Centrals Edge Out Inter in Tight Season Opener
The Barry Maney Premier League kicked off its 2025 season in style on Friday night, as Gambier Centrals and International went head-to-head in a tense, low-scoring clash under the lights at MGA Park.
The tightly contested match saw the home side, Gambier Centrals, emerge victorious with a hard-fought 1-0 win. The opening half provided limited chances for both sides, with goalkeepers Alex Hill (Centrals) and James Kipping (Inter) standing tall to keep the scores level at halftime.
In the second half, both coaches looked to inject fresh energy into their squads. Centrals made a double change, introducing Cameron Saint and Jasper Whitehead in place of Pacifique Baraka and Nico Teodoro. Inter made a single early substitution, bringing on Eh Hsa Poe for Sar Hay Moo.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Sam Shoemark found the back of the net, giving Centrals a crucial lead. Despite Inter’s efforts to mount a comeback, the Lions held firm, with a solid defensive display thwarting every attacking move from the visitors.
As the final whistle blew, Gambier Centrals claimed all three points in front of their home crowd.
Coach Dickson Reflects on Win
Centrals' head coach Scott Dickson was pleased with the result but acknowledged there’s still room for improvement.
“I’m delighted with the result and the three points. It’s good to bounce back after losing last year’s final against Inter,” Dickson said.
“However, I think we’ve got a long way to go to be able to play the way we want. We didn’t play particularly well, but it’s encouraging that we can still improve as the season progresses.”
He described the match as "scrappy" and noted that both teams struggled to settle into their desired playing styles.
“There were a lot of end-to-end plays, with both sides trying to catch each other off guard,” he said. “I thought we had plenty of chances to score more goals but didn’t convert, so a bit more composure is definitely needed.”
Despite the challenging performance, Dickson praised several standout players, including his captain.
“I was really happy with Jake Blackwell. As captain, he did an outstanding job playing at centre back. His leadership and defensive effort were excellent.”
Men's & Women's Results:
Gambier Centrals began their 2025 Women’s Barry Maney Premier League campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 5-0 victory over Inter on Friday night at MGA Park.
The home side wasted no time asserting their dominance, controlling possession from the outset and applying early pressure on Inter’s defence. Their efforts were rewarded in the 12th minute when Claudia Vorwerk’s attempted clearance found its way into her own net, handing Centrals an early lead.
Moments later, Jasmine Siemon added a second, extending the Lions' advantage and setting the tone for the rest of the match.
and Gambier Centrals got off to a strong start on Friday night with a 5-0 win over Inter. (Image: Will Boston - SE Voice)
Despite creating numerous chances throughout the remainder of the first half, Centrals couldn’t quite capitalise—until just before the break, when Patience Taipiha broke through the Inter defence to score, giving her side a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime.
Inter struggled to find rhythm throughout the second half, failing to mount any significant attacking threat. Centrals continued to dictate play and were soon back on the scoreboard, with Andi Corfield striking in the 52nd minute to make it four.
Late in the match, Alita Huyser capped off a dominant performance with a final goal, sealing an impressive opening-round win for the home side.
