Sport
Shepparton United creeps closer to minor premiership in Bendigo Amateur Soccer League action
The pointy end of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League campaign is nearly upon us.
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Following Saturday and Sunday’s action, only two regular season matches remain, with the division one women’s minor premiership billed as a three-horse race.
One of the trio, Shepparton United, rebounded from the previous week’s league cup decider defeat with a gritty 0-0 draw against La Trobe University at home to move within five points of ladder leader Spring Gully United.
Blues coach Jean Claude-Giuca said his side was buoyed by the performance in the cup and was largely pleased to take a point from Sunday’s tie with La Trobe.
“The girls played pretty well,” he said.
“I suppose coming out of the league cup you don’t know what you’re going to get the following week, so a draw was pretty comfortable for us.
“Being a nil-all draw, the whole team virtually played pretty well. It was a combined effort to make sure that nobody scored at either end.”
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Shepparton United's Ella Loverso keeps a close watch on the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Shepparton United's Alana Murray prepares to launch a throw in down the line. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Shepparton United's Indiigo Sutton spots a free player ahead in space. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Shepparton United's Olivia Loverso takes the ball down with a feather touch. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Shepparton United's Rezwana Baqiri battles with La Trobe University's Stacey Langeveld. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Shepparton United's Keira Muskee winds up a penetrating pass through the middle. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Shepparton United's Fatima Sharifi chips one over the top. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Shepparton United's Trinity Cameron judges the flight of an oncoming ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitDespite La Trobe’s fifth placing on the ladder, the visitor kept United weapon Rosemarene Legalo (21 goals) at bay in the tight-fisted stalemate.
Legalo will hope to fire on all cylinders this Sunday when United meets third-placed Colts United, which knocked over top side Gully 4-2 in the recent round.
Giuca said the La Trobe match was a litmus test for what’s to come, with no game taken lightly at this competition stage.
“Yesterday’s game, coming out of the league cup, we don’t know what’s up the following week, but this week we know who we’ve got and we’ll prepare for it,” he said.
“Everybody presents a challenge for us. Once you’re in the top six, well, I suppose you’ve just got to be on your guard.
“We’ll prepare for this week and whatever happens, happens.”
In the round’s other games, Shepparton South scored its first win of the league campaign despite finishing the game one player short.
Grace Kirunga was given her marching orders to reduce the Southerners to 10 against Kyneton, but teammates Samantha Comline and Maya Vukcevic saved her blushes with a strike each for a 2-0 victory.
Elsewhere, Tatura leapfrogged into fourth courtesy of a Tara Ambrosini brace as the Ibises saw off Eaglehawk 2-0.
In division one men’s action, Shepparton toppled rival Shepparton South in a hotly-contested derby at Vibert Reserve.
South struck first through Stephen Appiah before an own goal levelled the pegging and soon the Reds were 3-1 up through a Mohammed Al-Gazaly double.
Lewis Coyle’s side brought it back to 3-3, but the hosts had the last laugh as Hussain Algazali struck on the counter to cap a sturdy Shepparton showing, underpinned by a star performance from goalkeeper Khan Benice.
At Howley Oval, Tatura’s record was built out to 12-0 as Fraser Gosstray, Gerald Corbo and Lucca Penna all struck the back of the net in a 3-1 triumph over Eaglehawk.
No side has walked the league flawlessly since Goulburn Valley sides entered the competition in 2017, but right now, the Ibises look a lock to finish the home and away season without a loss.
Finally, in the other matches Shepparton United suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Strathdale, while Epsom prevailed over Spring Gully United 3-2.
Senior Sports Journalist