Tatura's Isabella Pellegrino and Shepparton South's Ella McIntyre fight for possession.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Shepparton South’s Bendigo Amateur Soccer League finals ticket has been punched.
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Perched only two points inside the top six heading into their penultimate clash of the home-and-away season, South’s victory against the fourth-ranked Tatura has assured them of their first top-tier women’s finals appearance since 2019.
And within 12 minutes, they had one foot in the door.
A sharp Samantha Comline pass found Maya Vukcevic in the box, who danced around her opponents and snuck her seventh goal of the year past the keeper for the early lead.
South’s rigid defensive effort from there kept the score locked in at 1-0 for the remainder of the match, and favourable results elsewhere confirmed their place in the post-season.
“The girls played with dedication,” Shepparton South coach Mike Vukcevic said.
“They played hard and put all their body and soul into the game.
“Tatura’s a tough team; we've all had good tussles over the last few years.
“Unfortunately, we had a bit of a sickness go through our camp, but in the end, they pulled through, and it was a good win.”
At McEwen Reserve, Shepparton United stretched its winning streak to 11 games after defeating Strathfieldsaye Colts.
Alana Murray struck for United just before half-time, before Rebekah Lawson sent them 2-0 up with 10 minutes to play.
They remain outright second, the only blemish being a loss to Spring Gully, which maintained its unbeaten status with an 8-1 thumping of Eaglehawk.
The two sides meet in this Sunday’s catch-up round to conclude the home-and-away fixtures.
Meanwhile, Shepparton South’s men capped off a proud weekend for the black and white brigade by clinching the League 1 men’s championship.
South secured top spot by toppling reigning holders Tatura for the second time this season, unseating the ladder-leading incumbents 4-2.
An early goal-fest was kicked off by Joel Aitken only four minutes into the game, followed closely by Liam Nash three minutes later.
Tom Leech struck the third goal of the opening 10 minutes to get Tatura on the board, but a half-volley rocket from Greg Nash from 25 yards helped South out to a 3-1 lead at half-time.
Aitken’s second goal sealed the deal in the 67th minute, and although Leech hit a late consolation strike, it wasn’t enough to hold top spot.
The top six is now set, with Shepparton United’s 2-1 win over Strathdale keeping it in the hunt for a top two spot, with a catch-up round still to play this weekend.
Shepparton SC was defeated 5-1 by La Trobe University but sit five points clear in fifth.
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