Shepparton South put any faint inklings about their top two position to bed with a 2-1 win over Spring Gully at McEwen Reserve, a late Gully goal unable to cancel out Asad Alsaedy and Elijah Brooker’s strike.
South and Shepparton United have now earned the first week of finals off, but the Blues received a perfect tune up with an entertaining showdown against Tatura at Howley Oval.
Gerald Corbo found the back of the net first to send the Ibises up early, but Thomas Raditsas was swift with the replying goal to level proceedings.
Blues’ goal-scoring talisman Marcus Thomas scored twice to fire the visitors to a two-goal advantage but the Ibises were unwilling to let the contest fizzle out easily as Cody Sellwood goaled with 12 minutes of regular time to keep the pressure on.
United’s defence, however, held fast to seal their 16 th win of the campaign 3-2.
Eaglehawk sewed up the final spot in the top six with an 8-0 drubbing of Shepparton SC, while Strathdale and Epsom also picked up wins to round out another enthralling weekend of top-division action.
In the women’s competition, the race to claim sixth has boiled down to two.
Incumbent Tatura and La Trobe University sit locked on 13 points, and the pair will play off this weekend to determine the division’s last finalist.
But a gallant Ibises will take heart from its clash against second-placed United ahead of a blockbuster final round.
Ella and Olivia Loverso fired the Blues to a 2-0 lead at Howley Oval before Grainne Egan provided a flicker of hope for the hosts with a 72nd-minute goal.
United held firm in its back third to record a 2-1 win, locked in for a week off, while the Ibises look ahead to its veritable elimination final against La Trobe on the latter’s home pitch.
Shepparton South, already locked in for the post-season, couldn’t quell table toppers Spring Gully in a 3-1 defeat, Alexis Pearson scoring South’s only goal.
14°C