Shepparton Strikers Red claimed another three points in its GVHA title push.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Shepparton Strikers Red is proving an immovable force atop of the GVHA Men’s ladder summit, with a comprehensive victory over Shepparton Youth Club (SYC) Blue reinforcing its title credentials.
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Following on from four successive victories already this campaign, the side in the red and navy blue kit proved too much for the opposition to handle once more down at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex on June 13.
Fresh from a 12-0 win over Mooroopna Hockey Club (MHC) in the previous round, the league’s pacesetters were tasked with overcoming a Strikers Blue side that had beaten SYC Blue the week before.
Looking to avenge that defeat on behalf of the wider club, the Strikers Red did not disappoint, seeing out a stunning 5-0 victory to send out a major statement of intent to the rest of the division.
Midfielder Nicholas Spandler was on hand with one of the goals on the day, while the other four went to the free-scoring Adrian Abrahams - who tops the GVHA goal standings at this stage in the campaign.
Tasmanian import Spandler, new to the side from this year, has settled into life with the Strikers’ Red contingent and puts the team’s perfect record down to its dressing room cohesion.
“From the second I got here, everyone was very welcoming, it’s easy to play hockey with a group that gets along so well,” he said.
“We have a couple of deadly strikers.”
Elsewhere in the GVHA’s Men’s League, Echuca Moama Hockey Club (EMHC) played out an entertaining 4-4 draw against MHC, with the River Rats forced to settle for a share of the points for a second week running.
Meanwhile, the Strikers Blue slipped to a bruising 5-1 defeat against SYC Yellow, to fall to a second loss in as many outings.
This round of results meant that the Strikers Red established a three-point advantage over second-placed SYC Yellow.
In the GVHA Women’s League, EMHC closed out a 3-1 victory over SYC as MHC defeated the Strikers 3-0.
Mooroopna has been imperious in its opening five fixtures of the campaign, putting together a 100 per cent record to emerge as title frontrunners, as EMHC sits nine points adrift in second place.
