Sport
Resurgent Shepparton win BASL clash
SCORES
Shepparton 7 (Alhamzah 49’, 67’, De Smit 50’, 72’, Davis 86’, 93’, OG 59’) d Colts United 4
A second half resurgence from Shepparton has seen the side claim its second win of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League on Sunday, overturning a two-goal deficit at the break to power past Colts United 7-4 at Strathfieldsaye Recreation reserve.
After holding off the hosts for a large part of the first half, a lapse in concentration left Shepparton smarting as Colts poached two goals in quick succession to send the Reds into panic stations moments before half time.
Coach Reno Lia managed to spur some life into his side during the interlude, as debutant Omran Alhamzah hit the back of the net in the early knockings of the second period.
A penalty from Jamie De Smit soon followed, drawing Shepparton back on level terms before an own goal from a Colts player thrusted the visitors in to the lead.
United refused to lay down with Jordan Buckley blasting one home in the 66th minute, putting Colts all square at three goals apiece.
However, conceding rattled the Reds into another gear as it hit the back of the net twice through Alhamzah and De Smit.
Buckley doubled up shortly after to breathe some life into United’s chances, but Remell Davis would spoil the hosts party with a swift double in the dying embers of the match.
The win means Shepparton now creep up into eighth spot on the table, and with a string of positive results under its belt there is no telling where the side could finish it continues to build.
Shepparton South 1 (Aitken 86’) Epsom 1
A late penalty has marred Shepparton South’s performance against cellar dweller Epsom at Huntly Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
After scoring what seemed like the winning goal as the match came to a close, a penalty awarded to Epsom was tucked away to give the bottom ranked side its first point of the season.
While either side couldn’t be separated for the bulk of the fixture, South were given a golden opportunity to win the game from the spot in the 86th minute.
Up stepped talisman striker Joel Aitken, who slotted his ninth goal of the season to put the Southerners within striking distance of all three points.
But South were served a helping of heartbreak four minutes deep into added time, as referee Elias Andrews pointed to the spot after an Epsom player went to ground.
Nerves of steel were required of Kyle Smith, who coolly tucked the ball home for the Scorpions to send waves of devastation through the Southerners camp.
