Change of guard for Reds

July 24 2009

Shepparton News

Shepparton has more than revenge to worry about when it plays Shepparton United on Sunday in its race for second place in Goulburn North East Football Association.

The Reds were in their worst form for years when they lost 2-0 to United earlier in the season even though their depleted side put up a fight as the underdog.

Now a new-look Shepparton enters the match in hot form against a United team reeling in sixth after a 4-1 loss to Shepparton South last week.

Shepparton starts the round in second place with 18 points, ahead of Tatura on 17, Cobram Victory and Cobram on 16 and United on 15.

The Reds will have at least six different faces to the team that lost to United in round six.

Shepparton midfielder Andy Ingham played in the defeat at Rumbalara and said the team still walked off with heads held high.

"It was an inexperienced team that played against United," Ingham said.

"I definitely think that four-week losing streak hit us hard.

"Since then we've bounced back, done a U-turn and the momentum was there (before last weekend's bye)."

Johnny Davkovski is back from overseas to create a selection headache for coach JeanClaude Giuca given the stellar form of replacement defender Wayne Skippen in his absence.

Young striker Tim Brown has also worked his way back into the reserves on the comeback from injury.

Ingham said the team was starting to settle after going through turbulence with the arrival of a trio of United Kingdom players and rolling suspensions and holidays.

"We've got that balance, with Rushy (Andy Rushbury) and Dunc (Duncan Whitlam) up forward and scoring a lot," Ingham said.

"Myself and Quinnie (Marquin Smith) have been solid in midfield."