SCOT, SPANIARD DO DAMAGE

28 Apr 2015

Shepparton News - By Gregor Mactaggart

SCORES: Shepparton South 7 d Shepparton United 1

SOUTH’S VISA PLAYERS MAKE A BIG IMPRESSION AS THEY HAMMER HOME GOALS AGAINST UNITED

A touch of international flavour proved the winning recipe for Shepparton South.

South secured its first success of the new FFV Goulburn North-East men’s division one season with a comprehensive triumph against Shepparton United at Central Park on Sunday.

The crosstown rivals fielded much different line-ups to last year’s grand final, played little more than seven months ago.

Despite the windy conditions, South had few worries producing some quality football and found the net with great regularity.

Scotsman Sean Grant enjoyed a field day scoring four goals, while Spanish sensation Oriol Fernandez helped himself to a hat-trick.

The dynamic duo is in its debut season at South and making a good impression on coach Reno Lia.

‘‘They are our two visa players and have settled into the club well,’’ Lia said.

‘‘It was good to see Shaun and Fernandez make that type of contribution, they did a great job.

‘‘We’ve had a number of changes to the team during the off-season, so it’s going to take a fair amount of time for us to jell and adjust.’’

Lia praised the contribution of central defenders Anthony Calandro and Nathan Radevski, who recently crossed to the club from Shepparton.

Right back Tim Lardner and midfield general Damian Russo also impressed for the winners, who led 3-1 at the main break before finding the old onion bag four more times in the second half.

The match was notable for the send-offs of both starting goalkeepers.

South lost custodian Nick Marino after just 15 minutes, before United shot-stopper Mohammed Al-Hindawi got his marching orders later in the opening half.

Much has beenmade of United’s number of changes during the offseason, which resembled an airport departure lounge.

The Blues are playing a legion of teenagers under coach Billy Wright, the former New Zealand international striker, but have shipped 14 goals in two appearances.

One of the few highlights came courtesy of Zac Paraskevas, who took his goal well.

South faces a clash at Mercury Dve against Shepparton, while United has the bye in round three.

Cobram Roar 6, Tatura 3, Shepparton South 3, Shepparton 0, Shepparton United 0.