Goal-scorer: Shepparton United’s Mohammed Al-Gazaly put on another good performance in front of goal.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton United have returned to the Central Victorian League league one men’s winners’ list, producing an impressive home win at McEwen Reserve on Sunday.
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United, who lost to both Tatura and Shepparton South by a one-goal margin in recent weeks, were hungry for victory and a 2-0 win over Spring Gully was just what the doctor ordered.
A second two-goal haul in as many weeks to the in-form Mohammed Al-Gazaly was enough to separate the two sides, with the win seeing United knocking on the door of the top three.
United coach Lewis Coyle said it was a great feeling to get back in the winners’ circle.
“We had our heads down but we showed obviously a lot of composure, we took our chances when we needed to so I’m pretty happy with the game that we played yesterday,” Coyle said.
“I think we were slow to start at first, it took us about 20 minutes to get going but once we got our rhythm it was all about breaking down a very young team from Spring Gully.
“It was hard to break them down at first but once we did we had a couple of chances, it paid dividends really.”
Both of United’s goals came in the second half, with Al-Gazaly scoring in the 50th and 77th minute.
Joe Worrall returned from injury for the home side to bolster defensive stocks, while new goalkeeper Goran Petrovski, who signed for the club on Saturday, made some big saves between the sticks.
In other league one men’s action, league leader Shepparton South remains undefeated, taking out FC Eaglehawk in an action-packed contest.
This game had it all, with the 3-2 Shepparton away win seeing two red cards, six yellow cards and four penalties.
South went down a goal early, with a 3rd minute Eaglehawk penalty putting them a goal up, before the away side scored three unanswered goals, including two penalties, to lead 3-1.
A late consolation goal to Eaglehawk was too little too late for the side, with South running out 3-2 winners.
It was a costly game for South, with Shaun Kane picking up an 82nd-minute red card and Nick Marino collecting a red in the 96th.
In the other men’s game on the weekend Tatura defeated Golden City 8-0 in Bendigo.
The Ibises were dominant throughout the contest, with Thomas Leech scoring three goals and Zachary Ferlauto, Aaron Niglia, Fraser Gosstray and Cody Sellwood each scoring one.
Late goal: Tatura’s Alaura Leetham found the back of the net late.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
In the league two women’s competition, Tatura continued its good run of form, defeating an organised Castlemaine Goldfields side 1-0 in Chewton.
The Ibises, who have only lost one game this season, remain on the top of the table after the win however coach, Damian Rosella, said the side was not thinking too far ahead.
“The girls worked hard for it, they obviously deserved the win,” Rosella said.
“I thought it was just one of them games that we dominated the play and created heaps of chances but it wouldn’t go in for us.
“I think it was the 85th minute where we finally got one so it was pretty good.”
The late goal came from the boot of Alaura Leetham, with Gabriela Posteraro playing well in the middle of the field and Amanda Posteraro putting in a good shift on the backline.
“It’s a good feeling (being top of the table) but there is a long way to go and, like I said to the girls, if we want to stay there we have to win these tough games,” Rosella said.
“We got the win by working hard and if we keep working hard we’ll end up staying there but we have to work hard on the track and work hard during the games.”
In the league one women’s competition, Shepparton United took out its second game in a row, downing La Trobe University 3-1 at McEwen Reserve.
A two-goal haul to Rezwana Baqiri headlined the big win, with Maria Villani joining her teammate on the score sheet.
The result leaves United just one point off the top of the table in fourth spot.
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