Going in boots and all

October 9 2007

Shepparton News

Cobram's Apex Reserve will host the North Eastern Soccer League Grand Final replay between Shepparton and Yoogali on Sunday.

The league decided on Apex Reserve to avoid having to play on a ground already dedicated to cricket.

The grand final is being played again after a tribunal found on Thursday Shepparton's 7-6 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the original grand final was "not sporting" because of a penalty taken by substituted Adrian Ingham.

The only sporting outcome according to the tribunal was to play the grand final again, with the date of October 14 not negotiable.

Shepparton's Chris Davkovski said on Sunday his club had no comment to make on the tribunal's decision.

Davkovski said the committee and playing group would meet tonight to discuss what action to take over the order to replay the game.

The tribunal ruled the replay would be a continuation of the season and therefore cards accumulated in the first game would stand.

It means Shepparton's Stuart Vance, Johnny Davkovski and David Davkovski are all suspended, while Ingham will front a tribunal on Thursday charged with misconduct for his role in the original grand final.

The league has confirmed players from Shepparton and Yoogali's reserve and youth grades can be called up for the replay.

Speculation over why Shepparton was unrepresented at Thursday's tribunal was quashed by the league yesterday.

Thursday's tribunal answered a protest lodged by Yoogali, no official charge had been made against Shepparton.

Yoogali sent representatives to explain its reason for lodging the protest, Shepparton cited short notice as its reason for not having a club representative present.

Entry will be free and kick-off is 2 pm.