Shepparton United and Shepparton reignited their cross-town rivalry at the weekend with plenty on the line for both clubs.
United, coming off its first defeat, had eyes on retaining its top four position, while Shepparton, unlucky not to have more than one win to its name, the chance to shake off back-to-back losses and keep pace with the top five.
At half-time, no-one was any the wiser as to how the gritty McEwen Reserve clash would pan out, as both teams went into the break locked at nil-all.
Enter United’s Rumesh Bartaula, who scored immediately after half-time to break the deadlock.
However, his swift strike was cancelled out by Murtaza Gulzari with a 66th-minute equaliser, the first of his season.
But United wouldn’t be denied, with Bartaula doubling his tally shortly before full-time and the blue defence holding strong to deliver the home side its fourth win of the season.
The result underscored an important marker of the club’s improvement this year, equalling its 2024 win count as the march to finals continued.
United coach Roven Shaholli was pleased with his side’s response after the 2-1 defeat to ladder leader Eaglehawk.
“It was an important game for both clubs,” Shaholli said.
“It was a massive grind; the boys all put in a shift yesterday, and it was good to get the win.
“Rumesh was outstanding, but the young ones all stepped up as well.
“We were a bit disappointed after the loss. It was good to bounce back and bounce back well.”
Shaholli is tipping another similar clash this week against Tatura, which currently boasts the league’s leading goal-scorer after another big haul.
Xavier Black backed up his hat-trick from the previous round by going one better against Strathdale, netting four in the Ibises’ 6-0 rout to take his tally to 10 for the season.
But the Ibises’ talisman was outshone by Shepparton South big man Craig Mathieson, who put Epsom to the sword with five goals in South’s 6-0 rout of the Scorpions in Bendigo.
Mathieson netted South’s two first-half goals before adding three in the next stanza, Trent Newbound the other scorer as the black and white kept its grip on second.
Leading the charge still is Eaglehawk, which kept its unbeaten run alive after grinding out a 2-1 win over a determined La Trobe University.
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Shepparton United's Marcus Thomas flashes a grin. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 6
Shepparton's Abdullah Farhood races Shepparton United's Joseph Alshawaf to the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 6
Marcus Thomas leaps over Murtaza Gulzari. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 6
Murtaza Gulzari locks on to the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 6
Abdullah Farhood controls the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 6
Joseph Sepe passes. Photo by Megan FisherIn the League 1 women’s competition, a three-game gulf has emerged between fourth and fifth as the title race heats up at the top.
Second-placed Shepparton United scored a 2-0 win over Border Raiders after Maria Villani’s 89th-minute sealer doubled up from an earlier own goal.
Shepparton South was well-held in a 4-0 loss to the undefeated Spring Gully, still hunting its first win.
Tatura failed to capitalise on an opportunity against top-four rival Strathfieldsaye, going down 3-1.
Meanwhile, Shepparton South’s Youth squad emulated the men’s result with a 6-0 defeat of Epsom, Asadullah Khawari’s hat-trick helping to preserve its unbeaten start to the season.
South sits tied at the top of the table on 21 points with Shepparton United, which won 2-0 against Castlemaine courtesy of an Ali Maisam Sharifi brace.