Resolute Reds do double - September 22 2008
Resolute Reds do double
September 22 2008
Shepparton News
Shepparton went back-to-back in North Eastern Soccer League yesterday, defeating Cobram Victory 1-0 in the grand final at Tatura Park.
The win caps consecutive minor premiership and grand final doubles for the Reds, who held a 1-0 halftime lead to the final whistle to win their 14th title.
Man of the moment Stuart Vance separated the teams with a goal in the 42nd minute, placing an Andy Ingham cross in the bottom corner as he turned the Victory backline and finished neatly.
A lacklustre and at times flat Victory outfit showed few signs of igniting the match and replicating the end-toend 2-2 draw it won on penalties against Shepparton in the qualifying final.
Instead, it was a resolute Shepparton defence led by Johnny Davkovski and Michael Gasparroni that kept Victory's best efforts at bay.
Victory's Nathan Thomas played the full game as a target-man forward, hitting the post three minutes into the match and testing the Reds' backline with a number of first heads at corner kicks.
But it was Shepparton that started the match brighter as Ingham, who overcame a knee injury and flu to play in the match, crossed to Gasparroni on 11 minutes where a deflected shot on goal was held by Victory keeper Ang Bufalino.
Vance then had the opportunity to open the scoring when he caught Bufalino out of position, but shot once into the legs of Victory defender Chris Startari and then put a second shot wide of the goal.
Victory's best chance to take the lead came when Thomas hit a volley on the run which forced a diving save from Jarrod Moore.
Reds defender Troy Kennedy then headed off the line from the resulting corner kick.
Ingham had Shepparton's best chance to double the lead when he broke for a one-onone 10 minutes into the second half, but the playing coach sent the chance high and wide.
Victory's hopes for an equaliser also flew wide of the target when Chris Startari put a shot over the goal late in the match. Moore parried away an earlier effort from Nazz Santoro.
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