THE ROUND BALL BLOG: WESTERN BORDER SOCCER FINALS REPORTS

Western Border Soccer’s Inaugural Premiership deciding finals series is under way. Sunday’s games saw the Elimination Finals between the third and fourth placed teams in each grade be played at Webb Street with the losing sides season coming to an end. While at Malseed park, it was the Qualifying Finals between the first two placed teams in each grade. The winner of this getting a week off and entry straight into the Grand Final to be played on September 18.

The much awaited Elimination Final between 3^rd place Gambier Centrals & 4th place Gambier City Sharks certainly did not disappoint the crowd. The last time these teams played, Centrals won comfortably 4-0 against a very under strength Sharks team in Round 12, but Centrals have given their youngsters a good run in the seniors this season that has paid dividens. The pressure of finals for the Sharks has not been a good one in 2011, losing to Apollo convincingly in the cup Semi.

Centrals captain Jesse Wehnam won the toss and decided to kick with the wind in the first half.

The Sharks started without their key player Matt Weistra, who was fulfilling his duties with South Gambier Football Club, playing in the A Grade Elimination final against North Gambier.

It was an arm wrestle right from the start, but it was the Sharks that started the attack with Julien Tralongo in action very early in the game when he shoots from distance only to see the ball travel over the cross bar.

Both teams were applying lots of pressure, causing many turnovers and playing counter attack style game. The Lions were sending long balls to their forwards, but the Sharks defence of Widdison, Wright, Pilven and Leary prevented any early attempts on goal.

The hard running midfield of Tobbei Kennett & Matt Gordon were causing some concerns for the Lions as many times they broke through the defence and had shots on goal.

Centrals keeper Bytheway was in good form, and save after save denied the Sharks any goals.

It was in the 28^th minute the sharks broke the deadlock when Pilven threw the ball to the feet of his captain Kennet, who controls the ball, dribbles to the edge of the 18 yd box, and from a tight angle shoots the ball under the cross bar, denying any chance for Bytheway to save. Coach Bruttomesso made his first change bringing off Julien Tralongo who seemed to have over stretched his hamstring, and replacing him with his younger brother Chris.

Half Time Score. Sharks lead 1-0

The second half continued in tight, hard fought fashion, it wasn’t until the 80^th minute that Centrals young gun, Mark Judd found some space on the right side of the field, and from approx 20 yds blasts the ball over the Sharks keeper Fuller into the back of the net to draw the game level.

At the final whistle, the scoreline was locked at 1-1. Both teams now have to play extra time.

Substitute Matt Weistra arrived during the break and quickly got ready to go on and play in the extra time. All players were starting to feel fatigued after a long 90 min arm wrestle.

It was the 2 goal keepers that were giving the large crowd some entertainment making some great saves, both Fuller (Sharks) & Bytheway (Centrals).

About halfway through the first period of additional time Kennett found himself on the receiving end of a perfectly placed corner from Wiestra to guide it past Bytheway, and put the Sharks in the lead, and eventually the win to book a place in next weeks Preliminary Final.

At Malseed Park it was the last decades two dominant sides. Minor Premiers International taking on Cup Winners and last years Premiers Apollo. T was always going to be a great game. International have been disappointing on few occasions this year against Apollo suffering heavy losses. Coach Lou Zaccardo well aware of what Apollo has on the park. With Catain Dante Bonner still sidelined, it was going to leave a small weakness to the minor premiers midfield. Derek Ferguson had a full strength side for the match, and was able to rest Wallace after he played a role in the earlier B Grade victory for the Blue & White. Also joining him on the bench were all three Stephenson brothers, a bench any side would love to have.

The game started with frantic pace keeping all players on their toes. Some hard tackling and pushing was being kept a watch on by the referee, pulling up incidents to ensure that the players played the ball.

13 minutes in and the Morony was issued a caution after coming from behind in a dangerous manner. Shortly after this an infringement just outside the area when Didero swung his arm back into Ripper trying to contest a ball. A few kick given and it was was the captain Hodge who was to take it. The wall was in place set by Reid. Hodge took the kick placing it to the far side of the goal. Reid was able to get fingers on it, but hit very well it still ended up in the net. Apollo in front.

International stepped up the workload and had many chances out wide with Sam Bueti making moves. Inglis was very strong defencively on his opponent, using his head to cut off many of the balls coming to Bueti. A late challenge from Hancock on Morony found him the second caution of the match issued from the referee.

Apollo supporters thought they were had done by when Ripper went down in the Penalty area. The referee did not see any contact, and looked to his assistant for confirmation.

Into Half time and Apollo held the lead. The second period started as the first finished, both midfields working extremly hard to put the ball forward. Apollo were feeling the pressure. Tempers started to boil over when a challenge from Sam Bueti was dangerous, and McRobert used excessive force on Panagopolous who was near the incident. Ferguson from Apollo also found himself on caution after he gave Bueti a nudge in the back whist on his way for discussions with the referee.

With just under ten minutes to play it was a long ball forward to Matt Bueti that saw Morris have to leave his area to challenge. The ball fell to the ground after contacting Morris, Bueti also went to ground, but jumped up quickly after the ball went past him, to put it in the net. There was a flag for Offside and the referee discussed the incident with his assistant, deeming that the ball was played forward by an Apollo defender the goal was allowed to stand. This saw the game head into additional time with the scores locked at 1 all.

Apollo took the lead early into the added time when a quickly taken free kick from John Stephenson found Ripper who guided it past Reid to take the upper hand.

The second period saw Bueti claim his second goal of the match when he placed one past Morris, from just a few yards out. The game was to be decided on Penalty’s.

Cella won the toss and elected to take the first spot kick, and it was Ileasi that was to take this for his team. Morris stood tall in the goals and selected the correct side to save, but the ball hit the upright and kept International from scoring. With Hodge off during the game Bytheway took the captaincy and was first to take a kick for Apollo. He made no mistake, putting his team in the lead.

Morony stepped up for the second and kept his team in the game by securing a much needed goal. Ripper followed this with another goal for Apollo. Keeping them in front 2 – 1.

Craig for International was next, and he put the ball over the bar, opening the door for Apollo to near seal the victory with their next kick that was taken by John Stephenson. He made no mistake putting his team to a 3 – 1 lead.

Captain Cella was to take the next for his tea. He was able to keep the team in the game putting it past Morris and making it just that little bit more pressure for Wallace who was to take the fourth kick for his team. He was able to put it past Reid to seal the victory for his team and let them advance to the Grand Final in two weeks, forcing International to now play The Sharks to set up a possible rematch.

Results of Elimination Finals

A Grade

Sharks 2 d Centrals 1

B Grade

Blue Lake 3 d Centrals 1

Under 17

Centrals 4 d Sharks 0

Under 14

Blue Lake d Sharks (scores not confirmed)

Under 12

Centrals 3 d Naracoorte 0

Qualifying Finals