Tall order to tackle

April 24 2009

Shepparton News

Cobram Victory presents a tall order for Shepparton United this weekend as Goulburn North East Football Association heads to Central Park for men's division one.

Victory's height will be a major obstacle for a United team hunting for its first points of the season.

The Blues pushed Shepparton South last week in a 2-1 loss and gave coach Jason Mulkeen plenty of positives to focus on for his club's first home game of the season.

Victory blew a 2-0 lead against Tatura last week, but Chris Startari snared it all three points with a late winner.

United's backline this week will have to watch out on set pieces as the aerial threat of Victory's Nathan Thomas will put it to the test.

``We'd love to have a six-foot-three back or even a six-foot-three striker,'' Mulkeen said.

``We've got to be wary of their aerial influence.

``We're not going to have any magic beans that will make us grow over the week, but we can stop the delivery.''

New goalkeeper Michael Fiorenza will be a key last line for United, the stopper has state premier league experience with Sunshine's George Cross.

Victory also has a new goalkeeper this season in former Shepparton and United player Dean Prinzi.

Having deputised for Jarrod Moore at the Reds last year, Prinzi was looking for a senior role and Victory looking to fill the void left by last season's stopper Ang Bufalino.

While Prinzi does not share Bufalino's imposing frame, Victory coach Simon Randall said his new number one was technically sound and had a great leap on him.

Randall said his team might have got a bit overconfident after leading Tatura 2-0 at half-time last week and was after a more concentrated effort against United.

In other round two matches, Numurkah hosts Shepparton and Cobram plays Kialla United, while Shepparton South and Tatura have the bye.