Tatura remains in race to finals

August 19 2008

Shepparton News

Tatura kept its finals hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against ladder-leader Cobram Victory in their men's division one North Eastern Soccer League clash on Sunday.

Things didn't get off to a good start for the Ibises, with Joey Crea putting Victory on the scoreboard with an early goal and midfielder Stephen Bovalino having to come off after nine minutes with an ankle injury, being replaced by Carmine Conte.

But Tatura managed to work back into the game with David Turkovic making the most of a scoring opportunity to ensure both teams went into the break at one-all, with the scoreline remaining the same for the rest of the match.

``It was a good result for us,'' Tatura's stand-in coach Mimmo Lia said.

``It was a pretty even first half and then both teams had chances to get all three points in the second half, but couldn't take them, so the draw was probably a fair result.''

The draw almost cost the Victory the minor premiership, but the one-all result in the Shepparton and Shepparton South match means the Reds didn't capitalise on the opportunity and remain just one point behind Cobram Victory.

With two rounds to go, the Ibises sit fifth on the table just one point behind third-placed Shepparton South and goal difference behind fourth-placed Shepparton United, but both South and Tatura have the bye next week.

``It looks like it's going to come down to the last game against Shepparton United,'' Lia said.

``But we'll take some confidence from that result and the good thing is that our destiny is in our own hands.''