Tanrikulu sisters weave magic for Reds

September 2 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton's Tanrikulu sisters have kept a depleted Shepparton in solid form heading into the women's North Eastern Soccer League finals after a 4-1 win against Numurkah on Sunday.

Despite the win, Shepparton was unable to find a way past Cobram on the ladder and will have to settle for a berth in the elimination final against Tatura next week.

Cobram did what it needed to against Kyabram with a 3-0 win, taking second place on the ladder with 43 points and a goal difference of 30.

The Tigers will now face Shepparton United in the qualifying final, Cobram the only team to have defeated the Blues this season.

Shepparton also finished on 43 points, but with a goal difference of 18.

Stacey Tomasino put Numurkah in front on Sunday, but Shepparton hit back to equalise before half-time.

Suzan Tanrikulu scored a hat-trick for the Reds and sister Hale the other goal.

Shepparton coach Steve Hawkes credited his team's form in the wake of injuries and absentees heading into the finals series.

Top-scorer Samantha McIntosh is currently working in Queensland, while defender Sarah Balaburov is out for the season with a dislocated knee and goalkeeper Rebecca Bowles is attempting to recover from a broken hand.

``We set the target of making the finals at the start of the year and now it's time for our players to get some big game experience,'' Hawkes said.

``Rachel Wilkinson and Lauren Pryor have really stepped up and are taking awesome form into the finals.''

First half goals to Bianca Dikkenberg and Tania Doyle gave Cobram the initiative against Kyabram, Christina Kalz rounding out the scoring.

The Tigers won just three games and finished seventh in the women's division last year, they won 13 matches this season and will also have home ground advantage against Shepparton United in the qualifying final.