A Magical day for football has seen International take out three of Western Border Soccer’s Premierships. The teams from Casadio Park competed in the Under 14, Under 17 & A Grade Grand Finals, winning all three. This is the First Time in Western Border Soccer that the Premiers have been crowned by winning a Grand Final, and with a large crowd it seemed the right way to go for the future of local soccer.
The A Grade Dycer Constructions Premiership was claimed by International with a thrilling 3 – 2 victory over Apollo. The two sides have met numerous times in 2011, with Apollo defeating International a fortnight ago in a Penalty Shoot-out to progress to the Grand Final. International who finished minor premiers at the end of the home and away season took the long road tho qualification defeating The Gamier City Sharks in Millicent.
The young International side on paper at the start of the season were not given much hope of being a major contender in 2011, but with the guidance of coach Lou Zaccardo, has seen them come of age & peak at the right time. An emotional Lou after the game mentioned he will not be at the helm of the club next year, and this may have been some inspiration for the side to perform as well as they did on the day.
The match started with play going the way of International. Morris had plenty of Goal Kicks as International really failed to test the Apollo keeper. A great run from Panagopolous put the pressure on Internationals defence but with no-one home for Apollo the opportunity was wasted.
Nearing the 20 minute mark and the breakthrough came for international when a pass from Panagopolous to Inglis was astray and intercepted by Matt Bueti for International. Cole tried to shut down Bueti leaving Sam Bueti in the middle of the park un-marked and open to receive a pass from Matt. Having time to set himself and place the ball past Morris.
International had a chance to extend their lead nearing half time when it was deemed an Apollo defender hand balled in the penalty area from a hard kicked International cross. Morony stepped up to take the spot kick & hit the bar giving a sigh of relief for the Apollo players. Play turned in their favour for the remainder of the half with plenty of opportunities, but nothing to change the score sheet. International finished the first half leading 1 – 0.
The second half started with some renewed enthusiasm from the Apollo players following Derek Ferguson’s half time address. Just a few minutes in and the first change came for Apollo when Inglis was substituted for John Stephenson to take to the park. This put Lennon to the backline & Stephenson in the centre of the park.
A great passage pf play led to the second goal for International when Ileasi, Manfrin and Sam Bueti combined for Bueti to slot a goal from an acute angle leaving Morris unable to stop it.
Shortly after Apollo claimed a goal back when Panagopolous found the goal with a great header from an Apollo cross, and it was game-on. Further substitutions were called with Apollo replacing Ferguson with Jamie Stephenson and Hancock with Wright, while International changed Sam Bueti with Todd Lewis fresh from his under 17 premiership earlier in the day. This moved Stenner up front for Apollo with Hodge and Ileasi wider for International. Morony went down in the middle of the park with a challenge from Lennon. This gave teams a little more time to get their breath and refresh for the final twenty minutes.
It was International who extended their lead with a great run down the left side of the park and a well placed ball to Didero un-marked at the back post who was able to easily place the ball in the goal to bring International closer to the trophy.
Apollo weren’t letting up. And snuck a goal with eight minutes to go, when Hodge seemed to be all on his own from a corner, nodding it home to liven the atmosphere at Bishop Road. There wasn’t to be any extra time as had been the case a fortnight ago. Cup winners and last years premiers Apollo unable to find an equalizer.
The Dycer Constructions Premiership heading back to Casadio Park for the seventh time in eight years. The inaugural Dycer Constructions player of the match was awarded to Sam Bueti for his work to setup the win.
In a day that saw International show they remain the powerhouse club of the competition it was a bittersweet victory in the B Grade for Apollo that will be overshadowed by the disappointing loss in the A Grade. While in the under 12’s at the start of the day, Portland showed why they dominated the competition in 2011 easily defeating Centrals.
The Western Border Soccer season will officially come to an end this weekend when the Presentation of the Player of the year is awarded, and the Western Border Team of The Year is announced. The presentations will be at The Commodore On The Park this Friday Evening, and tickets are available through the WBSA or from your club.
Grand Final Results
Under 12’s
Portland 4 d Centrals 1
Under 14’s
International 4 d Centrals 0
Under 17’s
International 1 drew Apollo 1 at full time
International won 3 – 2 on Penalties
B Grade
Apollo 3 d Centrals 1
A Grade
International 3 d Apollo 2
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