Rematch: Last season’s grand finalists Tatura and Shepparton South will face off in round one of the new Central Victorian League One season on Sunday, April 2.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
A grand final rematch is set to headline round one of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League’s Central Victorian League One competition when it kicks off next month.
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Premier Tatura will take on league champion Shepparton South on Sunday, April 2 in the opening round of the new season, while Shepparton United will face Eaglehawk.
The Ibises and South met in last season’s final and, if their round one clash is even half as good as that match-up was, spectators are in for a treat.
The two teams were locked at one goal apiece after 90 minutes and after South took the lead in extra time, a dramatic Tatura equaliser in the 120th minute sent the game to penalties.
It was the Ibises who held there nerve in the shoot-out, converting four spot kicks to South’s three to win the match and claim the Super Cup.
Jubilation: Tatura celebrates after defeating Shepparton South in a penalty shoot-out during the Central Victorian League One men’s grand final.
Photo by
Daniel Webb
Now, the two teams will meet again for the first time since that memorable day.
Shepparton South coach Rob Harmeston said the champion-versus-premier match-up to start the season bore similarities to another showpiece match in England.
“It is like the Community Shield in England, they have the FA Cup winner and the League winner face off. We have our own little community shield battle now,” Harmeston said.
Strathdale will battle against Strathfieldsaye Colts United in the opening round, while Spring Gully United will face Epsom.
South and United will face off twice in the league this season, firstly in round three on Saturday, April 22 and then again in round 10 on Sunday, July 9.
Local rivals: Shepparton United and Shepparton South will face off in rounds three and 10 this season.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Heading into a new campaign, the South gaffer said last year’s grand final result, and the season overall, were already firmly in the rear-view mirror.
“It is done. For me, last year is done,” Harmeston said.
“We were champions last year, we are not champions now. We have to go and do it all again. Everyone is on the same page at the start of the year.”
It will be a different-look League One in 2023, with eight teams in the competition instead of 10.
La Trobe and Golden City have dropped down to League Two, with Shepparton Soccer Club also joining the second division.
The League Two fixture is yet to be released.
There will also be an extra piece of silverware up for grabs this year, with the introduction of a division one League Cup.
The eight division one teams will be split into two groups of four, with the top sides then facing off in the final.
Harmeston said he was a big fan of the new cup competition and what it brought to the table.
“I have always liked a cup game,” he said.
“You are fighting for the league, but you can also fill it in with a couple of cup games as well and that gives us a chance to mix things up and try new things for the league, so it is definitely a good thing.”
Strathdale, Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye Colts and Shepparton South will be in one group, with Epsom, Tatura, Spring Gully and Shepparton United in the other.
The first round of the League Cup fixtures will be played on the weekend of May 6-7, in between rounds four and five on the schedule.
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