Players from both sides launch into the air.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
A torrential downpour wreaked havoc on the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League schedule, leaving only two senior matches standing.
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A heavy downpour that began on Friday resulted in saturated pitches and postponed fixtures at several Bendigo-based venues, Shepparton’s Vibert Reserve and Moama’s Jack Eddy Oval.
The Shepparton South and Eaglehawk game at Truscott Reserve was one game pushed to a later date due to the conditions, while the pivotal clash between Shepparton and Epsom was also delayed.
The entire League 1 women’s and both reserves competitions were also a victim of the inclement weather, with reports of unsafe conditions across both divisions.
However, Shepparton United and Tatura made hay — albeit without the sunshine — at McEwen Reserve in the sole League 1 men’s clash to get under way.
Rumesh Bartaula ignited United's charge against the top-ranked Ibises, with Marcus Thomas doubling the lead, sending the blue brigade into half-time with a 2-0 advantage.
The Ibises mounted a fierce comeback midway through the second half.
In a blistering five-minute spell, competition top-scorer Xavier Black (14 goals) and coach Cody Sellwood found the net within three minutes, levelling the score with 10 minutes remaining.
The score remained 2-2 at the final whistle, sparking mixed feelings for the Tatura mentor.
“To obviously come back from 2-0 down and finish up that way is obviously a little bittersweet,” Sellwood said.
“A draw can either feel like a win or a loss and I think a draw felt like a bit of a loss for both teams, which is kind of crazy.
“United were good, they were definitely the better team and credit to them, they were just hungry and they wanted it more.
“I think we did a bit of a snatch and grab there at the end.”
The win keeps the Ibises at the top of the ladder, two points clear of Shepparton South.
A determined Shepparton United, fourth in the 2025 title race, may have fallen short, but it won’t have much time to dwell on the loss with silverware on the line this weekend.
United faces Eaglehawk in Sunday’s League Cup final at Howley Oval, with the senior women also in the mix against Spring Gully in a replay of the 2024 final.
The league has said the home and away fixture will be updated during the week regarding the postponed games.
