Pushing for spot in finals

August 8 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton United can go a long way to securing a North Eastern Soccer League finals berth if it can beat Shepparton in their men's division one clash at Central Park.

With Shepparton South and Tatura hot on their heels and just two spots up for grabs in the top four, United needs to take some points away from Sunday's match.

But the Blues will take a lot of confidence into the game after defeating their arch-rivals 2-1 in June, inflicting one of the Reds' two losses of the season.

``It's a big game, if we win, we'll just about qualify for finals,'' Shepparton United coach George Traianidis said.

``We do play well against Shepparton, we seem to match up well.''

United defender Ermal Shahollari has returned from his overseas trip and will start on the bench in his first game back since the Blues last knocked off the Reds in round 11.

After an inconsistent few weeks, the Blues recaptured some form in their last match, beating Cobram 4-0 a fortnight ago.

``It was a good confidence-builder, we played well in the muddy conditions,'' Traianidis said.

``It's starting to come together, it's just difficult when you play a couple of games and then you have a bye, but that's the way it is.''

Last time the two teams met it was a brace from Blues' striker Chris Ogboke that got United over the line, and Traianidis won't be instructing his team to play a negative game against the reigning champions.

``We've got to attack,'' he said.

In the other match of the round, Cobram will be hoping to string together back-to-back wins when it travels to Tatura.