Last-gasp goal evens things up

May 6 2008

Shepparton News

A goal at the death from Taylor Iorrani saved Shepparton from consecutive defeats in women's North Eastern Soccer League as it drew 1-1 with Shepparton South on Sunday.

But the Reds have fallen out of the top four with the last-gasp draw as South's first point of the season moved it off the foot of the table.

Numurkah was the big winner as it capitalised on Shepparton's slip to jump into the top four at the expense of the Reds and Cobram Victory.

Having started the season with four straight defeats and a goal difference of -16, South's desperation to turn around its form payed off when Maddy McGuffie opened the scoring from a first-half corner.

But the Reds repelled South for the rest of the match and earned the chance to go level with a free kick at the top of the box in the final minute.

With top-scorer Samantha McIntosh out of the line-up, Iorrani struck with a free kick to earn Shepparton a draw.

South coach Sam Campi was disappointed to have been denied a first win of the season, but was positive about his side's upturn in form.

``We're finding our feet as a side after having so many players leave,'' Campi said.

``We never considered ourselves a team that loses 7-0 every week.

``The results are turning around now and we have to build from here.''

At Numurkah, a second half double from Gabby Gasparroni gave the Knights the points in a 2-0 win against Cobram.

Gasparroni struck twice in 10 minutes midway through the second half to move Numurkah level with Cobram, Victory and Tatura on nine points, sharing second to fifth on the ladder.