United strikes a blow

September 2 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton United will play North Eastern Soccer League finals next week after eliminating a luckless Tatura from top four contention with a 1-0 win on Sunday.

Scottish import Bruce Hogg scored the game's only goal as United triumphed in slippery conditions at Tatura Park.

The Blues didn't win a game this season until round eight, but finished in fourth place with six wins and 38 points, one point behind Shepparton South on 39 and three ahead of fifth-placed Tatura on 35.

South and United will now face off in next Saturday's elimination final.

United's defence showed significant improvement on its 3-1 defeat last time it played Tatura, with Hogg providing the cutting edge up front in the absence of an injured Chris Ogboke.

Hogg gave the Tatura defence the slip in the first half before picking his spot with the finish and giving United the 1-0 lead it would hold until the end.

With Tatura needing a win to take United's fourth spot, cracks appeared in the Ibises' defence in the second half as they committed men forward.

Hogg sprung the Tatura backline midway through the second half, but had his shot blocked by the legs of Tatura goalkeeper Nathan Beavis.

David Turkovic was the Ibises' main avenue to goal, but two headers from the target striker slid agonisingly wide of the post, then over the bar shortly after.

``Our pre-season was up and down but the imports arrived and now we're peaking at the right time,'' United coach George Traianidis said.

``Hoggy is a left-sided player, but today he showed he can push up and cause the backline more problems.''

Traianidis said he was confident Ogboke would overcome a thigh injury to play in the elimination final.