CVL | Gallery | South come from behind to win derby thriller

By Daniel Webb

May 9, 2022

Happy days: Shepparton South’s Joel Aitken is embraced by teammate William Keenan after kicking a goal. Photo by Megan Fisher

Shepparton South remains the team to beat in the Central Victorian League’s league one men’s competition, taking out a nail-biting Shepparton derby on Sunday afternoon.

Team talk: Shepparton United prepares for the contest. Photo by Megan Fisher

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

South did things the hard way at McEwen Reserve, coming from behind to take out a thrilling contest in front of a healthy home crowd.

Sliding in: Shepparton United’s Benjamin Degraft-Hayford tackles South’s Greg Nash. Photo by Megan Fisher

An early 12th-minute Joel Aitken goal put South in the lead early, before United converted a set piece to equalise soon after.

Eyes up: Shepparton South’s Greg Nash on the move. Photo by Megan Fisher

In the second half United hit the front, with another set-piece goal, giving the men in blue a 2-1 lead.

Man on: Shepparton South’s Jamie De Smit looks to break free from his opponent. Photo by Megan Fisher

However, South remained in the contest and after two second-half substitutions the side found an equaliser, with Aitken scoring his second of the day in the 72nd minute.

Tight tussle: Shepparton United’s Murtaza Gulzari battles with Shepparton South’s Sean Grant. Photo by Megan Fisher

With time ticking away the scores remained level and it took an 84th minute strike to goal scoring machine Will Keenan to put South in front, seeing the side run out 3-2 victors.

Making moves: Shepparton United’s Murtaza Gulzari with time on the ball. Photo by Megan Fisher

South coach Rob Harmeston said the way United played was very difficult to manage.

“The game was very stop-start, there was lots of free kicks, fouls, set pieces, throw-ins, corners, there was no flow to it so we couldn’t get going,” Harmeston said.

Goal-scorer: South’s Joel Aitken scored two on the day. Photo by Megan Fisher

“The big thing for us was the substitutions, I think Nathan Radevski coming back and Nick Mori running at them really changed the game for us.

“He’s (Radevski) been injured pretty much most of the season.

“The skipper’s come back and he made a massive impact with tackles and just driving the team forward which was fantastic.”

Body on the line: Shepparton United’s Murtaza Gulzari, Benjamin Degraft-Hayford and Ermal Marku defend a set piece. Photo by Megan Fisher

The big win keeps South on top of the league one men’s ladder, with the side winning all five games it has played and conceding just four goals so far this season, however Harmeston was once again not getting ahead of himself.

“It’s nice but as the old cliche goes, there’s still a long way to go, there’s no point trying to celebrate after round five if by round 18 you’re third or fourth, so we’re mindful of it,” Harmeston said.

Focused: South’s Caleb Walmsley lines up the ball. Photo by Megan Fisher

“Everyone wants to beat us though and I think that’s the thing we have to take into every game, everyone’s going to be bringing their best to try and beat us which is good.”

South were not the only side from the region celebrating this weekend, with Tatura picking up a solid win on Saturday night.