The Scorpions proved difficult to break down early and the Ibises led just 1-0 at the half, but half-time tweaks had the hosts take control of the contest and sprint away to a 6-1 win.
Forward Louis Ruddock had broken the deadlock on 17 minutes, but the Ibises would not open up a gap until shortly after the half, when Adrian Corbo put one home for 2-0.
Soon after Cody Sellwood found a third, but Josh Dwyer breathed life into Epsom’s chances by making it 3-1 shortly after the hour.
But smooth sailing was quickly resumed with three goals in 15 minutes, as Thomas Leech, Emre Celik and Jordan Leocata all scored to complete the 6-1 drubbing.
Tatura coach Dom Cricelli said breaking down Epsom had not been easy, but the right approach had brought plenty of success.
‘‘It was a pretty tight first half, but once we changed things up at half-time we were able to run away with it a little bit,’’ he said.
‘‘The boys stepped up and that was really good to see. We changed the formation and the way we played, and it just worked out a bit better for us.
‘‘We had to change things with new personnel in the side with a few players out, but once we’d changed things for the second half we really hit our straps and came away with it.
‘‘We went into a 4-4-2, that worked better through the midfield. The back four defended really well, it was a shame we conceded the one goal but we were relatively happy with the performance.’’
The win was the perfect response to last weekend’s 5-1 humbling at the hands of Moama-Echuca, the Ibises still within eight points of top spot.
After this weekend’s bye, they will take on Shepparton United in a blockbuster clash.
●Eaglehawk sent another statement to the competition, smashing La Trobe University 12-1.
Greg Thomas scored another four goals, while captain Brent Hamblin and Craig Rennie found two each.
The weekend’s other clash between Moama-Echuca and Strathdale was washed out.
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