Shot in arm for Victory

September 9 2008

Shepparton News

Cobram Victory held out Shepparton to win through to the North Eastern Soccer League Grand Final 4-1 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the qualifying final on Sunday.

Victory twice gave up the lead at Cobram Showgrounds to a Shepparton team missing the fire-power of league leading scorer Stuart Vance and injured playing coach Andy Ingham.

Victory had its defenders Seb Fichera, Richard Spencer and Chris Startari to thank for repelling the Reds' waves of pressure, goalkeeper Ang Bufalino the difference in the penalty shoot-out.

Victory went ahead in the opening minute of the match after Shepparton defender Johnny Radevski knocked a Raymond Diramacca cross into his own net past keeper Jarrod Moore.

But Shepparton needed just six minutes to find a goal of its own as Papi Mukasa equalised.

Shepparton dominated the closing stages of the first half and looked set to run away with the game, but Victory held their own in the second half as Tim Brown and Ayden Murdoch created the Reds' best chances.

Victory took a 2-1 lead through Nick Mantovani two minutes into extra-time, but Shepparton equalised through Brown from the restart.

The match went to penalty kicks where Bufalino saved from Sam Smith and Johnny Davkovski to put Victory in the box seat, before Marc Startari netted the winning shot.

``I've got some tips that I follow, but I'm not giving anything away because we might be going to penalties again,'' Bufalino, 27, said.

``Shepparton are a quality side and I wouldn't be surprised if we're playing them again in two weeks.''