A joyous Reds letter day

September 18 2007

Shepparton News

Shepparton has ended the triple premiership dynasty of reigning premier Hanwood with a 1-0 win at Yoogali Leagues Club in Griffith on Sunday to progress to the North Eastern Soccer League Grand Final.

In a triumphant tactical victory, Shepparton's defence returned to its miserly best to hold a clean sheet, while playing coach Andy Ingham snatched the winning goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Ingham said the team had learned a lot from its 4-3 defeat to Yoogali in the qualifying final, its opponent for the grand final.

"Being player and coach at the same time I didn't see what had happened during the Yoogali game and this week we made the changes to keep a solid defensive line and it worked for everyone," Ingham said.

"I think we wanted it a bit more to be honest, after last week's disappointment everyone was really hungry for it."

It may be billed as the biggest upset of the season by some, but Hanwood was missing its playing-coach Beren Sullivan who was at his wife's side as she gave birth.

"They still have a lot of depth, they bought in Michael Musitano to replace him, so one quality player went out and another came in," Ingham said.

Paul Ellis was sent off for Hanwood, allowing Shepparton to press forward as the game went on.

"I didn't see the first yellow, but the second one was just a late challenge and off he went," Ingham said.

"They just didn't get in behind us like I thought they might and didn't have the pace to beat our wing-backs, once we got the goal we did feel like we had them, the game played like it would go 1-0 either way."

With a grand final against Yoogali on Sunday Ingham wasn't getting carried away with having ended Hanwood's reign.

"Not many people expected us to get the win, but I know the 15 players in our squad all believed we could do it and that's what mattered," he said.

"It makes for a good grand final."