Premiers, Reserves finish seasons off with wins, fall short of finals positions

THE Kalamia Hotel Premiers were eager to play well in front of a large crowd that had gathered for Sponsors and Old Boys Day on the last game of the year.

The game started brightly, with both teams going back and forth until Mark Grasso was able to capitalise on a through ball to put the Panthers up 1-0.

Shortly after, Estates were reduced to 10 men courtesy of a straight red-card and from there Burdekin didn’t look back.

They maintained possession for the majority of the half and quickly grabbed a second goal through Elliot Dal Santo, going into the break with a 2-0 lead.

The Panthers looked to put Estates away and were able to do that through a goal from Jay Leckenby.

The game ended 3-0 however, despite the stellar performance, Burdekin finished in fifth place, and narrowly missed out on finals.

The Burdekin Tyre Service Reserves won 2-0 against the fifth-placed Ross River.

Damien Casella put the Reserves ahead a few minutes before halftime.

Ross River came out of the sheds at halftime more determined in the second half, but the Panthers defended well and with 20 minutes left on the clock, Jack Gimson scored to seal the game.

The Reserves finished the season in fifth place, just one point short of making the finals.

The Fabbro Diesel Services seconddivision team managed to win their game 2-1 against Estates, and as this team has done all season, dominated possession and field territory but only led 1-0 at halftime, thanks to an Adam Mottin goal.

Estates scored very early after halftime, but Burdekin regained the lead 13 minutes later with a goal to Damien Casella.

Burdekin missed several chances late in the game, hitting the crossbar in the process, and the Estates keeper also made some great saves, however Burdekin still won 2-1.

The team will now go on to play a semifinal against Olympic, this Friday night at 8.30pm in Townsville.

Elsewhere, the Austral Masonry Funkies played Ingham at home on Saturday night.

Burdekin started strongly and took the lead after eight minutes when Mark Whittaker prodded the ball past the keeper after the ball had been cut back following a break down the left.

The lead was doubled three minutes later with a goal to Brad Wright after some good lead-up play through the middle of the park.

Ingham pulled a goal back with a penalty midway through the first half and evened the score eight minutes from halftime with a long-range free kick.

Burdekin were the more dominant team in the second half, but wasted a number of changes with poor finishing.

Finally, Burdekin regained the lead 73 minutes in with a goal to Chris Achille and managed to hold the Ingham attack at bay to run out 3-2 winners.