A vintage drop of Red

 

September 23 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton's back-to-back premiership success in North Eastern Soccer League at the weekend was still a breakthrough title for a number of players on its list.

For goalkeeper Jarrod Moore, Sunday's 1-0 win against Cobram Victory was the culmination of two years' hard work to play in a premiership team.

Injury denied the first-choice goalkeeper the chance to play in last year's finals series, but Moore showed no signs of nerves as his saves helped Shepparton defeat Shepparton United in the preliminary final and keep out Victory.

Moore's best save on Sunday came diving full length to tip a Nathan Thomas volley around the post.

``It is a relief that I got to play this year,'' Moore said.

``At the end of the game it was a weight off the shoulders.''

Andy Ingham had two premierships to his name as a player and now has two more under his belt as a playing coach.

Shepparton keeping a clean sheet in the grand final was of particular satisfaction to Ingham.

``We pride ourself on our defence,'' Ingham said.

``This team are a great bunch, we've got some great young kids and we had some hard decisions for this game with 14 I felt could have started.

``The boys knew that today was all about club success.''

While Johnny Davkovski leapt with Thomas in the air, it was Michael Gasparroni who dominated the Victory forward line on the ground.

After stints with Essendon and Bulleen in the top division of soccer, Gasparroni had returned to the north east with no intentions of playing this year.

``I just got talking to the boys and after going to one training session I've stuck with them ever since,'' Gasparroni, 22, said.

``Today was a tough afternoon and it's lucky we had Johnny on (Thomas) in the air.''

Shepparton's United Kingdom import Sam Smith is set to return to England before the end of next month

``We wanted to prove we were the best team and we can say we've done that,'' Smith said.

``I may well come back next year.''