BASL | Shepparton United crumble to be downed by Strathdale
By Liam Nash
A second-half collapse of biblical proportions has halted Shepparton United’s run of form in Bendigo Amateur Soccer League.
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Trailing by a single goal at the break, the floodgates opened against Hussein Sumaili’s side, which capitulated with half-a-dozen more being put past it to be humbled 7-0 by Strathdale.
Running out against the 2019 championship title-holder, the game was held in the balance until bullish midfielder Hayden Dealy stained United’s clean sheet in the 19th minute.
Dealy chested a cross down inside the box with deft ease, swivelling and striking the ball hard past Arlind Nebiu for 1-0.
As time ticked on, Fedah Aziz drifted into midfield looking to dictate play alongside Andrew Kyriakou in the engine room for the Blues, but Strathdale had minimal chinks in its defensive armour.
Going forward was where the visitors showed pure ferocity.
Stephen Barrett kicked off the second half blitz, putting away Strathdale’s second in the 52nd minute as Will Prothero conceded his first after grabbing the gloves off Nebiu.
Proceedings were made worse for the hosts when silky winger Daniel Purdy bagged in a hat-trick, while Jack Kelly buried his first of the season.
A dour day for United was sealed as Ruben White’s strike hit the back of the net in the 90th, leaving Sumaili and co scratching their heads at the whistle.
The loss drops United down to seventh place, while Strathdale powers into top spot with nine points from a possible nine this season.
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