All finals were scheduled to be held across a super Sunday out west, but the league made an executive decision to abandon the reserves final between Shepparton United and Shepparton South, citing safety fears.
Nonetheless, the women’s and senior men’s finals ran as scheduled and although the locals didn’t see action in the day’s final event, Shepparton United’s women put themselves in with a shout against Spring Gully United.
United and Spring Gully opened the day in unexpected territory following a last-minute relocation for the day’s festivities to Bendigo’s Tom Flood Sports Centre due to pitch conditions.
The top two sides in the women’s league season at the moment, with Spring Gully unbeaten after 11 straight home and away wins, meant high-quality football was assured.
Shepparton sides are no stranger to Spring Gully spearhead Letesha Bawden, who blazed home 27 goals in the league last year, and she was on the sheet again before long for the “home” side.
To the benefit of the girls in blue, though, as in many previous instances, was Rosemarene Legalo, who finished the cup with a goal in every round by saluting once more.
With a brand new game heading into the second half, United’s girls were just moments away from holding on with a 2-1 lead after Indiigo Sutton fired home for the first time this season before Bawden again displayed her quality in completing a brace less than three minutes from time.
Ultimately, regular and extra time was insufficient and penalties were required to settle the thrilling contest, with all five Spring Gully takers doing the job as the league leader claimed a 5-3 shootout win.
Despite the heartbreaking result, coach Jean-Claude Giuca was more than proud of the output over 120 minutes, especially against such formidable opposition.
“We were two-and-a-half minutes away. That’s all it was,” Giuca said.
“Unfortunately they scored right at the death, but I was really pleased overall, ecstatic with the performance of our girls.
“They should be very proud of themselves.
“Rosemarene seems to be in the right position at the right times, which is pleasing for us; a lot of work has been done between defence and midfield, and she caps it off.
“We made the final, we were winners last year and we made it again, so we take a lot out of it.”
Inability to defend the silverware aside, there was another important and worthwhile lesson from the game — Spring Gully is fallible after all.
This, rather than the disappointment of coming up short on penalties, is the key takeaway for United.
“We took a really good, positive outlook; how we set up on game day basically worked,” Giuca said.
“For Spring Gully to be 2-1 down, I don’t think that had happened during the season, so that was a feather in our cap. They’re not unbeatable.
“At the end of the day, penalties are how the wind blows. Our keeper saved one, but the linesman ruled she had moved off the line and they scored when it was retaken.
“We could have settled it in the 90 minutes, but all in all, the pleasing part is they’re not invincible and there are good times ahead for the girls.”
Meanwhile, the senior men were next up in an all-Bendigo district final between Eaglehawk and Strathdale.
Eaglehawk, currently second in the league, had already completed a home and away season double in this fixture, but Kelan Tramm set about turning all form on its head with a first-half double of his own.
A Kane Goldsworthy strike all but assured this one was wrapped up by the break, as Kane Ralson salvaged some consolation before Strathdale comfortably claimed the cup in a 3-1 win.
The league picks up back again this weekend with a plethora of local fixtures on Sunday.
Vibert Reserve, McEwen Reserve and Tatura’s Howley Oval will all serve as fixtures across a smattering of Goulburn Valley football on the day.
