest.
Blue Lake coach Sam Ferguson has been around long enough to know the strengths of the International soccer club and understands that he will have to pull something out of the bag to upset them. He also will have a full squad to pick from although he also has the problems with all three grades playing on Sunday.
Blue Lake, if they can take their chances early could unsettle Inter but they have struggled all year to score consistently and with Inter having so many options in front of goals it is hard to go against them.
The midfield battle will be a ripper with Ferguson, Strachan and McRostie up against Bonner, Galloway and Redfern. Both have good defences and I expect this to go right down to the wire and do not be surprised if it goes to a penalty shootout.
Lew's prediction: Lew is sitting on the fence
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Apollo v Centrals
Casadio Park (home of International Soccer Club) at 2:30 pm
The second semi final is between Apollo and Centrals. This game will be another fantastic spectacle. This will be Centrals only chance of a trophy after being knocked out of the cup, so expect them to throw everything at this. They have struggled this year but would see this as their chance to redeem themselves.
This is the fourth consecutive year the two clubs have played off in this fixture with Centrals winning 2006 and going on to win the title. Apollo bounced back in 2007 and then last season it was Centrals winning in a marathon 14-13 on penalties.
Centrals beat Apollo in both premiership clashes this season, however Apollo defeated Centrals in their Shadows Belgiorno Cup qualification match. Centrals have the edge 5-2 over the last two years but all matches have been extremely close.
Centrals rebounded from their loss to Blue Lake with a convincing three goal win over the much improved Millicent last week, while Apollo easily accounted for the Sharks at home.
Centrals could see the return of Adrian Hurst and Ryan Tobin for this week's match after both have not played for three weeks. This week Centrals coach Shane Dycer will have the most players available since he has been back in the hot seat at Bishop Road.
Apollo's squad is a deep one with Ash Stenner a possible inclusion if he travels down from Kingston.
Key Match Ups which will decide this final will be Shane Heemskerk v Adam Hodge, Matt Gordon v Paul Prentis and Nathan Tidy v Luke Odgers.
Lew's prediction: Lew is sitting on the fence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to see some exciting competitive soccer this week your only problem will be deciding which match to see, but I have a feeling that whichever one you go to see you will not walk away disappointed.
Contributed by Lew Ferguson
The two Top 4 semi finals will match International against Blue Lake and Apollo against Centrals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International v Blue Lake
Malseed Park (home of Blue Lake Soccer Club) at 2:30 pm
The first semi pits Premiers Inter against fourth placed Blue Lake in what promises to be an interesting game. As Premiers, Inter will deservedly go into this match as the hot favourites. Coach Tony D'Agostino has no injury concerns, he said that Robbie Manfrin will be back from injury and Adam Osman is also back after a weeks holiday.
The only concern that D'Agostino has is the fact that Inter have both senior grades and the under 17s involved in the semi finals. The under 17s and A Grade are at Malseed Park while the B Grade will be at Casadio Park. I am sure that this will not hamper them too much with the depth that they have.
D'Agostino believes that Blue Lake is the most improved side this year and both times that they have met has resulted in close games. He says that the young Blues have a fairly balanced side and expects a terrific contest.
Blue Lake coach Sam Ferguson has been around long enough to know the strengths of the International soccer club and understands that he will have to pull something out of the bag to upset them. He also will have a full squad to pick from although he also has the problems with all three grades playing on Sunday.
Blue Lake, if they can take their chances early could unsettle Inter but they have struggled all year to score consistently and with Inter having so many options in front of goals it is hard to go against them.
The midfield battle will be a ripper with Ferguson, Strachan and McRostie up against Bonner, Galloway and Redfern. Both have good defences and I expect this to go right down to the wire and do not be surprised if it goes to a penalty shootout.
Lew's prediction: Lew is sitting on the fence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apollo v Centrals
Casadio Park (home of International Soccer Club) at 2:30 pm
The second semi final is between Apollo and Centrals. This game will be another fantastic spectacle. This will be Centrals only chance of a trophy after being knocked out of the cup, so expect them to throw everything at this. They have struggled this year but would see this as their chance to redeem themselves.
This is the fourth consecutive year the two clubs have played off in this fixture with Centrals winning 2006 and going on to win the title. Apollo bounced back in 2007 and then last season it was Centrals winning in a marathon 14-13 on penalties.
Centrals beat Apollo in both premiership clashes this season, however Apollo defeated Centrals in their Shadows Belgiorno Cup qualification match. Centrals have the edge 5-2 over the last two years but all matches have been extremely close.
Centrals rebounded from their loss to Blue Lake with a convincing three goal win over the much improved Millicent last week, while Apollo easily accounted for the Sharks at home.
Centrals could see the return of Adrian Hurst and Ryan Tobin for this week's match after both have not played for three weeks. This week Centrals coach Shane Dycer will have the most players available since he has been back in the hot seat at Bishop Road.
Apollo's squad is a deep one with Ash Stenner a possible inclusion if he travels down from Kingston.
Key Match Ups which will decide this final will be Shane Heemskerk v Adam Hodge, Matt Gordon v Paul Prentis and Nathan Tidy v Luke Odgers.
Lew's prediction: Lew is sitting on the fence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to see some exciting competitive soccer this week your only problem will be deciding which match to see, but I have a feeling that whichever one you go to see you will not walk away disappointed.
Contributed by Lew Ferguson
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