Shepparton Soccer Club has one main objective for its first season back in Bendigo Amateur Soccer League – earn promotion.
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And five weeks into the new campaign that goal certainly looks like it is a strong possibility.
Shepparton is sitting in third spot on the Central Victorian League 2 men’s ladder, having picked up its third win of the year in a local derby on Sunday.
The Reds, who are fielding a senior men’s side for the first time since 2019, powered past Shepparton Jaguars with a dominant second-half display.
The score was still locked at 0-0 at half-time at Vibert Reserve, but a barrage of goals had Shepparton run out a 4-0 victor.
Mohamed Al Fatelawi, Abdal Al Hashoush, Haider Alhamzah and Irfan Haveric were on the scoresheet for the Reds, as they kept their second clean sheet of 2023.
Shepparton president Stefo Radevski was on the park on Sunday afternoon in a match played in blustery conditions.
“It was a good win, it was a tough game,” Radevski said.
“The first half was very competitive. It was 0-0 at half-time. We probably had the better of the chances, we just didn’t use the wind to our advantage.
“We played way too many long balls instead of short balls going with the wind and that affected our opportunities.
“In the second half, kicking into the wind, we changed it up a little bit and started going short and putting a bit more pressure on the Jaguars and in the end we got the four goals and the win.”
The club has three wins, one draw and one defeat on the board in 2023 and sits two points behind top two sides Golden City and La Trobe University Red.
After a three-year hiatus, Shepparton had originally hoped to play in Central Victorian League 1 in 2023.
The club ultimately decided to enter into the second division instead, with the aim of earning its way into the top flight.
“Our objective is to finish on top and get promoted to division one,” Radevski said.
“We are doing okay. We have a very experienced side and a very skilful side. A lot of the boys have been playing for a long time, throw in a bit of youth that we have and I think we have a team that can go all the way.
“We just need to make sure we are focused on the end result and that is promotion.”
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Locked and loaded: Hussein Al Hashoush gets set to launch a throw in back into play. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Eyes on the prize: Hassaneen Alderawy, left, and Ahmet Savran race for the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
On the ball: Erike Njiginya passes to a Shepparton Jaguars teammate. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Moving forward: Irfan Haveric carries the ball up field. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Big swing: Shepparton Jaguars' Isaac Museme sends the ball long. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Right foot: Shepparton SC's Dhiya Al Mugotir sends in a cross. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Local showdown: Josh Safari and the Shepparton Jaguars, faced off against cross-town rivals Shepparton SC on Sunday. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Under pressure: Shepparton's Dhiya Al Mugotir shields the ball from Erike Njiginya of the Jaguars. Photo by Rechelle ZammitMeanwhile, teams in the top flight took a break from league football at the weekend to kick off the League Cup competition.
Tatura started things off on the right foot with a 4-1 win over Epsom, avenging a 1-0 loss to the Scorpions a fortnight ago.
Epsom led 1-0 at half-time at Howley Oval Tatura, but the Ibises answered back with four second-half goals to seal a come-from-behind victory.
“I think it was a good experience to play some cup football again,” Tatura coach Thomas Corso said.
“It was an opportunity for us to get some redemption over Epsom. Obviously, it doesn’t count to the league table, but it is good to get the boys’ confidence up.
“Having lost to them only two weeks ago and then coming back and putting on a performance like that is good signs for the team.”
Tristan Zito and Cody Sellwood scored twice for Tatura.
Corso said it was some minor adjustments and a different mindset that helped the Ibises flip the script and sting the Scorpions.
“We changed our structure around a little bit. There were a few alterations we needed to make with players and positioning and what not,” he said.
“But ultimately it was just attitude application. We just needed to come to the game with the right attitude and the right intentions, no matter if it was a cup game or a league game, and that is ultimately what set us apart.
“I had a chat to the boys at half-time. Sometimes panic sets in when you are 1-0 down. I just tried to instil the trust in them that it is only one goal – we know we can score multiple goals in the game and I had no doubt that we would come back and score.”
Elsewhere, Shepparton South and Shepparton United started things off with a bang, earning big wins in their respective matches.
South blasted its way past Strathfieldsaye Colts United 7-2, with Sean Grant scoring six of his side’s goals. United defeated Spring Gully United 6-2.