Tatura’s Tristan Zito celebrates after netting one of the Ibises five goals against Shepparton.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Tatura’s odyssey for a Bendigo Amateur Soccer League title four-peat suffered an early scare in round one, before a procession of its star performers ensured the Ibises kick-started the 2025 campaign with ease.
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Hosting Shepparton at Howley Oval, Tatura watched as the Reds’ Josh Dimit netted the first goal within two minutes to force the reigning premier onto the back foot.
But Tatura is a top-tier premier for a reason, as it showcased in the ensuing 88 minutes.
Ever-reliable winger Fraser Gosstray didn’t take long to settle into the goal-scoring bracket, netting his first for the season in the 16th minute, before Tristan Zito doubled the Ibises’ haul to help Tatura hold a 2-1 lead at the half.
Both sides went back and forth in a physical period of play until Gerald Corbo finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, while further strikes to Aaron Niglia and Thomas Leech put the result beyond question.
A late flurry of send-offs underscored a fiery encounter, with the referee showing three reds and four yellows.
Though at 5-1, personnel issues matter little, and it was a maiden victory for Tatura under the stewardship of Cody Sellwood, was thrilled to see his charges respond after Shepparton’s early strike.
“It was as close to a top performance as you could get,” Sellwood said.
“We obviously had a shaky start with that early goal, but the boys responded well, which is all you can ask for.
“We just kicked on for the next 85 minutes and I thought we dominated.
“It’s good to get the monkey off the back personally as a coach, but also to get the three points and get up and running.”
Tatura’s Fraser Gosstray and Shepparton’s Anmar Hussain battle for possession.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Justin Milic chases the ball.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton’s Alexander Rojas is pursued by gerald Corbo.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Thomas Leech locks on to the ball.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton’s Ethan Willaims attempts a tackle on Xavier Black
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton’s Mario Peche Morote gets aerial.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
At McEwen Reserve, the local derby between Shepparton United and Shepparton South produced a thriller in front of a healthy crowd.
South held the attacking advantage and capitalised courtesy of a curling left foot strike on the edge of the box from Greg Nash, leading the black and white to a 1-0 advantage at half-time.
Craig Mathieson, a continuous threat with his towering presence, doubled South’s lead shortly after half-time to momentarily silence the United faithful.
However, anyone who put a line through United’s chances jumped too early.
It wrestled momentum back through Marcus Thomas, who evaded some tight checking to latch on to a long pass and slam the ball through the top-right corner for United’s first.
In a moment of last-gasp heroics, Willie Sauiluma rose above the chaos during a frantic corner, powering home a header to snatch a dramatic equaliser.
The whistle beat both teams to the punch, leaving scores locked 2-2 and United coach Roven Shaholli, despite acknowledging room for improvement, with a silver lining for his maturing team.
“The main thing I was proud of was to come back from 2-0 and to stay in the game, which is something we couldn’t do last year,” Shaholli said.
“The fight and spirit is there; obviously the more games under the belt, the better they’re going to get.”
United now looks to its round two clash against Epsom, which was a 4-3 winner over League 1 newcomer La Trobe University.
Elsewhere, Strathdale and Eaglehawk were forced to settle for a point apiece following a 1-1 draw.
In the League 1 women’s competition, Tatura wasted no time getting on the board with a 7-2 triumph over Moama-based outfit Border Raiders thanks to a hat-trick to Grainne Egan and a brace for Delana Trask.
Shepparton United and South mirrored the men’s clash with a draw, both sides snaring a goal at McEwen Reserve.
