Teams tuned and ready to go for final run at finals positions

July 31 2009

Shepparton News

Moving day has arrived in Goulburn North East Football Association with all eight men's division one clubs in action on Sunday in the last round of the year without a bye.

Shepparton's chance to challenge unbeaten ladder-leader Shepparton South leads a card of four matches that are relevant to the finals race.

The fight for top-four positions looks no closer to being resolved with the prospect of a five-team battle for second to sixth on the ladder set to continue.

A misconduct tribunal for Shepparton on Wednesday also looms above the battle for positions which could drastically change the ladder.

The Reds start the weekend in second with 21 points, in arrears of ladder-leader South on 28.

South still has a match in hand on Shepparton and can seal the minor premiership with a win at the weekend and a draw or worse for Tatura in its match against Cobram.

The Tigers go into the weekend on 16 points, in fifth and behind Cobram Victory on goal difference.

Victory will be looking to consolidate fourth spot when it plays Kialla United, a surprise 2-1 loss for Victory last time the teams played one of the big reasons it has taken until round 14 to battle back into the top four.

In the other match, Shepparton United will be looking to repair its -5 goal difference when it plays Numurkah.

In the women's league a mini-final is scheduled for Mercury Dve with Shepparton and Shepparton South battling for second spot.

The teams played a cagey 1-1 draw in round five as the competition's top two teams, but both have since been overhauled by reigning premier Shepparton United.

The Blues can hold on to top spot if they win their match against Numurkah and South records any result other than winning by more goals than United. The Blues have 25 points and lead South by goals scored, while Shepparton is a point back in third on 24. In the other matches, Cobram hosts Tatura and Benalla Rovers play Kyabram.