Good times: It’s been an impressive start to the season for Shepparton South.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The halfway point of the Central Victorian League One men’s competition has been reached and all three Goulburn Valley sides are well and truly in the mix for the top four positions.
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Shepparton South currently sits on top of the ladder, with the side producing dominant win after dominant win, while Tatura is in second spot, three points behind the ladder leader.
In fourth, Shepparton United is at the top of a strong chasing pack, with the side nine points off the table-topping South.
This weekend’s games will once again provide solid tests for the district sides, with United travelling to La Trobe University on Saturday at 6pm, South welcoming Strahfieldsaye Colts United to McEwen Reserve on Sunday at 3pm and Tatura also playing in the 3pm timeslot, battling Strathdale at Howley Oval.
The Ibises’ game will certainly be the most interesting, with Tatura taking on third-placed Strathdale.
A win would be a massive result for the side, helping build a solid points buffer between it and the chasing pack.
For United a win is a must if it is to keep in touch with its rivals, while South should get over the line against last-placed Colts.
In the League Two men’s competition, Shepparton Jaguars welcome Swan Hill in a top-of-the-table clash.
Currently in second, Jaguars coach Jean De La Croix was confident his side could get over the line on Sunday.
A new side in the league two competition this year, De La Croix said the team’s debut season was going all right.
“I really think the boys can do better, it’s just a matter of working together as a team and going for it,” De La Croix said.
“I know most of the boys haven't played in a league before, so they need to transition that street soccer mentality into the league."
De La Croix said Dinovic Kasongo was one player who could turn the game on its head on Sunday, however, he emphasised that a team effort was what’s required.
Formed in 2018, the Jaguars played friendly games until they were admitted into the league this year via a partnership with Strathdale Soccer Club.
De La Croix said the new club was always on the lookout for support, with things such as travelling to games and training equipment costly.
The side, which usually calls Shepparton’s Vibert Reserve home, will host Swan Hill at Tatura’s Howley Oval this weekend, with kick off at 12.30pm.
In the women’s competitions, things will look a bit different this weekend, with cup competitions under way.
Ready to go: Tatura will be looking to continue its good league form in the cup.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
For Shepparton United, this means a Saturday afternoon trip to Strathdale in the League One women’s League Cup.
Meanwhile, Tatura, which is in the League Two women’s League Cup, will face off against Swan Hill at home.
Last time the two sides met it was a dominant 13-0 win to the Ibises and coach Damien Rosella said he wanted his side to focus on playing good soccer.
“We’re looking all right, the girls are confident, we played well against them a couple of weeks ago and it’s good to be back playing at our home ground, we haven't played there for six weeks or something,” Rosella said.
He said last time out his side tried to force the play, rather than build it up, with this something he was aiming to change this weekend.
“We tried to force it in the first 15 minutes against them last time out and the score was only 1-0, so I will be telling them to play around and enjoy it,” he said.
“We go into any game in the cup or the league to win it.”
Tatura will be without striker Chelsea Salmon, who injured her foot last game out, in a change that is sure to impact the side.
Sunday’s game at Tatura’s Howley Oval will kick off at 11am, while United’s cup clash will be held at Strathdale on Saturday at 3pm.
