Shepparton United's Abdullah Farhood launches.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
The FIFA World Cup is raging in the Americas and the Socceroos have managed to progress to the knockout stages.
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But closer to home, clubs throughout the region are battling hard to stake their own claim to glory.
Shepparton United’s premiership defence continued against a battling Shepparton at McEwen Reserve at the weekend and, by the end of the 90 minutes, the Blues saluted their seventh consecutive win.
Tutu Taya’s hat-trick provided the bulk of the United onslaught in the 7-0 win, while Marcus Thomas’ slick season in front of the net continued with another brace.
The win propelled the Blues to the top of the League 1 standings and sets up an intriguing bout against fourth-placed Spring Gully, which came away with an upset win over Tatura.
Gully blanketed the Ibises’ attacking thrusts in the 2-0 triumph, as Sam Farr’s brace helped to unseat the visitors.
Elsewhere, Shepparton South’s stingy defence was broken for the first time in more than a month, but a brutal five-minute period in the front third proved pivotal in the Southerners’ hard-fought win over Eaglehawk.
Elijah Brooker struck first in the 21st minute, Malivaï Daninthe doubling the black and white advantage two minutes later.
Riley Hayton goaled almost immediately in reply for the Eagles, but Declan Kinnane continued the goal-scoring glut in the 26th minute, launching South to a 3-1 lead that Isaac Brooker’s men held for the remainder of the game.
Meanwhile, Epsom kept its top-five ambitions alive with a 2-1 defeat of Golden City, while Strathdale put four goals past La Trobe University to claim its fifth win.
The Dales have a bye in round 12, while Tatura will be aiming to rebound quickly at Howley Oval against City.
Shepparton travels to La Trobe in the hopes of banking its first victory, while South is also Bendigo-bound with a clash against Epsom.
In the League 1 women’s competition, Shepparton United was held to its third draw of the season with a 2-2 result against Colts United.
Lexi Boswell and Lili Wilson converted for the Blues, but Rebecca Berry’s 63rd-minute equaliser consigned United to splitting the points.
The ever-reliable Sam Comline scored another brace in Shepparton South’s 5-1 win over Eaglehawk to remain comfortably placed in the top five, while Castlemaine-Goldfields (10-0) and Spring Gully (7-0) sent reminders of their scoring potency.
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