Now for derby clash

August 28 2012

Shepparton News

Cobram Victory set-up a mouth-watering Regional Premier League semi-final showdown with bitter rival Cobram, after sweeping aside Hanwood 6-1 at McEwen Reserve on Saturday night.

The elimination final was in the balance at half-time, but three red cards to Hanwood and four goals to the Victory in the second 45 minutes put paid to Griffith’s representation in the finals series.

Even prior to the red mist enveloping the game, Victory were in the ascendancy, turning a 2-1 half-time lead into 4-1, courtesy of a Craig Carley hat-trick and a bullet header from Jamie England.

The fourth goal sparked controversy as Hanwood players claimed the ball had gone out of bounds, with Joseph Catanzariti’s protests earning him a red card.

Adam Fennell added a fifth goal from the penalty spot

Jonathan Favero joined his teammate, after he was dismissed for a late tackle, and Michael Musitano followed as he gave away a penalty, which was converted by Adam Fennell.

Billy Marshall added a sixth to complete the scoring.

Victory coach Carley said it was pleasing to finish with such an emphatic scoreline after a ‘‘nervous’’ first half.

‘‘We stood off them a bit too much and weren’t working hard enough to get the ball back,’’ Carley said.

‘‘At half-time I just told them we were overplaying a bit and we needed to play simple (and) give the easy ball.

‘‘We seem to do well in knockout competitions and that’s what I said to the boys, it is knockout now.’’

Carley was reluctant to go into detail about the refereeing, but said his side just tried to get on with the game.

The Victory will now meet Cobram in next week’s second semi-final after the Tigers were upset by Shepparton.

A solitary headed goal from marksman Danny Heffernan was enough to send the Reds into the first semi-final against Shepparton United.

Shepparton coach Tom Radevski admitted the Tigers had the better of his side early, but said the last half hour was ‘‘pretty even’’ and praised his back four of Johnny Davkovski, Johnny Radevski, Ian Peach and David Garner.

His Tigers counterpart Luke Slater said the only thing wrong with his team’s performance was the finishing.

‘‘If it was a boxing match the referee would have stopped it,’’ Slater said.

‘‘We literally had eight to 10 reasonably good chances to score, but it just didn’t happen.

‘‘That’s the beauty of football, though, that’s why we love it.’’

Slater said he had no intention of ‘‘over-analysing’’ and said if he were to play Shepparton again next week he ‘‘wouldn’t change a thing’’.