Western Border Soccer was back in cup mode on Sunday. The Semi-finals of the Belgiorno Cup were served up & will see International take on Apollo again for the cup.
International V Blue Lake
At Casadio Park International welcomed back a couple of players that haven’t been seen on field in 2011. Marcus Morony & Robbie Manfrin both big inclusions to take International further in the competition against a club that the black and blue have struggled with in past cup competitions. Blue Lake almost at full strength had everything to play for as the premiership is all but out of reach for the Rangers.
International having not played a match in almost three weeks started strongly putting plenty of pressure on Blue Lakes defence. Some early runs down the line from Cella & Didero & Sam Bueti not finding the back of the net. After the first ten minutes Intenational broke the deadlock and put two quick goals past Armandi. Didero & Matthew Bueti striking well to give the home side a two goal lead.
The rangers continued to pressure and eventually got one back with Akita putting the ball past Vonduve. An injury to International captain Dante Bonner saw him need some treatment, but unable to continue in the game allowed Morony to take the field for the first time in over twelve months. Morony was straight into the play finding the ball and moving quite well. He was fouled just outside the penalty area, but International unable to capitalise on the free kick.
The second half saw more pressure from International against the Rangers defence, Grubb & Walters were finding it hard to keep their feet, and it wasn’t long before International had another on the board with a great run from Matthew Bueti finding the net.
International substituted Sam Bueti for another young player in Todd Lewis & this allowed Didero & Matthew Bueti to really push forward having the two goal lead. Blue Lake also made the change of Chatindiara for Domachenz to try and give a little more run to the midfield. Some fine finishing from Didero gave Inetrnational their fourth & the home side looked set to make another cup final.
A great strike from Bueti from outside the penalty area was too well placed for Armandi to reach & this was number five for the home side. International finished out with seven the last two both finding the head of Didero inside the goal area. The Rangers defence unable to stop him finding the net with well placed finishes.
Apollo V Sharks
The match of the round was all one way traffic as the current cup holders, Apollo brushed aside The Sharks. Only a few weeks ago the Sharks pressured Apollo all over the park and defeated them at Shark Park for the first time in their history.
This week they were swept aside by Derek Ferguson's Apollo side, who cruised to a four goal win. Apollo dominated early, creating several chances before it was an own goal that put them ahead. A cross deep into the box was turned into his own net by young Brad Pilven playing at right fullback. Ignoring the call from keeper Norton Fuller, Pilven rose to meet the cross and headed the ball into the open net.
Fuller was called into action after the restart making a fine save only to be beaten once again moments later after some good work down the left by Panagopoulus. The Sharks had a half chance but Tobbie Kennett failed to hit the target. It was Panagopoulous who put the game out of reach for the Sharks on the 30 minute mark tapping in a shot that Fuller could not handle.
The second half saw John Bruttomesso ring in the changes with Pilven substituted and his cousin Corey Pilven introduced. Craig Wright was moved up front and Damien Stemburger was pushed to the back, it was however too little too late and Apollo added to their total when substitute Matt Ferguson added a fourth with 15 minutes remaining.
The Sharks will be bitterly disappointed with the result and their performance as they were beaten all over the park in the biggest day in their history. The sharks will now need to re-group & focus on the double chance for the premiership come finals time while Apollo will head into next weeks cup full of confidence but with Apollo and International having already met twice this year and the ledger at one all, it will be a blockbuster not to be missed.
This week they were swept aside by Derek Ferguson's Apollo side, who cruised to a four goal win. Apollo dominated early, creating several chances before it was an own goal that put them ahead. A cross deep into the box was turned into his own net by young Brad Pilven playing at right fullback. Ignoring the call from keeper Norton Fuller, Pilven rose to meet the cross and headed the ball into the open net.
Fuller was called into action after the restart making a fine save only to be beaten once again moments later after some good work down the left by Panagopoulus. The Sharks had a half chance but Tobbie Kennett failed to hit the target. It was Panagopoulous who put the game out of reach for the Sharks on the 30 minute mark tapping in a shot that Fuller could not handle.
The second half saw John Bruttomesso ring in the changes with Pilven substituted and his cousin Corey Pilven introduced. Craig Wright was moved up front and Damien Stemburger was pushed to the back, it was however too little too late and Apollo added to their total when substitute Matt Ferguson added a fourth with 15 minutes remaining.
The Sharks will be bitterly disappointed with the result and their performance as they were beaten all over the park in the biggest day in their history. The sharks will now need to re-group & focus on the double chance for the premiership come finals time while Apollo will head into next weeks cup full of confidence but with Apollo and International having already met twice this year and the ledger at one all, it will be a blockbuster not to be missed.
Results.
A Grade
International 7 d Blue Lake 1
Goals: International - O. Didero 4, M. Bueti 3 Blue Lake - Y. Akita 1
Apollo 4 d Sharks 0
Goals: Apollo – G. Panagopoulus 2, M. Ferguson, Own Goal 1.
B Grade
Centrals 1 d Blue Lake 0
Goals: Centrals - J. Thorne 1
Apollo 5 d Sharks 0
Goal scorers not available
Under 17
International 3 d Sharks 0
Goals: International - W. Circelli, T. Weedon, A. Pham 1
Apollo 5 d Millicent 1
Goal scorers not available
Under 14
International 4 d Blue Lake 0
Goals: International - M. Moo (Htoo), W. Moo 2
Apollo 4 d Portland 2
Goal scorers not available
Under 12
Centrals 6 d Sharks 0
Goals: Centrals - J. Whitehead 3, C. Fallas, D. Brabham-Waye, T. van Reit 1
Portland 5 d Apollo 0
Goal scorers not available.
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